Syrian Army Escapes a Close One at Kuweires Airbase: Veteran Soldiers Repel the ISIS Offensive
The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched a full-scale offensive at the Kuweires Military Airbase on Sunday morning, marking the fourth time this year that the terrorist group has attempted to break-through the Syrian Armed Forces’ frontline defenses at this airport in the Aleppo Governorate’s eastern countryside.
On Sunday morning, ISIS’ powerful assault was unable to yield any gains, as the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) – backed by the National Defense Forces (NDF) – not only repelled the terrorist group’s attack, but also, regained a number of points around the Kuweires Airbase’s southern perimeter after a series of fierce clashes near Tal Rayman.
With over 60 fighters dead and a half dozen armored vehicles destroyed, including a T-55 tank and a BMP, ISIS would remain undeterred by their lack of success on Sunday.
Eight hours after their previous assault ended, ISIS launched their second assault on the Kuweires Military Airbase; however, this time, the attack was at a grander scale – involving more militants (estimated 600 fighters) – and far more successful.
ISIS was able to penetrate through the Syrian Armed Forces’ frontline defenses at Tal Rayman and the nearby farms from their positions to the southeast of the Kuweires Military Airbase, leaving the soldiers defending the airport at risk of being overrun by the encroaching combatants from the terrorist group.
As nightfall approached on Monday; it appeared that the Syrian Armed Forces were going to be in for a long night, reminiscent of ISIS’ capture of both Division 17 and Brigade 93 inside the Al-Raqqa Governorate in August of 2014
The veteran soldiers at the Kuweires Military Airbase made the difference in the end, as they withstood ISIS’ repeated attempted to penetrate their frontlines and overrun their positions.
At dawn on Tuesday, ISIS’ repeated attacks on the airport had dissipated and the Syrian Armed Forces were able to recapture the territory around the southern and western flanks.
Despite this good news, the Syrian Armed Forces remain encircled at the Kuweires Airbase, with the nearest allied troops stationed approximately 20km west of the airport.
The future of this airport remains uncertain for the soldiers at the Kuweires Airbase; however, these men have spent the last three years confined to this base and still remain unwilling to give up.
