Rif Dimashq offensive (June–August 2016)

The Rif Dimashq offensive (June–August 2016) is a Syrian Army offensive in the Rif Dimashq Governorate that was launched in late June 2016, as part of the Syrian Civil War. The offensive resulted in the military's capture of parts of the eastern section of the rebel-held eastern Ghouta.

Government forces capture Mayda’a
On 21 June, 102nd Brigade of the Republican Guard, backed by the Palestine Liberation Army and Hezbollah, captured al-Bahariyah Hill, and soon after overran the rebel defenses at al-Bahariyah, capturing the entire village. In addition to capturing al-Bahariyah, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah also continued their advance at the Jisreen Farms, where they were able to take control of several sites near the Arab Houses.

On the evening of 24 June, the Army and Hezbollah entered Mayda’a, forcing the rebels from the northern part of the town towards the center. Several days later, government troops advanced in the Al-Bahariyah Farms and towards the Mayda’a-Nashabiyah axis.

On 1 July, the Army captured the eastern part of Mayda’a. On 4 July, the military reached Mayda’a's center, capturing the town's school and mosque. The following day, after nearly two weeks of fighting, the government captured Mayda’a. With the capture of Mayda’a, the Army cut the rebel's main ammunition supply line for Eastern Ghouta.

On 7 July, a rebel counter-attack recaptured several blocks of Mayda’a, but the following day the military managed to seize back all territory lost, securing Mayda’a once again. The troops than pushed the rebels back a few more kilometers to the west and also secured the farms and road between Mayda’a and Al-Bahariyah. Later that day, the Army pushed into the village of Mid’anah, capturing its eastern and southern parts.

On 9 July, the pro-opposition activist group the SOHR confirmed the Army's capture of Mayda’a. Three days later, the military renewed their offensive by making attempts to advance to Hawsh Al-Farah, reportedly capturing several farms east of the village by 12 July.

Interlude
By 15 July, the government had mostly suspended their offensive in the area. One week later, the Army launched a new assault against Hawsh Al-Farah, resulting in a fierce, several-days-long battle. Government forces, attacking from two directions, first targeted the eastern and southern farms surrounding the town.

Meanwhile, clashes between Jaysh al-Islam and the Al-Rahman Legion took place in Saqba, reminiscent of the inter-rebel conflict a few months earlier. On 23 July, intense airstrikes targeted several rebel-held towns in East Ghouta, while clashes between government forces and rebels occurred along the al-Salam Highway. Furthermore, a prisoner exchange between the government and Jaysh al-Islam took place, with a leading Syrian Army colonel and a female Republican Guard major being freed.

Renewed Army advances
After capturing the surrounding farmland, the Republican Guard, backed by Hezbollah and NDF units, stormed Hawsh Al-Farah itself on 26 July, leading to heavy house-to-house fighting. After suffering numerous casualties, rebel forces finally retreated into the countryside on 29 July, leaving the strategically important town to the government. The fall of Hawsh Al-Farah served as a major morale boost for pro-government forces in East Ghouta, and allowed them to impose fire control over several important rebel-held cities in the area, such as Mayda’anah, Hawsh Nasri and Hawsh Shalaq. On 31 July, the rebels claimed they recaptured large parts of Hawsh Al-Farah in a rebel counter-attack. However, one week later they stated they were still trying to regain the town.

On 1 August, the Army entered Hawsh Nasri. With the potential capture of Hawsh Nasri, the Army would be in position to attack the hilltop of Tal Kurdi from three different flanks. Five days later, the military seized the farms near Hawsh Nasri and on 9 August, took control of all or most of the town. On 13 August, the military took control of parts of Hawsh Al-Dawahira and its surrounding farms. At the same time, the Army launched an assault on the strategic Tal Kurdi hill.

Attempted rebel counter-attack; Army advances continue
On 15 August, Jaysh al-Islam launched a counter-attack to regain Hawsh Nasri, seizing several points and farms in the area of the town. The rebels renewed their counter-assault on 20 August, and captured further positions in Hawsh Nasri, but lost them later in the day. The next day, the Army fully pushed the rebels out of Hawsh Nasri, and attacked the northern flank of Hawsh Dawahrah.

On 22 August, the rebels launched an offensive on the western frontlines of Eastern Ghouta, on a one-kilometer front, in order to lift the pressure off the town of Darayya. However, after several hours of fighting, the rebel offensive was repelled. Following this, the Syrian Army continued its advances in Eastern Ghouta, storming the former signal Army base, near Al-Rayhan, and capturing the storage area of the base. Government forces also reportedly physically cut the rebel supply route between Al-Rayhan and Shifuniyah. Towards the end of August, the Army captured Al-Rayhan's farms, threatening to encircle Tal Kurdi. Shortly after, government forces captured parts of Al-Rayhan itself, as well as Tal Rayhan hill, placing Tal Kurdi under fire-control. The Army also made advances from Hawsh Al-Farah towards Tal Sawwan, near Tal Kurdi, eventually capturing the town.