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{{Campaignbox Syrian Civil War}} |
{{Campaignbox Syrian Civil War}} |
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The '''Deir ez-Zor |
The '''Deir ez-Zor massacre''' was perpetrated by [[ISIL]] military operation during which it took over the northern suburbs of [[Deir ez-Zor]] on 16 January 2016, and killed from 135 to 300 people, while also kidnapping about 400 others.<ref name="foxnews">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/01/17/activists-say-isis-militants-kill-scores-in-eastern-syrian-city.html|title=At least 300 killed in Islamic State 'massacre' in Syrian city, state media says|work=Fox News}}</ref> In response, Russian fighter jets supported a Syrian Arab Army counter-attack to take back the occupied areas. |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Revision as of 08:05, 23 January 2016
| Deir ez Zor massacre | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Syrian Civil War | |||||||||
 File:Deir ez-Zor battle map.2016.jpg The situation in Deir ez-Zor, as of January 2016 | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant |
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| Strength | |||||||||
| Military of ISIL |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 110–350 killed[6][7] | 200 killed [6] | ||||||||
| 129–300 civilians killed, ~400 civilians kidnapped[3][6] | |||||||||
The Deir ez-Zor massacre was perpetrated by ISIL military operation during which it took over the northern suburbs of Deir ez-Zor on 16 January 2016, and killed from 135 to 300 people, while also kidnapping about 400 others.[2] In response, Russian fighter jets supported a Syrian Arab Army counter-attack to take back the occupied areas.
Background
In 2011, the Syrian Civil War began. Over the ensuing years, Islamist groups gained a stronger foothold in the country than the original secular armed opposition. In this regards, the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front has been largely eclipsed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Amidst foreign state involvement in the conflict, first the American-led intervention in Syria followed by a Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War.
Initial assault and massacre
On 16 January 2016, ISIL militants launched an overnight[citation needed] raid on Deir al-Zor. In the initial fighting, at least 35 Syrian Arab Army soldiers and allied militia fighters were killed. The group used "six suicide bombers first and they tried to break into military positions but they failed," according to the government. An unnamed Syrian source added that the group "carried out several assaults" on the day.
After parts of the city were over-run by ISIL, pro-government fighters and their families were amongst those attacked in the neighbourhoods of Baghiliya and Ayash. The Syrian government and state-media said that 250[8]-300[9] people were killed, including some by beheading;[8] the British-based SOHR had differing numbers from 135 fatalities[9] to what it issued in a statement that read: "We have 60 people confirmed killed, but the number is big. The details are hard to get so far but the deaths are in dozens." It further noted the army and pro-government deaths as well. The government death toll was given at 49[10] soldiers killed.[11] Unnamed social media supporters of the group claimed it had captured an army weapons depot and seized tanks, although this was not independently confirmed.[8] SOHR added that ISIL kidnapped about 400 civilians from families of pro-government fighters. "There is genuine fear for their lives, there is a fear that the group might execute them as it has done before in other areas."[12] "Abu Hamza Al-Ansari”, a top ISIL commander in the province was reported killed in the offensive.[13]
IS forces continued to advance on areas held by the Syrian Government north west of Deir ez-Zor City, taking areas south and west of Baghiliya.[12]
Counter-attack
Counter-strikes by Russian Air Force fighter jets, in support of Syrian army forces, were reported[9] to take back the areas. Around 60 ISIL fighters were killed in airstrikes according to the Russian defense ministry.[14]
On 19 January, ISIL launched a new offensive against government territory, taking advantage of a dust storm that all but grounded Russian warplanes.[15] Over 80 ISIS fighters were killed while battling government forces in the Al-Baghayliyah District. 75-82 government soldiers (11 of them from NDF) and 12 pro-government Shaytat tribesmen also died.[1] On the next day, government forces imposed full control over the Saiqa Camp and the strategic hilltop of Tal Kroum after a violent battle with ISIS. Preliminary reports from Deir Ezzor indicate that the Syrian Armed Forces have recaptured the Ayyash weapons depot, however, still there has been no official confirmation.[5] A Russian air force operation delivered 50 tonnes of humanitarian aid to civilians in the Baghaliyeh district.[16]
On 20 January, the Islamic State released 270 of the 400 civilians kidnapped over the weekend. ISIS were reported to be in control of at least 60% of the city.[15][16] The Al-Baghaliyeh district also fell to ISIL.[15] 8 Syrian soldiers were executed by ISIS fighters, including 6 captured the previous day. One execution was done by beheading. Another 7 soldiers were killed fighting.[16] Renewed Russian airstrikes killed 13 civilians.[16]
On 21 January, the Syrian army launched an offensive against the Baghiliya district,[17] 11 Syrian soldiers were killed.[18]
On 22 January, Russian and Syrian air force airstrikes killed 30 civilians, including 13 children in Tala'a district.[19]
Casualties
Syrian Arab Army casualties are 200 killed, of whom 48 have been summarily executed by ISIL. 110 ISIS fighters had died, including 30 suicide bombers.[19]
Reactions
An unnamed branch of the Syrian government condemned the "horrific massacre against the residents of Baghiliya in Deir al-Zor."[20]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Tuesday death toll for ISIS rises over 80 in Deir Ezzor". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
- ^ a b "At least 300 killed in Islamic State 'massacre' in Syrian city, state media says". Fox News.
- ^ a b "Islamic State abducts 400 civilians in Syria, monitor says". SMH. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ^ "ISIS launches a massive offensive in northwestern Deir Ezzor". Al-Masdar. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ^ a b Syrian Army recaptures several sites in Deir Ezzor
- ^ a b c "About 440 killed and executed during the past 5 days in Der-Ezzor". Retrieved 21 January 2016.
- ^ Tuesday death toll for ISIS rises over 80 in Deir Ezzor
- ^ a b c "Islamic State kills dozens in Syria's Deir al-Zor city - monitor and a source". Channel NewsAsia.
- ^ a b c "Syria conflict: Conflicting accounts of Deir al-Zour attack". BBC News.
- ^ "LiveLeak.com - ISIS offensive has been officially repelled in Deir Ezzor". Retrieved 2016-01-23.
- ^ "Deir Ezzor: Hundreds may be dead after ISIS abductions - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
- ^ a b "ISIS Captures Government-Held Ground in Eastern Syria". The New York Times. 19 January 2016.
- ^ "LiveLeak.com - Top ISIS commander in Deir Ezzor killed by the Syrian Army". Retrieved 2016-01-23.
- ^ "Russia kills 60 militants in Deir ez-Zor, where ISIS massacred hundreds of civilians". RT International. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
- ^ a b c "Islamic State releases 270 civilians kidnapped in Syria's east: monitor". ABC News. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ^ a b c d "Russian air force strikes besieged Syrian city, delivers aid". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
- ^ "IS captures new areas from troops in eastern Syria". leadercall.com. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
- ^ "LiveLeak.com - Syrian Army strikes back in Deir Ezzor: Tal Barouk captured ( report+ video)". Retrieved 2016-01-22.
- ^ a b "Hundreds dead as ISIS makes gains in strategic Syrian city - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
- ^ "'Islamic State militants kidnap 400 civilians from Syria's Deir al-Zor city'". The Economic Times.
