2016 Dabiq offensive

Military offensive 2016 Dabiq offensive Operation Euphrates Shield and the Syrian Civil War Northern al-Bab offensive (2016) (within Northern Syria).svg 300px Map of the wider Turkish-led operations in northern Aleppo and the wider campaigns in Aleppo #ebc0b3 Syrian Armed Forces & allied groups #e2d974 Syrian Democratic Forces #b4b2ae Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant #cdecc9 FSA groups and Turkish troops in Northern Syria 28 September – 16 October 2016(9 28 2016 10 16 2016) Aleppo Governorate, Syria SNA-Turkish victory SNA and Turkish forces capture Dabiq, Sawran, Akhtarin and 43 other towns and villages TurkeySyrian opposition Syrian rebelsSupport: United States Islamic State Turkey Lt. Gen. Zekai AksakallıTurkish Special Forces: From stopping a coup to the frontline of the ISIL fight Hürriyet Daily News, 24 August 2016.(Operations chief commander)Turkey Lt. Gen. İsmail Metin Temelhttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKCN1111F1 Turkey signals no quick end to Syria incursion as truck bomb kills police Nick Tattersall Humeyra Pamuk Reuters 26 August 2016http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/korgeneral-ismail-metin-temel-cerablusta-40208457 Korgeneral İsmail Metin Temel Cerablus'ta Hürriyet Daily News 26 August 2016(Second Army commander)Syrian oppositionFlag of the Sultan Murad Brigade.png Col. Ahmed Othmanhttps://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-targets-islamic-state-in-syrian-border-town/3478539.html Turkish Forces and Rebels Storm Into Syria, Taking IS Stronghold of Jarablus VOA 24 August 2016(Sultan Murad Division commander)Syrian oppositionFlag of the Sultan Murad Brigade.png Fahim Issahttp://sultanmurattumeni.com/entry/slug-d8krvl SULTAN MURAT TÜMENİ KOMUTANI FEHİM İSA TATHAMUS TÜRKMEN KÖYÜNÜN DEAŞ TERÖR ÖRGÜTÜNDEN TEMİZLENDİĞİNİ AÇIKLADI 24 August 2016(Sultan Murad Division commander)Syrian oppositionFlag of the Sultan Murad Brigade.png Ali Şeyh Salihhttp://haber.star.com.tr/dunya/sultan-murat-tugaylari-once-cobanbey-ardindan-menbice/haber-1136807 Sultan Murat Tugayları: Önce Çobanbey ardından Menbiç'e ilerleyeceğiz 25 August 2016 7 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160826172936/http://haber.star.com.tr/dunya/sultan-murat-tugaylari-once-cobanbey-ardindan-menbice/haber-1136807 26 August 2016 deadhttp://www.swe-turk.com/2016/10/04/turkmen-komutanimiz-ali-salih-sehit-dustu/ TÜRKMEN KOMUTANIMIZ ALİ SALİH ŞEHİT DÜŞTÜ 4 October 2016 2016-10-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20161006035505/http://www.swe-turk.com/2016/10/04/turkmen-komutanimiz-ali-salih-sehit-dustu/ 2016-10-06 dead(Sultan Murad Division field commander)Syrian opposition Muhammad al-Gabihttp://www.yenisafak.com/dunya/oso-komutanlarindan-turkiyeye-tesekkur-2516873 ÖSO komutanlarından Türkiye'ye teşekkür 25 August 2016(Liberation Army commander)Syrian opposition Mohammad Abu Ibrahimhttps://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567306-turkey-backed-rebels-set-sights-on-key-isis-held-town Turkey-backed rebels aim for key ISIS-held town Albin Szakola NOW. 25 August 2016 7 October 2016 16 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161016232204/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567306-turkey-backed-rebels-set-sights-on-key-isis-held-town deadSyrian oppositionFlag of the al-Moutasem Brigade.png Mustafa Sejari(Al-Moutasem Brigade political leader)Liwa Ahfad Saladin variant opposition flag.svg Mahmoud Abu Hamzahttp://syriadirect.org/news/turkish-backed-fsa-rebels-set-their-sights-on-last-is-aleppo-stronghold%C2%A0after-border-victory/ Turkish-backed FSA rebels set their sights on last IS Aleppo stronghold after border victory Syria:direct 5 September 2016 7 October 2016 24 December 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181224220950/https://syriadirect.org/news/turkish-backed-fsa-rebels-set-their-sights-on-last-is-aleppo-stronghold%C2%A0after-border-victory/ dead (Descendants of Saladin Brigade commander)Al-Liwaa.svg Capt. Abdel Salam Abdel Razaq (Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement commander)Flag of the Sham Legion.svg Capt. Mohammed Abu Mustafa(Sham Legion commander)Al-Liwaa.svg Abu Jaferhttp://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/41k-turkish-soldiers-ready-to-support-operation-al-bab-2535329 41K Turkish soldiers ready to support operation Al Bab Yeni Şafak 22 September 2016 22 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160923002133/http://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/41k-turkish-soldiers-ready-to-support-operation-al-bab-2535329 2016-09-23 dead (Brigade of Conquest commander) Unknown Turkey Turkish Armed Forces Flag of the Turkish army.jpg Turkish Land Forces Flag of Turkish Air Force Command.svg Turkish Air Force Special Forces Syrian opposition Hawar Kilis Operations Room Flag of the Sultan Murad Brigade.png Sultan Murad Divisionhttp://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/live-turkish-military-coalition-forces-launch-euphrates-shield-operation-in-jarablus.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103175&NewsCatID=352 Çobanbey'in ardından muhaliflerin yeni hedefi Cerablus AJANS HABER 9 April 2016 http://www.ajanshaber.com/zaferin-ardindan-yeni-hedef-cerablus-haberi/346589 LIVE: Turkish military, coalition forces launch 'Euphrates Shield' operation in Jarablus Hürriyet Daily News 24 August 2016 7 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160924024852/http://www.ajanshaber.com/zaferin-ardindan-yeni-hedef-cerablus-haberi/346589 24 September 2016 dead Liwa Ahfad Saladin variant opposition flag.svg Descendants of Saladin Brigade Syrian opposition Hamza Division http://www.dw.com/tr/analiz-f%C4%B1rat-kalkan%C4%B1nda-bir-haftal%C4%B1k-bilan%C3%A7o/a-19520809 Analiz: Fırat Kalkanı'nda bir haftalık bilanço Serhat Erkmen DW 1 September 2016 Syrian opposition Levant Front http://jkalternativeviewpoint.com/jkalternate/?p=8419 Syria à la Carte: Turkish Invasion Highlights Rapidly Shifting Alliances-Maximilian Popp and Christoph Reuter JK Alternative Viewpoint 31 August 2016 2016-10-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20160901141820/http://jkalternativeviewpoint.com/jkalternate/?p=8419 2016-09-01 dead Flag of the al-Moutasem Brigade.png Al-Moutasem Brigade Syrian opposition Fastaqim Unionhttps://twitter.com/FkoUnion/status/777511166851637248 تعزية الفصائل العسكرية باستشهاد القائد العسكري للقوة المركزية في الفرقة13 Fastaqim Union on Twitter 18 September 2016 Flag of the Sham Legion.svg Sham Legionhttps://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-led-forces-capture-first-village-northern-syria/ Turkish-led forces capture first village in northern Syria al-Masdar News 24 August 2016 7 October 2016 5 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181005024546/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-led-forces-capture-first-village-northern-syria/ dead Syrian opposition Akhtarin Military Council (from 3 October 2016)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pEjVGO3ges بيان تشكيل المجلس العسكري لمدينة أخترين و ريفها YouTube 3 October 2016 Syrian opposition Free Idlib Armyhttps://www.almasdarnews.com/article/new-rebel-group-formed-idlib/ New rebel group formed in Idlib AMN 20 September 2016 7 October 2016 23 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160923100636/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/new-rebel-group-formed-idlib/ dead Syrian opposition 13th Division Syrian opposition Liberation Army http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/08/2-us-backed-groups-clash-in-northern-syria.php Two US-backed groups clash in northern Syria Caleb Weiss The Long War Journal 29 August 2016 Al-Liwaa.svg Brigade of Conquesthttps://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/naher-osten/krieg-in-syrien-die-trennlinien-verschwimmen-14405762.html Krieg in Syrien - Die Trennlinien verschwimmen Christoph Ehrhardt de Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 26 August 2016 Other Syrian rebels Al-Liwaa.svg Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg Ahrar al-Shamhttp://www.militarytimes.com/articles/turkish-tanks-and-spec-ops-attack-islamic-state-forces-in-syria U.S. warplanes support Turkish tanks attacking Islamic State forces in Syria Susan Fraser Philip Issa Military Times 24 August 2016https://twitter.com/el_sarkis/status/778286244371566592 fouad sarkis on Twitter 26 September 2016 Unknown Syrian opposition 2,000 SNAhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-17/is-dabiq-captured-opposition-forces/7937494 Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces take Dabiq from IS ABC News 17 October 2016 18 October 2016Turkey 500 soldiershttp://alwatan.sy/archives/70016 With the launch of the third phase of Euphrates Shield, American advisors making their ranks Al-Watan 18 September 2016USA 40 military advisors 800+ militantsMore than 1000 fighters of Jaysh al-Osra reach Dabiq; sheikhs at mosques declare “Dabiq epic is approaching” 89+ SNA and 1 Turkish soldier killed21 killed (3 Oct.), 1 killed (4 Oct.), https://web.archive.org/web/20161007053015/http://aranews.net/2016/10/leader-turkey-backed-syrian-rebel-group-killed-aleppo/ 2016-10-07 2 killed (5 Oct.), 13 killed (7 Oct.), 2 killed (8 Oct.), 30 killed (9–11 Oct.), 2 killed (13 Oct.), https://web.archive.org/web/20190421041111/http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/10/14/operation-euphrates-shield-update-day-52-62-daish-terrorists-killed 2019-04-21 9 killed (15 Oct.), https://web.archive.org/web/20190226230524/http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/10/17/03/01/significant-win-for-syrian-rebels-after-they-capture-isis-stronghold-dabiq 2019-02-26 9 killed (16 Oct.), total of 89 reported killedhttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKCN1250EF Turkish troops clash with Islamic State in Syria 5 October 2016 9 October 2016 Reuters 183–210+ killed35 militants killed during clashes around Ikhtren areahttps://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN12C0Q7 https://web.archive.org/web/20161013143811/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN12C0Q7 dead 13 October 2016 Turkish army says Islamic State putting up 'stiff resistance' in Syria - World - Reuters 18 October 2016 The 2016 Dabiq offensive was a military offensive and part of the third phase of Operation Euphrates Shield launched by the Turkish Armed Forces and factions from the Free Syrian Army (FSA, a Syrian rebel group) and allied groups, with the goal of capturing the town of Dabiq, north of Aleppo from the Islamic State (IS).Turkish-backed rebels 3km from strategic Dabiq, northern Syriahttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-syria-dabiq-army-forces-propaganda-centre-a7343211.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-syria-dabiq-army-forces-propaganda-centre-a7343211.html 2022-05-01 subscription live Isis is preparing for an 'apocalyptic' battle to defend the village at the heart of its propaganda Independent.co.uk 3 October 2016 9 October 2016 It began in September and resulted in the capture of Dabiq by Turkish/FSA-allied forces on 16 October. Background In anticipation of the offensive, ISIL reinforced Dabiq with 800 fighters. An ISIL defeat at Dabiq was seen as a potential ideological blow since it has a central place in ISIL's interpretation of Muslim theology. According to ISIL, a battle at Dabiq between Islamic and "infidel" Christian forces would herald the beginning of the apocalypse. The beginning of the Turkish military intervention in Syria also correlates to the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Marj Dabiq, when the Ottoman Empire led by Selim I entered northern Aleppo at Dabiq and conquered much of northern Syria. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/how-did-the-ottoman-army-proceed-in-syria-500-years-ago-.aspx?PageID=238&NID=103319&NewsCatID=585 How did the Ottoman army proceed in Syria 500 years ago? Hurriyet Daily News 29 August 2016 The offensive Northern al-Bab offensive (2016) First week thumb|left|Map of the offensive On 28 September, the Turkish military stated that it destroyed an ISIL command post, a weapons dump and an ammunition depot in the Ihtemlat and Uwayshiyyah areas of Aleppo Governorate, while 82 targets were struck by shells. It also stated that the rebels recaptured the Al Eyyubiyah residential area of al-Rai, while ISIL temporarily recaptured the Tal-ar area,http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkish-jets-destroy-dozens-of-daesh-targets-in-syria/654639 Turkish jets destroy dozens of Daesh targets in Syria Anadolu Agency 28 September 2016 23 September 2016 before rebel and Turkish forces once again seized itRegime forces advance in Hendarat camp in addition to Ziadiyah.Rebels advance over IS in Aleppo countryside Between 29 September and 2 October, the rebels captured seven more villages from ISILhttps://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/29-september-fsa-took-ghurur-village-from-is-in-northern FSA took Ghurur village from IS in northern Aleppo Liveuamap 29 September 2016 30 September 2016http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/29-september-fsa-rebels-with-support-of-turkish-army-seized FSA rebels with support of Turkish army seized Uwaylin village south to Al Rai from ISIS Liveuamap 29 September 2016 30 September 2016http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/2-october-fsa-with-the-help-of-turkish-army-seized-hurdanah FSA with the help of Turkish army seized Hurdanah and Tallat al Baydah, S-W to Al-Rai from ISIL 6 October 2016http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/2-october-turkmen-bareh-seized-from-isis-by-fsa Turkmen Bareh seized from ISIS by FSA 6 October 2016http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/30-september-syria-fsa-rebels-seized-the-villages-of-jubbayn Syria: FSA rebels seized the villages of Jubbayn and Tall Aysha from Daesh, advancing further towards Akhtareen Liveuamap 30 September 2016 30 September 2016 and had started advancing on Dabiq, with troops from U.S. Special Forces reported to be among them. By this point, the rebel and Turkish force was some three kilometers from Dabiq. On 3 October, advancing rebel forces ran into hundreds of landmines at the village of Turkman Bareh, on the way to Dabiq, leaving 15–21 rebels dead and another 29–35 wounded.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37541058 Syrian rebels advance on symbolic IS-held town of Dabiq 2016-10-03 BBC News en-GB 2016-10-03https://news.yahoo.com/mines-kill-21-turkey-backed-rebels-syria-monitor-100327598.html IS mines kill 21 Turkey-backed rebels in Syria: monitor AFP 6 October 201650 rebels killed or wounded by IS landmines in Turkman Bareh Between 4 and 5 October, rebels captured Turkman Bareh and five more villages, including three to the east of Akhtarin.http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/4-october-rebels-captured-3-villages-east-of-akhtaren-town/ Rebels captured 3 villages East of Akhtaren town 6 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161006025658/http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/4-october-rebels-captured-3-villages-east-of-akhtaren-town 2016-10-06 deadhttp://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/5-october-fsa-still-in-control-of-turkmen-bareh--and--capture FSA still in control of Turkmen Bareh and capture Mazare' 'Alaa, Qabtan & Aziziyeh #EuphratesShield 6 October 2016 Meanwhile, Turkish fighter jets reportedly killed a regional ISIL commander in air-strikes near Akhtarin and al-Qubtan.Turkey strikes Daesh targets in Syria Anadolu Agency (5 October 2016) Second week The town of Akhtarin was captured by the rebels on 6 October.Turkish-backed rebels capture important town from ISIS in northern Aleppo https://web.archive.org/web/20180126175622/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-backed-rebels-capture-important-town-isis-northern-aleppo/ 2018-01-26 Al-Masdar News (6 October 2016) An ISIL counter-attack two days later briefly recaptured the town, along with four other villages, including Turkman Bareh,https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-islamic-state-idUSKCN1280C5 Islamic State hits back against Syrian rebels north of Aleppo: monitors 8 October 2016 9 October 2016 Reutershttps://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-launches-counter-offensive-northern-aleppo/ ISIS launches counter-offensive in northern Aleppo Leith Fadel Al-Masdar News 8 October 2016 22 April 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190422055605/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-launches-counter-offensive-northern-aleppo/ deadhttp://www.qasioun.net/en/news/show/38988/ISIS_Re_Seize_Akhtarin_And_Ola_Farm_Northern_Aleppo ISIS Re-Seize Akhtarin And Ola Farm Northern Aleppo - Qasion News Agency 9 October 2016 19 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171019092741/http://www.qasioun.net/en/news/show/38988/ISIS_Re_Seize_Akhtarin_And_Ola_Farm_Northern_Aleppo deadhttps://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN12905N Turkey says 38 Islamic State militants killed in northern Syria Nevzat Devranoglu Daren Butler Reuters 9 October 2016 9 October 2016 before reportedly being repelled.https://twitter.com/sayed_ridha/status/784704443094749185 Hassan Ridha on Twitter 9 October 2016 According to the Turkish military, 38 ISIL militants were killed in clashes and airstrikes during 8 to 9 October. Between 9 and 11 October, the rebels captured 17 villages from ISIL, bringing them within two and a half kilometers of Dabiq. 30 rebels and 20 ISIL fighters were killed during the fighting.50 killed during clashes around Dabeq between rebels and IS However, a subsequent ISIL counter-attack on 11 October, recaptured two villages.تنظيم “الدولة الإسلامية” يستعيد السيطرة على بلدة وقرية من بين 17 منطقة سيطرت عليها الفصائل قرب دابق The Turkish military reported it had destroyed 98 ISIL targets during the clashes.http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkish-forces-destroy-98-daesh-targets-in-n-syria/662456 Turkish forces destroy 98 Daesh targets in N. Syria Diyar Güldoğan Anadolu Agency 11 October 2016 11 October 2016 Meanwhile, activists and eyewitnesses reported that shelling carried out by the rebels and Turkish Army on ISIL-held Duwaybiq village resulted in the deaths of at least 10 civilians and wounded many others.http://aranews.net/2016/10/turkish-army-bombs-syrias-azaz-civilian-casualties-reported/ Turkish army bombs Syria's Azaz, civilian casualties reported ARA News 11 October 2016 11 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161210225729/http://aranews.net/2016/10/turkish-army-bombs-syrias-azaz-civilian-casualties-reported/ 10 December 2016 dead Third week On 12 October, the rebels captured Duwaybiq and also retook a village they lost the previous day.اشتباكات في شمال وجنوب أحياء حلب الشرقية والفصائل تعاود التقدم في ريف الراعيFactions supported by Turkish tanks secure a new area toward Dabiq Meanwhile, the Turkish military stated that 109 militants had been killed and 77 ISIL targets destroyed between 11 and 13 October, with 10 rebels also being killed and at least 22 wounded in the clashes.http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/121020161 Turkey reports killing 47 ISIS militants in Syria in one day Rudaw 12 October 2016 12 October 2016http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/10/14/operation-euphrates-shield-update-day-52-62-daish-terrorists-killed Operation Euphrates Shield update: Day 52, 62 Daish terrorists killed Daily Sabah 14 October 2016 14 October 2016 21 April 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190421041111/http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/10/14/operation-euphrates-shield-update-day-52-62-daish-terrorists-killed dead On 15 October, the rebels captured three more villages, with Dabiq at this point being almost fully surrounded.https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-dabiq-imminent-rebel-forces-advance-isis-aleppo/ Battle of Dabiq imminent as rebel forces advance against ISIS in Aleppo Izat Charkatli 15 October 2016 18 October 2016 14 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171014065804/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-dabiq-imminent-rebel-forces-advance-isis-aleppo/ deadDabiq clashes continue and violent clashes in Soran Azaz The next day, both Dabiq, the nearby town of Sawran and seven other villages were seized by the rebels.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37670998 Syria conflict: Rebels 'capture' IS stronghold of Dabiq 2016-10-16 BBC News en-GB 2016-10-16After 24 of Siege, the IS pulls back from Dabeq strategic townhttp://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=238&nid=105031&NewsCatID=352 Turkey-backed Syria rebels secure Dabiq area, eye al-Bab - MIDEAST 18 October 2016 See also Western al-Bab offensive (2016) Manbij offensive (2016) Battle of al-Rai (August 2016) Western al-Bab offensive (October–November 2016) References 30em External links Kadri Gursel: "Turkey faces decision over boots on the ground in Syria", Al-Monitor, 27 September 2016 Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2016 Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Turkey Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Free Syrian Army Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the United States Category:Aleppo Governorate in the Syrian civil war Category:Turkey–Islamic State conflict Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Islamic State Category:September 2016 in Syria Category:October 2016 in Syria