Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (February–March 2016)

On the morning of 11 February 2016, the Syrian Arab Army's 555th Brigade of the 4th Mechanized Division, along with the National Defense Forces (NDF), Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade), Kataebat Al-Ba'ath (Al-Ba'ath Battalions), and Fouj Al-Joulan (Golani Regiment), launched an offensive eastward to recapture the Ithriyah-Raqqa Road that leads to the Tabqa Military Airport. They began their assault by storming Hill 5 along the Ithriyah-Raqqa Road, and after nearly three hours of fierce battle with ISIS, they were able to establish full control over three points in the eastern Hama desert: Hill 5, Tal Abu Zayn and a water well at the village of Tal Zakiyah. At this point, the Syrian Army was 45 kilometers from the Al-Tabqa air base.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/28141/|title=Syrian Army begins large-scale military operation to retake Tabaqa Airport|author=Leith Fadel|date=11 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=14 February 2016|archive-date=12 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212031602/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/28141/|url-status=dead}}

The next day, Syrian government forces advanced from Tal Abu Zayn, capturing Tal Madakhah hill.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-continues-to-advance-towards-raqqa-tal-madakhah-captured/|title=Syrian Army continues to advance towards Raqqa: Tal Madakhah captured|author=Leith Fadel|date=11 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=14 February 2016|archive-date=27 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027081137/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-continues-to-advance-towards-raqqa-tal-madakhah-captured/|url-status=dead}} They had also reached Tal Zakiyah in the afternoon,{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-reaches-important-crossroad-in-southern-raqqa/|title=Syrian Army reaches important crossroad in southern Raqqa|author=Leith Fadel|date=13 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=14 February 2016|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507103731/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-reaches-important-crossroad-in-southern-raqqa/|url-status=dead}} thus entering the southern Raqqa countryside, and coming within 35 kilometers of the airbase.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-enters-al-raqqa-governorate/|title=Syrian Army enters the Al-Raqqa Governorate|author=Leith Fadel|date=12 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=14 February 2016|archive-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213050953/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-enters-al-raqqa-governorate/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Feb-13/337141-syrian-army-intends-to-advance-into-isis-stronghold-of-raqqa-province-after-capturing-positions.ashx|title=Syrian army intends move into ISIS stronghold of Raqqa province: source|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=14 February 2016}} Meanwhile, west of Ithriyah, the military seized two villages along the Ithriya-Salamiyah Road, near Sheikh Hilal.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-two-villages-in-east-hama/|title=Syrian Army captures two villages in east Hama|author=Leith Fadel|date=12 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=14 February 2016|archive-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213051002/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-two-villages-in-east-hama/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/?p=155539|title=قوات النظام تتقدم باتجاه الحدود الإدارية مع الرقة وتسيطر على قرى بريف حماة|author=yaman2020|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=14 February 2016}} On 13 February, government troops seized the Zakiyah crossroad, in southern Raqqa, while also further advancing in the Sheikh Hilal area.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=44101|title=After the death of more than 140 soldiers, Regime forces advance around Shekh Hilal|author=jack|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=14 February 2016}}

On 14 February, the Syrian Army seized Tal Masbah hill, 15 kilometers east of Ithriyah. ISIS fighters retreated towards the desert village of Jubb Al-Qutna.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-advances-towards-tabaqa-military-airport-tal-masbah-captured/|title=Syrian Army advances towards Tabaqa Military Airport: Tal Masbah captured|author=Leith Fadel|date=14 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=14 February 2016|archive-date=22 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222011610/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-advances-towards-tabaqa-military-airport-tal-masbah-captured/|url-status=dead}} On 15 February, several hills around Zakiyah were also captured.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-continues-massive-retreat-as-syrian-forces-advance-towards-tabaqa/|title=ISIS continues massive retreat as Syrian forces advance towards Tabaqa|author=Leith Fadel|date=14 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=2 March 2016|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225164834/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-continues-massive-retreat-as-syrian-forces-advance-towards-tabaqa/|url-status=dead}}

On 17 February, the Army approached Marina, positioning themselves five kilometers west of the village, while fighting continued at Zakiyah.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-approach-strategic-village-in-al-raqqa-countryside/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218092216/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-approach-strategic-village-in-al-raqqa-countryside/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 18, 2016|title=Syrian Armed Forces approach strategic village in Al-Raqqa countryside|author=Leith Fadel|date=17 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=2 March 2016}} The next day, after an 8-hour battle that started in the early morning, government troops captured Tal Al-'Alam hill, four kilometers from Marina.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-strategic-hill-in-al-raqqa-countryside/|title=Syrian Armed Forces capture strategic hill in Al-Raqqa countryside|author=Leith Fadel|date=19 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=2 March 2016|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225110355/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-strategic-hill-in-al-raqqa-countryside/|url-status=dead}}

Between 20 and 21 February, government forces captured two hills ("Point 4" and "Point 5"), near Zakiyah, and the village of Al-Massabah.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-another-point-on-the-road-to-tabaqa/|title=Syrian Armed Forces capture another point on the road to Tabaqa|author=Leith Fadel|date=20 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=2 March 2016|archive-date=2 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302041630/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-another-point-on-the-road-to-tabaqa/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-al-massabah-village-as-isis-retreats-in-the-al-raqqa-countryside/|title=Syrian Army captures Al-Massabah village as ISIS retreats in the Al-Raqqa countryside|author=Leith Fadel|date=20 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=2 March 2016|archive-date=2 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302031904/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-al-massabah-village-as-isis-retreats-in-the-al-raqqa-countryside/|url-status=dead}}

On the evening of 21 February, ISIL launched two offensives with the aim of cutting the government's supply line that runs through Ithriyah. One of these was a large assault against the road running from Ithriyah towards Aleppo city, to the north, more specifically against the Khanasir-Aleppo Road. During this operation, ISIL cut the road for seven days and captured the strategic town of Khanasir, before the Army managed to retake all areas they had lost along the highway. The second attack was aimed at the Sheikh Hilal-Ithriyah Road, west of Ithriyah, which was also cut. By 28 February, all points lost were recaptured by the military in the Sheikh Hilal area, except the Al-'Azeeb Checkpoint. The simultaneous ISIL assault on the two roads had left Syrian Army units along the Salamiyah-Raqqa Highway trapped during this time.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/important-government-supply-route-to-aleppo-remains-cutoff-by-isis/|title=Important government supply route to Aleppo remains cutoff by ISIS|author=Leith Fadel|date=28 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=2 March 2016|archive-date=2 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802105212/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/important-government-supply-route-to-aleppo-remains-cutoff-by-isis/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-cuts-two-different-government-supply-routes/|title=ISIS cuts two different government supply routes|author=Leith Fadel|date=23 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=2 March 2016|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902221303/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-cuts-two-different-government-supply-routes/|url-status=dead}} Later on the same day, the Syrian Army captured the last point on the Sheikh Hilal-Ithriya Road that was held by ISIL, thus reopening the supply route.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-reopens-vital-supply-route-to-aleppo-after-routing-isis/|title=Syrian Army reopens vital supply route to Aleppo after routing ISIS|author=Leith Fadel|date=28 February 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=2 March 2016|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904081250/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-reopens-vital-supply-route-to-aleppo-after-routing-isis/|url-status=dead}}

On 3 March, the Syrian Army recaptured all points they had to abandon at the Zakiyah crossroad days earlier, due to the cutting of the supply route.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-reaches-al-raqqa-border-regaining-initiative/|title=Syrian Army reaches Al-Raqqa border after regaining offensive initiative|author=Leith Fadel|date=3 March 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=4 March 2016|archive-date=23 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123231437/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-reaches-al-raqqa-border-regaining-initiative/|url-status=dead}} Two days later, ISIL once again cut the Sheikh Hilal-Ithriyah Road, killing 15–20 soldiers, before the military repelled the attack and re-secured the road.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/syria-rebels-border-crossing-37420245|title=ABC News|author=ABC News|website=ABC News }} Following this, the Syrian Army shifted their focus from the Al-Tabqa Military Airport to the Jirah Military Airport and Deir Hafir, further north in Aleppo Province.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-abandons-hope-east-aleppo-syrian-army-captures-3-villages/|title=ISIS abandons hope in east Aleppo as the Syrian Army captures 3 more villages|author=Leith Fadel|date=10 March 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=10 March 2016|archive-date=15 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515060026/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-abandons-hope-east-aleppo-syrian-army-captures-3-villages/|url-status=dead}} This came in the aftermath of the failed ISIL offensive at Khanasir, during which government forces captured 13 villages previously held by ISIL.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-3-villages-isis-southeast-aleppo/|title=Syrian Army liberates 3 more villages from ISIS in southeast Aleppo|author=Leith Fadel|date=10 March 2016|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=10 March 2016|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501235905/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-3-villages-isis-southeast-aleppo/|url-status=dead}}

{{see also|Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (June 2016)}}

On 2 June, the military announced the start of a new offensive from Ithriyah, with the aim of liberating Raqqa city.{{Cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-saa-begins-military-operation-recapture-isis-held-raqqa/|title=Syrian Army begins new offensive to liberate Raqqa|work=Al-Masdar news|date=2 June 2016|access-date=2 June 2016|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508193412/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-saa-begins-military-operation-recapture-isis-held-raqqa/|url-status=dead}}

• Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)
• Northern Aleppo offensive (2016)
• East Aleppo offensive (2015–16)

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Syrian Civil War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (February 2016-present)}}

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2016

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Russia

Category:Raqqa Governorate in the Syrian civil war

Category:February 2016 in Syria

Category:March 2016 in Syria

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian government