2015 al-Hawl offensive

The offensive was launched on 31 October 2015.[30]

During the first week of the offensive, SDF forces captured a number of villages and other positions from ISIL near Al-Hawl, and to the southeast of Al-Hasakah city. ISIL responded by detonating a number of VBIED's. One of those VBIED's targeted an SDF convoy, killing and wounding dozens of fighters.[31] A Canadian SDF fighter was among the SDF casualties that week. He was first reported to have been killed by an ISIL suicide bomber in a farm that was contested. However, it was later reported that he died due to blood loss caused by a bullet in his hip. A Dagestani ISIL leader was also killed that week.[32][33][34][35][36][21][37][38][39] The SDF claimed that they were in control of 12 new villages since the start of the offensive.[9][40] On 6 November, SDF forces captured the area around the village of Nazilah, including the Tishreen Oil Field.[41]

The second week started with SDF forces seizing parts of the Al-Hasakah–Al-Shaddadi road and two villages from ISIL.[42] By this time, the SDF forces had reportedly captured over 36 villages, 350 square kilometers of land, and killed 178 ISIL militants.[9] Two days later, SDF forces seized a hill and two vehicles from ISIL.[10]

On 11 November, the SDF continued its offensive and captured al-Khatuniyah, northeast of Al-Hawl, while also advancing in the southern countryside of Al-Hasakah city.[43] At least 7 SDF fighters were killed in the clashes.[44] The next day, SDF captured two villages and weaponry from ISIL, while at least 14 ISIL militants were killed by U.S. airstrikes.[11][45]

On 13 November, SDF forces captured the town of Al-Hawl, killing dozens of ISIL militants and seizing large quantities of weapons and ammunition left behind.[2][46]

On 14 November, SDF forces captured three villages around Mount Abdulaziz, and also advanced near the Tishreen Oil Field, while ISIL detonated an VBIED near Al-Hawl.[4][47] On the next day, four ISIL militants and one SDF fighter were killed, while a new VBIED was detonated.[48] On 15 November, SDF forces captured Abu Hajirat Khuatana, Khuwaytilah, and the Al-Hawl Grain Silos, allowing the SDF to capture a pocket of ISIL-controlled area to the northwest of Al-Hawl.[5][7][49]

On 16 November, SDF forces captured the Al-Hawl Oil Field, to the southwest of Al-Hawl.[5] By 16 November, SDF forces had captured nearly 200 villages, reportedly seizing 1,362 square kilometres (545 square miles) of territory. According to the SDF, 493 ISIL militants, 33 SDF fighters, and four civilians were killed during the operation.[28]

On 17 November, SDF forces began advancing on the Regiment 121 base from the east.[5] On 22 November, SDF forces captured the Regiment 121 base, Khama'il,[50] the al-Melabiyyah granaries, the cotton factory, and the villages around it.[6]

During the next week, the SDF continued their offensive, advancing from the Regiment 121 base to the south, and from Al-Hawl towards the southwest, capturing multiple villages in the southern Al-Hasakah countryside and along the Sinjar-Al-Shaddadi road (Highway 47).[7] On 22 November, SDF reached the northern part of the South Hasakah Dam,[51] capturing the neighboring village of Taban. On 25 November, SDF forces captured the village of Ghunah, near the Jabisah Oil Field, to the southwest of Al-Hawl, and severing a segment of Highway 715.[7] On 30 November, SDF forces captured Umm Madhah, and they also captured the South Hasakah Dam and the nearby village of Qana,[7] bringing SDF forces within 25 kilometres (15.53 mi) of Al-Shaddadi from the north and the northeast. Eventually, it was revealed that the SDF had captured 240+ towns and villages during the entire operation.[3]