Alwaght- If Syrians were to be asked about what they would wish for the New Year, their answers will likely be unanimous: that all would be well in Syria. Many would mourn the loss of the good old days and many more would only hope that safety would once again reign the country. As 2017 approaches, Syrians hope that the 6-year-long conflict would end before it enters its seventh year.
This year, however, was full of conflict, both on the political and military fronts. Listed below is a brief chronological summary of the major events that occurred in war-torn Syria in 2016.
- In January, humanitarian aid was finally delivered to the towns of Al-Fu’ah and Kafriya which had been under militant-siege in the Idlib Governorate. Meanwhile, the Syria army retook control of Salma in the Latakia Governorate as well as the militant bastion of Shaykh Maskin, cutting off terrorist supplies towards Daara. This month also witnessed an ISIS-orchestrated massacre in which 71 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Damascus.
- February was marked by the Syrian army’s announcement of the third phase of the Latakia Offensive which sought to seal the Northeastern corner of the governorate. Another milestone was the breaking of the siege of the Aleppo towns of Nubul and al-Zahraa where people had been suffering as a result of the terrorist-imposed blockade. Politically, the Syrian Foreign Ministry warned against a foreign ground intervention after Riyadh claimed it was ready to send ground troops upon Washington’s approval. Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said any foreign army troops entering Syria without government consent would "return home in wooden coffins."
Later that month, Turkey shelled YPG positions in northern Aleppo.
ISIS also carried out several bomb attacks on February 21st killing at 46 people in the city of Homs and another 30 in the capital.
Furthermore, a US-Russian brokered ceasefire went into effect after a UNSC resolution demanding all parties to comply with the terms of the agreement.
- On March 15th, Russia announced a partial withdrawal of its ground troops but maintained that it will continue to launch airstrikes against terrorist positions. By the end of March, government forces had retaken Palmyra through Russian-backed operations.
- In April, deadly confrontations continued across the country.
- May also proved to be eventful as militants, including the so-called Ahrar al-Sham and al-Nusra Front, who are fighting against the government, captured the Alawite village of al-Zara kidnapping dozens of civilians. On May 23rd, as much as 150 people were killed in a series of attacks in Jableh and Tartus. ISIS claimed responsibility for the onslaught. In a blow to terrorist groups, Syrian Democratic Forces seized 11 villages in the northern countryside of al-Raqqa, which is considered to be the de facto capital of ISIS.
- By midyear, Russia was well-involved in anti-terrorism operations. Moscow announced in June that the US-backed alleged moderate opposition was joining forces with al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front. In addition, an offensive to liberate Northern Aleppo that involved the Mallah Farms kicked off.
- In July, Mallah Farms were recaptured, forcing a fire-control over Castello Road which was the only supply route to militant-held Aleppo. Scores of militants were killed in the successful operation. On the 19th, Turkish authorities apprehended the Turkish pilots who downed a Russian aircraft over links to a coup against Ankara.
- In August, terrorist released a video in which they desecrated the bodies of Russian crew whose helicopter was downed in Idlib.
- On September 17th, US airplanes struck Dayr Azzour, probably hitting a Syrian Army target. RT reported 62 Syrian soldiers were killed while SANA said an ISIS assault began right after the air raid, leading many to think that the two incidents may have been connected.
- However, it was in October that the most important event of the year began to take form as the Syrian army and its allies seized 15 to 20 percent of parts of Aleppo previously held by militant groups.
- In December, the Syrian army scored a major victory by retaking Aleppo from the grip of terrorist organizations. In a bid to distract the SAA, ISIS militants launched an attack against the ancient city of Palmyra. However, months of fighting and preparation were crowned with victory in Aleppo.
The Aleppo victory is perhaps the most significant event in 2016 for Syria, because it bears strategic geopolitical and humanitarian significance. For many, Aleppo can be the key to a safer future as the hopes and wishes of the Syrian people largely depend on the Syrian army’s battles against foreign-backed terrorism.
