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Second Battle of Idlib

Second Battle of Idlib
Part of the Syrian Civil War and
the 2015 Idlib offensive
Idlib2.jpg
Image of a typical olive field in the valleys surrounding Idlib
Date 24–28 March 2015
(4 days)
Location Idlib, Idlib Governorate, Syria
Result al-Nusra Front-led rebel victory
Territorial
changes
  • Rebels capture Idlib city and besiege Kafarya and al-Fu'ah, while government forces retreat to al-Mastouma
Belligerents

Army of Conquest

Farouq Brigades

Syria Syrian Arab Republic

Hezbollah
Commanders and leaders
Abu Jamil al-Qutb 
(Ahrar ash-Sham deputy leader)
Abu Kamal
(Ahrar ash-Sham Central Area Commander)
Hassan al-Khalifa 
(Omar al-Farouq Brigade commander)
Nathir Terman 
(al-Nusra field commander)
Abu Abdullah Taoum 
(Ajnad ash-Sham leader)
Syria Mohamed Khair al-Sayyed
(Governor of Idlib)
Al Hajj Walaa 
(Hezbollah commander)
Units involved
Omar al-Farouq Brigade Syria 11th Armored Division
Syria 155th Brigade
Strength

3,000–6,000 fighters

  • al-Nusra Front: 3,000-5,500 fighters
Unknown
Casualties and losses
132 fighters killed,
36 infiltrators executed
66–86 soldiers killed, 5 soldiers and 6 tanks captured
11 civilians killed, 15 prisoners executed by the Syrian Army

Army of Conquest

Syria Syrian Arab Republic

3,000–6,000 fighters

The Second Battle of Idlib ("Operation to Free Idlib") was a military operation in the Idlib Governorate, during the Syrian Civil War, conducted by rebels against Syrian government forces defending Idlib city.

On 24 March 2015, the newly established Fattah Army operation room ("The Army of Conquest") urged people in Idlib city to remain indoors. Later that day, two fighters from Jund al-Aqsa blew themselves up near Army checkpoints, on the eastern side of the city, followed by a three-pronged assault on Idlib. The rebels took control of the Sadkop Factory at the eastern outskirts of the Industrial District and advanced towards the Old Textile Factory before soldiers from the 11th Tank Division arrived to reinforce the NDF and push back rebel fighters to the east, securing the perimeter around the Idlib Public Cemetery. Meanwhile, at the northwestern entrance to Idlib, the rebels attacked a number of NDF checkpoints, reaching the northern side of the Youth Housing. Overall during the day, the rebels captured seven checkpoints, but the Army managed to recapture four of them, including reportedly re-securing the northern perimeter of the Youth Housing.

According to a rebel commander, the clashes resulted in the death of many fighters from both sides. The SOHR put the death toll at 20 government fighters and 19 rebels, including three suicide bombers. Two of the bombers were foreigners from Gulf states. According to a military source, 44 rebels and 16 soldiers were killed. Five soldiers were also captured.


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Wikipedia

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