Battle of Bosra (2015)

Battle of Bosra
Part of the Syrian Civil War
Map showing the rebel offensive to seize Bosra
Date 21–25 March 2015 (4 days) Location Bosra, Daraa Governorate, Syria Result Rebel victory Territorial changes Rebels capture Bosra
Belligerents
Free Syrian Army Youth of Sunna Forces Islamic Muthanna Movement [1] Al-Nusra Front [2]	Syrian Arab Republic Syrian Arab Army National Defense Force [3] Druze militias   Hezbollah [3] Lions of Hussein Iranian IRGC [3] Imam Ali Brigades [4]
Commanders and leaders
Gen. Bashar al-Zoubi (Southern Front leader) Ahmad al-Awda (Youth of Sunna Forces leader)	Issam Zahreddine Abu Kadhim Khudr  † [4] (Imam Ali Brigades commander)
Units involved
Southern Front [1] Yarmouk Brigade Omari Brigades [2] Lions of Sunna Brigade Jaysh al-Islam [5] Ahrar ash-Sham [6]	52nd Brigade 17th Brigade [7] [ better source needed ] Jaysh al-Muwahhidin
Casualties and losses
21–25 killed [8] [7] [ better source needed ]	Unknown
4 civilians killed [9] [10]

The Battle of Bosra refers to a military operation launched by Syrian rebels during the Syrian Civil War, in order to capture the city of Bosra.

The battle

On 21 March 2015, the offensive was launched by rebels on Syrian Army positions in and around Bosra. ^[8] According to an opposition activist from Daraa, 10,000 rebels were involved in the battle. ^[11]

On 24 March 2015, rebels advanced in the town and besieged a number of soldiers in the ancient citadel, ^[1] which the Army relieved after a counterattack. ^{[7] [ better source needed ]} The Syrian Air Force launched 10 airstrikes on the town, while 30 barrel bombs were also dropped that day. ^[12] The Army also fired rockets on the nearby Maaraba hospital, where injured rebels were being treated, which completely levelled the building. ^[11]

On 25 March 2015, FSA rebels backed by Islamist factions captured the town and its UNESCO archaeological sites. ^{[8] [13]} According to a pro-government source, Army and militia units retreated from their positions in the town after the promised reinforcements were not deployed. ^[3]

Aftermath

On 29 March, local clashes took place in Glen town between the Islamic Muthanna Movement and the Lions of Sunna Brigade after an "argument" occurred about dividing the seized weapons and ammunition from Bosra. One fighter from the Islamic Muthanna Movement was killed, while three fighters were injured from both sides in the clashes. ^[14] Ahmad al-Awda turned against Al-Nusra and the Islamic Muthanna Movement and "expelled" them from the city. ^[15]

References

1. "Syria rebels storm Idlib city in three-pronged attack". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
2. "Jabhat al-Nusra looks for battlefield breakout". Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 31 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
3. "Roman-era town falls to rebels". Syria Direct . 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
4. @archicivilians (3 April 2015). "One of Imam al-Hussein Brigade leaders "Abu Kadhim Khudr" was killed by Rebels during the battle of #Bosra in #Daraa" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 March 2025– via Twitter.
7. Leith Fadel (24 March 2015). "The Syrian Arab Army Regains Full Control Over the Busra Al-Sham Castle; Fierce Clashes Ongoing". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
8. "Rebel and Islamic battalions take control on Busra al-Sham". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
9. "14 members of the regime forces and Islamic battalions killed in Daraa and al- Suwaydaa". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 22 March 2015. Archived from the original on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
10. "The opposition shells kill 16 people in Aleppo and Idlib, while 12 fighters died in Daraa". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 23 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
11. "Syria rebels seize ancient town near Jordanian border". Al Jazeera English. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
12. المرصد السوري. "نحو 40 غارة وبرميل نفذها وألقاها الطيران الحربي والمروحي على بصرى الشام والمقاتلون يتقدمون في البلدة". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
13. "Mainstream Syrian rebels seize historic town in south: monitor". Reuters. 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
14. "Clashes between 2 Islamic battalions in Dar'a countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 29 March 2015. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
15. "Ahmed al-Awda..Russia's spoiled boy to form "an army" southern Syria". Enab Baladi . 27 June 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2025.

32°31′05″N36°28′54″E / 32.5181°N 36.4817°E / 32.5181; 36.4817