2016 al-Bukamal offensive
Al-Bukamal Offensive | |||||||
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Part of the Syrian Civil War and the American-led intervention in Syria | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Authenticity and Development Front
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Khazal al-Sarhan |
Unknown | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Several hundred fighters[5] | Unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
40 killed, 15 captured (ISIL claim)[6] | 20 killed (NSA claim)[7] |
The 2016 al-Bukamal offensive also known as Operation Day of Wrath was launched on the town of al-Bukamal on the Syrian–Iraqi border led by the US-backed New Syrian Army (NSA). A simultaneous assault took place towards the town of al-Qa'im on the Iraqi side of the border, conducted by the Iraqi Federal Police.[8]
The offensive[edit]
On 28 June 2016, the rebels launched the offensive from al-Tanf and captured: the village of al-Sukkariya (north of al-Bukamal), the nearby Hamdan Military Airfield, the Ayshat al-Khayri hospital (in northern al-Bukamal) and several positions in the desert between the Tanf border crossing and al-Bukamal. NSA troops were airlifted to the area by three Coalition helicopters and the advance was aided by FSA fifth column members inside the city.[3] ISIL then proceeded to cut power and communications in the city, followed by digging trenches around it.[5]
On the next day, ISIL recaptured the airbase, pushed the rebels back from the outskirts of al-Bukamal and attacked the supply lines of the NSA through the empty desert. Islamic State fighters had encircled the rebels in a surprise ambush. They inflicted heavy casualties on the rebels and weapons had been seized by the jihadists. The rebels retreated to the outlying desert.[9][10] The offensive was described as a "crippling defeat" for the rebels.[4][11]
References[edit]
- ^ "ISIS on alert as rebels advance near Syria-Iraq border". Now News. 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b "US-Backed Syrian Rebels Move Toward IS-Held Town Near Iraq". Associated Press. 28 June 2016.
- ^ a b c "ISIS on alert as rebels advance near Syria-Iraq border". Now News. 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b US BACKED NEW SYRIAN ARMY SUFFERS CRIPPLING DEFEAT
- ^ a b "Syria rebels battle IS at Iraqi border, aim to cut 'caliphate' in two". Reuters. 29 June 2016.
- ^ In video: ISIS overruns US-backed fighters in Eastern Syria
- ^ "The Day of Worth Operation". New Syrian Army. 30 June 2016.
- ^ Leith Fadel. "US begins new operation to drive ISIS away from Iraq-Syria border". almasdarnews.com. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
- ^ "Islamic State forces Syria rebels to retreat from border area". Reuters. 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
- ^ In video: ISIS overruns US-backed fighters in Eastern Syria
- ^ IS repels advance by US-backed Syria rebels near Iraq border