Battle of Baghuz Fawqani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Baghuz Fawqani |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the 2017–2019 Deir ez-Zor campaign, the Rojava–Islamist conflict, and the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War | |||||||
.svg) Map of the military movements during the final segment of the battle, after 12 February 2019. Syrian government territory is situated west and south of the riverbend. |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
|
 Syria (minor defensive skirmishes) |
|
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Mazlum Kobane(SDF commander in chief) Jiya Furat(SDF commander for Battle of Baghuz) Adnan Afrin(SDF commander and spokesman)  Ahmad Abu Khawla(Deir ez-Zor Military Council commander)  Mustafa Manbij(Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion commander)  Abu Ali Bard(Army of Revolutionaries Commander)  Lt Gen Paul LaCamera(Commander of CJTF–OIR)  Colonel Francois-Regis Legrier(Commander of Task Force Wagram) |
 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi(Leader of IS) Abdul Nasser Qardash(IS deputy) Abu Khaled Al-Ansari †(Senior IS commander) Ahmed Jamil al-Sayed †(IS commander) |
||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
|
|
Military of IS |
||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
15,000–17,000 fighters
|
4,000–5,000+ fighters | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 65 killed (per SOHR) | 259 killed, 4,050 captured (per SOHR) 1,300 killed, 5,000+ captured (per SDF) |
||||||
| 216 civilians killed by airstrikes (12 Feb. & 18 March; per SOHR) 64 civilians killed by airstrikes (18 March; per NYT) Many Yazidi slaves killed by IS Italian photographer wounded |
|||||||
.svg){kind=small}
The Battle of Baghuz Fawqani was a very important fight in the war against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria. This battle was the last time IS held a large area of land in Syria. It marked the end of their "caliphate," which was like a self-declared country.
The battle happened in and around a town called Al-Baghuz Fawqani in Syria. This town is close to the border with Iraq. The fight started on February 9, 2019.
The main group fighting IS was the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). They got help from the United States and other countries. This help included airstrikes and special forces soldiers.
Contents
What Was the Battle of Baghuz?
The Battle of Baghuz Fawqani was the final major battle against the Islamic State. It took place in 2019 in eastern Syria. This fight aimed to remove IS from the last piece of land they controlled.
The town of Baghuz Fawqani was their final stronghold. Taking it back meant IS would no longer control any territory in Syria. This was a big step towards ending their power.
The Fight Begins
The battle started on February 9, 2019. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) led the attack. They were supported by a group of countries called the Coalition.
The Coalition helped with air attacks and special forces. These forces provided important support from the ground and the air. Their goal was to push IS out of Baghuz Fawqani.
Protecting Civilians During the Battle
The fight became difficult because many civilians were in the area. These included families of IS fighters. The SDF wanted to avoid harming innocent people.
They used a special plan called a "trickle-out" strategy. This meant they would pause their attacks. During these pauses, civilians and IS fighters who wanted to give up could leave the area safely. This helped to save many lives.
On March 18, 2019, an airstrike by the Coalition caused many deaths. Reports later said that many civilians were among those killed. This showed how hard it was to fight in an area with so many people.
The Final Victory
The SDF officially announced their victory on March 23, 2019. This day marked the end of the Islamic State's control over land in Syria. It was a huge moment in the fight against the group.
Even though IS lost its territory, the group did not disappear completely. They continued to operate in secret. This meant the fight against them changed from a battle for land to a different kind of struggle.
What Happened After?
Two years after the battle, Baghuz Fawqani was still recovering. Many buildings were destroyed. Basic services like water and electricity were not fully working.
Many people were afraid to return home. They worried about hidden IS fighters. The battle ended IS's control over land, but their influence remained a concern.
Images for kids
-
French and American soldiers helping the CJTF-OIR in Iraq, March 2019. They supported the SDF with air attacks and artillery.
-
The SDF surrounding al-Baghuz Fawqani on February 12, 2019.
-
Fighting in Al-Baghuz Fawqani on February 14, 2019.
-
An SDF gunner firing towards the IS camp on March 4, 2019.
-
Civilians at an SDF-Coalition screening center on March 8, 2019. Many were families of IS fighters.
-
The cliffs of Jabal Baghuz in 2014. Many IS fighters hid in tunnels and caves here.
See also
- Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
- List of wars and battles involving ISIL
- List of last stands
- Battle of Tora Bora
- Battle of Mukalla (2016)
- Battle of Sirte (2016)
- Battle of Mosul (2016–17)
- Battle of Raqqa (2017)
- Battle of Marawi
- 2017 Western Iraq campaign
- Battle of al-Hasakah (2022)
- Brides of ISIL
