Homs offensive (October 2015)

The Homs offensive (October 2015) is one of a series of different offensives launched by Government forces during the Syrian Civil War in October 2015. The objective of the Homs offensive is to secure the road leading to Hama Governorate.

The Syrian oficial media, SANA reported the beginning of the offensive on 15 October 2015, alongside other SAA led operations on Aleppo, Daraa, Damascus and Quneitra. Local media activist Hassan Abou Nouh said "The regime is actually getting its forces ready in all Homs's northern countryside ... What we fear is that they will follow the same strategy they had in Hama countryside. They actually attacked the fighters in all fronts at once".

It is coordinated through a new security and intelligence-sharing agreement with Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria from a command centre in Baghdad.

Russian airstrikes have been involved in the Homs offensive aided by Syrian, Hezbollah and Iranian forces.

Casualties were reported in Teir Maaleh, Talbiseh and Ghantu.

The offensive is aimed at recapturing significant areas that had been lost by the Syrian government to Free Syrian Army, Army of Conquest and other Al-Qaeda affiliates, and ISIL forces. Hezbollah linked Al Manar reported President Assad as saying the "Syria-Russia-Iran-Iraq Front must succeed or the region would be destroyed." Assad claimed "The chances of this alliance's success are big, not small,” explaining “Most countries in the world have felt the real threat of terrorism and most recently numerous remarks have been addressed at international level, indicating support for the aforesaid coalition. Therefore, I think that there are good opportunities for this coalition to succeed”.

Government offensive against ISIS
On 5 November, government forces launched a counter-offensive from the Mahin-Sadad checkpoint and recaptured the Tal Sinni, Tal Hazim and Al-Wastani hilltops after clashesa with ISIS.

On 7 November, government forces carried out a powerful assault at the eastern slopes of the Jabal Al-Hiyal Mountains, seizing several points and advanced to east towards the ancient city of Palmyra.

On 14 November, government forces captured the hilltop of Tal Hazim Al-Thalatha.

On 16 November, government forces captured the Tal Syriatel,Jabal Ma’ar, Al-Bayarat, Ancient Palmyra Quarries, Al-Kassarat and Al-Dawa area outside the city of Palmyra after a series of intense firefights with ISIS.

On 17 November, government forces captured Jabal Al-Hazzm Mountains along the Sadad-Mahin Road and the small village of Al-Hadath to north of the ISIS-held town of Mahin.

On 21 November, government forces recaptured the village of Huwwarin and the strategic hill the Tal Daher in the eastern countryside Homs. Later, government forces recaptured the large Army Storage Base near the town Mahin. On the next day, government forces recaptured the Jabal Maheen Mountains and parts of the strategic town Mahin.

On 23 November, government forces recaptured the strategic town of Mahin and ISIS retreats to the town Al-Qaryatayn. On the same day, government forces recaptured the Al-Qadri Farms and the Hayyan Mountains and now the government forces are approximately 4 km away from the western gates of Palmyra and they are 2 km away from the Qatari Villa near the Homs-Deir Ezzor Highway.

On 25 November, government forces advance in the vicinity of the town of Al-Qaryatayn and regain control of the some points and the Tel Al-Dekan, Tel Um Kadom, Tel Masayed hills in the surroundings of this town.

On 28 November, government forces backed by Russian Air Force advance and captured the small villages of Muntar Armilah and Thaniyah just a few kilometers away from the ancient Assyrian city of Al-Qaryatayn along the Mahin-Quryatayn Road.