Background
The 2015 Northwestern Syria offensive, dubbed by the rebels as ''Battle of Victory'', took place in Idlib and Hama. The campaign consisted of a three-pronged attack, with the two main assaults spearheaded by Ahrar ash-Sham,The offensive
Initial rebel assault
On 28 July 2015, rebels launched a coordinated assault to capture the remaining areas surrounding Jisr ash-Shughur. Two hours later, rebels had captured the strategic hills of Tal Khattab, Tal Awar and Tal Hamka; along with the towns of Frikka, Mushayrafah, Salat Al-Zuhour and Zayzun. The Army retreated to the south in order to reinforce its positions at Tal Wassit and Tal Sheikh Elyas. The Army responded with 160 airstrikes and dozens of shells and missiles. According to the SOHR, about 90 government fighters were killed or wounded during the assault, while 37 rebels (15 non-Syrian; including a Jordanian leader) were killed.Army counter-attack
Three days later on 1 August, the military recaptured Ziyadia and Zayzun, including its power station. In addition, they captured the towns of Khirbat al-Naqus and Mansura and its surrounding areas. The advances came after the Air Force had conducted more than 270 air-strikes on rebel positions over four days. The fighting had left 39 combatants dead, including 20 soldiers and 19 rebels. On 2 August, government troops managed to recapture the Frikkah area, Khirbat al-Naqus, Mansura, al-Ziyadiyyah, Zayzun power plant and its dam, Tal Awar, Al-Ziyarah area and other areas on the outskirts of Idlib governorate and al-Ghab Plain. The fighting in the preceding 72 hours left more than 115 rebels and 42 government fighters dead. Later that day, rebels launched a counter-attack and managed to recapture parts of Frikkah. However, this claim was refuted by pro-government outlet Al-Masdar, which stated that the Army never re-entered Frikkah. On 3 August, rebels recaptured Tal Awar and Frikkah, after the Army retreated from them, while the Army recaptured Tal Hamka. At least 30 government fighters and 16 rebels were killed. According to Al-Masdar, the Army repelled an attack on Fawru. Meanwhile, a Syrian warplane crashed inside Ariha, leaving a number of casualties among civilians. The fate of its crew was unclear.Rebels regain ground
On 5 August, rebels launched a counter-offensive and advanced towards the Army operation command center in Jurin and recaptured several positions in the Al-Ghab plain, including Tal Hamka, Tal Awar, the Zayzun thermal plant and Zayzun. At least 12 government fighters and 9 rebels were killed, while a number of armoured vehicles and tanks were destroyed byAttacks and counter-attacks continue
On 18 August, the military launched a new counter-offensive recapturing several villages, including Khirbat al-Naqus, al-Ziyara, Mansura and Tal Wassit. Later, they also captured Msheek and advanced in al-Qahera. Two days later, government forces also secured the southern sector of Qarqur. On 25 August, rebels launched a new counter-attack and recaptured al-Ziyara, al-Msheek, Mansura, Tal Wassit and Khirbat Al-Naqus, as the Syrian Army retreated with little resistance. At least 14 soldiers were killed, while government forces also lost a number of military vehicles, including tanks. On the same day, the Syrian Armed Forces were attempting to recapture the contested town of Al-Bahsa, which was 60 percent under their control (they ended up recapturing it on 10 October). On 28 August, the Army again launched a counter-attack and recaptured Khirbat Al-Naqus. According to Al-Masdar News, the "Tiger Force" pulled back its forces during the last rebel counter-attack and did not participate.Aftermath
On 10 October, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to take full-control of the town of Fawru.See also
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Al-Ghab offensive 2015 July 2015-present Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2015 Hama Governorate in the Syrian civil war Idlib Governorate in the Syrian civil war Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Free Syrian Army Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the al-Nusra Front Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian government Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Hezbollah Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Quds Force