Aleppo offensive (August–September 2016)

The Aleppo offensive (August–September 2016) refers to a series of military operations launched by Syrian government forces and their allies, primarily supported by Russian airpower, aimed at fully encircling and ultimately capturing the rebel-held eastern portion of the city of Aleppo during the Syrian Civil War.

The offensive was initiated following the collapse of a prior ceasefire and aimed to capitalize on recent gains made in the surrounding areas. The primary goal was to sever the Castello Road, the last major supply line into eastern Aleppo controlled by opposition forces.

Key events during the offensive included intense aerial bombardment and artillery shelling of rebel-held neighborhoods, as well as ground assaults by Syrian Arab Army troops, Hezbollah fighters, and other pro-government militias. Rebel groups, including those affiliated with the Free Syrian Army and various Islamist factions, mounted a fierce defense, utilizing tunnels, snipers, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to slow the government advance.

On July 17, 2016, government forces and their allies had already severed the Castello Road. However, rebel forces launched a counter-offensive in late July to break the siege, achieving temporary gains, though they failed to establish a secure supply route. The renewed offensive in August cemented the siege, trapping an estimated 250,000-300,000 civilians within the besieged area.

The offensive resulted in a humanitarian crisis within eastern Aleppo, with severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Hospitals were frequently targeted by airstrikes, further exacerbating the situation. International organizations and foreign governments condemned the indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas and called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access.

The offensive ultimately succeeded in fully besieging eastern Aleppo by early September 2016, laying the groundwork for the subsequent large-scale offensive in late 2016 that resulted in the government's recapture of the entire city.