The Rif Dimashq offensive (September 2015) was a series of military operations launched by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies, primarily Hezbollah and the National Defense Forces (NDF), against various rebel factions in the rural Damascus (Rif Dimashq) governorate during September 2015, amidst the Syrian Civil War.
Background By mid-2015, the Rif Dimashq province, encircling the capital city of Damascus, remained a critical battleground. Large pockets of the province, particularly in Eastern Ghouta and some areas of Western Ghouta, were under the control of rebel groups, most notably Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) in the east. These rebel-held areas posed a direct threat to Damascus and were subject to a prolonged government siege, restricting the flow of supplies and humanitarian aid. The September 2015 offensive was part of the Syrian government's ongoing efforts to consolidate control around the capital and tighten the siege on these opposition enclaves.
Combatants
- Syrian Government and Allies:
- Syrian Arab Army (SAA)
- National Defense Forces (NDF)
- Hezbollah
- Rebel Groups:
- Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam)
- Various Free Syrian Army (FSA) affiliated groups
- Ahrar al-Sham (less prominent in Ghouta specifically, but active in Rif Dimashq)
Objectives The primary objectives of the government offensive were:
- To further tighten the siege on rebel-held Eastern Ghouta.
- To capture strategic towns and agricultural areas, thereby reducing the rebels' ability to launch attacks on Damascus and cut off supply routes.
- To relieve pressure on government positions around the capital.
Course of the Offensive The offensive primarily focused on the Eastern Ghouta region. Syrian government forces, supported by artillery and limited air strikes (prior to the major Russian intervention later that month), launched assaults on several fronts. Key areas of contention included the towns and villages surrounding the main rebel strongholds. Reports indicated intense clashes in areas like Harasta, Douma, and other localities within Eastern Ghouta. Government forces sought to advance along multiple axes, attempting to fragment rebel defenses and seize control of the farmlands that provided rebels with some resources. While some tactical gains were reported by pro-government sources, the offensive faced stiff resistance from well-entrenched rebel fighters.
Outcome and Aftermath The September 2015 Rif Dimashq offensive resulted in limited strategic gains for the Syrian government. While some minor territorial advances were made and the siege on Eastern Ghouta was arguably tightened, the offensive did not achieve a decisive breakthrough to clear the rebel enclaves. Rebel groups, particularly Jaish al-Islam, demonstrated their capacity for resilient defense. The offensive was a continuation of the protracted conflict in Rif Dimashq, characterized by attrition warfare and the siege of civilian populations. Shortly after this offensive concluded, Russia significantly escalated its military intervention in Syria starting late September 2015, which would have a broader impact on the overall war but did not immediately alter the fundamental stalemate in Rif Dimashq in a decisive manner following this specific offensive. The Ghouta enclaves would remain under siege for several more years until their fall in 2018.