Northwestern Syria offensive (October 2015 – present)

On 7 October 2015, shortly after the start of the Russian air campaign in Syria, the Syrian government forces and its allies launched a ground offensive against anti-government positions in northwestern Syria, initially in northern Hama Governorate. The primary objective is to seal off the northern Hama border with Idlib and "build a buffer-zone around the city of Khan Sheikhoun". It has been described as the first major Syrian-Russian coordinated attack since the start of the Syrian Civil War. The offensive was extended in the subsequent days to the al-Ghab plains, between northwest Hama and soutwest Idlib, as well as to the edge of the Latakia governorate. Other government offensives were launched throughout Syria in Aleppo province, Homs province and the Damascus countryside.

Syrian Government offensive
On 7 October, the Syrian Army backed by the National Defence Forces and Russian airstrikes launched the offensive against the rebel-held villages of Kafr Nabouda, Qala’at Al-Madayq, Lahaya, Al-Mughayr, Latmin, Al-Lataminah, Kafr Zita and Markabah. According to the SOHR, eight vehicles and tanks of the Army were destroyed by the rebels in the initial phase of the offensive, while it also stated that rebel bases and vehicles were bombed at the same time.

Later that day, the Army advanced in Latmin, while the rebels reportedly destroyed three more tanks on the shifting frontline. Meanwhile, rebels launched a counter-attack on Murak and reportedly captured a hill. The Russian Air Force conducted at least 40 airstrikes that day. Conversely, pro-government sources listed the destruction of 10 tanks and BMPs. The Army captured Al-Mughayr, Markabah, Tal Sakhar and Tal Uthman that day, while it was also claimed that the village of Al-Haweez and the town of Kafr Nabouda were temporally held before a strong rebel counter-attack allegedly pushed them back to Latmin.

The next day, rebels downed a Syrian or Russian helicopter near Kafr Nabouda, with a possible second one nearby. The SOHR reported that the rebels regained some ground in the area of Kafr Nabouda and destroyed an APC in the progress.

On 9 October, the military captured most of the hilly Jubb al-Ahmar region. The SOHR also reported that the Army was still trying to capture Atshan (previously reported as captured), while the rebels destroyed and damaged six tanks that day.

On 10 October, the Syrian Army captured the strategically important villages of Atshan and Om Hartein and the Sukayk hill, while also making attempts to push onwards to capture Khan Shaykhun in southern Idlib province. A number of government tanks and APC's were targeted during the clashes. Hezbollah senior leader Hassan Hussein al-Haj and a rebel commander were killed that day during the takeover of Tal Sukayk.

On 11 October, Hezbollah backed by the Army captured al-Bahsa in the al-Ghab plains, while rebels destroyed a tank. In addition, the Army also advanced from Morek and Atshan. The pro-government al-Masdar news also reported that the Army entered Salma, in Latakia province, and fighting for the town was ongoing.

On the morning of 12 October, the Army captured the southern part of Kafr Nabuda, which coincided with 30 Russian airstrikes and hundreds of shells and rockets fired by government forces. Soon after, the military secured the town and also seized the village of Mansoura, in the al-Ghab plain, and Sukayk, just inside Idlib province. However, a subsequent rebel counter-attack later in the day recaptured Kafr Nabuda. This came after jihadist rebel reinforcements arrived. In addition, there were conflicting reports on the situation in Latakia, with the SOHR reporting the rebels advanced in Dorin, but the military stated they themselves made advances in Latakia. Later, it was confirmed the rebels withdrew from Dorin. At least 25 pro-government fighters, including 7 Hezbollah militiamen, had been killed since the assault on Kafr Nabuda started. Another 20 Hezbollah fighters had also been wounded.

On 13 October, government forces captured Lahaya, while clashes continued in the outskirts of Kafr Nabuda. Meanwhile, military sources reported that the Army entered the town of Tartiyah and made progress in Salma, in Latakia, after reportedly repelling the rebel counter-attack against Dorin. That day, two Iranian colonels were killed on the Hama frontline. Beside the reinforcements, the rebels were deploying an "extensive amount" of BGM-71 TOW's along the frontline and announced a counter-offensive to "retake Hama". It was also reported that Hezbollah had concentrated all it's fighters in the northwest of Syria for the offensive.

On 14 October, government forces captured the villages of Fawru and Sirmaniyah in the al-Ghab plain. By this point, in the opinion of the ISW, the Syrian government achieved limited success in the offensive's first week, capturing 6 villages while suffering heavy casualties.

On 15 October, government forces captured the village of al-Safsafah in the Ghab plains. In response to the Russian-backed offensive by the Syrian Army, the jihadist Turkistan Islamic Party sent fighters to the Ghab Plain to support rebels in fighting against the Syrian Army, Iranian, and Hezbollah forces. Photos of Uyghur fighters from Turkistan Islamic Party were released with captions in Arabic that said “standing up strongly to the Nusayri army and the Russians.” Jab al-Ahmar and Ghamaam in Latakia's countryside where where Turkistan Islamic Party fighters were transferred from Idlib in response to the Russian intervention.

On 19 October, the military restarted operations, after the offensive was paused for the weekend. Government fighters temporally captured parts of the Mansoura grain silos before a rebel counter-attack reversed their gains. A rebel brigade commander was killed at the silos. By the next day, 16 government fighters were killed. SAA captured Point 1112, Point 482, Tal Thamamiyah, Kawa Al-Hatab, and Tal Thalatha in the Al-Zahiyah Mountains in northern Latakia after advancing north from the hilltop of Tal Ziwayk.

On 20 October, Russian air strikes in Syria's Latakia province killed Basil Zamo, the commander of the rebel 1st Coastal Division, along with four other fighters.

Rebel counter-offensive
On 23 October, rebels captured al-Dil and also launched attacks on Sukayk hill and village. That day, rebels continued to advance, while Russian airplanes bombed a rebel headquarters. Also a rebel spokesman claimed that the losses of the SAA reached 57 armored vehicles during the course of the Hama (Northwestern) Offensive. At the end of the day, rebels recaptured the villages of Maarkaba and Lahaya. The clashes led to the death of at least 12 rebels and 14 government fighters and the capture of two army vehicles.

On 24 October, Russian airplanes bombed a field hospital near al-Latamneh, killing a number of rebels and wounding medical personnel. Meanwhile, rebels were preparing to attack the Mork area.

On 25 October, three Hama-based Free Syrian Army linked groups merged into the Jaysh al-Nasr. Meanwhile, a Syrian colonel and three soldiers were killed in the Dorin-Isterbah area, while the experienced BGM-71 TOW operator Abu Omar "TOW" was killed in Hama. A sandstorm forcibly halted all military operations at the end of day.

On October 26, government forces, supported by heavy Russian airstrikes, reportedly recaptured Mansura in the Al-Ghab plain. A Jaysh al-Islam field commander was killed that day.

On 27 October, rebels destroyed at least two tanks and one APC in the northern countryside of Hama, while at least 10 rebels were killed.

On 28 October, fighting around Morek damaged two Army tanks, while another vehicle was also targeted. That day, rebels recaptured the village of Sukayk while government forces retreated from an area north of Morek. Two officers and a rebel leader were killed in the clashes. According to analysis by al-Masdar News, if the rebels can capture Morek, they will be in a good position to attack the two towns of Souran and Taybat Al-Imam which would allow them to begin their large-scale attack on the city of Hama. At the end of the day, government forces regained positions against ISIL at the Salamiya–Ithiriya highway.

On 30 October, rebels recaptured areas at Kafar Delbah in Latakia. but pro-government forces denied this. The next day, 20 rebel factions attacked Morek. 7 Hezbollah fighters were killed in a case of friendly fire by the Russian air force amidst a series of bombing operations against the rebels, according to a Lebanese news source.

Between 1 and 3 November, heavy clashes for the village of Ghannam in the Mountains of northern Latakia took place. The village was captured four times, with the rebels finally ending up controlling it again. 18 soldiers and an unknown number of rebels were killed.

On 3 November, rebels captured Tall-Uthman hill, al-Janabra hill, Hamidid gas station and a position west of Morek. Rebels damaged two tanks with BGM-71 TOW, destroyed other vehicles and also seized two tanks and an APC. Five rebels, including a commander and a leader, were killed that day. At the end of the day, government forces bombed and shelled Khan Sheikhoun, killing four civilians.

On 4 November, rebels downed a Syrian MiG-21 above Tall-Uthman hill. The pilot was killed due to a failing parachute. In the evening, around 10pm, the Syrian army was forced to abandon the strategic town of Morek after a massive rebel assault. Government forces recaptured al-Bani and allegedly also Tall-Uthman hill and.

On 5 November, rebels fully secured the town of Morek after repelling a number of Army counter-attacks. A rebel leader and a number of other rebels, as well as dozens of soldiers were killed and wounded around Morek. Analysis by a source close to the government (Al-Masdar) has attributed the quick collapse of SAA in Murak to the ISIL attack on the government’s only supply route to the Aleppo Governorate. This loss caused an imminent emergency in Aleppo that subsequently forced the Military High Command to initiate a massive redeployment, which resulted in the thinning of the northeastern Hama line of defense. After this, the SAA line of defense stabilized north of Ma'an and Souran. At the end of the day, rebels advanced inside the village of Atshan and killed a number of soldiers and officers (including a brigadier general), and recaptured Tell Sukayk hill. Government forces allegedly captured the villages of Khandaq Al-Khamou, Barisha and Khirbat Jubb Al-Za’rour in Latakia. 16 Hezbollah fighters were killed in a second friendly-fire incident after Russian Air Force bombed their position in reef Idlib, while 5 rebels (mostly field commanders) were killed in Hama.

On 6 November, rebels recaptured Atshan, Umm Hartein, al-Hilal poultry farms, al-Naddaf poultry farms, al-Easawi checkpoints and al-Tawil hill. At least 16 soldiers and officers, as well as several rebels were killed in the clashes. On the same day, Syrian army recaptured the village of Ghamam and allegedly also the hill of Jabal Bakdash overlooking it, while the rebels continued their advance and further captured the villages of Qubaybat Abu al Huda, Tell Swan hill and Mantana in the Hama countryside while the Alawite village of Maan was besieged from the north and east. Later, Syrian troops in coordination with their allies reportedly captured the villages of Al-Kareem, Ramleh, Qabr Fidah and Al-Ashrafiyah after they reportedly secured Safsafa in the Al-Ghaab Plains.

On 9 November, rebels captured Al-Mughayr village and the Al-‘Abboud Checkpoint south of Morek and some points in the vicinity the village of Ghamam. Eight rebels (including a military leader) were killed that day.

On 10 November, the SOHR reported that rebels recaptured some points in Ghmam area, capturing a tank and another vehicle. However this was denied by military sources. On the same day, NDF in coordination with the SSNP counter-attacked against the rebels and allegedly recaptured the village of Al-Mughayr, the hill Tal Al-Sakhr and Grain Silos directly south of rebel-held town of Kafr Naboudeh.

Government forces Latakia counter-offensive
On 15 November, government forces captured three hills (including Tal Al-Yakdash hill) in the mountains of Latakia, advanced around Ghamam and captured the villages of Dayr Hanna, al-Dughmishlyia and Beit ‘Ayyash.

On 18 November, government forces captured four hills (including Tal Al-Rashwan hill and Tall Zuwayk) in northern Latakia countryside. Later, government forces captured the villages Zuwayk and Shamaysah.

On 20 November, government forces imposed full control over the Al-Zahi Mountains and Burj Al-Zahi in northern countryside of Latakia.

On 23 November, government forces captured the Ketf al-Ghadr hill, al-Rashwan hill, al-Zaytuna hill, Rwayset al-Malloha hill, Ayn Samoukh hill, Tall Antouz hill in Jeb al-Ahmar area in the northern countryside of Lattakia.

On 24 November, rebels retook Al Zahi mount. Later, government forces captured several hills in the vicinity of Al Zahi mount in the northern countryside of Lattakia. On the same day, government forces captured the Katf Al-Ghanimah and Point 1154 (hilltop overlooking Kabani) on the Jabal Sheikh Mohammad in northeastern countryside of Latakia. On the other hand, rebels regained control over Tal al-Etyra.

On 25 November, government forces advanced in the areas of Mount Zahi and Ateera, and recaptured the Mount Zahi in the northern countryside of Lattakia. That day, Turkish F-16's downed a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 near the Syrian-Turkish border. A Russian pilot was killed, while another Russian soldier died in the rescue operation that took place in the northern Latakia mountain area. A Russian rescue helicopter was also destroyed by a TOW crew. The crew remained unharmed. Later that day, the second pilot reached the military airport of Latakia after he was rescued by special forces.

On 26 November, nine rebels (including three officers) and at least six government fighters were killed as a result of the clashes in the northern Latakia countryside.

Jabal Turkman was subjected to intense bombardment by the Russians after the shootdown of its bomber jet by the Turkish airforce. A new attack in the region was launched by Syrian government forces.

On 27 November, the Al-Qaeda branch Nusra Front and the Turkistan Islamic Party fought against pro-Syrian government and Hezbollah forces around Jabal Nuba, as the Syrian army bombarded them with artillery and Russian warplanes bombed Jabal al Akrad. Russian warplanes bombarded positions around Jab al Ahmar in Jabal al Akrad, Jabal Zahi in Jabal Turkman, and in al Kandisiya in Jabal Turkman, of the Turkistan Islamic Party and Nusra Front as they fought against the Ba'ath Brigades and Hezbollah. Both sides suffered casualties. The Syrian Army's intense artillery bombardment with hundreds of rockets killed 15 fighters of the Turkistan Islamic Party along with its military leader in Jabal Turkman. 30 fighters from the Turkistan Islamic Party were killed according to a statement released by the TIP.

On 28 November, government forces captured the Al Mara hill in the northern countryside of Latakia.

On 29 November in Jisr al-Shughour the Turkistan Islamic Party's office was hit with bombs by Russian planes.