Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016)
The Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016), code named Operation Dawn of Victory by government forces,[42] was a successful military offensive launched by the Syrian Armed Forces and allied groups against rebel-held districts in Aleppo. The offensive came after the end of the moratorium on air strikes by Russia, and the Russian Armed Forces again conducted heavy air and cruise missile strikes against rebel positions throughout northwestern Syria.[42] The offensive resulted in government forces taking control of all rebel-controlled parts of eastern and southern Aleppo, and the evacuation of the remaining rebel forces.[7]
The offensive was described as a potential turning point in the Syrian Civil War.[43][44][45]
Almost 1,200 people were killed during the operation,[33][40] including more than 600 civilians,[40] most of whom died in the rebel-held part of the city where the offensive took place, but at least 149 were also killed by rebel shelling of government-held parts of Aleppo and some died in rebel strikes on the enclave held by the Syrian Democratic Forces.[33]
- Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the United Nations office coordinating emergency relief, called the events "a complete meltdown of humanity".[291]
United Nations
- Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations at the time, placed blame on the Syrian government, Russia, and Iran for the attack, calling it "modern evil."[292]
United States
- Russian Defense Minister declared "we did the impossible in Aleppo" and liberation of Aleppo helps peace to be settled in Syria.[297]
Russia
- On 15 December 2016, the Singapore Red Cross committed US$10,000 in support of displaced and affected communities in affected areas such as Aleppo.[298]
Singapore
- Algerian Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra, on the sidelines of the conference of peace and security in Africa, stated that Syrian government victories in Aleppo are "regaining supremacy and hegemony over the city and defeating terrorism".[299]
