{{infobox military conflict , conflict = 2016 Aleppo summer campaign , width = 400px , partof = the

Battle of Aleppo A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...

and the Syrian Civil War , image = Aleppo Summer Campaign 2016.png , image_size = 300px , caption = Map of Northern Syria during the offensive, with the area shown within the Aleppo City map marked by the box. {{leftlegend, #EDC4BE, Syrian Army control {{leftlegend, #CDEBC9, Syrian Opposition control {{leftlegend, #e2d974, SDF control {{leftlegend, #B4B2AE, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant control , date = 25 June 2016 – 11 September 2016
({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=06, day1=25, year1=2016, month2=09, day2=11, year2=2016) , place = Aleppo, Syria , territory = , result = Major Syrian Army and allies victory * Army captures Castello road, besieging rebel-held areas of Aleppo{{cite web, url=http://syriadirect.org/news/as-2-more-districts-fall-to-regime-noose-tightens-around-east-aleppo%E2%80%99s-300000-residents/, title=As 2 more districts fall to regime, noose tightens around east Aleppo's 300,000 residents, access-date=1 August 2016, archive-date=2 February 2017, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202182648/http://syriadirect.org/news/as-2-more-districts-fall-to-regime-noose-tightens-around-east-aleppo%E2%80%99s-300000-residents/, url-status=dead * Army captures the al-Layramoun, Bani Zeid and Ashrafiyah districts, and advances in the al-Khalidiyah district * Rebel counter-offensive opens a new unsecured corridor by capturing the Artillery College and Ramouseh district,{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadists-advance-ramousah-district-cut-supply-route/, title=Jihadists advance on Ramousah district, cut supply route, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=6 August 2016, access-date=6 August 2016, archive-date=28 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128074923/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadists-advance-ramousah-district-cut-supply-route/, url-status=dead{{cite web, url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=49141 , title=Factions meet the fighters of the besieged eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo and shelling and violent raids on the outskirts of the city , last=user4 , access-date=6 August 2016 , url-status=dead , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005053229/http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=49141 , archive-date=5 October 2016 which is later recaptured by the Army, with rebel-held eastern Aleppo once again besieged{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/map-syrian-army-attempts-capture-new-sites-southern-aleppo/, title= apSyrian Army attempts to capture new sites in southern Aleppo, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=8 September 2016, publisher=

Al-Masdar News ''Al-Masdar News'' (sometimes abbreviated ''AMN'') ( ar, المصدر نيوز) is an online newspaper founded by Leith Abou Fadel. Al-Masdar is Arabic for "the source". ''Al-Masdar''s coverage focuses largely on conflict zones in the Middle E ...

, access-date=9 September 2016, archive-date=28 October 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028194947/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/map-syrian-army-attempts-capture-new-sites-southern-aleppo/, url-status=dead , combatant1= {{flagicon image, Flag_of_Syria.svg Syrian Arab Republic * {{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Syrian Armed Forces {{flagicon image, Flag of Iran.svg

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

{{cite web, url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/08/iranian-military-involvement-in-the-battle-for-aleppo.php, title=Iranian military involvement in the battle for Aleppo, author=Amir Toumaj, publisher=The Long War Journal, date=3 August 2016, access-date=3 August 2016 * Seal of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution

Seal of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC; fa, سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی, Sepāh-e Pāsdārān-e Enghelāb-e Eslāmi, lit=Army of Guardians of the Islamic Revolution also Sepāh or Pasdaran for short) is a branch o ...

{{cite web, url=http://en.eldorar.com/node/2889, title=Four Iranian officers killed in Aleppo, date=3 August 2016, access-date=3 August 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204153420/http://en.eldorar.com/node/2889, archive-date=4 February 2017, url-status=dead ** Basij * {{flagicon image, Seal of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.svg, border=no

Iranian Army The Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces ( fa, نیروی زمینی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران, ''Niroo-ye Zamini-ye Artesh-e Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Iran''), acronymed NEZAJA ( fa, نزاجا, NEZEJA) are the ground forc ...

* Unidentified Iranian paramilitary unit{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iranian-commander-shot-dead-skirmishes-jihadist-rebels-aleppo/, title=Iranian commander shot dead during skirmishes with Jihadist rebels in Aleppo, first=Chris, last=Tomson, date=31 August 2016, publisher=

, access-date=31 August 2016, archive-date=16 October 2018, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016103345/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iranian-commander-shot-dead-skirmishes-jihadist-rebels-aleppo/, url-status=dead Emblem of Liwa Al-Quds

Liwa al-Quds Liwa al-Quds ( ar, لواء القدس) or the Jerusalem Brigade is a predominantly Palestinian militia (brigade) that operates as a part of pro- Syrian government forces in the Syrian Civil War. It was formed in 2013 by the engineer Muhammad al- ...

{{flagicon image, Flag of the Ba'ath Party.svg

Ba'ath Brigades The Ba'ath Brigades ( ar, كتائب البعث, Katā'ib al-Baʿth), also known as the Ba'ath Battalions, were a volunteer militia made up of Syrian Ba'ath Party members, almost entirely of Sunni Muslims from Syria and many Arab countries, loya ...

{{flagicon image, InfoboxHez.PNG Hezbollah
{{flagicon image}

Liwa Fatemiyoun Liwa Fatemiyoun ( ar, لِوَاء الْفَاطِمِيُّون, Liwā’ al-Fāṭimīyūn, Persian/Dari: or ), literally "Fatimid Banner", also known as Fatemiyoun Division or Fatemiyoun Brigade, is an Afghan Shia militia formed in 2014 to ...

{{flagicon image}

Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba , war=Iraq War Iraqi Civil War Syrian Civil War , image=Hezbollah_al-Nujaba_Flag.jpg , caption= , spokesperson=Nasr al-Shammari , active=2013–present , ideology=Shia Islamism Vilayat-e Faqih Khomeinism Anti-West Anti-Zionism , allegiance= (IRGC ...

{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iraqi-fighters-pour-southern-aleppo/, title=Iraqi fighters pour into southern Aleppo, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=8 August 2016, publisher=

, access-date=8 August 2016, archive-date=8 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114504/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iraqi-fighters-pour-southern-aleppo/, url-status=dead
{{flagicon image, Syrian Resistance Flag.svg

Syrian Resistance The Syrian Resistance (''al-Muqāwamat al-Sūriyah'', Arabic: المقاومة السورية), formerly known as the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Sanjak of Iskandarun (Arabic: الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير لواء اسـ� ...

{{cite web, url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/quwat-dir-al-amn-al-askari-another-regime-intelligence-militia/, title=Quwat Dir' Al-Amn Al-Askari: A Latakia Military Intelligence Militia, author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, work=Syria Comment, date=3 September 2016, access-date=3 September 2016, archive-date=30 December 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230165452/http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/quwat-dir-al-amn-al-askari-another-regime-intelligence-militia/, url-status=dead
Supported by:
{{flag, Russia ( Airstrikes) * {{flagicon image, Flag of the Air Force of the Russian Federation.svg Aerospace Forces * {{flagicon image, Morskaja pehota Rossii.gif, border=no Naval Infantry advisors{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-troops-head-aleppo-city/, title=Russian troops head to Aleppo City, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=29 August 2016, publisher=

, access-date=30 August 2016, archive-date=9 October 2018, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009120836/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-troops-head-aleppo-city/, url-status=dead ---- {{flagicon image, Flag of Syrian Democratic Forces.svg Syrian Democratic Forces (27–30 July; 12–17 August{{cite web, url=http://aranews.net/2016/08/clashes-continue-syrian-opposition-rebels-kurds-aleppo/, title=Clashes continue between Syrian opposition rebels and the Kurds in Aleppo, date=17 August 2016, publisher=ARA News, access-date=17 August 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025024738/http://aranews.net/2016/08/clashes-continue-syrian-opposition-rebels-kurds-aleppo/, archive-date=25 October 2016, url-status=dead) * {{flagicon image, People's Protection Units Flag.svg, border=no YPG * {{flagicon image, YPJ Flag.svg, border=no

YPJ (YPJ) ar, وحدات حماية المرأة , image = File:YPJ Flag.svg , caption = Flag of the YPJ , dates = April 2013–present , commander1 = Nesrin ...

, combatant2={{flagicon image, Fatah Halab operations room.jpg

Fatah Halab Fatah Halab ( ar, فتح حلب, Fataḥ Ḥalab, lit=Conquest of Aleppo), or Aleppo Conquest, was a joint operations room of Syrian rebel factions operating in and around Aleppo, Syria. Succeeding the Aleppo Liberation operations room, its est ...

{{flagicon image, Emblem of the Jaish al-Fatah.svg, border=no Army of Conquest{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-aleppo-city-begins-jihadists-storm-several-areas/, title=Battle for Aleppo City begins as jihadists storm several areas, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=31 July 2016, publisher=

, access-date=31 July 2016, archive-date=7 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107093547/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-aleppo-city-begins-jihadists-storm-several-areas/, url-status=dead{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021 * {{flagicon image, Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg{{flagicon image, Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.svg al-Nusra Front (

Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Al-Nusra Front or Jabhat al-Nusra ( ar, جبهة النصرة لأهل الشام, Jabhat an-Nuṣrah li-Ahl ish-Sham lit. ''Front of the Supporters of the People of Syria/the Levant''), known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham ( ar, جبهة فتح ال ...

since 28 July) * {{flagicon image, Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg Ahrar al-Sham * {{flagicon image, Flag of the Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria.svg

Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria The Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria (TIP; ar, الحزب الإسلامي التركستاني في سوريا tr, Türkistan İslam Partisi, zh, 突厥斯坦伊斯兰党) is the Syrian branch of the Turkistan Islamic Party, an armed Uyghur ...

{{cite news , date= 2 August 2016 , title= TÜRKİSTAN İSLAM CEMAATİ HALEP OPERASYONU – GANİMETLER VE ÖLDÜRÜLEN ESED MİLİTANLARI , url= http://www.doguturkistanbulteni.com/2016/08/02/turkistan-islam-cemaati-halep-operasyonu-ganimetler-ve-oldurulen-esed-militanlari/ , newspaper= Doğu Türkistan Bülteni Haber Ajansı , url-status= dead , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170202011718/http://www.doguturkistanbulteni.com/2016/08/02/turkistan-islam-cemaati-halep-operasyonu-ganimetler-ve-oldurulen-esed-militanlari/ , archive-date= 2 February 2017 * {{Flagicon image, Logo of Jaysh al-Sunna.png

Jaysh al-Sunna Jaysh al-Sunna ( ar, جيش السنة) was a Homs-based Islamist rebel group that was established as a merger between different rebel groups, some of which originally came from the Free Syrian Army's Farouq Brigades, and is active during the Sy ...

{{cite web, url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/08/jihadists-and-other-rebels-claim-to-have-broken-through-siege-of-aleppo.php, title=Jihadists and other rebels claim to have broken through siege of Aleppo, author=Thomas Joscelyn, publisher=The Long War Journal, date=7 August 2016, access-date=7 August 2016 * {{flagicon image, Flag of Ajnad al-Sham.png Ajnad al-Sham{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/another-rebel-group-loses-important-commander-aleppo/, title=Another rebel group loses important commander in Aleppo, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=3 August 2016, publisher=

, access-date=4 August 2016, archive-date=16 October 2018, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016090147/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/another-rebel-group-loses-important-commander-aleppo/, url-status=dead{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021 {{flagicon image, Flag of Ansar al-Islam.svg

Ansar al-Islam Ansar al-Islam in Kurdistan ( ku, ئەنسارولئیسلام له کوردستان),Chalk, Peter, ''Encyclopedia of Terrorism'' Volume 1, 2012, ABC-CLIO simply called Ansar al-Islam ( ku, ئەنسارولئیسلام), also nicknamed the Kurdi ...

{{flagicon image, Flag of the Soviet Union (1924–1936).svg{{flagdeco, Syrian opposition Leon Sedov Brigade
Supported by:
{{flagicon, Turkey

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in ...

, commander1={{flagicon image, Flag_of_Syria.svg Fahd Jassem al-Freij
( Minister of Defense)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Maj. Gen. Suheil Al Hassan
(Tiger Forces chief commander)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Maj. Gen. Adib Mohammed{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/southfront-syrian-army-deploys-100-tanks-400-bmps-aleppo/, title=SouthFront: Syrian Army deploys 100 tanks, 400 BMP's to Aleppo, work=

, author=Chris Tomson, date=8 August 2015, access-date=9 August 2016, archive-date=7 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107201813/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/southfront-syrian-army-deploys-100-tanks-400-bmps-aleppo/, url-status=dead
(Head of Aleppo security committee, replaced)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Maj. Gen. Zaid Saleh
(Replacement head of Aleppo security committee)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Maj. Gen. Adib Salameh
(Head of Aleppo

Air Force Intelligence Directorate The Air Force Intelligence Directorate ( ar, إدارة المخابرات الجوية, ''Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-Jawiyya'') is an intelligence service of Syria, possibly the country's most powerful, owing its importance to Hafez al-Assad's role ...

branch)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Brig. Gen. Deeb Bazi{{KIA{{cite web, url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/syria-rebels-storm-military-base-break-aleppo-siege-160806050412958.html, title=Battle for key military base rages in Syria's Aleppo, first=Chris, last=Tomson, date=6 August 2016, publisher=al Jazeera, access-date=6 August 2016{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/field-report-syrian-army-storms-technical-base-southern-aleppo/, title=Field Report: Syrian Army storms Technical Base in southern Aleppo, first=Zen, last=Adra, date=17 August 2016, publisher=

, access-date=18 August 2016, archive-date=9 June 2019, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609014924/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/field-report-syrian-army-storms-technical-base-southern-aleppo/, url-status=dead
(Airforce Technical Base commander)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Brig. Gen. Asif Kheir Bek{{DOW
(Artillery School commander)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Gen. Yasir Muhsin Miya{{KIA{{cite web, url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567262-five-generals-among-72-syrian-regime-casualties-buried-this-week-report, title=Five generals among 72 Syrian regime casualties buried this week: report, date=9 August 2016, publisher=NOW., access-date=9 August 2016, archive-date=3 October 2018, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003112751/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567262-five-generals-among-72-syrian-regime-casualties-buried-this-week-report, url-status=dead
(Syrian Army commander)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Gen. Muhammad Ali Sharbo{{KIA
(Syrian Army commander)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Hassan{{DOW
(147th Regiment Chief of Staff)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Maj. Duraid Abu 'Ammar{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iranian-syrian-commanders-meet-discuss-upcoming-aleppo-offensive/, title=Iranian, Syrian commanders meet to discuss upcoming Aleppo offensive, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=7 September 2016, publisher=

, access-date=7 September 2016, archive-date=17 September 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917192757/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iranian-syrian-commanders-meet-discuss-upcoming-aleppo-offensive/, url-status=dead
(Tiger Forces commander)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Suleiman al-Shwakh{{cite web, url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/fawj-maghawir-al-badiya-military-intelligence-militia/, title=Fawj Maghawir al-Badiya: A Military Intelligence Branch Militia, author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, date=30 August 2016, publisher=Syrian Comment, access-date=30 August 2016, archive-date=9 October 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009062658/http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/fawj-maghawir-al-badiya-military-intelligence-militia/, url-status=dead
(Desert Commandos commander)
{{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Mudar Makhlouf
(Military Security Shield Forces commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Iran.svg Maj. Gen.

Qasem Soleimani Qasem Soleimani ( fa, قاسم سلیمانی, ; 11 March 19573January 2020) was an Iranian military officer who served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). From 1998 until his assassination in 2020, he was the commander of the Qu ...

(Quds Force chief commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Iran.svg Gen. Dariush Darsti{{KIA
(IRGC commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Iran.svg Maj. Abolghassem Zahiri{{WIA
(102nd Imam Hossein Battalion commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Iran.svg Ahmad Gholami{{KIA
(Iranian paramilitary commander)
{{flagicon image, InfoboxHez.PNG Haj Sameer Ali Awada{{KIA{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/prominent-hezbollah-commander-dies-mysterious-circumstances/, title=Prominent Hezbollah commander dies under mysterious circumstances, first=Chris, last=Tomson, date=10 July 2016, publisher=

, access-date=11 July 2016, archive-date=20 August 2019, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820042607/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/prominent-hezbollah-commander-dies-mysterious-circumstances/, url-status=dead
(Hezbollah top commander, alleged)
{{flagicon image, InfoboxHez.PNG Hassan Mousa Abdul Nabi{{KIA
(Hezbollah commander)
{{flagicon image, InfoboxHez.PNG Ali Muhammad Mustafa Khalil{{KIA{{cite web, url=http://www.aymennjawad.org/19110/syrian-hezbollah-militias-of-nubl-and-zahara, title=Syrian Hezbollah Militias of Nubl and Zahara', author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, date=15 August 2016, access-date=16 August 2016
(Imam Hujja Regiment commander) ---- {{flagicon image, YPJ Flag.svg, border=no Zoran Birhat{{cite web, url=http://www.aranews.net/2016/08/syrian-kurdish-forces-reject-regime-request-leave-positions-aleppo/, title=Syrian Kurdish forces reject regime request to leave positions in Aleppo, work=ARA News, date=1 August 2016, access-date=1 August 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928102644/http://www.aranews.net/2016/08/syrian-kurdish-forces-reject-regime-request-leave-positions-aleppo/, archive-date=28 September 2018, url-status=dead
(YPJ senior commander)
{{flagicon image, People's Protection Units Flag.svg, border=no Sharvan Efrin
(YPG commander)
{{flagicon image, People's Protection Units Flag.svg, border=no Unknown YPG commander{{KIA , commander2={{flagicon image, Fatah Halab operations room.jpg Maj. Yasser Abd al-Rahim{{cite web, url=http://aranews.net/2016/08/breaking-aleppo-siege-syrian-rebels-threaten-attack-kurds/, title=After breaking Aleppo siege, Syrian rebels threaten to attack Kurds, work=ARA News, date=10 August 2016, access-date=10 August 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430135254/http://aranews.net/2016/08/breaking-aleppo-siege-syrian-rebels-threaten-attack-kurds/, archive-date=30 April 2017, url-status=dead
(official leader of Fatah Halab)
{{flagicon image, Al-Liwaa.svg Ammar Shaaban{{KIA{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021
(Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki top commander)
{{Flagicon image, Flag of the Sham Legion.svg Col. Mohammad Bakkar{{KIA{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021
(Sham Legion top commander)
{{Flagicon image, Logo of Jaysh al-Islam.jpg Kamal Ahmad{{KIA{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/compilation-high-ranking-jihadist-commanders-killed-past-24-hours/, title=Compilation of high-ranking jihadist commanders killed in past 24 hours, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=10 August 2016, publisher=

, access-date=10 August 2016, archive-date=8 January 2021, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108155853/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/compilation-high-ranking-jihadist-commanders-killed-past-24-hours/, url-status=dead
(8th Brigade commander)
Abdel-Rahman Mansour{{KIA{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-suffer-heavy-casualties-failed-northern-aleppo-offensive/, title=Jihadist rebels suffer heavy casualties in failed northern Aleppo offensive, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=9 July 2016, publisher=

, access-date=12 July 2016, archive-date=8 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108171854/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-suffer-heavy-casualties-failed-northern-aleppo-offensive/, url-status=dead
(Islamic Safwah Movement commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of the Army of Mujahedeen (Syria).png Yusuf Zo'ah{{KIA{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021
(Army of Mujahideen general commander)
(Army of Mujahideen commander)
{{flagicon image, Emblem of the Jaish al-Fatah.svg{{flagicon image, Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.png Abu Hajer Al-Homsi{{KIA
( nom de guerre: Abu Omar Saraqib,{{cite news, url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37314280, title=Syria conflict: Senior militant leader 'killed' near Aleppo, work=BBC News, date=9 September 2016 Army of Conquest commander of Idlib province and Jabhat Fatah chief military commander){{cite web, url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/air-strike-kills-syrian-rebel-commander-rebels-1391659731, title=Nusra Front former commander killed in Syria, fighters say, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=9 September 2016, publisher=Middle East Eye, access-date=9 September 2016
{{flagicon image, Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.png Abdullah al-Muhaysini
(Jabhat Fateh cleric and leader)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.png Abu Al-Muthanna{{KIA{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021
("Inghimassiyeen" commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg Khaled Abu Anas{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/ahrar-al-sham-admits-losing-170-fighters-southern-aleppo/, title=Ahrar Al-Sham admits losing 170 fighters in southern Aleppo, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=11 September 2016, publisher=

, access-date=11 September 2016, archive-date=29 September 2018, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929101444/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/ahrar-al-sham-admits-losing-170-fighters-southern-aleppo/, url-status=dead{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021
(Ahrar al-Sham senior commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg Mustafa Al-Bayyour{{KIA{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021
(Ahrar al-Sham top commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg Khattab Abou Ahmad{{KIA
(Abu Amara Brigades chief commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg Abu Hamza Al-Shami{{KIA{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-jihadists-trade-blows-southwest-aleppo-map-update-2/, title=Syrian Army, jihadists trade blows in southwest Aleppo – Map Update, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=2 August 2016, publisher=

, access-date=3 August 2016, archive-date=8 January 2021, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108154704/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-jihadists-trade-blows-southwest-aleppo-map-update-2/, url-status=dead{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021
(5th Brigade commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg Saif Allah{{KIA{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-aleppo-field-report/, title=Battle of Aleppo: Field Report, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=August 14, 2016, publisher=

, access-date=15 August 2016, archive-date=4 February 2019, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204135515/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-aleppo-field-report/, url-status=dead
(Ahrar al-Sham tank commander)
{{Flagicon image, Flag of Ajnad al-Sham.png Ali Hamam{{KIA
(Ajnad al-Sham top commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Ajnad al-Sham.png Wa’el Diyab{{WIA{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021
(Ajnad al-Sham commander)
{{flagicon image, Flag of Ansar al-Islam.svg Abu Leith al-Tunisi{{KIA{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021
(Ansar al-Islam commander) , units1 ={{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Syrian Armed Forces * {{flagicon image, Syrian Arab Army Flag.svg Syrian Army ** Syrian 4th Armoured Division SSI

4th Mechanized Division ** Syrian Republican Guard Symbol

Republican Guard A republican guard, sometimes called a national guard, is a state organization of a country (often a republic, hence the name ''Republican'') which typically serves to protect the head of state and the government, and thus is often synonymous wit ...

*** 102nd Brigade{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-hezbollah-attack-strategic-military-site-southern-aleppo/, title=Syrian Army, Hezbollah attack strategic military site in southern Aleppo, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=2 September 2016, publisher=

, access-date=2 September 2016, archive-date=7 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107094341/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-hezbollah-attack-strategic-military-site-southern-aleppo/, url-status=dead *** 800th Regiment *** Popular Security and Support Forces ** Syrian commando

Tiger Forces The 25th Special Mission Forces Division, mostly known by their former name Tiger Forces or Quwwat al-Nimr ( ar, قُوَّات النِّمْر), is an elite formation (special forces unit) of the Syrian Arab Army which functions primarily as ...

* {{flagicon image, InfoboxNDF.png

National Defence Forces The National Defence Forces (NDF) ( ar, قوات الدفاع الوطني ''Quwāt ad-Difāʿ al-Watanī'') is a pro-government militia, that was formed on 1 November 2012 and organized by the Syrian government during the Syrian Civil War as a ...

* Military Intelligence Directorate ** Desert Commandos Regiment **

Forces of the Fighters of the Tribes , native_name_lang = Arabic , war = the Syrian Civil War , image = Forces of the Fighters of the Tribes emblem.png , caption = Emblem of the militia. Top reads: "Syrian Arab Republic. The Army and the Armed Forces- ...

Military Security Shield Forces The Military Security Shield Forces (), also called the Military Intelligence Shield Force or simply Military Shield, is a pro-government militia involved in the Syrian Civil War that is affiliated with the Military Intelligence Directorate. Hi ...

* {{flagicon image, Syrian Air Force Flag.svg

Syrian Arab Air Force ) , mascot = , anniversaries = 16 October , equipment = , equipment_label = , battles = * 1948 Arab-Israeli War * Six-Day War * Yom Kippur War * ...

* Isfahan division ** 102nd Imam Hossein Battalion * Alborz division {{flagicon image, InfoboxHez.PNG Hezbollah units * Radwan Forces * Syrian Hezbollah groups ** Imam Mahdi Brigade ** National Ideological Resistance ** Imam Hujja Regiment , units2 ={{flagicon image, Fatah Halab operations room.jpg

* {{flagicon image, Al-Liwaa.svg

Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki The Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement ( ar, حركة نور الدين الزنكي ''Ḥaraka Nūr ad-Dīn az-Zankī'') was a Sunni Islamist rebel group involved in the Syrian Civil War. In 2014, it was reportedly one of the most influential factio ...

{{cite news, url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36835678, title=Syria conflict: Rebels 'filmed beheading boy' in Aleppo, publisher=BBC, date=19 July 2016, access-date=19 July 2016 * {{flagicon image, Flag of the Sham Legion.svg Sham Legion * {{Flagicon image, Logo of Jaysh al-Islam.jpg Jaysh al-Islam ** 8th Brigade * {{flagicon image, Flag of Syria 2011, observed.svg Free Syrian Army ** Fastaqim Kama Umirt ** {{flagicon image, Flag of the Jaysh al-Nasr.svg Army of Victory ** {{Flagicon image, Flag of the Army of Mujahedeen (Syria).png

Army of Mujahideen Jaysh al-Mujahideen , native_name_lang= Ar , war = the Syrian Civil War , image = Flag of the Army of Mujahedeen (Syria).svg , caption = Logo of the Army of Mujahideen , active = 2 January 2014 – 25 January 2017 , ide ...

{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-mourn-loss-16-fighters-government-forces-advance-aleppo-city/, title=Jihadist rebels mourn the loss of 16 fighters as government forces advance in Aleppo City, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=18 July 2016, publisher=

, access-date=19 July 2016{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021 ** 16th Division{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebel-group-verge-total-collapse-aleppo/, title=Rebel group on the verge of total collapse in Aleppo, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=25 July 2016, publisher=

, access-date=25 July 2016, archive-date=14 February 2021, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214011145/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebel-group-verge-total-collapse-aleppo/, url-status=dead{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021 ** {{flagicon image, Alternate flag of the Mountain Hawks Brigade.png

Mountain Hawks Brigade The Mountain Hawks Brigade ( ar-at, لواء صقور الجبل, Liwa’ Suqour al-Jabal), known as the Hawks of Mount Zawiya Brigade ( ar, لواء صقور جبل الزاويه, Liwa' Suqour Jabal al-Zawiya) between 2012 and 2015 and the Moun ...

** {{flagicon image, Insignia of the 13th Division.svg 13th Division ** {{flagicon image, Flag of the Northern Division (Syrian rebel group).jpg Northern Division ** {{flagicon image, Flag of the 101st Division (Syrian rebel group).svg 101st Infantry Division ** 1st Regiment ** Central Division ** Authenticity and Development Front ** Levant Front *** Thuwar al-Sham Battalion {{flagicon image, Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg Ahrar al-Sham * Abu Amara Brigades{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/prominent-rebel-commander-neutralized-aleppo/, title=Prominent rebel commander neutralized in Aleppo, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=25 July 2016, publisher=

, access-date=25 July 2016, archive-date=8 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108141129/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/prominent-rebel-commander-neutralized-aleppo/, url-status=dead{{cite web, url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=48781 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220213812/http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=48781 , url-status=dead , archive-date=20 December 2016 , title=The regime forces advance and reinforce the siege of the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo and more casualties raise the number to 18 in the massacre of al-MashHad neighborhood , publisher=SOHR , date=26 July 2016 , access-date=26 July 2016 * 5th Brigade{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021 {{flagicon image, Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg{{flagicon image, Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.svg al-Nusra Front /

* Inghimassiyeen elite shock troops{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021 * {{flagicon image, Flag of Jihad.svg Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad * Jabhat Ansar al-Din * Nusra Brigades{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-airstrike-targets-jaish-al-fateh-meeting-aleppo/, title=Breaking: Airstrike targets Jaish Al-Fateh meeting in Aleppo, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=8 September 2016, publisher=

, access-date=9 September 2016, archive-date=9 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109220558/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-airstrike-targets-jaish-al-fateh-meeting-aleppo/, url-status=dead{{better source, Al-Masdar is not a good source for rebel formations, date=January 2021 , strength1={{flagicon image, Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg Unknown number of soldiers, 100+ tanks, 400+ BMPs * 400 Military Security Shield Forces fighters {{flagicon image} c. 2,000 al-Nujaba fighters
{{flagicon, Russia 120+ Naval Infantry advisors, several BMPs{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-army-convoy-arrives-aleppo/, title=Russian Army convoy arrives in Aleppo, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=30 August 2016, publisher=

, access-date=30 August 2016, archive-date=8 January 2021, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108152530/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-army-convoy-arrives-aleppo/, url-status=dead , strength2=8,000–10,000+ fighters * {{flagicon image, Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.svg 2,500+ Jabhat Fateh fighters * {{flagicon image, Flag of the Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria.svg 500 TIP fighters and 60 suicide attackers , casualties1=688 killed (per The Inside Source; since 31 July){{cite web, url=http://www.insidesourcenews.com/#!Complete-Aleppo-Battle-Report/cjds/57b15db60cf23f8fc3b69d06, title=The Inside Source, access-date=26 August 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830231409/http://www.insidesourcenews.com/#!Complete-Aleppo-Battle-Report/cjds/57b15db60cf23f8fc3b69d06, archive-date=30 August 2016, url-status=dead{{cite web, url=http://www.insidesourcenews.com/#!BREAKING-Artillery-Base-in-South-Aleppo-under-SAA-Control/cjds/57c9479dda6989244660cdd2, title=BREAKING – Artillery Base in South Aleppo under SAA Control!, publisher=The Inside Source, date=4 September 2016, access-date=4 September 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830231409/http://www.insidesourcenews.com/#!BREAKING-Artillery-Base-in-South-Aleppo-under-SAA-Control/cjds/57c9479dda6989244660cdd2, archive-date=30 August 2016, url-status=dead
625 killed (per SOHR; 31 July – 10 Sep.){{cite web, url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=50493, title=More than 11000 casualties and injuries in the battle of breaking the siege of Aleppo city, date=10 September 2016, publisher=SOHR, access-date=10 September 2016 , casualties2=1,051 killed (per The Inside Source; since 31 July)
948 killed (per SOHR; 31 July – 10 Sep.) , casualties3=718 civilians killed (31 July – 10 Sep.) , campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Syrian Civil War{{Campaignbox Battle of Aleppo The 2016 Aleppo summer campaign started with a military operation launched on the northern outskirts of Aleppo in late June 2016, by the

Syrian Arab Army " (''Guardians of the Homeland'') , colors = * Service uniform: Khaki, Olive * Combat uniform: Green, Black, Khaki , anniversaries = August 1st , equipment = , equipment_label = , battles = 1948 Arab–Israeli War Six-D ...

. The aim of the offensive was to cut the last rebel supply line into Aleppo city.{{cite web, url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-06/26/c_135467722.htm, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626151741/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-06/26/c_135467722.htm, url-status=dead, archive-date=26 June 2016, title=Syrian army unleashes broad offensive in Aleppo, publisher=

Xinhua Xinhua News Agency (English pronunciation: )J. C. Wells: Longman Pronunciation Dictionary, 3rd ed., for both British and American English, or New China News Agency, is the official state news agency of the People's Republic of China. Xinhua ...

, access-date=2 July 2016{{better source, dead links - is there a better secondary source?, date=January 2021 By late July, the military had managed to sever the last rebel supply line coming from the north and completely surround Aleppo. However, within days, the rebels launched a large-scale counter-attack south of Aleppo in an attempt to both open a new supply line into rebel-held parts of the city and cut-off the government-held side. The whole campaign, including both the Army's offensive and subsequent rebel counter-offensive, was seen by both sides as possibly deciding the fate of the entire war.{{cite web, url=http://www.conflict-news.com/articles/battle-for-aleppo-a-rebel-breakthrough-or-bust, title=Battle for Aleppo: A Rebel Breakthrough or Bust, access-date=2 August 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816083259/http://www.conflict-news.com/articles/battle-for-aleppo-a-rebel-breakthrough-or-bust, archive-date=16 August 2016, url-status=dead{{cite web, url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/syria-war-rebels-vow-intensify-offensive-aleppo-160802152801024.html, title=Syria war: Rebels vow to intensify offensive in Aleppo{{cite web, url=https://www.dailystar.com.lb/ArticlePrint.aspx?id=365332&mode=print, title=Syrian govt forces roll back rebel gains in Aleppo: activists, newspaper=Daily Star, date=3 August 2016, access-date=4 October 2018, archive-date=12 May 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512064220/https://www.dailystar.com.lb/ArticlePrint.aspx?id=365332&mode=print, url-status=dead The battle was also notable for the large loss of top rebel field commanders, with about three dozen being killed. By early September, Syrian government troops had cemented their siege of the rebel part of the city.

The campaign

{{One source, section, date=January 2021

Army advances, rebel-held Aleppo surrounded

{{main, Aleppo offensive (June–July 2016) The offensive began on 25 June, with heavy Russian air-strikes{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/heavy-russian-airstrikes-aleppo/, title=Heavy Russian airstrikes on Aleppo amid preparations for huge ground offensive, first=Izat, last=Charkatli, date=25 June 2016, work=

, access-date=2 July 2016, archive-date=10 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110150031/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/heavy-russian-airstrikes-aleppo/, url-status=dead and ground bombardment. On 26 June, the military made advances into the Mallah Farms, and by 28 June, they had captured half of the farmlands, including the Al-Asamat and Arab Salum areas. The advances brought the Castello Road within firing range of the military's artillery. After midnight on 7 July, amid heavy airstrikes, pro-government forces captured the southern part of Mallah and came within one kilometer of the Castello Road.{{cite web, url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN0ZN0U2, title=Syrian army fire cuts only road into rebel-held Aleppo: rebels, work=Reuters, date=7 July 2016 They captured a mosque complex and a hill which overlooks the Castello Road,{{cite web, url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/fierce-fighting-for-key-aleppo-road-despite-syria-truce, title=Fierce fighting for key Aleppo road despite Syria truce, newspaper=The Straits Times, date=7 July 2016, access-date=9 July 2016 thus enabling them to bring the road under artillery fire-control. This effectively cut off the only supply route to the rebel-held part of Aleppo. Several days later, the Army advanced in the al-Layramoun al-Khalidiyah and Bani Zeid districts. During this time, government troops captured the Sadkop Gas Factory. By the evening of 13 July, the military secured the whole al-Khalidiyah district and most of the al-Layramoun industrial area, after capturing the last several rebel-held buildings in al-Khalidiyah, as well as al-Layramoun's gas factory, market and glass factory.{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breakthrough-aleppo-syrian-army-captures-khalidiyeh-district-map-update/, title=Breakthrough in Aleppo as the Syrian Army captures Khalidiyeh district – Map update, first=Chris, last=Tomson, date=13 July 2016, work=Al-Masdar, access-date=15 July 2016, archive-date=13 February 2021, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213213620/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breakthrough-aleppo-syrian-army-captures-khalidiyeh-district-map-update/, url-status=dead On 17 July, the Army and Hezbollah reached the Castello Road, capturing parts of it and completely cutting it after taking control of Castello Hill. With this advance, the rebel-held part of Aleppo city was fully besieged{{cite news, url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN0ZX09Q, title=Syrian army seizes only road into rebel-held Aleppo, date=17 July 2016, access-date=21 July 2016, newspaper=Reuters and the al-Layramoun roundabout came under artillery fire-control.{{better source, Facebook, date=January 2021 Meanwhile, the military made more advances in the Bani Zeid and al-Layramoun areas, capturing most of the factories. Between 23 and 25 July, the Army expanded its control in the al-Layramoun industrial area by capturing the Textile Factory a dozen industrial buildings and two malls. Late on 25 July, the Tiger Forces captured two sites in and near the Castillo Complex, threatening to cut off the rebels remaining at Bani Zeid and al-Layramoun. On 26 July, government forces captured all of the al-Layramoun District after heavy fighting for the last rebel stronghold there, the Bus Station. After also seizing the Al-Castillo Amusement Park and imposing fire control over Bani Zeid, the remaining rebel forces in Aleppo City were left almost completely besieged.{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-seizes-key-district-aleppo-city/, title=Syrian Army seizes key district in Aleppo City, first=Leith, last=Fadel, work=Al-Masdar, date=26 July 2016, access-date=26 July 2016, archive-date=7 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107093956/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-seizes-key-district-aleppo-city/, url-status=dead{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-imposes-fire-control-rebel-stronghold-aleppo-city-map/, title=Syrian Army imposes fire control over rebel stronghold in Aleppo City: map, first=Leith, last=Fadel, date=26 July 2016, work=Al-Masdar, access-date=26 July 2016, archive-date=9 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109141626/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-imposes-fire-control-rebel-stronghold-aleppo-city-map/, url-status=dead On 27 July, rebel forces attacked the Kurdish-held areas of Aleppo, although their attack was repelled. The Kurds then proceeded to advance into the nearby rebel-held Bani Zeid Youth Housing neighborhood and captured the whole complex.{{cite web, url=http://www.qasioun.net/en/news/show/32798/SDF_Seize_Over_The_Youth_Housing_In_Aleppo_%E2%80%A6_Russians_Commits_A_Massacre_In_Sakhour_Neighborhood, title=SDF Seize Over The Youth Housing in Aleppo … Russians Commits A Massacre in Sakhour Neighborhood, work=Qasion News Agency, access-date=28 July 2016 Later that day, the Army officially declared it had cut off all rebel supply routes into Aleppo. On 28 July, the military captured the Bani Zeid district,{{cite news, url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN108167, title=Syria's powerful Nusra Front says ending link to al Qaeda, newspaper=Reuters, date=28 July 2016, access-date=28 July 2016{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-important-district-aleppo-city-2/, title=Syrian Army captures important district in Aleppo City, first=Leith, last=Fadel, work=Al-Masdar, date=28 July 2016, access-date=28 July 2016, archive-date=9 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109180842/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-important-district-aleppo-city-2/, url-status=dead as well as the rebel-held parts of the Ashrafiyah district.{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-takes-control-another-district-aleppo-city/, title=Syrian Army takes control of another district in Aleppo City, first=Leith, last=Fadel, work=Al-Masdar, date=28 July 2016, access-date=28 July 2016, archive-date=10 November 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110022345/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-takes-control-another-district-aleppo-city/, url-status=dead The rebels withdrew from Bani Zeid before the main Army assault so to avoid heavy losses. The Army then continued to push its assault towards the Dahret Abdrubbah area. On 30 July, the Kurdish YPG captured the Shuqayyif Youth Housing area, next to the Castello Road.

Rebel counter-offensive, both sides besieged

{{main, Aleppo offensive (July–August 2016) On 31 July, the Army of Conquest launched a counter-offensive both south and north of Aleppo in an attempt to lift the siege on the rebel-held areas of the city. Fierce fighting was reported at the Al-Castillo Highway, while the rebels managed to capture the Al-Hikma school and two hills on the southern outskirts of Aleppo, which constituted an advanced Army defense line. The wide-scale rebel counter-attack reportedly included 8,000–10,000 fighters, 95 tanks, hundreds of rocket launchers and a large number of suicide-bombers.{{cite web, url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2016/08/03/Syrian-army-allies-counter-attack-to-regain-lost-ground-in-Aleppo.html, title=Syrian army, allies counter-attack to regain lost ground in Aleppo, newspaper=Al Arabiya, date=3 August 2016{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-rolls-back-jihadist-gains-southern-aleppo/, title=Syrian Army rolls back jihadist gains in southern Aleppo, first=Leith, last=Fadel, work=Al-Masdar, date=3 August 2016, access-date=3 August 2016, archive-date=14 May 2019, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514161513/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-rolls-back-jihadist-gains-southern-aleppo/, url-status=dead By evening, the rebels also took control of Al-'Amariyah village and reached the nearby 1070 Al-Hamadaniyah Housing Project where fighting continued. During the night, the 1070 Al-Hamadaniyah Housing Project was also taken by the rebels.{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-capture-key-site-aleppo-city/, title=Jihadist rebels capture key site in Aleppo City, first=Leith, last=Fadel, work=Al-Masdar, date=1 August 2016, access-date=1 August 2016, archive-date=14 May 2019, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514172912/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-capture-key-site-aleppo-city/, url-status=dead The next day, the rebels once again advanced and took control of Mushrifah village (also known as Sharfa), that is situated on a hill that overlooks the Al-Assad Military Academy. Over the next several days, back-and-forth fighting took place for control of the 1070 Housing Project neighborhood, Huwayz village, Al-'Amariyah and several hills.{{cite web, url=http://www.syriahr.com/2016/08/05/%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%b1%d9%83-%d8%b9%d9%86%d9%8a%d9%81%d8%a9-%d9%8a%d8%b4%d9%87%d8%af%d9%87%d8%a7-%d9%85%d8%ae%d9%8a%d9%85-%d8%ad%d9%86%d8%af%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d9%88%d8%ac%d9%86%d9%88%d8%a8-%d8%ba/, title=معارك عنيفة يشهدها مخيم حندرات وجنوب غرب مدينة حلب ومزيد من الشهداء في أحياء بالمدينة, work=SOHR, last=user4, access-date=6 August 2016 On 5 August, a rebel attack on the Military Academy started{{cite news, url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN10G22V, title=Syrian rebels storm Aleppo artillery base, army says attack repelled, date=6 August 2016, access-date=6 August 2016, newspaper=Reuters Shortly after their advances at the Military Academy, rebels both inside and outside Aleppo advanced into the Ramouseh neighborhood, linked up and captured it. With this advance, the rebels managed to cut the government's supply line into the government-held part of west Aleppo and announced the Army's siege of rebel-held east Aleppo had been broken. Since the rebel offensive started, at least 130 civilians had been killed, most by rebel shelling of government-held districts. 500 fighters on both sides also died, mostly rebels. At the end of the day, the rebels were in control of the entire Military Academy base and the Ramouseh district.Factions incur regime, the Russians, the Iranians and the Lebanese Hezbollah the biggest spiritual and military loss since 2013
{{webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005053225/http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=49158%2F , date=5 October 2016

Fighting continues, Army retakes territory

{{main, Aleppo offensive (August–September 2016) On 7 August, fighting was still continuing in the Ramouseh district, where it was confirmed the Army was still in control of parts of the area. The government, backed by Russia, launched an intensive air-strike campaign, in which one of the military schools captured by the rebels was reportedly leveled. Meanwhile, the rebels were putting up a "massive" defense to protect the new corridor.{{cite web, url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/08/07/world/middleeast/ap-ml-syria.html, title=Syrian Rebels Breach Government-Imposed Siege on Aleppo, date=7 August 2016, access-date=26 August 2016, newspaper=The New York Times The next day, the Ramouseh district was confirmed to be completely under rebel control, while the Army recaptured al-Sanobrat hill. On 11 August, the rebels attacked the government supply route to Aleppo between

Khanasir Khanasir ( ar, خناصر / ALA-LC: ''Khanāṣir''),France, 2007, p. 243. also spelt Khanaser, is a town located in Syria's as-Safira District. It is one of twenty-four towns and villages located in the Khanasir valley, an area with a population ...

and Ithriya, capturing Mahmyat Al-Ghazal. However, the Army recaptured the village the following day. Between 11 and 17 August, the Army launched several counter-attacks, primarily against the 1070 Housing Project. During the fighting on 11 August, 29 government fighters and up to 20 rebel fighters were killed. By 17 August, government forces recaptured about 70 percent of the district.{{cite web, url=http://www.insidesourcenews.com/#!SAA-Retreats-From-The-Technical-College/cjds/57b557c40cf25814fdca64f0, title=SAA Retreats From The Technical College!, access-date=26 August 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830231409/http://www.insidesourcenews.com/#!SAA-Retreats-From-The-Technical-College/cjds/57b557c40cf25814fdca64f0, archive-date=30 August 2016, url-status=dead On 17 August, after capturing most of the 1070 Al-Hamdaniyah Housing Project, government forces also stormed the Air Force Technical Base. The former government commander of the base Brig. Gen. Deeb Bazi was killed as he led the assault. Back-and-forth fighting at the Academy continued into early September, when on 4 September, pro-government forces finally overwhelmed the rebel defenders and captured the whole complex. Thus, government troops reestablished the siege of rebel-held areas of Aleppo.{{cite web, url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/syria-army-besieges-aleppo-as-us-russia-talks-stumble/3100204.html, title=IS ousted from Turkey border as Syria army besieges Aleppo, access-date=9 September 2016, archive-date=8 November 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108213638/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/syria-army-besieges-aleppo-as-us-russia-talks-stumble/3100204.html, url-status=dead Also during this time, on 21 August, government forces captured Umm Qara hill that overlooks the Khan Touman-Ramouseh Road near Al-Qarassi,{{cite web, url=http://www.insidesourcenews.com/#!SAA-Counter-Attacks-in-South-Aleppo/cjds/57b9a3420cf2416a2e1cf879, title=The Inside Source, access-date=9 September 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830231409/http://www.insidesourcenews.com/#!SAA-Counter-Attacks-in-South-Aleppo/cjds/57b9a3420cf2416a2e1cf879, archive-date=30 August 2016, url-status=dead as well as nearby SyriaTel hill. Multiple rebel counter-attacks in an attempt to recapture Umm Qara hill were eventually repelled. On 5 September, rebel frontlines in southern Aleppo collapsed, with pro-government forces overrunning three villages, three hills, two factories, two storage facilities, an Air Defense Base and a quarry. Between 6 and 8 September, the Syrian Army captured the whole Ramouseh district, reopening the Ramouseh Road to supply government-held western Aleppo by 9 September. On 10–11 September, the Syrian Army and its allies continued to advance in the 1070 Al-Hamdaniyah Housing Project and the Al-'Amariyah District. They also continued to target the Hikmah School. On 11 September, airstrikes interrupted

Eid al-Adha Eid al-Adha () is the second and the larger of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to Allah's com ...

celebrations in rebel-held areas of Aleppo and Idlib. US and Russian officials negotiated a ceasefire hours prior, which was to go into effect later the following day at sundown.

Aftermath – Ceasefire and government assault on East Aleppo

{{main, Aleppo offensive (September–October 2016), Aleppo offensive (October–November 2016), Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016) After the implementation of the ceasefire in mid-September, the Syrian Army withdrew its forces from the Castello road to allow UN humanitarian aid into the eastern parts of the city. However, rebel groups outside the city did not allow humanitarian aid convoys into Aleppo. Later, as Russian Marines and Syrian Red Crescent personnel controlling Castello road came under fire by rebel groups, the SAA redeployed its soldiers once again. On 16 September, the Russian Air Force carried out numerous airstrikes around Aleppo for the first time since the ceasefire had been reached four days earlier. On 19 September, an aid convoy from the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoniz ...

and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent consisting of more than 18 trucks was reportedly hit by air-to-surface missiles as they headed for eastern Aleppo from the town of Urum al-Kubra, killing 12 people and severely injuring several more. At the same time, Russia and Syria restarted heavy bombing raids on rebels in the city. Early on 21 September, the Syrian Army seized most of Hikma Hill, thus being on the verge of recapturing Al-Hikma school and the 1070 Housing Project. However, later in the day, the rebels retook the positions they lost on the hill. Still, the Army managed to capture areas of the Ramouseh district that had been rebel-held since late 2012. Meanwhile, SOHR claimed that 3,000 Russian soldiers had arrived at Aleppo to support new government offensives in the area.{{cite web, url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=50896, title=3000 Russian soldiers arrived to Aleppo to support regime forces, publisher=SOHR, date=21 September 2016, access-date=23 September 2016 On 22 September, the Syrian Army launched a new offensive into the rebel-held eastern neighborhoods. Government forces also made further progress in southern Aleppo, capturing a few sites.{{cite web, url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-continues-advance-south-aleppo-map-update/, title=Syrian Army continues advance in south Aleppo – Map update, publisher=

, author=Izat Charkatli, date=22 September 2016, access-date=23 September 2016, archive-date=14 May 2019, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514235649/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-continues-advance-south-aleppo-map-update/, url-status=dead A new rebel attempt to break the siege starting in late October 2016, failed after two weeks of fighting, and consequently all major rebel positions in East Aleppo were overrun by pro-government and Kurdish forces by 13 December 2016.