ORDER OF BATTLE // December 8, 2016
Palmyra offensive (December 2016)
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 7,000–8,000 estimated
Islamic State
4,000–5,000
Medium-confidence figure
Syria
3,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The December 2016 Palmyra offensive resulted in ISIL re-capturing the ancient city after Syrian government forces had held it since March 2016. ISIL had previously controlled Palmyra from May 2015 until that earlier government recapture, making this the second time the city changed hands between the two belligerents. The offensive demonstrated ISIL's continued capacity to mass forces — estimated at 4,000–5,000 fighters — and conduct large-scale conventional assaults even as the group faced pressure elsewhere in the Syrian Civil War. An accompanying ISIL attack on the Tiyas T-4 Airbase to the west of Palmyra was repelled, limiting the strategic gains of the operation beyond the city itself. Syrian government casualties in the engagement were recorded between 100 and 352.
‹ Full battle dossier