View source for Palmyra offensive (July–August 2015)

{{Short description|2015 military operation of the Syrian Civil War}}
{{For|the previous and the following offensives aimed to capture this city|Palmyra offensive (May 2015)|Palmyra offensive (March 2016)|Palmyra offensive (December 2016)|Palmyra offensive (2017)}}
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict= Palmyra offensive (July–August 2015)
|partof= the [[Syrian Civil War]]
|image=
|caption=
|date = 8 July – 4 August 2015<br/>({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=07|day1=08|year1=2015|month2=08|day2=04|year2=2015}})
|place= [[Tadmur District]], Eastern [[Homs Governorate]], [[Syria]]
|status =
|result = Indecisive
*  The Syrian Army comes within 3–5 kilometers of Palmyra city<ref name="driving"/><ref name="poised"/>
|combatant1={{flagicon|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} '''[[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]'''
* [[ISIL territorial claims#Iraq and Syria|Wilayat Homs]]
|combatant2={{flagicon|Syria}} '''[[Syrian Arab Republic]]'''
* {{flagicon image|Syrian Armed Forces Flag.svg}} [[Syrian Armed Forces]]
* {{flagicon image|}} [[National Defense Force (Syria)|National Defense Force]]
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Air Force.svg}} [[Syrian Arab Air Force]]
{{flagicon image|InfoboxHez.PNG}} [[Hezbollah]]<br />{{flagicon image|Shiite Resistance flag.svg}} [[Lions of Hussein|Lions of Hussein Brigade]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/liwa-usud-al-hussein-a-new-militia-in-latakia/|title=Liwa Usud al-Hussein: A New Pro-Assad Militia in Latakia|author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi|work=Syria Comment|date=14 February 2016|access-date=11 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805172620/https://www.joshualandis.com/blog/liwa-usud-al-hussein-a-new-militia-in-latakia/|archive-date=5 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|commander1= {{flagicon|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} Abu Laith al-Saoudy<ref name="intact">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/27/isis-releases-footage-of-palmyra-ruins-intact|title=Syria: Isis releases footage of Palmyra ruins intact and 'will not destroy them'|work=The Guardian|last=Shaheen|first=Kareem|date=27 May 2015|access-date=27 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527210450/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/27/isis-releases-footage-of-palmyra-ruins-intact|archive-date=27 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
|commander2={{flagicon|Syria}} Talal al-Barazi<br /><small>(Governor of the Homs Governorate)</small><ref name="metropolis">{{cite web|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/at-least-23-killed-as-is-advance-on-syrias-ancient-metropolis-of-palmyra|title=At least 23 killed as IS advances on Syria's ancient metropolis of Palmyra|access-date=16 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019074817/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/at-least-23-killed-as-is-advance-on-syrias-ancient-metropolis-of-palmyra|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|units1= {{flagicon|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}} [[Military of ISIL]]|units2=[[18th Armoured Division (Syria)|18th Armored Division]]<ref name="sukhnahcapture">{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-launches-an-offensive-at-the-ancient-city-of-palmyra-in-east-homs|title=ISIS Launches an Offensive at the Ancient City of Palmyra in East Homs|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=14 May 2015|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011080715/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-launches-an-offensive-at-the-ancient-city-of-palmyra-in-east-homs/|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><br />[[Suqur al-Sahara]]<ref name="storms">{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-storms-the-gates-of-the-ancient-city-of-palmyra/|title=ISIS Storms the Gates of the Ancient City of Palmyra|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=16 May 2015|access-date=16 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209041833/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-storms-the-gates-of-the-ancient-city-of-palmyra/|archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|strength1=1,800–2,000+ <small>(Palmyra city)</small><ref name="onslaught">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syrian-civil-war-can-assads-regime-survive-the-onslaught-from-isis-and-jabhat-alnusra-10317350.html|title=Syrian civil war: Can Assad's regime survive the onslaught from Isis and Jabhat al-Nusra?|work=The Independent|date=13 June 2015|access-date=29 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630011540/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syrian-civil-war-can-assads-regime-survive-the-onslaught-from-isis-and-jabhat-alnusra-10317350.html|archive-date=30 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
|strength2=Unknown
|casualties1= 30 killed and wounded ([[Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|SOHR]] claim)<ref name="50members">{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/more-than-50-members-of-is-and-regime-forces-killed-and-wounded-in-the-east-of-homs|title=More than 50 members of IS and regime forces killed and wounded in the east of Homs|author=Master|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=11 July 2015|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111164204/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/more-than-50-members-of-is-and-regime-forces-killed-and-wounded-in-the-east-of-homs|archive-date=11 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><br />89 killed (Army claim)<ref name="tiyas">{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/two-critical-battles-taking-place-in-east-homs-palmyra-and-tiyas-airbase|title=Two Critical Battles Taking Place in East Homs: Palmyra and Tiyas Airbase|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=15 July 2015|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014070149/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/two-critical-battles-taking-place-in-east-homs-palmyra-and-tiyas-airbase/|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="meshtal">{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-captures-al-meshtal-in-west-palmyra|title=Breaking: Syrian Army Captures Al-Meshtal in West Palmyra|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=15 July 2015|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014070203/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-captures-al-meshtal-in-west-palmyra/|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="strikeisis">{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-strike-isis-in-east-homs|title=Syrian Armed Forces Strike ISIS in East Homs|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=16 July 2015|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014070630/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-strike-isis-in-east-homs/|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|casualties2=12 killed (SOHR claim)<ref name="50members"/>
|casualties3=21 civilians killed<ref name="poised"/><ref name="deadline">{{cite news|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/08/is-seizes-some-houses-in-the-city-of-palmyra-and-gives-a-time-limit-for-the-government-employees-to-repent|title=IS seizes some houses in the city of Palmyra, and gives a time limit for the government employees to "repent"|agency=SOHR|date=10 August 2015|access-date=10 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810155537/https://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/08/is-seizes-some-houses-in-the-city-of-palmyra-and-gives-a-time-limit-for-the-government-employees-to-repent/|archive-date=10 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
|campaignbox={{Campaignbox Syrian Civil War}}
}}
The '''Palmyra offensive of July–August 2015''' was a military operation launched during the [[Syrian Civil War]] by the [[Syrian Arab Army]] in July 2015, in an attempt to recapture the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]]-held city of [[Tadmur]], known in English as [[Palmyra]].
==Background==
{{main|Palmyra offensive (May 2015)}}
In late May 2015, ISIL forces captured Palmyra and the surrounding countryside after a large-scale offensive.<ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/islamic-state-seizes-ancient-city-syrian-forces-334149 "Islamic State Seizes Ancient City from Syrian forces"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522065636/http://www.newsweek.com/islamic-state-seizes-ancient-city-syrian-forces-334149 |date=2015-05-22 }}, newsweek.com; accessed 25 August 2015.</ref>
Between 15 and 22 June, the Syrian Army recaptured the Jazal oil field, and reopened a transport route from the field towards Syrian government-held cities. The advance placed the Syrian Army 10 kilometers west of Palmyra; however, this was not the start of a large-scale offensive to retake the city.<ref>[http://www.skynews.com.au/news/world/mideast/2015/06/23/syrian-army-advances-west-of-palmyra.html "Syrian army advances west of Palmyra"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723032421/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/world/mideast/2015/06/23/syrian-army-advances-west-of-palmyra.html |date=2015-07-23 }}, skynews.com.au, 23 June 2015.</ref> ISIL destroyed, by mining, some of the [[Palmyra|ruins of ancient Palmyra]] which are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/06/isil-plants-mines-ancient-syrian-city-palmyra-150622025527317.html|title=ISIL 'plants mines' in ancient Syrian city of Palmyra|publisher=aljazeera.com|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726055238/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/06/isil-plants-mines-ancient-syrian-city-palmyra-150622025527317.html|archive-date=26 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
==The offensive==
On 8 July 2015,<ref name="closing">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-palmyra-idUSKCN0PJ2MU20150709?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews|title=Syrian army says it's closing in on Islamic State in Palmyra|work=Reuters|date=9 July 2015|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924221054/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/09/us-mideast-crisis-palmyra-idUSKCN0PJ2MU20150709?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> the Syrian Arab Army and National Defense Forces, supported by the Syrian Arab Air Force, began an offensive towards Palmyra and by the next day made advances, positioning themselves 4–5 kilometers from the city.<ref name="poised">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/palmyra-syrian-army-poised-attack-isis-held-city-ancient-ruins-1510310|title=Palmyra: Syrian army poised to attack Isis-held city of ancient ruins|work=International Business Times UK|date=10 July 2015|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019080215/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/palmyra-syrian-army-poised-attack-isis-held-city-ancient-ruins-1510310|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11730074/Syria-army-battles-Islamic-State-outside-Palmyra.html|title=Syria army battles Islamic State outside Palmyra|author=Louisa Loveluck in Cairo|date=9 July 2015|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019162915/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11730074/Syria-army-battles-Islamic-State-outside-Palmyra.html|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The military seized around a 15&nbsp;km area, west of Palmyra,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/30-IS-Militants-Killed-in-Fighting-Near-Syrias-Palmyra/2015/07/11/article2914744.ece|title=30 IS Militants Killed in Fighting Near Syria's Palmyra|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725180212/http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/30-IS-Militants-Killed-in-Fighting-Near-Syrias-Palmyra/2015/07/11/article2914744.ece|archive-date=25 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and some of the locations they had reportedly captured over the previous 24 hours was Nuzl Hayal and the Tel al Marmala, about 10&nbsp;km from Palmyra's city center.<ref name="closing"/>
Syrian government forces made further advances 11 July,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/the-regime-forces-advance-on-the-southern-outskirts-of-the-city-of-al-hasakah-and-the-clashes-continue-in-the-vicinity-of-the-palmyra-area|title=The regime forces advance on the southern outskirts of the city of al-Hasakah and the clashes continue in the vicinity of the Palmyra area|author=Edward|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=11 July 2015|access-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715122653/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/the-regime-forces-advance-on-the-southern-outskirts-of-the-city-of-al-hasakah-and-the-clashes-continue-in-the-vicinity-of-the-palmyra-area/|archive-date=15 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> as the death toll since the start of the offensive reached at least 30 ISIL fighters and 12 soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/more-than-50-members-of-is-and-regime-forces-killed-and-wounded-in-the-east-of-homs/|title=More than 50 members of IS and regime forces killed and wounded in the east of Homs|author=Master|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=11 July 2015|access-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715122635/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/more-than-50-members-of-is-and-regime-forces-killed-and-wounded-in-the-east-of-homs/|archive-date=15 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 13 July, the Syrian Army's special forces unit, the Tiger Forces, captured the Ancient Quarries in the northwestern countryside of Palmyra after fierce clashes with ISIL. According to a Syrian Army source, [[Syrian Arab Army|Syrian Arab Army (SAA)]] units were less than 2&nbsp;km from the Qassoun Checkpoint, leading to the Qassoun Mountains of Palmyra.<ref>{{cite web|title=Breaking: Tiger Forces Capture the Palmyra Quarries|date=13 July 2015|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-tiger-forces-capture-the-palmyra-quarries/|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713184031/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-tiger-forces-capture-the-palmyra-quarries/|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Two days later, the SAA and [[National Defence Forces (Syria)|National Defence Forces (NDF)]] reportedly managed to capture Al-Meshtal and Qasr Al-Hayr south of Tiyas Military Airbase.<ref name="meshtal"/> Over 15 and 16 July, fighting between ISIL and the Tiger Forces moved to the southeast of the Ancient Quarries, while the Syrian Army also reportedly advanced into the Wadi Al-Abyad (White Valley).<ref name="tiyas"/><ref name="strikeisis"/>
Fighting in the Palmyra countryside continued into 20 and 22 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/clashes-in-the-eastern-countryside-of-daraa-and-in-the-vicinity-of-palmyra-lands|title=Clashes in the eastern countryside of Daraa, and in the vicinity of Palmyra lands|author=Edward|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=20 July 2015|access-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922041135/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/clashes-in-the-eastern-countryside-of-daraa-and-in-the-vicinity-of-palmyra-lands/|archive-date=22 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/the-regime-forces-target-several-areas-in-the-northern-countryside-of-homs-and-the-clashes-continue-in-the-countryside-of-palmyra/|title=The regime forces target several areas in the northern countryside of Homs and the clashes continue in the countryside of Palmyra|author=Edward|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=22 July 2015|access-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724025135/http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/the-regime-forces-target-several-areas-in-the-northern-countryside-of-homs-and-the-clashes-continue-in-the-countryside-of-palmyra/|archive-date=24 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On 24 July, the SAA resumed operations towards the southern perimeter of the Ancient Quarries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/palmyra-front-heating-up-syrian-army-pushes-south-of-the-ancient-quarries|title=Palmyra Front Heating Up: Syrian Army Pushes South of the Ancient Quarries|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=24 July 2015|access-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727010025/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/palmyra-front-heating-up-syrian-army-pushes-south-of-the-ancient-quarries/|archive-date=27 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 July, Syrian government troops advanced, capturing some strategic hills that would allow them to survey ISIL forces inside of Palmyra City.<ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/07/regime-forces-advance-and-control-high-lands-in-th-vicinity-of-palmyra "Regime forces advance and control high lands in the vicinity of Palmyra"], syriahr.com, July 2015; accessed 25 August 2015.</ref> On 27 July, the SAA and Hezbollah reportedly captured Palmyra Castle, after a three-hour gunfight. As a result, Syrian government forces were now a mere three kilometers from the ancient city. Footage also showed approximately 300 ISIL combatants fleeing in the direction of their capital [[Raqqa]].<ref name="driving">{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-at-the-outskirts-of-palmyra-driving-school-and-castle-captured|title=Syrian Army at the Outskirts of Palmyra: Driving School and Castle Captured|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=27 July 2015|access-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014070112/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-at-the-outskirts-of-palmyra-driving-school-and-castle-captured/|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 August, SOHR reported that the [[Syrian Arab Air Force]] (SAAF) was still bombing Palmyra.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=27640|title=Warplanes raid on Palmyra and the factions target the countryside of Latakia|author=Edward|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=2 August 2015|access-date=5 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010112158/http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=27640|archive-date=10 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 4 August, ISIL launched a counter-offensive, recapturing the territory north of the Ancient Quarries and south of the Jazal Mountains. However, the SAA managed to repel the ISIL assault and to recapture most of the lost territory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-attempts-a-counter-offensive-at-palmyra|title=ISIS Attempts a Counter-Offensive at Palmyra|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=4 August 2015|access-date=5 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806163928/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-attempts-a-counter-offensive-at-palmyra/|archive-date=6 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Aftermath==
{{see also|Palmyra offensive (March 2016)}}
In March 2016, the Syrian Army, supported by the Russian Air Force, launched a new offensive with the aim of capturing Palmyra which turned out a success.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-armed-forces-liberate-palmyra-2/|title=Breaking: Syrian Armed Forces liberate Palmyra|last=Fadel|first=Leith|date=2016-03-27|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915133818/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-armed-forces-liberate-palmyra-2/|archive-date=2016-09-15|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|Asia}}
* [[Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict (2013–present)]]
{{clear}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Military intervention against ISIL}}
{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}
{{coord|34.5600|N|38.2672|E|source:wikidata|display=title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palmyra offensive (2015 07-08)}}
[[Category:Palmyra in the Syrian civil war]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2015]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian government]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Hezbollah]]
[[Category:July 2015 events in Syria]]
[[Category:August 2015 events in Syria]]