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Al-Dumayr offensive (April 2016)

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Al-Dumayr offensive (April 2016)
Part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign of the Syrian civil war
Date4–9 April 2016
(5 days)
Location
Al-Dumayr, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria
Result

ISIL victory

  • ISIL take control of cement factory and establishes a siege over Al-Dumayr city and airport.
Belligerents
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Syria Syrian government

Commanders and leaders
Abu Jihad Al Shami Unknown
Casualties and losses
35 killed[1] 20 killed[1]
18 civilians killed by airstrikes[2]
250–300 cement plant workers kidnapped by ISIL[3] (170 released, 4 executed)[4]

The al-Dumayr offensive (April 2016) is a military offensive launched by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant near the town of al-Dumayr, east of Damascus, Syria. The attack is notable for the abduction of hundreds of cement plant workers by ISIL.[3]

The offensive

On 4 April, ISIL attacked areas around the city of al-Dumayr, northeast of Damascus, resulting in 250–300 cement plant workers being abducted from a factory by ISIL.[5] ISIL reportedly massacred 175 of them afterwards, while 75 escaped.[6] Druze employees were murdered while non-minority Muslims were released.[7][8]

On 6 April, ISIL launched an attack on the Dumayr Airbase, outside the town, sending five car bombs and killing 12 Syrian soldiers.[9] The attack was repelled by the Syrian Army and the National Defence Forces.[10] Due to a partial ceasefire, the Syrian Armed Forces reportedly allowed some Jaysh al-Islam militants from Ghouta to cross into al-Dumayr in order to fight ISIL. The Syrian Air Force also hit ISIL targets in the front with the rebels.[11]

As of 7 April, ISIL had captured five government positions, including two checkpoints, but overall had not managed gain significant ground. Heavy fighting continued near the airport and power plant, but the jihadists had not been able to enter ether facility.[1] On 9 April, a new ISIL attack on the airport and power plant was reportedly repelled,[12] after which the airport was declared secured.[13]On the same day it was reported that ISIL still controls the cement factory and have continued to lay a siege on Al Dumayr.

References

  1. ^ a b c 250 Syrians missing after IS attack east of Damascus
  2. ^ Islamic State Kidnaps More Than 300 Syrian Workers
  3. ^ a b "Syria civil war: ISIL kidnaps '300 factory workers'". Al Jazeera English. 8 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Islamic State begins releasing kidnapped workers: Syrian Observatory". Reuters. 8 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Syria conflict: IS 'abducts hundreds of factory workers'". BBC. 7 April 2016.
  6. ^ "ISIS massacres 175 cement plant workers captured near Damascus – reports". RT. 8 April 2016.
  7. ^ http://www.wsj.com/articles/most-cement-workers-abducted-by-islamic-state-in-syria-freed-1460199994
  8. ^ http://www.pressherald.com/2016/04/09/islamic-state-frees-most-of-300-abducted-cement-workers-kills-4/
  9. ^ "Islamic State attacks Syrian forces near Damascus". Reuters. 6 April 2016.
  10. ^ "Syrian Army thwarts the ISIS offensive at the Dumayr Airport". Al-Masdar News. 6 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Syrian Army, rebels work together against ISIS in east Damascus". Al-Masdar News. 7 April 2016.
  12. ^ Syrian Army pushes back the Islamic State at the Tishreen Power Plant
  13. ^ Field commander at al-Dmeir Airport: Airport completely secure
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