Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)
2018 military offensive / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018), code-named Operation Damascus Steel, was a military offensive launched by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in February 2018 in a bid to capture the rebel-held eastern Ghouta suburb during the Syrian Civil War.[1][33] East Ghouta, a pocket of towns and farms, had been under government siege since 2013 and had been a major rebel stronghold in the vicinity of the capital of Damascus. According to the United Nations, nearly 400,000 people live in East Ghouta.[34]
Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018) | |||||||||
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Part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign (Syrian Civil War), the Siege of Eastern Ghouta and the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War | |||||||||
Map of the operation | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Russia |
Jaysh al-Islam Al-Rahman Legion Ahrar al-Sham Hayat Tahrir al-Sham [11] | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Maj. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan (Tiger Forces)[12] Col. Ghiath Dalla (42nd Armored Brigade) |
Essam al-Buwaydhani (al-Rahman Legion chief of staff)[15][16] | ||||||||
Units involved | |||||||||
National Defence Forces[5] |
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Strength | |||||||||
15,000+[18]
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20,000[25] | ||||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||||
520–541 killed,[26][27] 2 captured[28] 2–3 killed[29] | 405 killed,[26] 1,200 surrendered (most switched sides)[30] | ||||||||
4,835 civilians killed (Eastern Ghouta & Damascus)[31][32] |
On 14 April, the Syrian Army fully captured the Eastern Ghouta pocket.[3] Before the offensive had concluded, the Associated Press reported that the capture of the whole rebel-held Eastern Ghouta enclave would represent one of the most significant victories for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war, and the worst setback for the rebels since their defeat in the Battle of Aleppo in late 2016.[35] Similarly, Reuters stated the capture of Eastern Ghouta would represent the biggest prize for President al-Assad since the full recapture of Aleppo.[36] During the offensive, one of the heaviest bombardments of the war took place[37] with more than 4,000 people being killed by air and artillery strikes.[38]