ConflictBarometer_2016

MIDDLE EAST AND MAGHREB
Starting August 24, dozens of Turkish tanks and about 5,000
Syrian opposition fighters massed in northern Syria, seizing
the border-town Jarabulus and 17 villages from IS, while IS
fighters fled towards al-Bab town without showing resistance.
By September 4, the area between Azaz and Jarabulus was
completely cleared from IS. Starting in the beginning of October,
at least 2,000 opposition forces in cooperation with TAF
encircled the IS-held town Dabiq and seized it on October 16.
Dozens of IS fighters were killed until the recapture of Dabiq,
while there were also several deaths among the opposition
forces. Until the end of the year, Turkey, Russia and opposition
forces repeatedly attacked the IS-held town al-Bab and
were involved in heavy clashes. For instance, on December
21, IS used several suicide car bombs against ground forces
near al-Bab. According to Turkish officials, clashes left 16
Turkish soldiers as well as 138 IS members dead and 33 soldiers
wounded. The same day, 67 IS targets were destroyed
by Turkish warplanes. The next day, IS released a Video showing
the burning of two Turkish soldiers.
Throughout the year, IS and SDF clashed in the cities of Tall
Rifat and Manbij as well as surrounding areas. On May 31,
SDF backed by the US-led coalition launched an offensive on
IS-held Manbij. SDF captured Manbij on August 13, thereby
cutting off the only direct supply route from the Turkish border
to the IS stronghold of Raqqa city. The more than twomonth
long fighting left at least 260 SDF fighters and 400
IS militants dead. The civilian fatalities amounted to approx.
440 and about 75,000 people were displaced.
In Hama Governorate, on February 10, government and
paramilitary forces conducted an operation to reseize the
Ithriyah-Raqqa Road, which leads to the al-Tabqa military airport
in Raqqa Governorate. Three days later, government
forces advanced along the Hama-Raqqa border, seizing several
IS positions. Between June 2 and 10, government and
allied forces entered Raqqa Governorate, seizing the Thawrah
and Sfeiyah oil fields as well as the crossroad leading to
the military airport and Raqqa city. On June 19, IS fighters
launched a counteroffensive against government forces, recapturing
the oil fields as well as reversing government gains.
Air raids against IS positions continued until the end of the
year. Furthermore, IS conducted several suicide attacks in
Hama as well as Raqqa in government-held areas throughout
the year.
In Homs Governorate, government and paramilitary forces
supported by Russian warplanes repeatedly clashed with
IS throughout the year. On March 3, government forces
launched an offensive to recapture the Assyrian town of al-
Qaryatayn, which IS had seized in August 2015. After one
month of heavy clashes, government forces seized the town
and surrounding areas on April 3. Beginning in March, government
forces supported by Russian warplanes conducted an
operation to recapture Palmyra as well as the road linking the
city to Deir ez Zor Governorate. On March 26, government and
allied forces recaptured Palmyra. Reportedly, about 400 IS
fighters were killed during clashes and air raids. Between May
5 and 12, IS seized the Sha'er Gas Field and several checkpoints
near the Tiyas military airbase and advanced near the
Maher Gas Field. The militants blew up several pumping
stations at the Sha'er Gas Field on May 16. Furthermore, IS
fighters captured the Jazal Oil Field from government forces
the following day. On July 8, IS downed a Russian attack helicopter
in eastern Homs, whereby two pilots were killed. On
July 25, over 1,000 pro-government Afghan and Iraqi Shiite
fighters were deployed to Palmyra. Between December 7
and 8, IS fighters started an offensive close to Palmyra, capturing
the Huwaysis and Jazal Gas Fields as well as several
checkpoints near Sha'er Gas Fields. In response, government
warplanes conducted airstrikes. Reportedly, at least 26 soldiers
were killed at the Sha'er Gas Field checkpoints during
clashes. After IS had attacked a military post near al-Mahr Oil
Field and had shelled their headquarters with mortars as well
as artillery fire, government forces withdrew from the area on
December 10. The next day, the Homs governor announced
that IS seized Palmyra and that clashes were ongoing.
In Deir ez-Zor Governorate, government forces and IS repeatedly
clashed in Deir ez-Zor city, in the vicinity of the
government-held military airport as well as in the al-Tharda
mountain. Moreover, airstrikes by the International Coalition,
Russia, and Syria targeted IS positions across the governorate.
On January 16, IS attacked the government-held towns of Begayliya
and Ayash with six suicide bombers, killing at least 60
soldiers and civilians. The same day, IS militants captured Begayliya
as well as the weapons depot in Ayash. According to
state media, about 300 people were killed between January
16 and 18. Furthermore, it was reported that 400 people were
allegedly abducted. On April 4, IS militants advanced near the
government-held military air base and conducted several suicide
bomb attacks, killing at least 30 soldiers. The militants
captured several military posts near the airport. Clashes over
the airport continued until the end of the year. Between May
14 and 15, IS heavily attacked government positions in Deir
ez-Zor city, reportedly killing dozens of soldiers. Furthermore,
the militants temporarily seized a hospital and a military base
before they were repelled by government forces.
On June 25, Russian warplanes targeting IS positions hit a
mosque during morning prayers in the town of al-Qurayyah,
killing at least 47 people and injuring dozens. On September
17, US warplanes hit Syrian military positions in the al-Tharda
mountain, killing at least 60 soldiers and wounding over 100.
After warnings by Russia, the US stopped the strikes and
stated that they had mistaken the target for IS positions. Syrian
officials accused the US of having staged the attack on
purpose.
In Rif Dimashq Governorate, heavy clashes occurred between
government forces and IS as well as between the Islamist
umbrella group Jaish al-Islam, FSA-affiliated groups and IS.
In the first week of April, IS attacked the government-held
Dumair military airport with five bomb-laden vehicles, killing
12 soldiers. Furthermore, both parties heavily clashed in the
nearby Dumair town. On April 4, IS abducted at least 170
cement workers near Dumair, which were released on April 9,
after government media had stated that IS had executed 170
of them. IS stated that the four Druze hostages were killed
and 20 pro-government workers kept hostage. Reportedly,
government forces allowed Jaish al-Islam fighters to travel
to Dumair to support the government in the fight against IS
on April 7. Government forces with support of Jaish al-Islam
started an offensive against IS around the Dumair airport
and recaptured several hilltops on April 14. Jaish al-Islam
continued fighting against IS in Dumair town. On June 11, IS
detonated two suicide bombs in the Zeinab District of Damascus,
where a Shiite Shrine is located. The attack killed at least
189