View source for Siege of Menagh Air Base

{{Short description|Military operation}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}}
{{infobox military conflict
|conflict      = Siege of Menagh Air Base
|partof        = the [[2012–2013 escalation of the Syrian civil war|Syrian civil war]]
|date          = 2 August 2012 – 6 August 2013 <br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=08|day1=02|year1=2012|month2=08|day2=06|year2=2013}})
|place         =  [[Menagh Military Airbase|Menagh Air Base]], [[Aleppo]], [[Syria]]
|coordinates   = {{Coord|36|31|19|N|037|2|28|E|region:SY_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
|map_type      = Syria
|map_label     = Menagh Air Base
|image= Siege of Menagh airbase (2012-13).svg
|image_size= 300px
|caption= Map showing the siege
|result        = Rebel victory<ref name="english.alarabiya.net"/>
* Rebels capture the Menagh Air Base
|combatant1={{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} [[Free Syrian Army]]<br />
{{flagicon image|Al-Liwaa.svg}} [[Syrian Islamic Liberation Front]]<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg}} [[Al-Nusra Front]]<ref>[[CNN]], 22 January 2013, [http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/22/world/syria-final-battle-for-north Rebels in northern Syria pin hopes on airbase's downfall]</ref><br />
{{flagicon image|AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg}} [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]<ref name="reuters050813"/>
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Jaysh al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar.png}} [[Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar]] (JAMWA)<ref>''[[New York Times]]'', 5 August 2013, [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/06/world/middleeast/rebels-gain-control-of-government-air-base-in-syria.html?_r=0 Rebels Gain Control of Government Air Base in Syria]</ref>
|combatant2={{flagicon image|Flag of Syria.svg}} '''[[Syrian Arab Republic]]'''
*{{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.svg}} [[Syrian Armed Forces]]
|commander1={{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} Col. [[Abdul Jabbar al-Oqaidi]]<ref name="mother russia">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/world/middleeast/as-foreign-fighters-flood-syria-fears-of-a-new-extremist-haven.html?_r=0 |title=As Foreign Fighters Flood Syria, Fears of a New Extremist Haven |author1=Anne Barnard |author2=Eric Schmitt |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=8 August 2013 |access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref><br /><small>(Aleppo military council)</small><br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} Amar al-Dadikhi{{WIA}}<ref name="atwar.blogs.nytimes.com"/><br /><small>(Northern Storm Brigade)</small><br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} Capt. Ahmed Ghazali<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrias-rebels-struggle-to-tame-assads-air-power/|title=Syria's rebels struggle to tame Assad's air power|agency=[[Associated Press]]|author=Paul Schemm|website=[[The Times of Israel]] |date=7 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://brown-moses.blogspot.com/2013/05/brigadier-general-salim-idris-and.html|title=Brigadier General Salim Idris And Lebanese Cleric Sheikh Ahmad Al-Aseer Take A Trip To Syria|work=Brown Moses Blog|author=[[Elliot Higgins]]|date=1 May 2013}}</ref><br>{{small|(Northern Storm Brigade)}}<br>
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} Abu Marwan<ref>Richard Hall, ''[[The Independent]]'', 24 January 2013, [https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/if-syrias-rebels-cant-take-the-fortress-how-can-they-take-the-capital-8465325.html If Syria's rebels can't take The Fortress, how can they take the capital?]</ref><br /><small>(Northern Storm Brigade)</small><br />
{{flagdeco|ISIL}}{{flagicon image|Flag of Jaysh al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar.png}} [[Abu Omar al-Shishani]]<ref name=chechen>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/syrian-crisis/2016/07/04/ex-soviet-exiles-one-of-daeshs-deadliest-weapons|title=Ex-Soviet exiles: One of Daesh's deadliest weapons|work=Daily Sabah|date=4 July 2016}}</ref><br /><small>(JAMWA and ISIL top commander)</small><br />
{{flagdeco|ISIL}}{{flagicon image|Flag of Jaysh al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar.png}} [[Abu Jandal al-Masri]]{{sfnp|Al-Tamimi|2013|pp=24, 25}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/syrian-opposition-groups-stop-pretending|title=Syrian Opposition Groups Stop Pretending|magazine=The New Yorker|author=Rania Abouzeid|date=26 September 2013}}</ref><br />({{small|JAMWA and ISIL commander}})
{{flagdeco|ISIL}}{{flagicon image|Flag of al-Qaeda in the Levant - al-Nusra Front.jpg}} [[Abu Usamah al-Maghrebi]]<ref>http://www.chechensinsyria.com/?p=22334</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edinburgharabicinitiative.wordpress.com/2014/09/27/moroccan-emirs-of-jihad/|title = Moroccan "Emirs of Jihad", al-Massae (Morocco), 8 June 2014|date = 27 September 2014}}</ref><ref>https://www.religion.info/pdf/2014_04_Caillet.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwit6-zR6LnZAhXCmuAKHZuGAAY4ChAWCBIwAg&usg=AOvVaw1uvz10tswoQqCqxG265j0z{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|commander2={{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.svg}} Brig. Gen. Ali Salim Mahmoud{{KIA}}<ref>[http://bigstory.ap.org/article/syrian-rebels-enter-northern-air-base SYRIAN REBELS ENTER NORTHERN AIR BASE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202101157/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/syrian-rebels-enter-northern-air-base |date=2014-02-02 }} [[Associated Press]],5 May 2013</ref><br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.svg}} Col. Naji Abu Shaar{{KIA}}<ref name="state">[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-civil-war-state-of-the-art-technology-gives-president-assad-s-army-the-edge-a6898741.html Syria civil war: State-of-the-art technology gives President Assad’s army the edge]</ref>
|units1= [[Al-Tawhid Brigade]]
*Free North Brigade
**Qabda al-Shamal Battalion{{sfnp|Bolling|2012|p=1}}
[[Conquest Brigade]]{{sfnp|Jones|2017|p=58}}<br />[[Northern Storm Brigade]]{{sfnp|Jones|2017|p=58}}<br />[[Saladin Ayubi Brigade]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aletihadpress.com/2015/07/01/%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%80%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7/|title=A leader in the Salah al-Din brigade of the "Union Press": We have more than twenty prisoners to the PYD|work=Al-Etihad Press|author=Sherine Omar|date=1 July 2015|access-date=19 February 2018|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118095225/http://aletihadpress.com/2015/07/01/%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%80%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kobanikurd.com/archives/26198|title=Captain Bewar Mustafa: BKK prevents the entry of relief materials to Afrin|work=Kobani Kurd|date=11 June 2013|access-date=19 February 2018}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><br>Northern Commandos Brigade<ref name=14m>{{Cite web|url=https://orient-news.net/ar/news_show/4736/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%BA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%BA%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%85-14-%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9|title=The FSA takes control of Meng Military Airport and seizes 14 military helicopters|work=[[Orient News]]|date=5 August 2013}}</ref><br>Al-Sham Swords Brigade<ref name=14m/><br>Shahba Hawks Brigade<ref name=14m/><br>Al-Buraq Battalions<ref name=14m/><br />[[Jabhat al-Akrad|Kurdish Front Brigade]] ({{small|until May 2013}})<ref name=kurds>{{cite news|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria-border-clashes-pit-fsa-against-kurds|title=Syria: Border Clashes Pit FSA Against Kurds|last=Sheikho|first=Youssef|date=28 May 2013|publisher=Al-Akhbar|access-date=29 May 2013|archive-date=7 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607044125/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria-border-clashes-pit-fsa-against-kurds|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|units2= {{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Arab Army.svg}} [[Syrian Army]]
* [[17th Division (Syria)|17th Reserve Division]]
* 12th Armored Brigade 
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Arab Air Force.svg}} [[Syrian Air Force]]
* 4th Flying Training Squadron{{sfnp|Bolling|2012|p=7}}
|strength1= {{flagdeco|ISIL}} Several hundred [[Chechens|Chechen]] fighters<ref name=chechen />
|strength2= 300 <small>(as of January 2013)</small><ref name="atwar.blogs.nytimes.com"/><br />200+ <small>(as of May 2013)</small><ref name="ReferenceA"/>
70<ref name="capturekey"/>–120<ref name="sway"/><ref name="blow"/><ref name="seize"/> <small>(as of August 2013)</small><br />47 [[Mil Mi-8]] helicopters <small>(as of August 2012)</small>{{sfnp|Bolling|2012|p=7}}
|casualties1= 300 killed<ref name="state"/>
|casualties2= 94–100 killed<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/corpses-fallen-soldiers-minnigh-airbase-retrieved-3-years/ |title=Corpses of fallen soldiers from Minnigh Airbase retrieved after 3 years |access-date=2016-11-08 |archive-date=2016-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109084742/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/corpses-fallen-soldiers-minnigh-airbase-retrieved-3-years/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=54221 Regime forces are transporting 100 corpses from Menegh military airport to Damascus]</ref><br />5+ Mil Mi-8s destroyed or captured{{sfnp|Cooper|2015|p=52}}
| campaignbox ={{Campaignbox Battle of Aleppo}}
}}

The '''siege of [[Menagh Military Airbase|Menagh Air Base]]''' (also spelled ''Menegh'', ''Mannagh'', or ''Minakh'') was an armed confrontation between the [[Syrian Armed Forces]] and  the [[Free Syrian Army]] and aligned [[Islamist]] [[Syrian opposition|opposition groups]] during the [[2012–2013 escalation of the Syrian civil war|Syrian civil war]].<ref>''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', 30 October 2012, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9644080/Syria-rebels-battle-for-control-of-regime-military-bases.html Syria: rebels battle for control of regime military bases]</ref>

==Background==
After months of conflict and failure on the part of the [[Syrian opposition|rebels]] to overthrow President [[Bashar al-Assad]]'s government, some rebel factions changed strategy and began targeting government-held military bases. The Menagh Air Base had been a crucial military base used by the [[Syrian Arab Air Force|Syrian Air Force]] to bomb rebel forces in the north of the country, particularly in [[Aleppo]] city.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

==Siege==

===2012===
The first major rebel assault against the base came in the weeks following the start of the [[Battle of Aleppo (2012–16)|battle of Aleppo]]. Rebel fighters from the [[Free Syrian Army]] and affiliated groups launched an attack against the air base on 2 August 2012 using a combination of small arms, [[rocket-propelled grenade]]s, and five [[tank]]s they had captured during the [[battle of Anadan]]. The base was used by Syrian Air Force helicopters and jet aircraft to bombard rebel positions, and seizing it was seen as vital to the rebels in their advances across northern Syria.<ref>''[[The News International]]'', 3 August 2012, [http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-1-124473-Rebels-use-tanks-to-attack-air-base Rebels use tanks to attack air base]</ref> The initial rebel attack was repelled by government troops entrenched inside the air base's perimeter, though rebel commanders said they would continue the siege and capture the base.<ref>''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', 2 August 2012, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9447682/Syrian-rebels-use-captured-army-tanks-to-attack-Aleppo-airforce-base.html Syrian rebels use captured army tanks to attack Aleppo airforce base]</ref>

Heavy fighting broke out on the night of 27 December and continued "all night", as rebels had once again assaulted the besieged base. [[Mikoyan|MiG]] warplanes bombed rebel positions on the outskirt of the base in an effort to alleviate some of the pressure on the defenders.<ref>''[[Fox News]]'', 28 December 2012, [https://www.foxnews.com/world/government-airstrike-in-northern-syria-reportedly-kills-14-as-rebels-attack-airbase/ Government airstrike in northern Syria reportedly kills 14 as rebels attack airbase]</ref>

===2013===
By January 2013, the base still held out against the rebels, despite being besieged on all sides. The remaining defenders were receiving supplies of weapons and food, as well as medical evacuations by helicopter; however, these flights became increasingly risky for pilots as rebel forces gained access to heavy weaponry and fired upon government helicopters. At this point the rebels estimated roughly 300 soldiers remained defending the air base. Soldiers who defected from the base reported that food supplies were a major issue and that soldiers were given rations of dry rice and wheat and told to "make what they can from it". Self-inflicted injuries were also reported as soldiers attempted to escape the fighting.<ref name="atwar.blogs.nytimes.com">[[C. J. Chivers]], ''[[New York Times]]'', 30 January 2013, [http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/the-battle-for-syrias-minakh-air-base/ The Battle for Syria's Minakh Air Base]</ref>

On 8 February, the [[Syrian Air Force]] bombed parts of the base after rebel fighters stormed it, which forced the rebels to retreat.<ref>[[Agence France Presse]], yourmiddleeast.com, 9 February 2013, [http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/news/syrian-warplanes-hit-rebels-inside-airbase_12881 Syrian warplanes hit rebels inside airbase]</ref>

[[File:Airstrike near Menagh Air Base 2013-4-24.png|left|thumb|[[Syrian Air Force]] strike on the surroundings of Menagh Air Base in support of the besieged government forces inside the base, April 2013]]

A rebel attack was once again repulsed by government troops on 28 April, though rebels did manage to overrun some parts of the base before being forced to withdraw.<ref>[[CNN]], 28 April 2013, [http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/28/world/meast/syria-civil-war Syrian rebels attack military airports across country, opposition says]</ref>

On 5 May, as the siege of the base continued and government soldiers still refused to surrender, rebels launched their biggest offensive against the base to date, overrunning several [[Syrian Army|Army]] positions and moving deep inside the base and capturing a tank, although they came under heavy aerial attack by the Air Force.<ref>''[[Huffington Post]]'', 5 May 2013, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/05/syria-mannagh-air-base-rebels_n_3219140.html Syrian Mannagh Air Base Entered By Rebels]</ref> Rebels claimed that a group of pilots defected and assassinated the base's commanding officer. The defecting pilots told rebels that around 200 soldiers remained in the base, garrisoned in the headquarters building supported by a handful of tanks. Many soldiers resorted to sleeping under tanks, fearing a rebel assault.<ref name="ReferenceA">[[C. J. Chivers]], ''[[New York Times]]'', 15 May 2013, [http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/battlefield-update-the-fight-for-isolated-government-outposts-in-northern-syria/ Battlefield Update: The Fight for Isolated Government Outposts in Northern Syria]</ref> On 9 May, it was reported that, although they managed to capture parts of the Menagh Air Base, rebel fighters were forced to retreat from the base due to heavy air strikes.<ref>[[CBC News]], 9 May 2013, [https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/syrian-forces-shell-northern-cities-1.1363541 Syrian forces shell northern cities]</ref>

On 28 May, rebel sources reported that the government conducted a successful airborne resupply mission to the Menagh base after several thousand FSA and [[jihadist]] rebels moved west to launch an attack on Kurdish fighters of the [[People's Protection Units]] (YPG) in the [[Afrin District|Afrin]] region, bringing critical military and logistical supplies to the air base. The [[Jabhat al-Akrad|Kurdish Front Brigade]] also withdrew its participation in the siege in order to join forces with the YPG to repel the attack on Afrin.<ref name=kurds/>

On 7 June, rebel forces attacked the air base and fired tank shells at its command building, but were once again repelled.<ref>[[Associated Press]], Yahoo News, 7 June 2013, [https://news.yahoo.com/syrian-troops-capture-central-villages-120000148.html Syrian Troops Capture Central Villages]</ref> Rebel forces launched another assault on 10 June, and by the next day had managed to secure the control tower after heavy fighting.<ref>[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]], 10 June 2013, [http://blogs.aljazeera.com/topic/syria/syrian-rebels-reportedly-make-fresh-advances-their-battle-minnigh-airbase-northern-syria Syrian rebels reportedly make fresh advances in their battle for Minnigh airbase in northern Syria]</ref> Government forces responded by shelling rebel held parts of the base.<ref>''[[Al Arabiya]]'', 11 June 2013, [http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/06/11/Syria-army-launches-attack-on-Aleppo-airbase-.html Syria army launches attack on Aleppo airbase ]</ref> On 17 June, rebels clashed with pro-government fighters from [[Nubbul|Nubl]] and [[Al-Zahraa]] who were headed for Menagh in an effort to reinforce the remaining soldiers inside the base.<ref>''[[Reuters]]'', 17 June 2013, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE95G0MR20130617 Putin, Obama face off over Syria; rebels get Saudi missiles]</ref>

On 23 June, the [[Syrian Observatory for Human Rights]] (SOHR), a pro-opposition war observer, reported that rebels had detonated a large [[car bomb]] in the government-held area of Menagh, which killed 12 soldiers and destroyed many buildings within the airport. The explosion was reportedly followed by missile fire on Army positions.<ref name="carbomb">[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]], 23 June 2013, [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-23/syrian-rebels-car-bomb-explodes-inside-aleppo-military-airport.html Syrian Rebels’ Car Bomb Explodes Inside Aleppo Airbase]</ref>

====Final assault====
{{multiple image
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 | image1            = ISIL car bomb explodes in Menagh Air Base.gif
 | width1            = <!-- displayed width of image; overridden by "width" above -->
 | alt1              = 
 | caption1          = An [[ISIL]] [[suicide attack|suicide bomber]] detonates a [[car bomb]] during the final assault on Menagh Air Base.
<!--image 2-->
 | image2            = Capture of Menagh airbase by IS and Syrian rebels (2013).jpg
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 | caption2          = Map of the final assault on the air base in August 2013
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After ten months of siege warfare, the various rebel groups at Menagh Air Base finally decided to coordinate in order to launch a large-scale assault to capture the base. Several insurgent militias taking part in this coordinated effort were actually hostile toward each other (for example, the [[Northern Storm Brigade]] had clashed with the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) as late as July 2013); nevertheless, they put their differences mostly aside for the final attack on the base.<ref name="story right">{{cite web|url=http://eaworldview.com/2013/08/syria-analysis-getting-a-story-right-free-syrian-army-jihadist-militants-capture-of-menagh-airbase/ |title=Syria Analysis: Getting A Story Right — Free Syrian Army, "Jihadist Militants", & Capture of Menagh Airbase |work=[[EA WorldView]] |author=Joanna Paraszczuk |date=8 August 2013 |access-date=14 December 2018 }}</ref> The rebels prepared their assault with a three-day long bombardment using artillery, mortars, and machine-guns.{{sfnp|TRADOC G-2|2014|p=9}} The attack was carried out on 5 August 2013, led by [[jihadist]] [[Abu Omar al-Shishani]], a chief ISIL commander.<ref name="WSJAUG62013">[[Wall Street Journal]], 6 August 2013, [www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323420604578652250872942058 Islamists Seize Airbase Near Aleppo]</ref> By this point, 70<ref name="capturekey">[[BBC]], 6 August 2013, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23585886 Syria rebels 'capture key Aleppo airbase']</ref>–120<ref name="sway"/><ref name="blow"/><ref name="seize"/> government troops had remained, holding out in a small section of the complex.{{sfnp|TRADOC G-2|2014|p=9}}

The attack began when two foreign suicide bombers from ISIL's [[Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar|JAMWA]],{{sfnp|Jones|2017|p=58}} one of them a [[Saudis|Saudi]], drove a [[BMP development|BMP]] infantry fighting vehicle up to the airport's command center and blew themselves up, destroying the building and killing or scattering the defenders.{{sfnp|TRADOC G-2|2014|p=9}} Despite this, the surviving soldiers continued to offer heavy resistance{{sfnp|TRADOC G-2|2014|p=10}} as ISIL, along with FSA and Islamist forces, stormed the base from three sides.{{sfnp|TRADOC G-2|2014|pp=9, 10}} By the morning of the next day, however, rebel forces had full control of the airport. In course of the final battle, 32 government soldiers and at least 19 rebels were killed.<ref name="english.alarabiya.net">''[[Al Arabiya]]'', 6 August 2013, [http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/08/06/FSA-takes-control-of-Menagh-air-base-near-Aleppo.html FSA takes control of Menagh air base near Aleppo]</ref><ref name="reuters050813">[[Reuters]], 5 August 2013, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-airport-idUSBRE97411J20130805 Syrian rebels capture military airport near Turkey]</ref><ref name="sway">''[[Wall Street Journal]]'', 6 August 2013, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323420604578652250872942058 Capture of Syrian Air Base Shows al Qaeda's Increasing Sway]</ref> According to the insurgents, on the morning of the final attack, ten soldiers defected to the rebels and claimed to have attempted but failed to kill the base commander, who was later captured as he attempted to retreat with his men.<ref name="seize">[[United Press International]], 6 August 2013, [http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/08/06/Syrian-rebels-seize-control-of-government-air-base-in-Aleppo-province/UPI-61891375801579/ Syrian rebels seize control of government air base in Aleppo province]</ref> Though most of the aircraft which had originally been stationed at the airbase was distributed to other bases during the siege,{{sfnp|Cooper|2015|p=37}} the Syrian Air Force lost at least five [[Mil Mi-8]] helicopters at Menagh.{{sfnp|Cooper|2015|p=52}}

About 70 Syrian soldiers, who managed to flee from the base during the battle, surrendered themselves (and two tanks) the next day to the Kurdish-led YPG in Afrin, located about 15 kilometers west of the airbase.<ref name="blow">[[CTV News]], 7 August 2013, [http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/syrian-troops-kill-more-than-60-rebels-in-latest-blow-to-opposition-fighters-1.1400817 Syrian troops kill more than 60 rebels in latest blow to opposition fighters]</ref><ref>[[Firat News Agency]], 6 August 2013, [http://www.firatnews.com/news/guncel/ypg-70-asker-esir-alindi-2-tanka-el-koyuldu.htm#.UgFpRkdVs78.twitter YPG: 70 asker esir alındı, 2 tanka el koyuldu] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331192209/http://www.firatnews.com/news/guncel/ypg-70-asker-esir-alindi-2-tanka-el-koyuldu.htm |date=2014-03-31 }}</ref>  It was later reported that the surrendered troops were from the [[17th Division (Syria)|17th Division]] and some officers from those surrendered troops were turned over by the YPG to the [[al-Nusra Front]] in exchange for Arab and Kurdish YPG prisoners al-Nusra captured from previous battles.<ref name="Fisk">[[Robert Fisk]], [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-civil-war-state-of-the-art-technology-gives-president-assad-s-army-the-edge-a6898741.html Syria civil war: State-of-the-art technology gives President Assad’s army the edge] ''[[The Independent]]'' 26 February 2016</ref> Al-Nusra then executed the officers they had received. The YPG later apologized for the incident.<ref name="Fisk"/>

==Aftermath==
The fall of Menagh Air Base fortified rebel control over much of north-western Syria. The role of JAMWA in the siege, however, strengthened outside perception of the Syrian insurgency as one relying heavily on foreign jihadists.<ref name="story right"/> Islamist extremists generally portrayed the victory as being one for their cause.{{sfnp|Cooper|2015|p=52}} Regional expert Joanna Paraszczuk argued that the importance of JAMWA in the siege should not be overstated, however, as the victory was achieved through the coordination of numerous rebel groups and not just the activities of JAMWA.<ref name="story right"/>

Two and a half years after the siege's end, in February 2016, the [[Syrian Democratic Forces]], supported by [[Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war|Russian airstrikes]], [[Northern Aleppo offensive (February 2016)#Capture of the Menagh Military Airbase|captured]] Menagh Air Base from the rebels.<ref>[http://www.euronews.com/newswires/3149670-turkish-forces-shell-syrian-air-base-captured-by-kurds/ Turkey shells northern Syria for second day – monitor] ''[[Reuters]]'' 14 February 2016</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

=== Works cited ===
*{{Cite journal
|url = http://www.rubincenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Jawad-YA-au1-PDF.pdf
|title = The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham
|last = Al-Tamimi
|first = Aymenn Jawad
|author-link = Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi
|date = 2013
|journal = [[Middle East Review of International Affairs]]
|publisher = Rubin Center for Research in International Affairs
|issue = 3
|volume = 17
|location = [[Herzliya]]
|pages = 19–44
|access-date = 2018-09-16
|archive-date = 2015-07-18
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150718205530/http://www.rubincenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Jawad-YA-au1-PDF.pdf
|url-status = dead
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*{{cite book|author=TRADOC G-2 |title=Threat Tactics Report: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant |url=https://info.publicintelligence.net/USArmy-TRISA-ISIL.pdf |date=2014 |publisher=[[United States Army Training and Doctrine Command]] |location=[[Fort Eustis]] }}
*{{cite book
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|location= [[Oxford]]
|isbn= 9780190600860
}}

{{Syrian civil war}}
{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Menagh Air Base}}
[[Category:Aleppo in the Syrian civil war]]
[[Category:Sieges of the Syrian civil war]]
[[Category:Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2013]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Free Syrian Army]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the al-Nusra Front]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian government]]
[[Category:Attacks on air bases]]
[[Category:Attacks on military installations in 2012]]
[[Category:Attacks on military installations in 2013]]
[[Category:Attacks on airports in Syria]]
[[Category:Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2012]]
[[Category:Attacks on military installations in Syria]]