Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013)

The Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013) refers to a rebel offensive during the Syrian Civil War in the Rif Dimashq Governorate (which surrounds Damascus) which started in November 2012, and a subsequent attempted Syrian Army counterattack in January 2013. Thomson Reuters described rebels as "ramping up attacks on Damascus" in late November and BBC News described the 29 November government counterattack as "an unprecedented offensive against rebel-held districts in the east of the city".

Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013)
Part of the Syrian Civil War
(Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign)

Frontlines in Rif Dimashq from November 2012 to February 2013
  Syrian government control
  Opposition control
  Contested
For a war map of the current situation in Rif Dimashq, see here.
Date7 November 2012 – 5 February 2013
(2 months, 4 weeks and 1 day)
Location
Result

Partial rebel victory

  • The Free Syrian Army takes control of Darayya, Zamalka, Harasta and Arbin
  • Rebel offensive stalls in early January 2013, due to continuing air-strikes
  • Army launches a major offensive on rebel-held Darayya in mid-January
  • Rebels launch a new offensive in early February 2013
Belligerents

Free Syrian Army

Liwa al-Islam
Al-Nusra Front

Ahrar ash-Sham

Syrian Arab Republic

PFLP – GC

Liwa Abu al-Fadhal al-Abbas
Commanders and leaders
Khaled al-Haboush
(Damascus Military Council commander)
Sheikh Zahran Alloush (WIA)
(Liwa al-Islam commander)
Bashir al-Ajweh 
(Ghouta Martyrs Brigade commander)
Anas Mohammed Al Baghdadi 
(Rakan Al Dine Brigade commander)
Saari Fashikou 
(Member of Damascus Military Council)
Maher Al Satlah Abou Omar 
(Brigade of Islam Leader)
Bashar Al-Assad
Mohammad al-Shaar (WIA)
(Minister of the Interior)
Issam Zahreddine
(Republican Guard Brigade 104 commander)
Ahmed Jibril (PFLP – GC)
Units involved
unknown 3rd Armoured Division
4th Armoured Division
10th Mechanised Division
11th Armoured Division
Republican Guard
Strength

4,500 fighters

  • 750–1,000 al-Nusra fighters
70,000 soldiers, 500 tanks
Casualties and losses
865+ fighters killed 2,925+ soldiers killed
1,000+ civilians killed
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.