Western al-Hasakah offensive

{{main|Eastern al-Hasakah offensive}}

File:Al-Hasakah Governorate farthest ISIL advance, mid-April 2015.png, by mid-April 2015.]]

On 6 May 2015,{{cite web|date=27 May 2015|url=http://www.diclehaber.com/en/news/content/view/459039?from=919196554|title=First stage of 'Operation Commander Rûbar Qamishlo' successfully finalized|agency=DİHA|access-date=10 Oct 2015|archive-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023308/http://www.diclehaber.com/en/news/content/view/459039?from=919196554|url-status=dead}} Kurdish forces launched an offensive in the area of Tell Tamer to recapture territory they had previously lost to ISIL. Over the next three days, the YPG advanced in the Aalyah area, northwest of Tell Tamer,{{cite web|date=7 May 2015|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-advances-in-northwest-of-tal-tamer-and-4-regimes-members-killed-in-deir-ezzor-city/|title=YPG advances in northwest of Tal Tamer, and 4 regime's members killed in Deir Ezzor City|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093917/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-advances-in-northwest-of-tal-tamer-and-4-regimes-members-killed-in-deir-ezzor-city/|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=10 October 2015}} and elsewhere,{{cite web|date=8 May 2015|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/the-turkish-border-guards-kill-2-men-and-ypg-fighters-seizing-new-areas-in-tal-tamer/|title=The Turkish border guards kill 2 men, and YPG fighters seizing new areas in Tal Tamer|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522164701/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/the-turkish-border-guards-kill-2-men-and-ypg-fighters-seizing-new-areas-in-tal-tamer/|archive-date=22 May 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=10 October 2015}} while backed up by U.S.-led Coalition air-strikes.{{cite web|date=9 May 2015|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/advances-for-regime-forces-in-idlib-and-tal-tamir-countrysides/|title=Advances for regime forces in Idlib and Tal Tamir countrysides|author=Master|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518094651/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/advances-for-regime-forces-in-idlib-and-tal-tamir-countrysides/|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=10 October 2015}}

On the fourth day of the offensive, Kurdish Commander Rûbar Qamishlo, per whom the operation was named, was heavily wounded. Commander Qamishlo died of his wounds on 14 May.

On 10 May, the YPG advanced on the road between Tell Tamer and Aleppo.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/clashes-in-der-ezzor-and-al-hasakah/|title=Clashes in Der-Ezzor and al-Hasakah|author=Master|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}} On 11 May, the YPG advanced in the al-Salihiyyi area{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/8-is-militants-killed-in-tal-tamer-and-the-regime-forces-advance-in-east-of-al-hasakah/|title=8 IS militants killed in Tal Tamer, and the regime forces advance in east of al- Hasakah|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}} and continued advancing northwest of Tell Tamer the following day,{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-advances-in-the-countryside-of-tal-tamer-and-the-syria-helicopters-drop-a-barrel-bomb-on-an-ambulatory-center-in-aleppo/|title=YPG advances in the countryside of Tal Tamer, and the Syria helicopters drop a barrel bomb on an ambulatory center in Aleppo|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}} eventually capturing the Alya area by 13 May.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-seizes-the-strategic-area-of-alya-in-northwest-of-the-town-of-tal-tamer/|title=YPG seizes the strategic area of Alya in northwest of the town of Tal Tamer|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}}

On 15 May, the YPG, backed up by the Syriac MFS and Khabour Guards, advanced in the Tal Hormoz area amid continuing fighting and an ISIL car-bomb attack.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-advances-in-tal-tamer-and-the-clashes-continue-in-the-countryside-of-idlib/|title=YPG advances in Tal Tamer, and the clashes continue in the countryside of Idlib|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |access-date=25 May 2015}} Two days later, the YPG captured parts of Tal Hormoz{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-advances-and-seizes-parts-in-tal-hormoz-area/|title=YPG advances and seizes parts in Tal Hormoz area|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}} amid mutual bombardment by both sides and an ISIL suicide car-bomb attack, while clashes also took place around Razaza village where Coalition air-strikes took place.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-and-u-s-led-coalition-air-strikes-kill-10-is-in-al-hasakah-countryside/|title=YPG and U.S led coalition air strikes kill 10 IS in al-Hasakah countryside|author=Master|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}}

On 18 May, the YPG-led forces captured two villages overlooking the road towards Mount Abdulaziz.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-and-allied-factions-advance-again-in-ayn-al-arab-kobani-and-tal-tamer-and-seize-new-strategic-areas/|title=YPG and allied factions advance again in Ayn al- Arab "Kobani" and Tal Tamer and seize new strategic areas|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}} On the following day, the YPG captured another three villages on the road heading towards the mountain, as ISIL hit them with two suicide car-bombs.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-and-allied-gunmen-advances-in-tal-tamir-countryside/|title=YPG and allied gunmen advances in Tal Tamir countryside|author=Master|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}} In all, between 17 and 19 May, the YPG captured about 20 villages.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/170-is-militants-killed-in-the-last-48-hours-in-al-hasakah-and-ypg-could-sieze-about-20-villages/|title=170 IS militants killed in the last 48 hours in al- Hasakah, and YPG could {{sic|sie|ze|hide=y}} about 20 villages|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522163735/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/170-is-militants-killed-in-the-last-48-hours-in-al-hasakah-and-ypg-could-sieze-about-20-villages/ |archive-date=22 May 2015}}

On 20 May, the YPG and allied forces captured wide parts of the mountain.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-and-allied-forces-seize-wide-areas-in-abdul-aziz-mountain/|title=YPG and allied forces seize wide areas in Abdul Aziz Mountain|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522142819/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-and-allied-forces-seize-wide-areas-in-abdul-aziz-mountain/ |archive-date=22 May 2015}} In addition, on 21 May, they seized the village of Aghaybesh, located on the road between Qamishli and Aleppo.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-and-allied-forces-seize-the-village-of-aghaybesh-in-al-hasakah/|title=YPG and allied forces seize the village of Aghaybesh in al- Hasakah|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}}

On 21 May, Kurdish forces captured the Assyrian villages of Tal Shamira and Tal Nasri, as well as two other villages.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/the-regime-forces-losses-the-last-border-crossing-with-iraq-and-ypg-seizes-4-villages-around-the-town-of-tal-tamer/|title=The regime forces lose the last border crossing with Iraq, and YPG seizes 4 villages around the town of Tal Tamer|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=25 May 2015}} Thus, they completed the first stage of their two-week offensive successfully, recapturing Christian villages that ISIL militants took control of three months earlier and seizing Mount Abd al-Aziz.{{cite news|title=Fighting Islamic State, Kurds Among Few Making Gains|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/2786197.html|date=22 May 2015}}

On 26 May, the YPG captured the town of Mabrouka, in the border area of Ras al-Ayn, bringing them closer to the ISIL-held border town of Tell Abyad,{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-expels-is-from-4000-square-km-in-al-hasakah-in-20-days/|title=YPG expels IS from 4000 square km in al-Hasakah in 20 days |work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=27 May 2015}} then a major transit point for ISIL black-market oil commerce and foreign fighters from Turkey.{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/kurdish-fighters-syria-march-against-militants-193120789.html |title=Kurdish fighters in Syria on the march against IS militants |work=Yahoo News |agency=Associated Press |date=28 May 2015 |access-date=18 July 2015}}

In all, since 6 May, the YPG and allied forces captured 4,000 square kilometers of territory throughout the western Al-Hasakah Governorate, including 230 towns, villages and farmlands.

After the capture of Mabrouka, the YPG launched attacks on ISIL-held villages on the border. The Kurds claimed that 184 ISIL fighters were killed between 25 and 28 May.{{cite web|url=http://www.diclehaber.com/en/news/content/view/459224?from=1923065108|title='Operation Commander Rubar Qamishlo' ongoing on its 22nd day|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215121846/http://www.diclehaber.com/en/news/content/view/459224?from=1923065108|url-status=dead}}

On 29 May, the YPG captured the entire countryside of Ras al-Ayn,{{cite web |url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/18781/ |title=YPG advances towards al-Raqqa province |work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |access-date=30 May 2015}} as they continued the second phase of their campaign.{{cite web|url=http://www.diclehaber.com/en/news/content/view/459533?page=1&key=92152d824473935b67054a3e9b22508b|title=YPG/J forces liberate 5 more villages |access-date=2 June 2015}} Later that day, clashes on the administrative boundary between Al-Hasakah and Raqqa provinces took place that left 30 civilians dead at Nis Tal, on the Syrian–Turkish border, according to SOHR.{{cite web |url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-clashes-with-is-near-and-inside-the-province-of-al-raqqa/|title=YPG clashes with IS near and inside the province of al- Raqqa |work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |access-date=30 May 2015}} In contrast, Kurdish sources claimed nearly 100 people were massacred.{{cite web |url=http://www.diclehaber.com/en/news/content/view/459357?from=1089230124 |title=Daesh massacres about 100 civilians at Akçakale border |publisher=Diha |access-date=30 May 2015 |archive-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032534/http://www.diclehaber.com/en/news/content/view/459357?from=1089230124 |url-status=dead }} The civilians were killed by ISIL while trying to escape an advance by the jihadists. Meanwhile, the Kurds executed 20 civilians on the charges of supporting ISIL and burned and demolished homes of suspected ISIL supporters near Tell Tamer and Ras al-Ayn.{{cite web |url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/ypg-accused-of-killing-arab-civilians-burning-and-bulldozing-houses-in-arab-villages/|title=YPG accused of killing Arab civilians, burning and bulldozing houses in Arab villages|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |access-date=30 May 2015}}

On 31 May 2015, Kurdish forces pushed beyond the provincial boundary between the Al-Hasakah and Raqqa Governorates, thus ending the offensive operations within the western Al-Hasakah Governorate.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/amphtml/kurds-push-back-northern-syria-border-provinces-monitor-183629783.html|title=Kurds push back IS in northern Syria border provinces: monitor|agency=AFP|access-date=2 June 2015}}

{{main|Tell Abyad offensive (2015)|Al-Hasakah city offensive (May–June 2015)}}

File:Al-Hasakah Governorate post-offensive, on May 31, 2015.png

On 30 May, ISIL launched an offensive towards the Syrian government-controlled part of Al-Hasakah, and advanced in the city's outskirts after two suicide bombers targeted Syrian Army positions, killing and wounding 50 soldiers.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/05/at-least-50-members-of-the-regime-forces-and-allied-militiamen-killed-and-wounded-in-an-attack-launched-by-is-on-the-city-of-al-hasakah/ |title=At least 50 members of the regime forces and allied militiamen killed and wounded in an attack launched by IS on the city of al- Hasakah |date=30 May 2015 |work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=7 June 2015}} The offensive originated from the ISIL-held town of Al-Shaddadah, south of Al-Hasakah,{{cite news |title=Syrian army regains ground against Islamic State in Hasaka city |url= http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/06/07/syrian-army-regains-ground-against-islamic-state-hasaka-city |agency=Reuters |newspaper=SBS |date=7 June 2015 }} and was the jihadist organizations's third assault on the city in 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-force-are-triumphant-at-al-hasakah-city/ |title=Syrian Armed Force are triumphant at Al-Hasakah City |date=8 June 2015 |author=Leith Fadel |work=Al-Masdar News |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608142653/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-force-are-triumphant-at-al-hasakah-city/ |url-status=dead }}

On 31 May, Kurdish forces seized four villages on the provincial boundary between Al-Hasakah and Raqqa. The SOHR also reported that clashes were continuing between YPG and ISIL forces to the southwest of Ras al-Ayn.

On 15 July 2015, an ISIL militant attempted to carry out a suicide attack in the area between Tell Brak and al-Hawl; however, he was captured by the YPG, and the explosives were disarmed.[http://ypgrojava.com/en/index.php/statements/765-july-15-defense-units-deny-one-more-isil-supply-route-to-raqqa July 15: Defense Units Deny One More ISIL Supply Route to Raqqa]

On 17 July, three ISIL militants attacked the village of Nestal, to the west of the town of Mabrouka. One of the militants was reportedly killed, while another fled across the border into Turkey.{{Cite web |url=http://ypgrojava.com/en/index.php/statements/766-july-17-major-offensive-against-isil-terrorists-beleaguered-inside-hasakah |title=July 17: Major Offensive Against ISIL Terrorists Beleaguered Inside Hasakah |access-date=2015-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811201722/http://ypgrojava.com/en/index.php/statements/766-july-17-major-offensive-against-isil-terrorists-beleaguered-inside-hasakah |archive-date=2015-08-11 |url-status=dead }}

On 8 August 2015, ISIL militants carried out an attack on the village of Abu Hamal, to the south of Tell Hamis. The YPG and YPJ counterattacked, forcing ISIL to withdraw from the region.{{Cite web |url=http://ypgrojava.com/en/index.php/statements/787-aug-8-multiple-terrorist-attacks-repelled-by-the-combined-defense-units-in-tal-hamis-sarrin-and-afrin-rojava-aug-7 |title=Aug 8: Multiple Terrorist Attacks Repelled By the Combined Defense Units in Tal Hamis, Sarrin and Afrin: Rojava Aug 7 |access-date=2015-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813013839/http://ypgrojava.com/en/index.php/statements/787-aug-8-multiple-terrorist-attacks-repelled-by-the-combined-defense-units-in-tal-hamis-sarrin-and-afrin-rojava-aug-7 |archive-date=2015-08-13 |url-status=dead }}

{{Portal|Asia}}

• Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
• Rojava conflict
• American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present)
• List of wars and battles involving ISIL

{{clear}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2014/0814_iraq/Airstrikes6.html Operation Inherent Resolve airstrike updates]
• [http://www.agathocledesyracuse.com/archives/category/syria ISIL frontline maps (Syria)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726212153/http://www.agathocledesyracuse.com/archives/category/syria |date=2015-07-26 }}
• [http://www.agathocledesyracuse.com/archives/282 Khabur Valley offensive frontline maps]

{{Military intervention against ISIL}}

{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Al-Hasakah offensive (May 2015)}}

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2015

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 the People's Defense Units

Category:Al-Hasakah Governorate in the Syrian civil war