2015–2016 Latakia offensive
The 2015–2016 Latakia offensive was a campaign of the Syrian Civil War that was launched by government forces in October 2015 to recapture rebel-held territory in the Latakia Governorate bordering Turkey.[36]
For other uses, see Latakia offensive (disambiguation).The offensive[edit]
Initial government advances[edit]
On 15 October, government forces launched a large-scale offensive in the northern Latakia countryside.[4] On 19 October, the SAA captured Point 1112, Point 482, Tal Thamamiyah, Kawa Al-Hatab, and Tal Thalatha in the Al-Zahiyah Mountains in northern Latakia after advancing north from the hilltop of Tal Ziwayk.[37] The next day, Russian air strikes killed Basil Zamo, the commander of the rebel 1st Coastal Division, along with four other fighters according to one report. Other reports put the death toll from the attack at 45, including at least 15 civilians.[15]
On 30 October, rebels recaptured areas at Kafar Delbah,[38] but pro-government forces denied this.[39]
Between 1 and 3 November, heavy clashes for the village of Ghammam in the Mountains of northern Latakia took place. The village was captured four times, with the rebels finally ending up controlling it again. Thirteen soldiers and an unknown number of rebels were killed.[40][41][42][43] Two days later, government forces captured three villages in the area[44] and on 6 November took control of Ghamam and Jabal Bakdash hill overlooking it.[45][46]
On 9 and 10 November, the rebels were reported to had recaptured some points in the area of Ghamam.[47][48] However, this was denied by military sources.[49]
Between 13 and 23 November, government troops seized 200 square kilometers of territory.[50] On 25 November, they captured three hills (including Tal Al-Yakdash hill) in the mountains of Latakia, advanced around Ghamam and captured the villages of Dayr Hanna, al-Dughmishlyia and Beit ‘Ayyash.[51][52][53][54][55][56]
Between 18 and 23 November, government forces captured 10 hills (including six in the Jeb al-Ahmar area),[57][58][59][60] three villages[61][62][63] and imposed full control over the Al-Zahi Mountains.[63]
On 24 November, rebels retook the Al-Zahi Mountains[64] and Tal al-Etyra,[65] while government forces captured a village and hilltop on Jabal Sheikh Mohammad.[66] The following day, government forces advanced in the areas of the Al-Zahi Mountains and Ateera, and recaptured Al-Zahi.[67]
Strategic analysis[edit]
According to analysis by pro-opposition Al Jazeera, the objective of the Latakia offensive was to consolidate a potential Alawi dominated state (supported by Russia) that would extend from the Coast to Damascus, passing by Hama and Homs. This would entail forcing the population to leave the north of Latakia so that they would be replaced by government supporters. According to the same source, the offensive aims also at embarrassing and pressuring the Turkish government since most of the population in north Latakia are from Turkmen origin. The source attributes the advance by government troops to the powerful missiles used by the Russian airforce and to the lack of support from rebels in Idlib and Hama governorates.[194]
On the other hand, the Syrian government claims to be aiming to reconquer the whole of Syria. In this case, after recovering all of Latakia, the next logical step might be to move into neighboring Idlib and recover what was lost to the opposition earlier in the year.[195]