This
article was written in collaboration with Mathieu Morant, a
specialist in weapons and equipment of Syrian insurgents, among
others (he is also interested in the Syrian regime, Lebanon and the
Israeli-Arab wars).In September 2013, shortly after the chemical attack of August, I published my first article on Syrian conflict1. My work, from the outset, has been mainly as a compilation and translation in French of many foreign articles (especially in english) dealing with various aspects of military conflict. Over the months, the inadequacy of the approach has clearly struck me : the compilation and translation, even though they have their uses, are not satisfactory to claim a genuine substantive work on the Syrian conflict . That's why I turned gradually to the direct sources (documents produced by the actors, videos, photos, texts, etc), without necessarily and systematically by intermediaries that are specialists, even strangers. My recent article on the pro-regime militia Liwa Assad Allah al-Ghaleb2 is the illustration of the evolution of my personal work on the Syrian conflict. Today, with the help of M. Morant, I continue this momentum by offering a unique analysis or almost, in French, on the war in Syria : an example chosen from rebel assaults on limited objectives, explained and presented in the broader context of operations in the province concerned and the evolution of the insurgency from 2011. An original four hands-work, which I hope, will convince some that I do not necessarily limited to the compilation and translation into french.
The
insurgency grew in Idlib province (April-June 2014)
The
Syrian conflict has taken a new turn since last June because of the
dramatic breakthrough of ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Sham, aka
Levant), which became the Islamic State (EI) on June 28, in the north
Iraq, with the capture of Mosul (June 10). The Syrian regime,
meanwhile, launched a limited offensive in the south, in the province
of Deraa, and also kept the pressure on Aleppo, realizing the
junction with the besieged garrison of the Central Prison (May 22)
and putting his hand on the industrial district of Sheikh Najjar,
northeast of the city (5 July). However, Idlib province, the historic
core of armed insurrection3,
ended up, therefore, quite bald, and was logically targeted by rebels
since the beginning of 2014. They are being present in strength and
long date4.
 |
| Source : Institute Study of War. |
The
aim of the rebels, in particular, is to control the two key highways
that allow the regime to lead more effectively, by land, the
reconquest of Aleppo. The M5 following a north-south axis from
Damascus to Aleppo ; from Saraqib an another highway, the M4,
branches off westward across Idlib province to join the province of
Latakia and the town of the same name, on the coast. On the M5
motorway is particularly the city of Maarat al-Numan, near which
stand two military bases still held by the regime in Idlib province :
Wadi Deif east of the town and the Hamadiyah south.
The
first target of the Syrian rebels is Sheykhoun Khan, a city located
south of Idlib province and near the border with the northern
province of Hama. The regime has driven the rebels from the place in
the summer of 2012. The capture of the city would take effect for the
rebels to control a larger portion of the M5 and prepare for possible
attack on two military bases further north around Maarat al-Numan.
The attack on Khan Sheykhoun, which begins in the spring, involves
including Suqour al-Sham5,
member of the Islamic Front, al-Sham legions6
related to the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, al-Nosra7,
and other affiliated groups from the the label "Free Syrian
Army". On April 15, the rebels say they have taken three
checkpoints -on 21 checkpoints or facilities plan around Khan
Sheykhoun- southwest of the city.
 |
| Source : Institute Study of War. |
On
5 May, the mine warfare begins with the underground explosion of Al
Sahaba checkpoint on the outskirts of the city of Maarat al-Numan,
regarded as the western gate of the base of Wadi Deif , according to
M. Morant. The operation was led by the Islamic Front, the legions
al-Sham and a local brigade of Maarat al-Numan8.
According to Mathieu Morant, after the explosion, and once the
position conquered, the work of ants continues, but this time in
order to recover arms and ammunition. The operation ended with the
withdrawal of the rebels from the ruins of Al Sahaba checkpoint June
23. A ZSU-23/4, a T-72AV, and BMP-1 will be extracted from the ruins
: out of order, but significant source of ammunition and spare parts.
On May 14, ten days before the final assault on Khan Sheykhoun,
Suqour al-Sham and the legions of Sham lead an underground explosion
against the military base of Wadi Deif, east of Maarat al-Numan on
"barrier"As Sawwadi, northeast of the base. This
tactic of digging tunnels long distance has been widely used across
the country to blow up targets of the regime difficult to achieve,
also in Aleppo, but also throughout the country. Here the tunnel, 850
meters long, ends underneath the barrier. Rebels claim to have placed
its end not less than 60 tons of explosive. The explosion completely
destroyed the target and insurgents claimed the death of a hundred
men of the regime. A week later, on May 23, the legions of Sham
announce assault on Hesh, a town between Khan and Sheykhoun Maarat
al-Numan held by the regime, soon joined by the Islamic Front9,
the Syria Revolutionaries Front and other rebel groups.
On
May 25, a combined operation between al-Nosra and others groups
related to ASL, including Harakat Hazm10
(which received US TOW missiles11)
and the Syria Revolutionaries Front12,
attacks military base of Kazhanat . The rebels approaching from the
north and east and flank the position from west. Al-Nosra launch,
before the main assault, two suicide bombers vehicles on the
perimeter. The place falls in the evening and the next day, the
checkpoint Salaam, last position of the regime around Khan Sheykhoun,
is taken. On 26 May 2014, Khan Sheykhoun is totally in the hands of
the opposition.
 |
| Source : Institute Study of War. |
The
same May 25 Suqour al-Sham and al-Nosra launch joint attacks against
the hills south of the city of Ariha, on the M4, against two military
installations positioned on the heights that control access to the
south of the city. This attack exploits the explosion of four suicide
bombers vehicles, including that of a native American from Florida,
which al-Nosra give a wide publicity13.
Infiltration of Ariha, which is located on the M4, allowing rebels to
prevent the regime to supply or reinforce its forces in the cities of
Idlib and Aleppo. The presence of al-Nosra in both operations, Ariha
and Khan Sheykhun, also suggests real planning from the rebel side,
with two simultaneous operations. Meanwhile, June 3, 2014, al-Nosra,
Suqur al-Sham and the legions of Sham create a common framework to
attack Jisr al-Shughour, further west, a town held by the regime on
the highway M4, closer to the border with the province of Latakia.
But this time the effort is uncoordinated, especially as the FSA
affiliated groups are not associated with the company and operate
independently, probably to not cooperate with al-Nosra. Especially
since the retake of Kessab, which has fallen to the rebels in March14,
the failure puts an abrupt end to the rebel attempts in this area.
 | ||
Under the effectof the undergroundexplosionof AlSahabacheckpoint, May 5, 2014, this T-72AVturned. Ahalf-buried, it will be recoveredby Syrianrebels duringclearing operationsfollowing thecapture of theposition.(Photo source: Jabal AlzaweyaToday)-MathieuMorant.
|
 |
On 14May 2014it was the turnofthe "barrier"of TelSawwadi, locatednortheastof the baseofWadiDeif, beingblownby a powerfulexplosion.(Photo source:S.R.G.CIdlib)-MathieuMorant. |
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Comparativeview of the positionof TelSawwadi, above,before the explosion, bottom,after the attack.(Photo source:S.R.G.CIdlib)-MathieuMorant. |
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A viewof the AlSahabapositiontaken afterthe explosion thatcompletely destroyed it.(Photo source: LensYoungHorany)-MathieuMorant. |
Storming
the Hamadiyah military base (June 30-July 16, 2014)
In
late June and early July, the rebels eventually focus on military
base of Hamadiyah, southwest of Maarat al-Numan. The base is located
along the M5, and prevents access to the city from Khan Sheykhoun
further south. Around the base, to the west, there are 4 checkpoints
: Hanajak, Tafar Dahman, and al-Midajin which form an arc protecting
Hamadiyah from west to north.
 |
| Map : Stéphane Mantoux. |
List
of rebel groups / coalitions involved in the attacks against the
three checkpoints west-northwest of the military base Hamadiyah
(Idlib province), in July 2014.
Name of the
group/coalition | Comments |
Syria
Revolutiaries Front | Give al-Ansar
brigade. Present on the 3 assaults, especially in Hanajak. |
Give Liwa Ahrar
March 15 of Kafrouma. Mainly present in Taraf and al-Dahman. | |
Suqur-al-Jabal | With TOW missiles
probably ; shoot maybe a T-55M with them at al-Dahman ;
present à Taraf et al-Dahman. |
Sheikhs Abu Bakr
et Omar Brigade17 | Only present in
Taraf. Created December, 17th, 2013, in Maarat-al-Numan
(Idlib province), fight in Latakia in April 2014, but mainly in
Idlib. FSA-related18. |
FSA 13th
Division. | Take part in Taraf
with TOW missiles, destroy 2 tanks. |
Al-Sham Legions
(Faylaq-al-Sham) | Give support
fire : T-54 in al-Dahman, pick-ups with machine guns and
guns... |
Islamic Front | Give at least 2
tank (one T-72AV at least). |
Al-Nosra
Front | Present
in Taraf and al-Dahman but probably only for support fire. |
- Hanajak checkpoint
Syrian
rebels attack obviously first the Hanajak checkpoint, the
southernmost of the arc of circle west / north formed by the four
sites listed above. The choice is logical since it is it who is most
at risk, not eligible for immediate help from others. The assault
against Hanajak probably begins on July 1, after a preparation up to
the day before. This is the northern / northeastern part of the
checkpoint which seems object of the attack. The checkpoint is
pounded by a Yugoslav M60 recoilless 82mm and strafed by several
pickups boarding KPV 14.5 mm at the rear, as well as a machine gun
DShK 12.7 mm19.
A RAK-12 from the artillery battalion 318 of Syria Revolutionnaries
Front also intervenes to bomb Hanajak20.
Under the protection of this covering fire, two tanks T-6221
from the Syria Revolutionnaries Front (who send at least a shell on
outer defenses22)
approach embankments surrounding the checkpoint, allowing twenty /
thirty combattants (roughly the equivalent of a platoon23)
to achieve this. One of the T-62 then advance to outflank the
defenders, followed by a dozen men, while other infantrymen entering
the first buildings. The video then shows the insurgents fire their
handguns (AK-47, PK, RPG-7, at least two men equiped24)
from embankments and around the checkpoint. Embossed behind the
levees, the T-62 tanks then provide fire support to long distance25.
But the rebels did not remain in the Hanajak checkpoint, obviously
abandoned, perhaps too close to the base of Hamidiyah. That is why
videos show a second assault on July 16. The attack is conducted
using the T-55M No. 39798826
captured al-Dahman and returned to service for the occasion, despite
the damage of the possible impact of a TOW missile. The infantrymen
going over the top accompanied by at least one man carrying a
stretcher to rescue wounded27.
For support, al-Ansar brigade of the Syria Revolutionnaries Front
uses a mortar to pound the checkpoint28.
 |
| Map : Stéphane Mantoux. |
 |
A multiplerocket launcherRAK-12128mm of Syria Revolutionaries Front is about to openfire ontheHanajakposition.(Photo source:screenshot, Youtube)-MathieuMorant. |
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Two Syrianfighters of SRF observe the results ofrebelbombing ofHanajak:with them, a recoilless gunM6082mm.(Photo source: LensAbuDbak,Idlib)-MathieuMorant. |
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Pictured herebrieflysheltered byleveeson the lineofHamadiyahfront,twoT-62 of SRF supported thefirst assaultonHanajak.(Photo source: LensAbuDbak,Idlib)-MathieuMorant. |
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| ThetwoT-62 of SRFarrive on theembankmentsofcheckpoint.Screen-Capture |
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| A12.7 mm machine gunopened fire onHanajak.-Screenshot. |
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| The formerrebelsenter into buildings-Screenshot. |
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| Technical Armed with KPVheavy machine gunsopened fire onHanajak.-Screenshot. |
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| A YugoslavM60recoilless gunshootsHanajak.-Screenshot. |
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| TheRAK-12 from artillerybattalion 318 of SRF opened fire onthecheckpoint.Screen-Capture |
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| One of thetwoT-62operatingon the sideof the checkpointafterthe foot soldiershave joinedthe earth leveesScreen-Capture. |
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| Rebels fire with aPKinside thecheckpoint-Screen-Capture. |
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| T-55Mcapturedal-DahmanbeforeHanajak,July 16.-CaptureScreen. |
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| RebelinfantryassaultHanajakJuly 16 ;manrightmostcarries abrancard-Screen-Capture.. |
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| Behind theT-55M, the rebelsarecovered.One of theshooters of RPG-7carrying atandemEgyptianCobra rocket.-CaptureScreen. |
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| Same view a few seconds later.-Screenshot. |
Mounting the SRF showingthe assault onHanajakon July 1.
Video of the SRF showing thesecondassault onHanajak,July 16.
- Taraf checkpoint
The
second target is Taraf checkpoint, located approximately 600 m
northwest of that of Hanajak, and is the most westerly in the arc
protecting the base of Hamadiyah. The attack (which takes place from
July 7) is led by a group called Liwa Suqur Jabal (which has
obviously TOW missiles) and the Sheikhs Abu Bakr and Omar brigade. It
employs at least one tank T-62 and one BMP-129.
The checkpoint is bombed (especially by "hell canon") from
the west / southwest, the bombing being before the ground assault led
by a number of armored vehicles (2 BMP-1, 2 T-72AV ,1 other T-72)
that allow, as Hanajak, to open the way for infantry (which actually
almost everyone wear orange bandana to avoid fratricide shoots) to
the levees surrounding the checkpoint, which then penetrate inside.
During the attack, at least a foot soldier used a RPG-22 against the
checkpoint. The assault is obviously given from the west30.
During the progression of the checkpoint, one of the T-72 sends at
least four shells into the building. The FSA 13th
Division, equipped with TOW missiles, hits a T-72 tank located north
of the base of Hamadiya, on the road to Taraf, at a distance of about
600 m, then a T-55M31
which is itself close to the east wall of the checkpoint and which is
hit 1.5 km away. As has been able to discover M. Morant by examining
maps of the terrain, the TOW missile is necessarily located
north-east of the military base Hamadiyah, close to the M5 highway,
south of Maarat al-Numan . About the intervention of an armed group
misiles TOW, we can deduce that it is specifically responsible for
targeting armored reinforcements sent to the checkpoint for possible
attacks against them or in a fixed position which may interfere with
the assault. We also note that the rebels move quite easily around
the base, despite the presence of checkpoints. The Syria
Revolutionnaries Front, who is also involved in the assault (with
al-Ansar Brigade), makes great use of RPG-7 once the infantry
penetrated earth levees 32.
A video also shows a tank regime (T-62 probably) maneuvering around
the checkpoint during a counterattack as rebels have already
penetrated inside33.
Another rebel group, the Syria Liberation Front, is also involved in
the fight. A video of this group shows the concentration of armor
before the attack protected by air defense weapons, DShK 12.7 mm
machine gun mounted on the ground and anti-aircraft guns on pickups34.
The buildings were then leveled, obviously for the regime do not to
reuse it in case of recovery. One T-55 tank seems to have been
captured during the assault (number 397165). The brigade Fatiheen of
al-Sham legions is also present during the operation. In total the
rebels involved in the assault 2 BMP-1 and at least 5 tanks35
(2 T-62, 2 T-72AV and 1 other T-72), a number of armor larger than
usual for operations of this magnitude. 2 T-72 belonging to the
Islamic Front (you can see the emblem painted on one of the tubes)
which suggests that the armor, rebel side, can move fairly fluidly
between local groups when they work sometimes together. M. Morant
also confirms that the tanks are often moved between different
sectors by the rebels with tank transporters. After taking the
checkpoint, the insurgents bury at least one of their dead, two
others are visible and at least one wounded36.
Al-Nosra, which put online a video on the assault on August 11, also
seems to have been involved in the assault on Taraf. However, it did
not take part, obviously, directly to the attack but to the harassing
fire from the checkpoint with a T-55, T-72 and a homemade mortar
placed about 1 km north of Taraf37.
 |
| Map : Stéphane Mantoux. |
 |
| Map : Stéphane Mantoux. |
 |
On 7July 2014,the position ofTaraf,seen hereduring the preliminarybombardment,in turn, isunder assault.(Photo source: JabalAlzaweyaToday)-MathieuMorant. |
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T-55MNo.397465,seizedintactinsideTaraf,wasfilmedhereshortly afterhis capture.(Photo source:screenshot, Youtube)-MathieuMorant. |
 |
Covered byaT-72AVdeployedduring the assault, a group ofSyrianfightersprogressingtowards theTarafcheckpoint.(Photo source: LensAbuDbak,Idlib)-MathieuMorant. |
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Tarafhas just fallento the rebels:visiblein this photograph, the T-72thatthe IslamicFront has givento supportthe assault.In the background,aBMP-1 of al-Shamlegions, in whichreactive armorbrickswereadded.The vehicle will be destroyedin a day.(Photo source: LensAbuDbak,Idlib)-MathieuMorant. |
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View of afield fortification built by soldiersof Taraf:longammunition boxescontain at the origin Grad122mm rockets.(Photo source:S.R.G.CIdlib)-MathieuMorant. |
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Tarafcontrolled byrebels ; once recovered arms and ammunition, the positionwill be razed.(Photo source: JabalAlzaweyaToday)-MathieuMorant. |
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| Soldierkilled inregime-Taraf. screenshot. |
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| Rebelsenter the buildings.-Screen-Capture.. |
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| After taking thecheckpoint, the rebelsare destorying buildings with explosif.-Screenshot. |
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| A shell, probably from tank,hitthe checkpoint,under the camera ofsheikhsAbuBakrandOmar brigade.-Screenshot. |
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| T-55Mcaptured inTaraf-Screenshot. |
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| AT-62 of SRF under the camera of SyriaLiberation Front(emblemin the upper left).-screenshot. |
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| 2T-72parkedin front of theembankmentsof the checkpoint.Nearestbears the emblemof the IslamicFront on thetube;that of thebackground is a T-72 with reactive armorin poor condition.-screenCapture. |
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| The charge.AT-72advancefollowedby infantry, not far belowaBMP-1-Screen Capture |
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| Abu Bakr andOmarBrigadefilm, short distance,aT-62 of the regime maneuvering- Screen-Capture.. |
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| 2BMP-1used by therebels forthe attack,before thelevees.Lefta classic model, right one with briquettes of reactive armorfrom T-72added,it will be destroyedon July 8beforeal-Dahman.-Screenshot. |
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| A rebelwounded.Thegroups involvedare attentiveto the careof the wounded,withstretcherfollowingfightersespecially. This is then evacuatedby véhicule-Screen-Capture.. |
Belowmontageafter the assaultand pointingitat ground level,at therebel fighters.
Video of thesheikhsAbuBakrandOmar brigadeshowingthe assault onTarafremotely.
Video of the FSA 13th Division showingshootingTOWmissileon theT-55M of theregimenear the eastwall of Taraf(1.5km away).
- al-Dahman checkpoint
The
insurgents finally tackle a third checkpoint, al-Dahman, located
approximately 600 m northeast of the Taraf. This is again one of the
groups that took part in the conquest of the Taraf checkpoint, the
Syria Liberation Front, which led the assault, with several armored
vehicles. The attack started on July 9. A probe before main attack,
July 8, led to the destruction of a BMP-1 tinkered with briquettes of
T-72 tank extra armor. Previously used during the assault against
Taraf, the machine is visibly destroyed southwest of the checkpoint,
just off the road that runs west, perhaps by aviation of the regime38.
From June 30, a T-54 lo al-Sham legions, probably placed a little to
the west of the checkpoint, shells Dahman with tank gun39.
A heavy machine gun DShK 12.7mm is also used40.
The Syria Revolutionnaries Front also uses the RAK-12 against Dahman.
A local brigade of Maarat al-Numan also use a "hell canon"41.
The approach is from the south-southwest, tanks (T-72AV and T-55M No.
397165 captured in Taraf, returned to service) in the lead. The
traces of previous battles with the carcass of the BMP-1 destroyed
are seen in the field. Fire support is provided by "hell canons"
and makeshift mortars (perhaps grouped into battery). We can also see
the wreckage of a T-72 tank on the levees around the checkpoint,
around which the tanks of the rebels come to emboss. Several dead
soldiers of the regime, killed in the fighting, are visible on the
ground. Another T-55M, No. 397098, perhaps hit by a TOW missile
before assault42,
was seized by the rebels. A BMP-1 parked nearby was clearly hit, like
the T-72 destroyed the levees, by a shot of "hell cannon"
that destroyed his 73 mm gun. The tanks are once again in the lead to
cover the infantry. Armed pick-ups with twin KPV 14.5 mm, 23 mm 2A7
guns or DShK anti-aircraft machine guns still provide protection.
After winning the checkpoint, the insurgents are hiding behind levees
that cover the approach from the east. The Syria Revolutionnaries
Front is also present, bombards the checkpoint with a "hell
canon" and commits several dozen men43.
The number of armored vehicles assumes the formation of a true ad hoc
mechanized unit, rebel side. The al-Sham legions also deployed
several pick-ups with heavy machine guns44.
Al-Nosra, which publishes a video of the attack on al-Dahman also on
August 11, is still only concerned, obviously, with the bombing of
the checkpoint. A handmade mortar, especially, the same as Taraf,
located about 1 km north-northwest of al-Dahman, took part in the
bombing. The video shows a hit on a vehicle (T-72? BMP-1? Other
armor?). But it is not possible to say that this is indeed the mortar
al-Nosra that has hit because the video is a montage of scenes
briskly mixing Taraf and al-Dahman, besides the shooting probably
will not all come visibly from al-Nosra45.
 |
| Map : Stéphane Mantoux et Mathieu Morant. |
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Mounted on aFord pickup,aZU-23-2anti-aircraft gunof23 mmis about to openfire,shootingintightonal-Dahman.(Photo source:al-ShamCorps)-MathieuMorant. |
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T-72AVof Syrianrebelsispicturedheremakingmovement towardal-Dahmanposition,7 July2014(Photo credit:AlMarraToday)-MathieuMorant. |
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Southeastof the checkpointof al-Dahman, rebel fighters rest,sitting behindthe carcass of aBMP-1. The vehicle wasobviouslyhit by aprojectile (potentially from a"canonof hell") to the turret, destroying the barrel73 mm2A28Grom. Inthe background, riding on aberm, aT-72destroyed.(Photo source: S.R.G.CIdlib) -MathieuMorant. |
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OnJuly 9, 2014, rebel fightersobservethe carcass ofBMP-1destroyedduring the fightingforal-Dahman.The vehicle wasmodifiedlocallyby addingreactive armorbricks:an illusoryprotection.(Photo source:al-ShamCorps)-MathieuMorant. |
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T-55MNo.397098, probablyachieved byaTow missile,has been discoveredduring the assaultby Syrianfighters.After severalminutes of fightingto secure the area, the tankwas recovered...(Photo source: LensAbuDbak,Idlib)-MathieuMorant. |
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Two Syrianfightershailcaptureof the T-55MNo.397098,which crossesthe carcass of theBMP-1destroyed.Note,in thebackpackof RPG ammo,an tandem anti-tankrocketCobraof Egyptian origin.(Photo source:al-AnsarbrigadeIdlib)-MathieuMorant. |
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View ofone of the buildingsof the checkpointof al-Dahman,severely affectedby the fighting:again, cratesof ammunitionfor122 mmGradwere reusedfor protection,andfor the development ofpositionshots.(Photo source: LensYoungMa'arrawi)-MathieuMorant. |
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Stuffed intoa pre-arranged firing position,a"canonof hell"has openedfire onal-Dahman.(Photo source:al-ShamCorps)-MathieuMorant. |
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Proceeding toairdropfood containers, a helicopterMilMi8/17ofSyAAFisphotographed hereoverHamadiyahon 15July 2014(Photo source:IdlibSRGC)-MathieuMorant. |
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The checkpointof al-Dahman,July 7, 2014,under fire fromrebelartillery.(Photo source:screenshot, Youtube)-MathieuMorant. |
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| Wreckof theBMP-1 destroyed to8July-Screen-Capture |
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| AnotherBMP-1preparesbefore the attack,Syria Liberation Front.-Screenshot. |
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| TheBMP-1hit by a"hell canon";rebelsregainits load.-screenCapture. |
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| July 8;BMP-1of the rebelsdestroyedduring a firstattempt.Aviation ?-CaptureScreen. |
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| Left, theBMP-1destroyed anda tankinvolved inthe attackon thecheckpointat the bottom-Capturescreen. |
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| SRF reinforcementsin the checkpoint-Screen-Capture |
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| TheRAK-12 of SRF still usedon Al-Dahman.screenshot. |
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| TheT-55in poor condition, possiblyhit by aTOW,recovered bythe rebels toal-Dahman.Severalbodies of soldiersof the regimeare visible.-screenCapture. |
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| T-55Mto the bottom andin the foregroundtheT-72probably destroyedbya shot from"hellcannon"onthelevees. -CaptureScreen. |
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| Bothtanksusedfor the assault onal-Dahman:T-55Mcaptured at Tarafand aT-72.-CaptureScreen. |
Below,videoof the Syria Liberation Frontshowingthe assault onal-Dahmanat ground level,closer to thefighters.
Remote videoof the attackonal-Dahman.
Summary
table of armored vehicles engaged by Syrian rebels in assaults
against the three checkpoints west-northwest of the military base
Hamadiyah (Idlib province), in July 2014.
Operations | Number and types
of armored vehicles engaged by Syrian rebels |
Hanajak | 2 T-62, Syria
Revolutionaries Front (first assault, July 1). 1 T-55M (second
assault, July 16) |
Taraf | 2 T-62, Syria
Revolutionaries Front 3 T-72 (2 from
Islamic Front, one AV ; 1 another T-72 AV). 1 BMP-1,
improvised armor, from T-72 reactive armor + some others BMP-1 1
T-55 and 1 T-72 from al-Nosra, support fire, from 1 km to the
north. |
Al-Dahman | 1 T-54 from
al-Sham Legions, support fire. 1 BMP-1,
improvised armor, from T-72 = destroyed during combat. 1 T-72AV 1 T-55M n°397165
(taken in Taraf). |
Losses
in armored vehicles incurred by the Syrian regime during during
attacks against the three checkpoints west-northwest of the military
base Hamadiyah (Idlib province), July 2014.
Operations | Losses of the
regime |
Hanajak | Not. |
Taraf | 1 T-55 M (n°
397165) taken by rebels. 1 T-55M destroyed
by TOW missile, eastern side of checkpoint. 1 T-72 destroyed
by TOW missile, about 150 m north of Hamadiya military base. |
Al-Dahman | 1 T-72 destroyed
maybe par « hell canon » shot on the top. 1 BMP-1 hit by
« hell canon » on the gun and upper part of the hull,
inside wreckaged by rebels. 1 T-55M (n°
397098) maybe hit by TOW missile and taken by rebels. |
Losses
in armored vehicles suffered by rebels in assaults against the three
checkpoints west-northwest of the military base Hamadiyah (Idlib
province), in July 2014.
Operations | Losses of the
rebels |
Hanajak | Not. |
Taraf | Not. |
Al-Dahman | 1 BMP-1 with
improvised armor, from T-72, destroyed (burned) July 8, maybe by
plane. |
Conclusion
The
Syrian uprising has evolved considerably since the first clashes
occurred in June 201146.
From mid-2012, local groups that make up the bulk of the insurgent
landscape begin to gather in larger coalitions across one or more
provinces, and the whole country -the Islamic Front born in November
2013 was without doubt the most complete form of the process, but we
also think of more recent coalitions, like the legions al-Sham, the
Syria Revolutionaries Front... The numbers are increasing, as well as
weapons, sometimes fed from the outside but mostly took on the regime
(as illustrated by the example of tanks and armored vehicles, in
decisive operations against the checkpoints around the base of
Hamadiyah). The mobility of insurgents is also increasing with the
introduction of many technicals and the use of civilian vehicles.
Broader coalitions are formed to carry out more ambitious attacks
against heavily defended sites that checkpoints or other local
facilities.
Nevertheless,
the operations of the rebels often still retain a provincial or
sub-provincial character, as seen very well in the case of offensive
Idlib since spring 2014 The various rebel coalitions, and even the
more powerful, struggling to coordinate their action at the country
level or set of provinces. Although the rebels are better armed than
at the beginning of the insurgency, the lack of heavy weapons to face
support fire from the regime, especially artillery and aviation, is
acute. In the case of successive attacks of the three checkpoints
around the military base of Hamadiyah, we thus see that fire support
and cover fire are the result of homemade weapons ("canons of
hell ") or relatively light weapons, recoilless rifles of
various models, heavy machine guns of 12.7 mm and 14.5 mm, guns
ZU-23-2 of 23 mm, as stated M. Morant. That is why the rebels
organize here a semblance of armored unit, with tanks T-54/55 / T-62
/ T-72 and BMP-1 armored vehicles, to form the first wave of the
assault. Indeed, artillery and support weapons are in short supply
(S-60 57 mm are used, Harakat Hazm deploys a handful of M46 130mm
plus light and heavy mortars of various groups, though makeshift
mortars and guns are used, again according to M. Morant), armor
provide protection for the infantry, conduct fire support remotely
and are highlighted in direct attacks. However, there is some
fluidity in the use of armor between armed groups - the Islamic Front
"paying" several T-72 while it has relatively minor
role in the operations. These characteristics also explain the
patient approach of positions relatively weakly defended as
checkpoints : firing tanks or anti-tank missiles (TOW example), prior
bombing, destruction of vehicles placed at important places, etc. And
the choice of relatively soft targets, as external bases checkpoints,
which avoid unnecessarily sacrifice, for exampl the tanks that would
be too exposed. There is also attention to potential health injuries
(two examples of medics closer in two of the four assaults).
Moreover, insurgents sometimes refurbish quickly capturedarmor , as
shown by the example of the T-55M which may have touched by the TOW
missile at al-Dahman on July 9 and reused a week later in the second
assault against Hanajak, or that of the T-55M captured on July 7 and
Taraf employee al-Dahman two days later. TOW missiles seem to be
directly used to destroy armor of the regime, usually embossed in
defensive positions or cover, or sent to stop or slow down any attack
against loyalist soldiers. We also note that the rebels are concerned
by fratricide fire.
The
significant gains achieved by the insurgency in the province of Idlib
since the months of March-April 2014 show that the rebel groups still
retain a fighting power and spirit, particularly in areas where the
regime is not capable to reinforce isolated garnisons. It had, it
should be noted, lifted once the seat of the two bases of Wadi Deif
and Hamadiya in April 201347.
But the offensive of spring and early summer, relatively coordinated
across the province, shows that the rebels are about to return in the
siege to Hamadiya or Wadi Deif. Note also the intervention, in
assaults of the three checkpoints west / northwest of Hamadiyah, of
rebel formations mostly for the Free Syrian Army label, as the Syria
Revolutionaries Front promoted since December 2013 by the Saudi
Arabia, which has received TOW missiles, like other groups present
here (as FSA 13th Division). The ability of these armed
groups supported by the United States, however, is undermined
recently by the offensive of al-Nosra in Idlib province, which seeks
to recover a bastion after the loss of its eastern base in favor of
Islamice State, by seizing the territory of the Syria Revolutionaries
Front in particular48.
Al-Nosra simply struggling to survive against the huge challenge
posed by the rise of the Islamic State49.
It is interesting to note, moreover, that al-Nosra working away with
groups involved in the assault of three checkpoints early July before
turning against some before the end of the month. The Syrian conflict
is extremely unstable, the situation on the ground changes very
quickly : just measure the number of events since the fall of Mosul,
there are only two months, to realize.
1All
my work here:
http://historicoblog3.blogspot.com/p/la-syrie-cest-par-ici.html
3Joseph
HOLLIDAY, The struggle for syria in 2011. An operational and
regional analysis, MIDDLE EAST SECURITY REPORT 2, Institute for the
Study of War, 2011, p.21-22.
10http://www.janes.com/article/36499/syrian-insurgents-acquire-tow-missiles
,
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/rebels-worth-supporting-syrias-harakat-hazm
,
http://tahrirsouri.com/2014/05/22/exclusive-interview-with-harakat-hazm-we-have-fought-the-islamic-state-of-iraq-and-the-levant-and-we-will-fight-anyone-who-threatens-the-syrian-revolution/
16Thanks
to Yalla Souriya for the help.
18Thanks
to Yalla Souriya for the help.
46Jeffrey
White, Andrew J. Tabler, Aaron Y. Zelin, SYRIA’S MILITARY
OPPOSITION. How Effective, United, or Extremist ?, Policy Focus 128,
SYRIA’S MILITARY OPPOSITION, THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR
EAST POLICY, septembre 2013.