Battle of Nasib Border Crossing

Last updated
Battle of Nasib Border Crossing
Part of the Syrian Civil War
2015 Spring Daraa Offensive.svg
Map showing the rebel offensive to seize the Nasib Border Crossing
Date1 April 2015
Location
Nasib Border Crossing, Jordanian–Syrian border, Daraa Governorate, Syria
Result Rebel victory [1]
Territorial
changes		 Rebels capture the Nasib border crossing [2] and the border area between Nasib and Amman [3]
Belligerents
Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg Free Syrian Army
Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg al-Nusra Front [4]

Flag of Syria.svg Syrian Arab Republic

Commanders and leaders
Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg Col. Mohammed Khaled al-Duhni [5]
(Falcons of the South leader)
Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg Gen. Bashar al-Zoubi [1]
(Yarmouk Army leader)
Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg Abu Hadi al-Aboud [6]
(Faloujat Houran Brigade leader)
Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg Abu Salah al-Ansari [7]
(Nusra Front Daraa commander)		 Unknown
Units involved

Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg Southern Front

Nasib border crossing garrison

The Battle of Nasib Border Crossing took place on 1 April 2015 during the Syrian Civil War that resulted in anti-government rebels capturing the Nasib Border Crossing, the last Syria government-held border crossing with Jordan.

Contents

The battle

On 1 April 2015, rebel forces launched an offensive against government positions in and around the semi-besieged Nasib Border Crossing, forcing the Army to retreat from its last official border crossing with Jordan. [4] [1] Rebels also captured the border guard posts "62", "63" and "67". [2] At least one BMP-1 was captured by the rebels. [9]

The military acknowledged losing the border crossing and the three posts, but stated that it was still in control of the "Amman brigade" 12.5 miles (20 km) east of Nasib. [2] However, video footage showed that the base was also captured. [3]

The Syrian government stated that any use of the rebel-held crossing "will be considered illegitimate". The border crossing was closed by Jordan authorities. [2]

Aftermath

The next day, the Syrian Arab Air Force raided areas around the border crossing, [2] killing eight people, including five rebels. [10] The border crossing was looted by hundreds of rebels and civilians. The FSA accused al-Nusra Front of taking part in the looting and told them to leave. [6] Furthermore, the Southern Front of the Free Syrian Army claimed al-Nusra participated only in the last stages of the fighting for the border crossing, not in the planning or initial attack. [11] It also stated to have opened an investigation into the looting. [12]

As of 3 April, the al-Nusra Front was in control of the crossing and deciding who can go through it. [13] The al-Nusra Front held around ten Lebanese truck drivers, after their vehicles were stranded in 'no man's land'. According to the Lebanese Refrigerated Truck Union, between 30 and 35 Lebanese truck drivers were still stuck in the area. The SOHR stated that there were around 300 vehicles held up at the border crossing, while Seer al-Dinnieh Mayor Ahmad Alam confirmed that "many tons" of items were stolen during the looting. [14]

On 4 April, the al-Nusra Front pulled back from the border crossing, leaving it to a civil administration. According to the SOHR, al-Nusra Front abducted at least 35 truck drivers from the border crossing. [15] It was agreed in the 'courthouse of Horan' that all abducted truck drivers will be released within 24 hours that the border crossing must be managed by a civil administration. [16] As of 6 April, two truck drivers were still being held captive. [17] On 11 April, al-Nusra Front pulled back from the duty-free zone between the Syrian and Jordanian crossings at the request of the Southern Front. [11] [18] A spokesperson for the Southern Front said they would not cooperate militarily with al-Nusra Front. [11]

Analysis

The Nasib border crossing was the last major government-held border crossing with Jordan, and vital for transporting goods from Lebanon and Syria to Jordan and Gulf countries. The capture would possibly affect Lebanon's, Syria's and Jordan's economies greatly, according to the Lebanon's Economy Minister. [14] It was a heavy blow to the government's efforts to rebuild Syria's export trade crippled by the civil war since the post was a conduit for $2 billion of bilateral trade annually. Muhanad al-Asfar, a senior member of the Syrian Exporters' Union, described the loss of the border post as a "catastrophe" for the Syrian economy. [19]

An analysis by the Heinrich Böll Foundation suggested that Jordan gave approval to the Southern Front to take over the crossing, Jordan thereby putting its political interests over its economic interests, as the seizure would have a negative economic impact on Jordan, as well as on the Syrian government, and damaged Jordan's remaining diplomatic relations with the Syrian government. [20]

Related Research Articles

The Nasib Border Crossing is an international border crossing between Syria and Jordan. It is one of the busiest border crossings in Syria and is situated on the Damascus-Amman international highway near Nasib, Syria. It is the main crossing for Syrian exports to Jordan and the GCC countries. In April 2015, the crossing fell to control of Free Syrian Army and al-Nusra Front during the Battle of Nasib Border Crossing. On 6 July 2018, the Syrian army recaptured the Nasib Border Crossing in the 2018 Southern Syria offensive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Idlib offensive</span> Rebel advances

The 2014 Idlib offensive was a series of operations conducted by the rebels against the Syrian Government in the Idlib Governorate during the Syrian Civil War. The clashes were mostly concentrated around Khan Shaykhun and on the highway towards Maarrat al-Nu'man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Hama offensive</span> Military operation launched by rebels in the Syrian Civil War

The 2014 Hama offensive, codenamed Ghazwat Badr al-Sham al-Kubra, was a military operation launched by Syrian rebels during the Syrian Civil War in the northern parts of Hama Governorate, in an attempt to reach the Hama Military Airport and the provincial capital of the province. It was also launched in an attempt to cut the supply line to Aleppo, especially after the rebels seized the village of Rahjan.

The following is a timeline of the Syrian civil war from August to December 2014. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.

The Deir ez-Zor offensive was executed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIS, against all other opposition forces in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate as part of the Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Wadi Deif (2014)</span> Siege of two Syrian Army bases

The siege of Wadi Deif refers to the siege of two Syrian Army bases, Wadi Deif and Hamadiyah, by rebel forces, during the 2014 Idlib offensive of the Syrian Civil War. The first siege of these two bases was broken by the Syrian Army on 18 April 2013. During the siege, rebels detonated several 'tunnel bombs' underneath army positions surrounding the bases, which was similar to the tactics used during the First World War.

The 2014 raid on Idlib city refers to a military operation in the Idlib Governorate, during the Syrian Civil War, conducted by mainly Salafi jihadists backed by Islamist rebels against the Syrian Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict</span> 2014 event during the Syrian Civil War

The al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict started in late October 2014, during the Syrian Civil War, in Idlib and Aleppo governorates, during which al-Nusra attempted to establish an Islamic state rival to that of ISIL. Despite this, the al-Nusra Front and Free Syrian Army factions continued to cooperate in the southern Syrian governorates of Quneitra and Daraa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Southern Syria offensive</span> Military operation

The 2015 Southern Syria offensive, code-named "Operation Martyrs of Quneitra", was an offensive launched in southern Syria during the Syrian Civil War by the Syrian Arab Army, Hezbollah and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces. Government forces also include Iranian sponsored Afghani Shi'ite volunteer militias. The name "Operation Martyrs of Quneitra" refers to the January 2015 Mazraat Amal incident, in which several high level Hezbollah and IRGC members were killed in an Israeli strike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Idlib (2015)</span> Military operation in Syria

The Battle of Idlib was a military operation in the Idlib Governorate, during the Syrian Civil War, conducted by rebels against Syrian government forces defending Idlib city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Bosra (2015)</span> Rebel operation in the Syrian Civil War

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Idlib offensive</span> Military operation

The 2015 Idlib offensive refers to a series of rebel operations in the Idlib Governorate, during the Syrian Civil War. The offensive started with a rebel assault on the capital of the province, Idlib. According to The Economist, the capture of Idlib came about largely because Gulf Arab states "gave more backing to their proxies despite American objections."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Nubl and al-Zahraa</span> Siege of the Syrian civil war

The siege of Nubl and al-Zahraa during the Syrian civil war was laid by rebels to capture two Syrian government-held towns north of Aleppo, after they had seized most of the northern countryside in July 2012. The siege was lifted on 3 February 2016, as a result of a Syrian government offensive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)</span>

The northwestern Syria offensive , dubbed by the rebels as the Battle of Victory, took place in the Idlib and Hama governorates during the Syrian Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qalamoun offensive (May–June 2015)</span> Military operation of the Syrian Civil War

The Qalamoun offensive was an offensive led by the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah, supported by the Syrian Army, during the Syrian Civil War, against the al-Nusra Front and other Syrian opposition forces entrenched in the mountains of the Qalamoun region.

The Quneitra offensive was launched by Syrian rebel forces, during the Syrian Civil War, in order to capture the last government-held positions in Quneitra Governorate: Hader, Madinat al-Baath, Khan Arnabah and the strategic hill of Tell Krum. The other objective was connecting southern rebel-held parts of Syria with Western Ghouta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daraa offensive (June–July 2015)</span>

The Daraa offensive was a rebel operation in the Daraa Governorate, during the Syrian Civil War. It was led by the Southern Front of the Free Syrian Army and also included the Army of Conquest "southern sector", of which the Al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham are part of, against Syrian government forces defending Daraa city and the surrounding towns.

The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from January to July 2015. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.

The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from January to July 2014. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015–2016 Latakia offensive</span> Military operation

The 2015–2016 Latakia offensive was a campaign of the Syrian Civil War that was launched by government forces in October 2015 to recapture rebel-held territory in the Latakia Governorate bordering Turkey.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Syrian rebels seize Jordan crossing from govt control: rebel, security source". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Syrian rebels capture main border crossing with Jordan". Cairo Post. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Conflict Reporter on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 "The clashes continue around Nasib border crossing, and the helicopters drop 9 barrel bombs on Ibtaa and al- Sheikh Meskin". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "ISIS storms Damascus suburb of Yarmouk". The Daily Star Lebanon. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 "Syrian aircraft bomb area near captured Jordan crossing". Reuters. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Hala Jaber on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "Jordan border crossing falls to Nusra, allies". Syria Direct. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  9. ↑ المرصد السوري. "بالصور قوات النظام تخسر تواجدها في معبر رسمي على الحدود مع الأردن عقب سيطرة المقاتلين على معبر نصيب الحدودي". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  10. ↑ المرصد السوري. "أكثر من 30 شهيد في ريف درعا جراء قصف جوي لطائرات النظام الحربية والمروحية". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 "Rebels in southern Syria split with Al Qaeda after tensions". Arutz Sheva. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  12. ↑ مدار اليوم. "الريس: الجبهة الجنوبية تحقق في حوادث السرقة والنصرة لم تشارك بتحرير معبر نصيب". مدار اليوم. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "IS militants battle armed groups in Syria refugee camp". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  14. 1 2 "Jihadis abduct Lebanese truckers, loot vehicles". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  15. ↑ "The Nusra Front retreats from the gate of the crossing border of Nasib". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "An agreement held in the courthouse of Horan to release the detainees and organize Nasib crossing". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  17. ↑ "Two truckers still in captivity on Syrian-Jordanian border". The Daily Star Lebanon. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  18. ↑ Jabhat al-Nusra pulls back from the shared area in Nassib crossing. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 11 April 2015.
  19. ↑ Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (23 April 2015). "Rebel seizure of Syrian border post hits exporters across region". Reuters Canada. Retrieved 23 April 2015. Syrian rebels' seizure of the main frontier crossing with Jordan has dealt a heavy blow to the Damascus government's efforts to revive a once thriving export trade crippled by civil war [...] "Nasib in particular is a catastrophe for us and for our products and also for the Jordanian side too because it also handled cargo and commercial exchanges," Muhanad al-Asfar, a senior member of the Syrian Exporters' Union told state television this week.
  20. ↑ Haid, Haid (21 August 2015). "The Southern Front: allies without a strategy". Heinrich Böll Foundation . Retrieved 30 August 2015.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.