Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)
The Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018), code-named Operation Damascus Steel, was a military offensive launched by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in February 2018 in a bid to capture the rebel-held eastern Ghouta suburb during the Syrian Civil War. East Ghouta, a pocket of towns and farms, had been under government siege since 2013 and had been a major rebel stronghold in the vicinity of the capital of Damascus. According to the United Nations, nearly 400,000 people live in East Ghouta.
| Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018) | |||||||||
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| Part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign (Syrian Civil War), the Siege of Eastern Ghouta and the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War | |||||||||
Map of the operation | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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Russia |
Jaysh al-Islam Al-Rahman Legion Ahrar al-Sham Hayat Tahrir al-Sham | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Maj. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan (Tiger Forces) Col. Ghiath Dalla (42nd Armored Brigade) |
Essam al-Buwaydhani (al-Rahman Legion chief of staff) | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
National Defence Forces |
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| Strength | |||||||||
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15,000+
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20,000
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
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520–541 killed, 2 captured 2–3 killed | 405 killed, 1,200 surrendered (most switched sides) | ||||||||
| 4,835 civilians killed (Eastern Ghouta & Damascus) | |||||||||
On 14 April, the Syrian Army fully captured the Eastern Ghouta pocket. Before the offensive had concluded, the Associated Press reported that the capture of the whole rebel-held Eastern Ghouta enclave would represent one of the most significant victories for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war, and the worst setback for the rebels since their defeat in the Battle of Aleppo in late 2016. Similarly, Reuters stated the capture of Eastern Ghouta would represent the biggest prize for President al-Assad since the full recapture of Aleppo. During the offensive, one of the heaviest bombardments of the war took place with more than 4,000 people being killed by air and artillery strikes.