2017 Mayadin offensive

The 2017 Mayadin offensive was a military offensive launched by the Syrian Arab Army against members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, following the breaking of the three-year siege of the city of Deir ez-Zor. The Mayadin offensive, conducted by Syrian Army troops, was conducted with the aim of capturing ISIL's new de facto capital of Mayadin, and securing the villages and towns around it.[2][3]

For the previous offensive, see Central Syria campaign (2017).
2017 Mayadin offensive
Part of the Eastern Syria campaign (September–December 2017), the Syrian Civil War, and the Russian military intervention in Syria
Date4–17 October 2017
(1 week and 6 days)
Location
Mayadin District, Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria
Result Decisive Syrian Army Victory
Territorial
changes		 Syrian Army captures the city of Mayadin, ISIL's new de facto capital city, on 14 October[1]
Belligerents

Syrian Arab Republic

Russia		 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commanders and leaders
Maj. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan
(Operations chief commander)		 Unknown
Units involved

Syrian Armed Forces

Russian Armed Forces

Military of ISIL

  • Wilayat Deir ez-Zor
Casualties and losses
38+ killed (per SOHR)[4] 180+ killed (per Russia)[5]

The offensive was concurrent with the Raqqa campaign conducted by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against ISIL's former de facto capital city and stronghold in Syria, as well as the Western Anbar campaign in Iraq.

The offensive

The Syrian military advanced within 10 kilometers of ISIL's stronghold of Mayadin on 4 October.[6] Concurrently, pro-opposition monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that Russian or Syrian airstrikes killed between 38 and 67 civilians who were crossing the Euphrates by boat near Mayadin.[7] The next day, the Republican Guard, 4th Mechanized Division and 5th Legion made more steady advances, putting them within six kilometers of the city.[2]

Syrian soldiers pushed into the city on 6 October from the west.[8] The following day, government sources claimed roughly half of Mayadin was taken by the Syrian Army,[9] while the airport was also taken.[10] Throughout the day, a wave of Russian airstrikes against ISIL positions near Mayadin and close to the Iraqi border reportedly killed 180 ISIL militants, including a large number of foreign fighters.[5] By 8 October, ISIL forces were reportedly encircled within the city.[11][12] However, the next day, an ISIL counterattack managed to push back Syrian Army troops from Mayadin, with 38 soldiers being killed.[4]

On 10 October 2017, fighting began in the suburbs in preparation to storm the city, according to a source citing SANA.[13] On 11 October, the Syrian Army started encircling Mayadin,[14][15] with the city surrounded by the following day.[16] The Syrian Army then pushed into the western and northern parts of the city,[17] capturing four neighborhoods.[18]

On 14 October 2017, the Syrian Army captured Mayadin city.[1] On the next day, elite Syrian Tiger Forces pushed through much rural territory of Mayadin and made advances towards town of Al-Asharah, reaching its outskirts.[19] By 17 October, all besieged land between Deir ez-Zor and Mayadin along the Euphrates was captured by the Tiger Forces.[3]

Aftermath

By 20 October, Syrian Army had crossed the Euphrates, capturing the village of Dhiban, just hours later reaching the outskirts of massive Al-Omar Oil Field complex, the largest such in Syria, which in pre-war era contributed to one-quarter of Syria's oil production.[20] In a surprise move ISIL fighters defending Al-Omar Oil Field, launched a powerful counterattack on the Government bridgehead at Dhiban, forcing Government Forces to retreat back to the west bank of the Euphrates. During the same day Syrian Army advanced southwards from Mayadin, capturing the city of Al-Quriyah.[21]

See also

References
  1. "Breaking: Syrian Army liberates ISIS capital city". Al-Masdar. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  2. "Deir Ezzor update: Syrian Army within striking distance of ISIS capital - map". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 2017-10-05. Retrieved 2017-10-07.
  3. Andrew Illingworth (17 October 2017). "Breaking: Elite Syrian forces liberate all of western Euphrates bank from Deir Ezzor to Al-Mayadeen". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  4. "After killing about 40 members of the regime and getting them away of Al-Mayadin city… the "Islamic State" organization carries out counterattacks to break up the regime forces and kill more of their members". Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  5. "Russia: 180 ISIL fighters and mercenaries killed in air strikes in Syria". Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  6. News, ABC. "The Latest: Al-Qaida-linked group denies leader was wounded". Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  7. "Airstrikes in eastern Syria leave scores dead on the banks of the Euphrates River". Syria Direct. 5 October 2017.
  8. "Syrian forces enter one of Islamic State group's last strongholds - France 24". 6 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  9. "BREAKING: Elite Syrian Army troops capture 50 percent of ISIS capital city". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 2017-10-07. Retrieved 2017-10-07.
  10. "Syrian Army liberates Al-Mayadeen Airport to cut key terrorist supply line". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 2017-10-07. Retrieved 2017-10-07.
  11. Arab, The New. "Syrian regime 'completely encircle' IS in al-Mayadeen, despite 'mass escape' of jihadi leaders from city". Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  12. "Syrian army encircles IS in al-Mayadin: Syrian military source". Reuters. 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  13. "VIDEO: Syrian Forces combat ISIS in Al-Mayadeen suburbs - Muraselon". 10 October 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  14. Latest map of Al-Mayadeen battle in Deir Ezzor
  15. "Avoiding entering a lost battle in Al-Mayadin…the regime forces wrap around the capital of "Al-Khair State" advancing to Mahkan desert in the east of it and shelling the east of the Euphrates River violently". Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  16. "The regime forces and Russian forces besiege the "capital of al-Khair State" and close all land roads with the city's countryside". Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  17. "Syrian government troops push on into IS stronghold town". 12 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  18. "The most violent clashes are taking place in Al-Mayadin and the regime forces under the command of the Russian forces take the control of 4 neighborhoods there about 72 hours after they were expelled from the west of the city". Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  19. Leith Fadel (15 October 2017). "Syrian Army advances past Al-Mayadeen to new town in Deir Ezzor". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  20. "Breaking: Syrian Army reaches Al-Omar Oil Field in east Deir Ezzor". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  21. http://www.syriahr.com/?p=244713 مفاوضات تجري بين وجهاء وتنظيم “الدولة الإسلامية” لتسليم الأخيرة معظم شرق الفرات إلى قوات سوريا الديمقراطية
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