2014 Idlib offensive

2014 Idlib offensive
Part of the Syrian civil war
Map of frontlines following the offensive. Territorial changes as a result of the offensive can be seen south of Maarrat al-Nu'man/North of Morek.
Date 5 March – 25 May 2014 (2 months, 2 weeks and 6 days) Location Idlib Governorate Syria Result Rebel victory Rebels lift the Army siege of Khan Shaykhun and secure the city and its surroundings Rebels cut two supply lines to Army bases in Idlib governorate Rebels capture two towns on the highway towards Maarrat al-Nu'man
Belligerents
al-Nusra Front Free Syrian Army Islamic Front Jaysh al-Sham Sham Legion	Syrian Arab Republic Syrian Armed Forces National Defense Force
Commanders and leaders
Colonel Afif al-Suleimani (head of Idlib's rebel Military Council) Jamal Maarouf (leader of the Syrian Martyrs' Brigade) Bilal Atar (leader of Hazzm movement) Ahmed Abu Issa (Leader of Suqour al-Sham Brigade) Hassan Aboud (leader of Ahrar ash-Sham)	Unknown
Units involved
Ahrar ash-Sham Suqour al-Sham Brigade Syrian Martyrs' Brigade Hazzm Movement Jund al-Aqsa Liwaa al-Umma	1st Armoured Division 76th Armoured Brigade Artillery Regiment 7th Mechanized Division 93rd Armoured Brigade 15th Special Forces Division 35th SF Regiment 41st SF Regiment 45th SF Regiment
Casualties and losses
36–60+ rebels killed	64+ Syrian soldiers killed

Rebel victory

Syrian Arab Republic

1st Armoured Division

7th Mechanized Division

15th Special Forces Division

The 2014 Idlib offensive refers to a series of rebel operations in the Idlib Governorate, during the Syrian Civil War, conducted by the rebels against the Syrian Government. The clashes were mostly concentrated around Khan Shaykhun and on the highway towards Maarrat al-Nu'man.

The rebels began the operation on 5 March; three days later it was reported that the rebels were trying to cut the road between Idlib and Al-Mastuma in an attempt to surround the city of Idlib. A day after the report of the offensive the SOHR reported that a commander of an FSA battalion was assassinated by unknown gunmen between the villages of Kafar-Sejna and Al-Rekaya.

Free Syrian Army units and other rebel troops charted moderate gains since the start of their operation. On 12 March, pro-opposition sources claimed the rebels cut the M-5 highway at Khan Shaykhun; 13 days later it was reported that the rebels seized 15 Syrian Army checkpoints in Khan Shaykhun after days of fighting. According to Col. Afif al-Suleimani, head of Idlib's rebel Military Council, the Army withdrew many of its soldiers from Idlib province to reinforce their forces in Latakia province after the 2014 rebel offensive at Latakia was launched against the coastal area. The rebels then advanced towards Khan Shaykhun resulted in both the lifting of the siege of the town and cutting the supply line to Syrian Army bases further north in the province. Also, on 29 March, they reportedly captured parts of the Shiite town of Al-Fu'ah, northeast of Idlib city.

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Wikipedia