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Revolutionary Forces
of Syria Media Office
April 25-May 01, 2015
Weekly Summary
www.rfsmediaoffice.com
The First Army of
the FSA starts a new
battle in Damascus
countryside
Southern Front
Battalions expel ISIS
from al-Quneitra
The First Coastal
Division thwarts
regime’s struggle to
advance in Lattakia
countryside
Three strategic battles expel
Assad forces from Sahel
al-Ghab, Jisir al-Shugour and
al-Qirmeed army base and
pave the way towards the
coast
From Hama to Idlib... the
FSA and al-Fateh Army
carry out simultaneous
operations
DAMASCUS and
its Countryside
The City
Fierce clashes broke out during
the past week between the Free
Syrian Army and Assad troops in
the neighbourhoods of al-Qaboun
and Jobar. Several regime soldiers
were reportedly killed.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted
between revolutionary battalions
and ISIS members in al-Zein area
located between al-Taqadom and
al-Hajjar al-Aswad neighbourhoods
to the south of Damascus.
Al-Qalamoun
Revolutionary forces gained
control of the ISIS-occupied
al-Manqura area of eastern alQalamoun following violent
clashes that left more than
15 ISIS militants killed.
Revolutionaries destroyed an ISIS
23 mm machine gun, according
to the Revolutionary Forces of
Syria Media Office correspondent
in the area. In addition, our
correspondent reported that
fierce clashes erupted between
revolutionaries and Hezbollah
militiamen in the rural areas of
the town of Asal al-Ward and the
village of al-Jebbeh as Hezbollah
members were trying to storm
the rural areas of al-Qalamoun.
Moreover, the Free Syrian Army
attacked regime’s 64 Brigade
HQ in al-Qalamoun using heavy
weapons.
Western Ghouta
The First Army of the FSA
launched a new battle in the city
of Sa’asa’a aiming at capturing
regime’s 86 Brigade located in
western Damascus countryside.
FSA fighters used heavy artillery
and mortars to bomb regime
troops stationed inside the
Brigade.
Meanwhile, violent clashes took
place between the FSA and
Assad troops on the outskirts
Al-Quneitra
RFS Media Office
correspondent reported that
the Southern Front factions of
the FSA along with Ahrar alSham Battalions have expelled
ISIS from al-Qahtaniyah
and al-Adnaniyeh areas,
the Destroyed al-Quneitra
crossings as well as al-Rawadi
area following clashes; dozens
of ISIS militiamen were killed
while others were wounded.
of regime’s 137 Regiment
HQ following an attack by
revolutionary forces on the
regime base that inflicted heavy
losses on regime troops. RFS
Media Office correspondent in
the area confirmed that clashes
intensified towards the end of the
week amidst mutual shelling.
Eastern Ghouta
Revolutionary forces foiled
regime’s struggle to advance at
Damascus airport highway front
while al-Rahman Legion of the
FSA used B-82 guns to bomb
regime locations at Erbeen front
Dara’a
The First Army of the FSA in
cooperation with the al-Omari
Brigades and al-Ababeel Brigades
of the Southern Front used
rocket launchers and mortars
to bomb regime troops based in
175 Regiment and 12 Brigade in
Izzra’a. Meanwhile, the Second
Artillery Regiment of the FSA
mortared regime troops and proregime Iranian militias positioned
in the premises of al-Yarmouk
University achieving direct hits.
Moreover, al-Mutaz Billah
Battalions of the Southern Front
targeted al-Saru checkpoint west
of Ataman town using heavy
weapons, while Amoud Horan
Division of the FSA targeted
al-Masara checkpoint in Baser alHarir using 120mm mortars.
HOMS
Northern countryside
The Free Syrian Army targeted
regime and Shabiha bases in the
village of al-Najmeh and at alGasibiyeh and Mallouk fronts using
mortars and homemade guns
achieving direct hits. Moreover,
clashes using medium and heavy
weapons erupted between both
sides at al-Amiriyeh front, and
sporadic clashes erupted at
Um Sharshouh and al-Sa’an alAswad fronts.
Eastern countryside
A number of ISIS members were
killed during violent clashes with
revolutionary forces around
the villages of al-Qariateen, alMuhassa, and al-Batra.
IDLIB
Western countryside
Maraket al-Naser (The Battle
of Victory) operation room
announced gaining full control
of the city of Jisir al-Shugour
after al-Fateh Army and FSA
factions stormed it from several
directions.
RFS Media Office correspondent
confirmed that the factions
gained control of the area after
fierce clashes in the outskirts of
the city. Revolutionaries seized
strategic points like the sugar
factory and the checkpoints
of al-Mintar, al-Manshara, alAfandi, al-Dibis, al-Alaween, Tal
Hikma and Bashlamon. They
also destroyed several regime
armored vehicles, tanks and
guns, and seized weapons and
ammunition. Moreover, they
seized the villages of Eshtabraq,
Ghaniyeh, and al-Sermaniyeh on
the outskirts of Jisir al-Shugour.
Northern Countryside
The Free Syrian Army used
homemade Jahannam launchers
and mortars to bomb regime’s
Shabiha bases in the towns of
Kefrayya and al-Foua’a.
Southern Countryside
Al-Fateh Army announced
capturing al-Qarmid army
base on the Damascus-Aleppo
highway early Monday morning.
It also announced capturing
Musibeen area located between
Ariha and Saraqeb following
clashes against Assad troops and
pro-regime militias that left at
least ten troops and militiamen
killed.
Moreover, al-Fateh Army fighters
used heavy artillery to bomb
regime troops positioned in
al-Mastomeh army base and
destroyed two regime’s T-72
tanks. Fursan al-Haq Brigade
of the FSA destroyed a regime
tank and a 130 mm gun using
HAMA
Western countryside
The FSA announced taking over
the north-western countryside
of al-Ghab plain after capturing
many regime checkpoints and
locations in the area including
Sarmaniyeh, al-Kamb, al-Binayeh,
Beit Tha’er, Beit Natheer, Asheikh
Sindyan, al-Qahira, al-Mansoura
silos, Tal Zajram, Tal Waset, alZyara and al-Tahoun. In addition,
FSA fighters seized many regime
military vehicles and ammunition,
while dozens of regime troops
were killed and wounded.
TOW missiles. In addition, Sokur
al-Jabal Brigade of the FSA
destroyed a regime Shilka vehicle
at Sankara checkpoint using a
TOW missile.
RFS Media Office correspondent
confirmed that violent clashes
took place between al-Fateh
Army Battalions and Assad
troops at Kafernajed, Nuhlaya,
Qureen, and al-Muqbleh fronts.
In the meantime, FSA fighters
destroyed a regime tank and a
Gvozdika gun at Ariyha front
using TOW missiles. In addition,
revolutionary forces blow up a
regime vehicle at KafernajedMa’atrem road using an IED.
ALEPPO
A number of military factions in
the city of Aleppo announced the
formation of “Aleppo Liberation
Operations Room” that aims at
“joining efforts to liberate the
city of Aleppo”, according to
a statement by the factions in
Aleppo. The military room includes
Shamia Front, al-Sham Legion,
Ahrar al-Sham, Jaysh al-Islam,
Estaqim Kama Omert Gathering.
The City
FSA fighters captured several
regime-held locations around
al-Hatab square and al-Jadideh
neighbourhood after blowing up
a major regime stronghold in the
area. Fierce clashes broke out in
the area and left about 70 regime
troops killed. The First Regiment
and al-Safwa al-Islamya Battalions
announced killing more than fifty
regime troops after planting mines
in the building housing them in
al-Jadideh neighbourhood, and
then targeting it with Jahannam
launchers.
In the meantime, revolutionary
forces infiltrated into a building
housing regime troops in the
neighbourhood of al-Itha’a, boobytrapped it and then blew it up
killing all regime troops inside.
RFS Media Office correspondent
reported that revolutionaries
took over Bashir Basha mosque,
which was used by the regime as
a base, in al-Jadideh in the Old
City area following clashes with
regime troops. Our correspondent
also confirmed that al-Mujahideen
Army of the FSA targeted regime
and pro-regime militias’ premises
in Beit al-Hikmah school in the
neighborhood of Arrashideen using
120mm mortar shells achieving
direct hits.
Al-Sultan Murad Brigade of the FSA
used homemade rockets to target
regime premises in Karm al-Tarrab
according to a video on YouTube.
Division 16 of the FSA announced
targeting regime fortifications in
the neighbourhood of al-Khalidiyeh
with SPG-9 guns, Jahannam
launchers and heavy machine guns
amidst fierce clashes in the area.
Northern countryside
Clashes broke out between the
FSA and regime forces in the
outskirts of the village of Bashkoy
and the towns of Nubbol and alZahraa. Meanwhile, al-Shamia Front
battalions bombed ISIS locations in
LATTAKIA
RFS Media Office correspondent
in Lattakia reported that the First
Coastal Division of the FSA thwarted
regime’s attempt to advance
towards Asheikh Muhammad valley
following violent clashes; dozens
of regime troops were killed and
injured while others fled the area.
Moreover, the First Coastal Division
and the Islamic Front Battalions
bombed regime locations in alJalta, Asheikh Muhammad, Kitif
Mreshoud and al-Nabi Yunus with
82mm and 120mm mortar shells
amid clashes in these areas.
Dabeq and Ehtemlat using
artillery and machine guns, while
revolutionary forces attacked ISIS
locations in Tal Maled of Aleppo
using mortars and Jahannam
launchers, achieving direct hits.
Southern countryside
Thowar al-Sham Battalions
destroyed a regime Shilka vehicle
using an anti-armour missile in
the village of al-Mahmiyeh near
Khanaser.
Eastern Countryside
Clashes took place between
Factions of Burkan al-Furat
operations room and ISIS militias on
the outskirts of the town of Souran
of the eastern countryside.
From Hama to Idlib… the
FSA and al-Fateh Army
carry out simultaneous
operations
Three strategic battles
expel Assad forces from
Sahel al-Ghab, Jisir alShugour and al-Qirmeed
army base and pave the
way towards the coast
Between April 20 and 2015 ,22, the Free Syrian
Army and al-Fateh Army in Idlib and Hama launched
three simultaneous battles. The first battle was
in Sahel al-Ghab in Hama western countryside,
the second was in Jisir al-Shugour in Idlib western
countryside, and the third was in al-Qirmeed and alMastoumeh army bases in Idlib southern countryside.
These three battles came a few days after the FSA
and al-Fateh Army gained control of Idlib city center.
The new strategy was to launch and coordinate
the battles simultaneously, which was a success
since they prevented Assad forces from sending
reinforcements. Moreover, the factors of surprise,
communication and preparation played a role in
achieving victory.
On April 2015 ,25, the FSA announced gaining
control of more than 13 military points in Sahel
al-Ghab. On the same day, al-Fateh Army gained
full control of the city of Jisir al-Shugour, and on
April 27, al-Qirmeed army base was also under the
control of the factions.
Sahel al-Ghab
Location and significance
Sahel al-Ghab is located in the central region of
Syria between Lattakia mountains, Jabal Azzawiah,
Jisir al-Shugour and Misyaf. Al-Assi (Orontes) river
passes through the area, and a part of Sahel al-Ghab
used to be swamp that was dried. The area is 80
km long and 13-10 km wide, and it is inhabited by
approximately 350 thousand people, most of them
are farmers. Sahel al-Ghab is an important area since
it forms the first defense line for the regime-held
coastal city of Lattakia, and a supply route to Jisir
al-Shugour.
Sahel al-Ghab battle
The battle was planned for several months ago, and
it started on April 22 when FSA factions alongside
the Islamic battalions of the Syrian coast and Hama
western countryside announced its beginning. It
started by heavy artillery and tank shelling that
targeted 13 regime military points located on the
road leading to Jisir al-Shugour, and in the eastern
areas of Sahel al-Ghab. The First Coastal Division
attacked the western area of Sahel al-Ghab while
Ahrar al-Sham, Suqour al-Ghab and Suqour al-Jabal
factions attacked the eastern area. The First Coastal
Division announced the liberation of several points
on Jisir al-Shugour road, mainly the checkpoints of
the villages of Kamb al-Alman, al-Sarmaniyeh, Beit
Tha’er and Asheikh Sindiyan. Meanwhile, the other
factions gained control of the checkpoints of the
villages of al-Qahira, al-Zyara and Tal Waset.
The achievement came after fierce clashes with
regime forces and pro-regime forces. Clashes
resulted in killing, injuring and capturing dozens of
regime troops, as well as destroying many of their
vehicles. Additionally, revolutionaries seized more
than three tanks, four BMPs, medium and heavy
machine guns, mortar launchers, Konkurs launching
pads and ammunition. Sahel al-Ghab and Hama
western countryside will most probably be fully
liberated in the coming days.
Jisir al-Shugour
Location and significance
The city of Jisir al-Shugour is located in Idlib
province northwest of Syria, and oversees al-Assi
river. It is populated by approximately 44,322
inhabitants. It is an important strategic city for it
is the gateway to the coast which is the regime’s
stronghold. Moreover, it is the main supply route to
al-Mastoumeh army base, the last regime stronghold
in Idlib province.
By gaining control of Jisir al-Shugour, revolutionaries
will be besieging al-Mastoumeh army base, the
city of Ariha and Abu al-Duhour air base. Battles
probably will not stop until seizing these areas.
Jisir al-Shugour battle
The battle started by al-Fateh Army’s artillery and
rocket shelling on regime locations. Afterwards, the
FSA blocked regime supply routes, seized Tal Hikma
checkpoint, destroyed two regime tanks and killed
more than thirty regime troops. Meanwhile, al-Fateh
Army opened the way to the towns of al-Ghani and
al-Sarmaniyeh. Division 13 of the FSA targeted
regime vehicles and destroyed a regime tank in
addition to a BMP in Ein al-Sabil.
At this stage, the factions were able to storm the
city from the eastern and western directions, taking
over one regime checkpoint after another. Violent
clashes took place and revolutionaries destroyed
several regime vehicles including a tank while many
regime troops were killed. Revolutionaries finally
reached al-Sawma’a square, the city’s main square,
after clearing the security zone in the city on April
2015 ,25.
Al-Fateh Army seized tanks, armoured vehicles,
cannons, military vehicles and ammunition. It also
damaged a regime fighter jet. More than 250
regime troops were killed inside the city of Jisir
al-Shugour alone, while the rest of regime vehicles
and troops retreated towards the towns of Ghani
and al-Sarmaniyeh. On the second day of the battle,
revolutionaries captured thirty regime troops
including seven locals from the city working with the
regime’s National Defense Militias.
Al-Qirmeed army base Location and significance
Al-Qirmeed army base is located east of the city
of Ariha. It used to be a bricks factory before the
regime turned it into the largest army base housing
artillery and military vehicles. It is a strategic area
since it is positioned on a high hill which is difficult
to reach. Furthermore, it overlooks the international
Lattakia-Idlib highway, and it is close to regime
supply route in addition to al-Mastoumeh army base
5 km away. Regime artillery is also located inside
the base and targets the villages and towns of Idlib
countryside in the diameter of 30 km.
Al-Qirmeed army base battle
Al-Fateh Army in collaboration with the FSA
launched the battle to liberate al-Mastoumeh and
al-Qirmeed army bases on April 2015 ,21. The
battle started with a car bomb detonation in Esfeen
hill allowing revolutionaries to take over the area.
Two other car bombs targeted the checkpoints of
the potato factory and the pickles factory allowing
revolutionaries to seize them as well. Clashes
broke out later on and at least 45 regime troops
were killed while others retreated to al-Madajen
checkpoint. On April 26 the battle continued and
another car bomb targeted al-Madajen checkpoint,
and revolutionaries destroyed a tank and a Shilka
vehicle. Thirty regime troops were killed while others
retreated to al-Qirmeed army base. Revolutionaries
also targeted al-Kaziyeh checkpoints and the
main army base gate with another car bomb, and
destroyed a 130mm cannon. Thus, the army base
raid started and a regime T72- was destroyed. AlFateh army announced taking over the army base on
April 26, only one day after gaining control of Sahel
al-Ghab military points and Jisir al-Shugour.
What was left of regime troops fled to Msebeen hill
then to al-Mastoumeh army base after the hill was
seized. When revolutionaries seized the hill, they
destroyed a regime BMP, killed 25 regime troops
and captured fifteen others including a Captain
and a Colonel. Moreover, when Al-Fateh Army
seized al-Qirmeed army base it seized all regime
weapons inside, including tanks, armoured vehicles,
Kornet and Konkurs launching pads in addition to
their rockets, Shilka machine guns, a Grad missile
launcher, tank shells as well as ammunition.
Resources:
RFS Media Office correspondents in Hama, Idlib and
Lattakia
Civilian deaths
The number of
civilian deaths
by regime forces
during the past
week is 577
people, including
55 children, 40
women, and 10
who were tortured
to death.
Regime Violations
The Assad regime perpetrated many
massacres against innocent civilians
across Syria during the course of past
week.
The most terrible massacre took
place in Idlib where more than 50
civilians were killed in one day after
two regime attacks on the city. Thirty
people were killed in a massacre in alSawmaa roundabout in the city center
following a regime airstrike using six
missiles. While regime forces carried
out a summary execution against 23
detainees, who have been detained
inside regime’s security branches
before the forces fled Jisir al-Shugour.
ISIS Violations
ISIS militants have executed four
brothers, in the city of al-Bukamal,
for charges of joining the Free
Syrian Army. The four brothers,
Billal, abdul Hameed, Yaman and
Muhammed Khalid al-A’araan
have been held by ISIS for almost
three months.
It is noteworthy that ISIS has
executed Suraqa al-A’aran,
the fifth brother last year after
capturing the city.
Moreover, ISIS militants executed
two men in al-Jarniyeh area of
western Raqqa countryside on
charges of being magicians.
In addition, twenty people were killed
in a marketplace in the city of Binnish
and in the town of Jouzef in Mount
al-Zawiyeh, while several suffocation
cases have been reported in the
city of Saraqeb and the town of Deir
al-Battik after regime forces targeted
them with barrel bombs loaded with
deadly chlorine gas.
In Idlib as well, 30 people were killed
in the border town of Darkoush after
a regime barrel bomb attack on
the busy marketplace and a school
housing displaced people; 100
people were wounded including
women and children.
In Aleppo, nine people were killed
including five children and a woman
following a regime airstrike on the
city of Marie of northern Aleppo
countryside. Moreover, six people
were killed in the neighbourhoods
of al-Fardous and Bustan al-Qaser
following a barrel bomb attack.
In Damascus countryside, more than
20 people were killed after a regime
airstrike on the hospital in the town of
Jairoud of al-Qalamoun.
In Deir Ezzor, an entire family
of six members was killed
following a regime airstrike on the
neighbourhood of al-Jbeleh
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