Table of cities and towns during the Syrian civil war
| Zamalka | 44,661 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate |  |
On July 2, FSA had taken control of a number of suburbs north of the capital Damascus, including Zamalka. FSA fighters openly patrolled the streets of the suburbs, and clashes occurred less than 10 KM from the center of Damascus city itself.[210] In November 2012, there was sustained fighting in the town after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq. It was reported to be under rebel control as of 7 December 2012.[15] |
| Yalda | 28,384 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
ln late November 2012, this suburb was under FSA control after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq.[15] |
| Yakubiyah | 476 | Jisr al-Shughur District | Idlib Governorate | |
On 5 February 2013, it was reported that rebels north of Jisr al-Shughur, in recent days, have seized the Christian village of Yaqubiyah which dominates the Orontes valley. Most of Al-Yaqubia's residents have fled, and the houses are shut and boarded up but some doors and shutters have been kicked in and rebels occupy several homes along the main street.[267] |
| Yabrud | 25,891 | Yabrud District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
As of 24 December 2012, the town has been in FSA control for over 6 months.[182] On 30 December 2012, there was heavy artillery shelling from Brigade 18, which routinely shells the city.[183] |
| Urum al-Sughrah | 637 | Atarib District | Aleppo Governorate | |
Since June 2012, FSA has control.[36] In October 2012, the military base of regiment 46 (west of town) was under siege by rebels who shelled it on a regular basis with mortar and rockets.[374] On 18 November 2012, the base which is considered as one of the most important in north Syria, fell under rebel control, after a 55 day siege[375] On December 14, 2012, the Administrative Affairs College (which is 17 km west of central Aleppo and 8 km east of the recently captured 46th regiment base) fell under rebel control[376] |
| Urum al-Kubrah | 5,391 | Atarib District | Aleppo Governorate | |
Since June, has control. On 22 September 2012, FSA seized Urum al-Kubrah from "pro-government militias", opening the way to lay siege to Base 46.[373] |
| Tremseh | 6,926 | Mhardeh District | Hama Governorate |  |
The Tremseh residents are mostly Sunni Muslims.[369] A Syrian Army convoy was ambushed by rebels near Hama, which led to a counter-attack from the Syrian Army, and reports suggested government troops were trying to take back the town from rebel forces.[370][371] On 12 July 2012, Tremseh was surrounded by government tanks and artillery, after which, the Syrian military launched a full-scale attack against FSA inside the town. Tanks entered Tremseh after forces had shelled the town continuously from 5 a.m. until noon. Syrian army forces, whose numbers were bolstered by "Shabeha", accompanied the tanks into Tremseh.[372] See also: Battle of Tremseh. |
| Tishrin Dam | — | between Ayn al-Arab and Manbij Districts | Aleppo Governorate | |
On 26 November 2012, opposition forces captured this dam on the Euphrates following several days of combat with government forces. The dam's capture cuts off a major government supply line to and from al-Raqqa while unifying stretches of rebel territory on either side of the Euphrates.[367] The dam's capture also cuts of one of the last government supply lines to Aleppo, further encircling soldiers fighting in the city.[368] |
| Tell Shughayb | 5,110 | Mount Simeon District | Aleppo Governorate | |
On 1 March 2013, the Syrian army regained control of the strategic Tell Shughayb town allowing them to approach the Aleppo airport.[365][366] |
| Tell Rifaat | 20,514 | A'zaz District | Aleppo Governorate | |
In the early summer of 2012, Syrian government authorities withdrew from Tel Rifaat and were replaced by a council made up of local scholars, judges and former Syrian Army officers. The city is currently under the authority of FSA.[362] On 8 August 2012, Tell Rifaat was bombed by the Syrian Air Force, resulting in the deaths of six people, all members of the Blaw family.[363] Opposition activists based in Aleppo claimed that Syrian Army forces were attempting to cut off the FSA's transport route between Tell Rifaat and Aleppo.[364] |
| Tell Abyad | 14,825 | Tal Abyad District | Ar-Raqqah Governorate | |
The Free Syrian Army took control over the city on September 19, 2012.[176][177] |
| Taybat al-Imam | 24,105 | Hama District | Hama Governorate |  |
On January 4, 2013, Assad forces surrounded the city from the direction of Qomhane, al-Waibada farm and the north. Clashes broke out between the FSA battalions in the city and regime forces at the edges of the city amid artillery shelling.[361] |
| Tartus | 115,769 | Tartus District | Tartus Governorate | |
Syrian army kept control of this Alawi stronghold and naval base.[36] |
| Talkalakh | 18,412 | Talkalakh District | Homs Governorate | |
On 15 May 2011, the Syrian military entered the town which is on the border with Lebanon, in a crackdown against pro-democracy protesters.[160] There followed reports that the military was massacring members of the Syrian opposition. The reports were mostly from civilians fleeing over the Kabir River into Lebanon to escape the violence.[161][162][163] By 19 May, the military finished its operation and withdrew from Talkalakh.[164] Since June 2012, FSA has controlled some neighbourhoods of the city, however the government has retained control of loyalist and mixed neighbourhoods.[165] In late October 2012, Talkalakh was under siege by the army. On December 10, 2012, Assad forces were fiercely bombarding the town targeting the Market districts, Mt. Ghalyoon, and the eastern district.[166] On 12 February 2013, a CNN report from inside Talkalakh revealed that the town itself was under rebel control, though government forces were only a matter of yards away, surrounding the town. Nevertheless, there was no fighting in or around the town thanks to a tenuous ceasefire between the warring sides brokered by a local sheikh and an Alawite member of parliament. Though isolated clashes have occurred, killing three rebels, and though government forces have been accused of harassing civilians since its implementation, the ceasefire has largely held. The town has returned to a degree of normal function, and some shops have started to re-open. Even the governor of Homs Province has been able to meet with rebels in the town, and has called the ceasefire an "experiment". Both sides reject sectarianism, stressing the need to keep foreign jihadist fighters out of the country. Nevertheless, rebels in the town stated that they remained committed to overthrowing Assad.[167] On 23 June, the Syrian Army captured the town. Following the assault, 39 local leaders of the Free Syrian Army surrendered and handed over their weapons. The Syrian opposition denied the town had fallen and claimed there was still fighting ongoing however reporters on the ground said there was no sign of it.[168] |
| Talbiseh | 30,796 | Homs Governorate | |
Talbiseh witnessed large demonstrations protesting against the government of Bashar al-Assad in April 2011.[355] Since the beginning of the insurrection, the city has become a stronghold for the opposition and the anti-government Free Syrian Army (FSA).[356] As such, Talbiseh has been targeted by the Syrian Army and security forces throughout the uprising. Between 29 May and early June 2011 Syrian troops backed by tanks entered and besieged the city with the stated aim of rooting out "terrorist groups." Opposition activists claimed troops were raiding houses and arresting suspected dissidents. Five residents and four soldiers were reportedly killed in the first day of the operation.[357] On 8 June 2012, three civilians and nine Syrian troops were killed in fighting in the Talbiseh area.[358] Heavy fighting between the Syrian Army and the FSA continued until at least 11 June. According to United Nations observers, the FSA took a number of government soldiers captive.[359] The Syrian Army attempted to retake Talbiseh on 21 July, sparking heavy clashes in the city and subsequent artillery bombardment.[360] On 25 September 2012, France 24 reported that Talbiseh was under siege from all directions by the army.[citation needed] See also: Talbiseh bakery massacre. | |
| Taftanaz | 8,540 | Idlib District | Idlib Governorate | |
The town has been a center for opposition protests The Battle of Taftanaz started on April 3, 2012. Heavy fighting took place on the outskirts of the town, killing 20 people.[348][349] By 5 April, the military captured Taftanaz's city center, which was defended by 200 FSA fighters, after a two-hour battle, following which the army reportedly rounded up and executed 82 people. It was unknown how many were opposition fighters and how many were civilians.[350] Witnesses in the town said that tanks shelled the town from four sides before armored cars brought in dozens of soldiers who dragged civilians from their homes and gunned them down in the streets, and they also claimed that the soldiers looted, destroyed and torched hundreds of homes, bringing some down on their owners’ heads. Videos showed this, and 62 people were killed during the attack, despite the town only having a small rebel presence. Nine government tanks were destroyed by homemade bombs as they left the town.[351] Two months after, two-thirds of the population had left. On 29 August 2012, rebels claim to have attacked a "military air base in Taftanaz" damaging several Government helicopters. Their claims could not be independently verified.[352] On 3 November 2012, France 24 reported that FSA has attacked the military air base of Taftanaz.[citation needed] In November, the town was under rebel control.[231] On 2 January 2013, the strategic Taftanaz military airbase (which rebels have repeatedley tried to capture but failed) was attacked by rebels launching what they called "the battle to liberate Taftanaz Military airoport" involving three rebel brigades.[353][354] |
| Tabqa Dam | — | Ar-Raqqah Governorate | |
On February 11, 2013, opposition forces captured the nation's largest dam, which is on the Euphrates and near the city of Al-Thawrah.[213] | |
| Simalka Border Crossing | — | Al-Malikiyah District | Al-Hasakah Governorate |  |
Border crossing between towns of Simalka on Syrian side and Fish Khabur on Iraqi side was build by Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government in order to connect Iraqi Kurdistan with Syrian Kurdish regions. Border crossing is actually only a temporary military bridge over river Tigris hoisted by Peshmerga to facilitate transfer of goods and refugees which was opened on February 1, 2013. Since 1991 it was used only by boats and after 2003 it was not used in order to promote Rabia land border crossing.[347] |
| Shahba | 13,660 | Shahba District | As-Suwayda Governorate | |
The government has maintained control of this town located in the Jabal el Druze.[36] |
| Sayyidah Zaynab | 136,427 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Home to a Shi'a holy shrine, it is populated heavily by Shi'a Muslims and was reported to be a pro-government stronghold as of 7 December 2012.[15] on 4 February 2013, it was reported that Sayyidah Zaynab was contested between rebels and hezbollah/iraqis[345] |
| Sarrin | Ayn Al-Arab District | Aleppo Governorate | |
In May 2013, YPG took control of this area near Tomb of Suleyman Shah.[399] See also 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. | |
| Sarmin | 14,530 | Idlib District | Idlib Governorate | |
FSA had gained control over Sarmin. By April 3, the Syrian Army had retaken Sarmin as part of the April 2012 Idlib Governorate Operation which was initiated by the Syrian government in order to make gains against the rebels, prior to the implementation of the U.N. brokered ceasefire, planned for 10 April.[229][341] Sarmin’s mosque was severely damaged.[342][343] By November 2012, Sarmin was back under FSA control.[344] |
| Saraqib | 32,495 | Idlib District | Idlib Governorate | |
FSA takes control in December 2011–January 2012.[334] Saraqib was considered an important strategic point because of its size, being the second largest city of the governorate, and its geographic position at the junction of two highways going to Aleppo: one going south towards Hama, Homs and Damascus, and one going west towards Latakia. It was also used as a base to launch attacks on military convoys.[335] On 24 March, eleven days after the Syrian Army took back Idlib,[336] the Syrian Army shelled the city briefly while leading a ground assault at the same time. A column of tanks entered the city to attack the defenses of the rebels, while infantry backed by snipers led the second wave to pursue the remaining fighters.[337] The Free Syrian Army fighters fought back the first day and damaged a tank. After the first day, the rebels were forced to withdraw from the city after the army took full control of it.[338] In July 2012, it was reported that the FSA had regained control of the city.[339] On 24 October, there were fierce shelling targeting the city from Hamsho check point. On 2 November 2012, Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have withdrawn from their last base near Saraqeb, further weakening his ability to fight rebels in the city of Aleppo.[340] See also: Battle of Saraqeb. |
| Saqba | 25,696 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
On 27 August 2012, rebels attacked government positions in Saqba, overrunning several Army checkpoints. Following the attacks, airstrikes killed an unspecified number of people in Saqba.[332][333] ln late November 2012, Saqba was under FSA control after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq.[15] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012). |
| Salqin | 23,700 | Harem District | Idlib Governorate | |
Since June 2012, FSA has control.[36] ln early October 2012, the town was reported under army control.[119][331] However on 28 October, FSA announced it had taken control of Salqin. During the clashes, some 50 loyalist soldiers were killed or captured. The taking of Salqin means that loyalist forces now only control Jisr ash-Shigour, Idlib city and Khan Shaykun in the Idlib province.[75] |
| Salma | 2,131 | Al-Haffah District | Latakia Governorate | |
As of late July 2012, FSA controls the town, whose population has left (part to Latakia city and part to Turkey). FSA had declared that they were able to hold on to Salma thanks to its mountainous nature and the fact that it is surrounded by Sunni villages.[118] |
| Salkhad | 9,155 | Salkhad District | As-Suwayda Governorate | |
The government has maintained control of this town located in the central Jabal el Druze highlands.[36] |
| Salamiyah | 66,724 | Salamiyah District | Hama Governorate | |
Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[36] |
| Saidnaya | 5,194 | Al-Tall District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Saidnaya is home to a large military prison[330] |
| Sahnaya | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Since late November 2012, this suburb was under government control[15] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012) and Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–present). | ||
| Safita | 20,301 | Safita District | Tartus Governorate | |
Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[36] |
| Ras al-Ayn | 29,347 | Ra's al-'Ayn District | Al-Hasakah Governorate | |
On 22 July 2012, YPG forces took control over it, after the security and political units withdrew from it, following an ultimatum issued by the Kurds.[138] On 9 November 2012, France 24 reported that FSA took over the town along with its border post.[citation needed] ln late November 2012, there were fights between rebels and Kurdish militias. See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| Rami | Idlib Governorate | |
On 12 january 2013, it was reported that FSA took over the town earlier in the week.[328] | ||
| Qudsaya | 33,571 | Qudsaya District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Qudsaya is called “The Lion’s Den” because of the presence of a large number of Alawite government supporters.[15] On 24 August 2012, government forces stormed the town amid heavy gunfire On 1 October 2012, there were executions of activists by the army.[148] in March 2013, it was reported that the majority Sunni suburb of Qudsaya has just two Alawite areas, but Republican guard troops were busy clearing out Sunni enclaves there throughout the summer and fall of 2012.[22] |
| Qomhane | Hama Governorate | |
On January 4 and 5, 2013, Assad forces from Qomhane, attacked Taybat al-Imam.[327] | ||
| Qatana | 33,996 | Qatana District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
ln December 2012, it was reported that 28 government checkpoints control this multi-ethnic regime stronghold.[147] On 15 October, there was shelling emanating from Turba checkpoint and the Baath School area.[citation needed] |
| Qastun | 6,187 | Al-Suqaylabiyah District | Hama Governorate | |
On 29 january 2013, it was reported that FSA was in control of the town.[326] |
| Qardaha | 8,671 | Qardaha District | Latakia Governorate | |
Qardaha has a predominantly Alawite population and is the hometown of the Assad family. |
| Qamishli | 184,231 | Qamishli District | Al-Hasakah Governorate | |
In July 2012, rebels control the suburbs of the city. On 21 July, the rebels were intending to capture the largest of the Kurdish cities.[137] On 22 July, clashes erupted between YPG and government forces in which one Kurdish fighter was killed and two were wounded along with one government official.[138] In early August 2012, it was reported that the Assad administration is intact and functioning but the police and army remain in their barracks. Kurds in Qamishli have demonstrated against the Government and are actually allowed to do so on one street, though some have been shot at by the army in the past. There is a border post near the city.[146] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| Qalaat al-Madiq | Hama Governorate | |
Rebels ousted local government authorities in September 2011, and the military’s repeated attempts to install new police officers have proven unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the Suqour al-Ghab Battalion has taken on some responsibilities of local government, such as distributing precious cooking gas and rebuilding schools.[65][325] | ||
| Qah | 2,262 | Harem District | Idlib Governorate | |
ln June 2012, the regime was reported to have control.[36] On 16 October 2012, it was reported that Qah was the site for the first camp built inside Syria for those displaced by the fighting. This was the consequence of Syria's neighbours not willing to absorb more refugees. Since the town is near the frontier with Turkey, the Syrian war planes do not dare bombarding it. This provides a de facto safe-zone.[324] |
| Palmyra | 51,323 | Palmyra District | Homs Governorate | |
Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[36] The base of brigade 550 is just outside of the city (north)[145] |
| Outside of listed towns in Tartus G. | — | Tartus Governorate | |
The government has maintained control of this governorate that has an Alawi majority.[36] | |
| Outside of listed towns in Rif Dimashq G. | — | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Since June 2012, FSA controls rural areas between the Damascus-Homs highway and the Lebanese frontier (north of Zabadani)[36] On July 2, FSA had taken control of a number of suburbs north of the capital Damascus. FSA fighters openly patrolled the streets of the suburbs, and clashes occurred less than 10 KM from the center of Damascus city itself.[210] On 25 November, rebels seized control of the Marj As Sultan Military airbase in Eastern Ghouta after a battle in which two Syrian Army helicopters were shot down[396] On 29 November, rebels stated that they had blocked access to Damascus International Airport.[397] The Ministry of Information said that access to the airport was safe and clear of rebel activity. Emirates and EgyptAir suspended their flights to Damascus.[397] Along the road from Damascus to the airport, there are 7 main bridges; On 2 May, government forces captured the town of Qaysa which lies to the east of Damascus in a steady push north from the city's airport.[398] See also: 2011 Rif Dimashq blockades and Battle of Jdaidet al-Fadl and Rif Dimashq offensive. | |
| Outside of listed towns in Latakia G. | — | Latakia Governorate | 85% |
Since June 2012, FSA controls a small part in the north east. In late July 2012, France 24 reported that the army has been burning forests to avoid FSA hiding in them.[36] By October 2012, the FSA slowly captured most of the Jebel Akrad and Jebel Turkman mountain ranges in the north. Rebels have taken control of six Alawite villages in the region, in some cases intimidating the locals to leave by way of kidnappings, theft, and looting of homes. There are fears even among elements of the opposition that if the conflict continues to spread, rebel forces may perpetrate larger sectarian revenge killings.[394] The region of the province now controlled by rebels was home to a sizeable Kurdish minority prior to the war. Most Kurds have fled from the 60 villages in the region they once inhabited due to the fighting, but many are too poor to afford to flee to neighbouring Turkey. Those who are internally displaced have resettled in refugee camps close to the border, such as one near Khirbet al-Joz, where a farmer has been converting part of his land with the help of a Qatari company into a camp that will able to house 10,000 refugees once completed.[395] According to Human Rights Watch, rebel forces also broke into and looted churches in the Christian villages of Ghassaniyeh and Jdeideh after taking control of them, though it was not clear if sectarianism was the motive. Several locals had been kidnapped by rebels, who also looted homes. Much of the population of the villages had fled.[393] | |
| Outside of listed towns in Idlib G. | — | Idlib Governorate | 80% |
By June 2012, large parts of Idlib Governorate are controlled by FSA who (along with local people), administered justice and the distribution of supplies to residents.[384] Sham Falcons (lead by General Mustafa al-Sheikh) operate in Jabal al-Zawiya.[389] Eight out of the 35 villages of the Zawiya Mountain, around 25% percent, were reportedly under opposition control.[390] On October 18, 2012, Al Jazeera reported that rebels were giving classes to children in caves in Jabal al-Zawiya after the regime destroyed schools[391] By November 2012, the FSA had taken control of 65% of the Governorate.[392] According to Human Rights Watch, when rebels took control of the northern village of Zarzur on 11 December 2012, they vandalised and deliberately set fire to a Shi'a hussainia. According to residents, government forces had used the building as a barracks, but had abandoned it due to local complaints before the town was taken by rebels. The town's Shi'a minority has since largely fled the village.[393] See also: 2011–2012 Idlib Governorate clashes, Summer 2011 Jabal al-Zawiya operation, October 2011 Jabal al-Zawiya clashes, December 2011 Jabal al-Zawiya massacres, December 2011 Syrian–Turkish border clash and April 2012 Idlib Governorate Operation. | |
| Outside of listed towns in Homs G. | — | Homs Governorate | |
Since June 2012, FSA has control of parts of rural Homs.[36] | |
| Outside of listed towns in Hama G. | — | Hama Governorate | |
 |
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| Outside of listed towns in Deir ez-Zor G. | — | Deir ez-Zor Governorate | large majority |
As Assad has concentrated his forces on wresting back control of Aleppo, rebels have slowly gained ground in the eastern tribal heartland where the big prize is the country's 200,000 barrel-a-day oil output.[27] In August 2012, units of the FSA targeted the remaining isolated outposts of Assad’s forces in north-east Syria, where the FSA control all the main roads. There were said to be only 3 Army outposts left in Deir ez-Zor province countryside and they were under attack. On November 30, 2012, Syrian troops withdrew from Omar oil field, one of the last regime positions east of Deir Ezzor city near the Iraqi border. This meant that the rebels control the country's major fields. This happened after Syrian troops lost the Conoco gas reserve on November 27. The insurgents took control of an oil field for the first time on November 4 when they overran Al-Ward, the most important in the province. After also losing control of Al-Jofra field also in November, the army controlled not more than five fields, all located to the west of Deir Ezzor city.[382] Residents in Deir ez-Zor used crude oil for heating and agriculture for lack of fuel[383] On 1 January 2013, it was reported that two thirds of Deir ez-Zor Governorate was under rebel control.[378] | |
| Outside of listed towns in Daraa G. | — | Daraa Governorate | |
Since June 2012, FSA controls two areas, west and east of Daraa city (about 1/4 of governorate).[36] by December, the FSA takes control of several border checkpoints stationed at the borders with Jordan[379] On March 23 the FSA seized full control of the largest base in Daraa, Base 38. On March 25, 2013, Jordanian official told AFP that "The Free Syrian Army closed the two crossings of Daraa and Nasib from their side after they took control of them," The development comes after the rebels seized a 25-kilometer strip of land stretching from the Jordanian border to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.[380] On 3 April, rebels captured the air defense base of the 49th battalion of the Syrian Army in the town of Alma in the northern outskirts of Daraa.[381] On May 3, 2013, it was reported that the rebels were surrounding brigade 34 of the 9th Division[261][318] See also: 2011–2012 Daraa Governorate clashes and 20 April 2012 Daraa Governorate attacks and 2013 Daraa offensive. | |
| Outside of listed towns in As-Suwayda G. | — | As-Suwayda Governorate | 95% |
Since June 2012, FSA controls a small part near the frontier with Daraa Governorate.[36] Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash battalion of FSA is based here. | |
| Outside of listed towns in Ar-Raqqah G. | — | Ar-Raqqah Governorate | 90% |
On 1 January 2013, it was reported that a majority of Ar-Raqqah Governorate was in rebel control.[378] On March 4, 2013, FSA forces captured the provincial capital of Ar-Raqqah. The only regime forces left in Ar-Raqqah Governorate are currently holed up in the Tabqa (Thawra) military airbase and the FSA forces are currently shelling the airport as well as the army bases of Brigade 17 near the city of Ar-Raqqah and of Brigade 93 near the town of Ayn Isa. | |
| Outside of listed towns in Aleppo G. | — | Aleppo Governorate | large majoritysmall partsmall part |
In March 2012, fighting erupted for the first time in northern Aleppo governorate. Fighting even spilled over the border into Turkey in May, and by the end of that month, the rebels could report effective control over most of the northern Aleppo countryside.[36] Assad's security forces lost control of almost all of countryside north of Aleppo in late July, fleeing an offensive by rebel groups from across the rural north. Since then, local village committees that steered the uprising have shifted gears, transforming themselves into interim village governments. Rebel checkpoints dot the winding single-lane roads between the region's farming villages and towns. Except for a lone air base (Menagh Air Base[377]) where loyalist soldiers are hunkered down and mostly surrounded by rebel fighters; the countryside stretching from Aleppo to the Turkish border about 30 miles away has been cleared of government forces.[89] Across the scattered farm towns, locals have formed councils to remove rubble, restore utilities and funnel supplies to fighters in Aleppo. They organize security patrols to guard against thieves and government spies. Some are running prisons and rudimentary courts.[84] On 1 January 2013, it was reported that a large majority of the governorate was under rebel control.[378] | |
| Outside of listed towns in Al-Hasakah G. | — | Al-Hasakah Governorate | |
On January 8, 2013, FSA took control of Tishreen oil field Opposition sources reported that all other oil fields in the governorate were under government control[388] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. | |
| Nubl | 21,039 | A'zaz District | Aleppo Governorate | |
Located on a main road between Aleppo and Turkey, Nubl and neighbouring al-Zahraa form a small Shia-dominated pocket in a mostly Sunni area in the Aleppo Governorate. Though their relations with the surrounding villages were normally friendly before the war, al-Zahraa and Nubl have been under siege by rebel forces since July 2012, with opposition members claiming that the towns hosted pro-government militia who had attacked opposition supporters.[321][322] The villages were still under siege as of 10 December 2012, being regularly supplied by government helicopters. Sniper fire from both government and opposition forces had rendered the highway impassable, and traffic was diverted around them.[323] |
| Nawa | 47,066 | Izra' District | Daraa Governorate | |
On 21 August 2012, YouTube video seemed to show government tanks in streets.[316] On 30 October 2012, fierce gunfire has been reported in the town On January 16, 2013, Assad forces stormed the city with tanks coupled with indiscriminate shelling and open fire throughout the streets.[317] In the same speech where he commented on the loss of territory in Deraa province, Syrian MP Walid al-Zouhi stated that “we are only protected from the west by Base 61,” referring to the 61st Mechanized Brigade headquarters located near Nawa.[318][319] On 17 July, rebels captured most of Nawa city.[320] |
| Muadamiyat al-Sham | 52,738 | Darayya District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
After a two-day operation at the end of July 2012, which killed 120 people in this suburb,[305] the Syrian Army started a new operation on 20 August. The rebels repelled the first attack but the Syrian Army quickly managed to overrun the rebels.[306][307] The death toll of the operation was estimated at 86 dead, half of them executed by the Syrian Army for being suspected rebels.[308][309] A car bomb exploded in the town on 31 October, injuring an unknown number of people. By this point, the town was being contested between rebels and government forces.[310] On November 30, 2012, there was continued shelling in the suburb from 4th division headquarters and Mezzeh Military Airport. See also: Rif Dimashq offensive. |
| Morek | 14,307 | Hama District | Hama Governorate | |
On Jan 1, 2013, opposition sources said that Morek, which is a strategic town on the highway that runs from Damascus north to Aleppo, was under control by the government troops.[303] Hama Governorate is home to dozens of Alawite and Christian villages among Sunni towns, and activists said it may be necessary to lay siege to many minority areas to seize Morek. Rebels want to capture Morek to cut off army supply lines into northern Idlib[304] |
| Mhardeh | 17,578 | Mhardeh District | Hama Governorate | |
In June 2012, FSA was in control of this Christian town.[36] In September 2012, the government was reported in control of the town[90] On 17 December 2012, government positions in Mhardeh were reportedly under attack by rebel forces.[142] |
| Mayadin | 44,028 | Mayadin District | Deir ez-Zor Governorate | |
In late August 2012, after fights in the city, FSA took it over. The only part still in regime hands is an artillery position on a hill overlooking the city, which is being shelled from a distance.[140] On 22 November, rebels captured the Mayadin military base. This gave the rebels control of a large amount of territory east of the base, to the Iraqi border.[141] |
| Masyaf | 22,508 | Masyaf District | Hama Governorate | |
Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[36] |
| Mare' | 16,904 | A'zaz District | Aleppo Governorate | |
The Ibn Walid brigade of FSA was formed in the town in August 2012.[302] |
| Manbij | 99,497 | Manbij District | Aleppo Governorate | |
On 20 July 2012, France 24 reported that rebels took it over.[citation needed] ln December, there was an election to appoint a local council[139] |
| Maarrat Misrin | 17,519 | Idlib District | Idlib Governorate | |
On 12 December 2011, opposition activists claimed the Syrian Army "indiscriminately" killed eleven people in the town. The incident began when soldiers allegedly shot dead two civilians in Maarrat Misrin prompting residents to block the main road leading to the town. The army then fired randomly, resulting in eleven deaths. The next day, two more residents were shot by Syrian security forces during a funeral procession for those killed the previous day.[283] According to a Syrian military source cited by Syrian Documents, on 7 September 2012, the Syrian Army ambushed a rebel unit in Maarrat Misrin. A total of 42 were killed.[299] In December 2012 the FSA took control of the city.[300] |
| Maarrat al-Nu'man | 58,008 | Maarat al-Numaan District | Idlib Governorate | |
On 9 October 2012, FSA captured Maarat al-Numaan, which lies on the
Syria's M5 highway, the main supply route used by the Syrian Army to
send supplies and reinforcement from Hama and Damascus to Aleppo.
|
| Maadan | Ar-Raqqah District | Ar-Raqqah Governorate | |
On 1 January 2013, FSA was reported to be in control of the town.[298] | |
| Ma'arrat al-Bash | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Since June 2012, FSA has control.[36] | ||
| Ma'an | 1,561 | Hama District | Hama Governorate | |
On December 27, 2012, the army took control of three Alawite villages in the central province of Hama, among them Ma'an, large swathes of which were overrun by rebels[297] |
| Latakia | 383,786 | Latakia District | Latakia Governorate | |
Latakia had been a site of protest activity since March 2011. The Syrian government claimed 12 were killed there in clashes in late March,[70] leading to the deployment of the military to restrict movement into and out of the city. Hundreds of Syrians were reportedly arrested, and by late July, activists in Latakia were telling foreign media they feared a more violent crackdown was coming. Protests continued despite the increased security presence and arrests. Several civilians were allegedly killed in confrontations with security officers during this early period of the siege.[71] On 13 August 2011, the Syrian Army and Syrian Navy launched an operation where more than 20 tanks and APCs rolled into the Alawi stronghold.[72] |
| Kirnaz | 14,075 | Mhardeh District | Hama Governorate | |
On January 28, 2013, FSA was reported to be in control of this predominantly Sunni Muslim[294] town, while the army was shelling it and preparing to attack it.[295] On 7 February 2013, SOHR reported that the army had regained control over the town.[296] |
| Khirbet Aljoz | 1,644 | Jisr ash-Shugur District | Idlib Governorate | |
ln June 2011, the Syrian military attacked this town on the frontier with Turkey, with 40 tanks in a crackdown against pro-democracy protesters.[292] On 6 October 2012, FSA takes control of the town. The fighting lasted 12 hours and resulted in at least 40 dead among the Syrian army forces, including five officers, and nine rebel fighters.[293] |
| Khan Tuman | 2,781 | Mount Simeon District | Aleppo Governorate | |
There is a huge collection of warehouses (about 58 of them) that extends over 5 kilometers in Khan Tuman.[289] on December 15, 2012, Free Syrian Army declared their full control of the fuel, ammunition, and grain warehouses in Khan Tuman 11 km southwest of central Aleppo after clashes with the government forces.[290] On 15 March, rebels seized control of an ammunition factory complex and munitions depots. The complex had been used to supply the Syrian army with munitions to regularly shell rebel positions in the surrounding area.[291] |
| Khan Shaykhun | 34,371 | Maarat al-Numaan District | Idlib Governorate | |
FSA takes control in December 2011–January 2012. Fell in government hands on 6 July 2012. The rebels withdrew when a larger force arrived, backed by attack helicopters that the rebels had no way of countering. Once inside the city, the troops set homes on fire and arrested dozens of people.[288] On 17 December 2012, government positions in Khan Shaykhun were reportedly under attack by rebel forces.[142] |
| Khan Asal | Mount Simeon District | Aleppo Governorate | |
On December 25, 2012, FSA tried to enter the Police School that is about 5 km west of the Assad Military Academy.[286] On 3 March 2013, rebel fighters took control of most of the police academy, and over 200 rebels and government troops had been killed fighting for control of it.[287] | |
| Kesab | 1,754 | Latakia District | Latakia Governorate | |
Kesab, which has a border post, is 3 kilometers away from the Turkish border and is mainly populated by Armenians[281] with an Alawite minority. On October 13, 2012, rebels were attacking towards the town. Since November 2012, Turkmen rebels tried to take control of the town and its border post,[282] however they were prevented from doing so by the local alawite militias formed there.[283] Local Alawite militias continue to exercise control over the area.[284] In late December, the town was reportedly shelled by unspecified forces, but no residents were killed or injured.[285] |
| Kafr Shams | 12,435 | Al-Sanamayn District | Daraa Governorate | |
On May 12, 2013, Assad forces have stormed the town and launched a raid and arrest campaign searching homes.[280] |
| Kafr Nabudah | 13,513 | Al-Suqaylabiyah District | Hama Governorate | |
On 19 December 2012, within two days, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that government troops had already been cleared from the small town of Kafr Nabudah.[277] Qassem Saadeddine, a member of the rebel military command confirmed this.[278] On 29 December, 6 people were killed by the airforce bombardment on the town, two of them were children and two women; the number is likely to rise due to the large number of seriously injured.[279] |
| Kafr Nabl | 15,455 | Maarat al-Numaan District | Idlib Governorate | |
FSA takes control in December 2011–January 2012.[274] After that, the government recaptured the town. On 11 August 2012, the FSA took it back after a 4 day fight and started reorganizing the town by working on reestablishing electricity, water, telephone and opening the bakeries.[275][276] |
| Kafr Batna | 22,535 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
On 29 January 2012, Syrian Army tanks entered this suburb of Damascus to force out FSA. Although it has not been verified, opposition activists reported that five FSA soldiers and 14 civilians, including at least one minor, were killed during the raid.[272] on 4 February 2013, it was reported that the suburb was taken over by the rebels as part of a large push into the capital[273] |
| Jisr al-Shughur | 39,917 | Jisr ash-Shugur District | Idlib Governorate | |
On 4 June 2011, the Syrian military launched an operation in Jisr ash-Shugur in a crackdown against pro-democracy protesters. The operation lasted until 12 June 2011.[124] However, FSA takes control of what will become a key rebel center in December 2011–January 2012.[125] ln June 2012, the FSA was still in control.[36] ln September and October 2012, the government was reported to be in control.[126] ln 15 October, France 24 reported rebels were attacking towards the city.[citation needed] |
| Jindires | 13,661 | Afrin District | Aleppo Governorate | |
In late July 2012, YPG forces took control over the town.[271] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| Jasim | 31,683 | Izra' District | Daraa Governorate | |
Jasim was one of the first cities to participate in large-scale protests against the government on 18 March 2011.[239] Further mass protests were reported on 22 April 2011.[268] On 1 April 2012, four Syrian Army soldiers were killed in clashes with rebel FSA gunmen in Jasim.[269] On 12 and 13 November 2012, fierce gunfire has been reported in the town. On 24 February 2013 a video posted online showed people in front of the Cultural Center in the East of Jasim, near Abu Tammam Square, celebrating the victory of FSA and liberation of Jasim.[270] |
| Jaramana | 114,363 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Jaramana is a diverse town with a Christian and Druze majority. There have been reports of Popular Committees and pro-government Shabiha working closely with government forces there.[15] |
| Jarabulus | 11,570 | Jarabulus District | Aleppo Governorate | |
On 20 July 2012, rebels took it over along with its border post with Turkey. |
| Jamla | 1,916 | Daraa District | Daraa Governorate | |
On 6 March 2013, rebels kidnapped 21 United Nations peacekeepers patrolling the border between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Rebels were reportedly in control of the village itself, but intense clashes were occurring around it.[265] The rebels accused the peacekeepers of cooperating with the Syrian authorities in trying to "push the rebels out of Jamla" and demanded that the Syrian Army withdraw from the vicinity of Jamla in return for their release.[266] |
| Jableh | 53,989 | Jableh District | Latakia Governorate | |
Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[36] |
| Izra | 19,158 | Izra' District | Daraa Governorate | |
Izra is base to 5th division’s 12th Armored Brigade and 175th Artillery Regiment;[22] on 16 Dec 2012, rebels and troops clashed in the town.[122] On 22 january 2013, it was reported that the army entered the town and started an arrest campagn.[123] |
| Idlib | 98,791 | Idlib District | Idlib Governorate | |
Additional armored and artillery units arrived outside of Idlib by 11 March and began deploying into the city by 12 March.
|
| Houla | 50,000 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
The settlement is essentially a Sunni town surrounded by Alawite villages.[262] As of 21 June 2012, government forces have been driven from the town center and are now relegated to positions on the town's periphery.[263][264] See also: Houla massacre. |
| Homs – Deir Baalbah | 44,795 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
In October 2012, FSA took over part of the neighborhood that has been under army control for many months.[citation needed] On 28 October 2012, the neighborhood was under attack by the army.[citation needed] On 4 November 2012, army tanks entered the neighborhood from the north and clashed with the rebels.[citation needed] On 22 December 2012, Deir Baalbah was shelled from the pro-government neighborhood of Abbasiya.[50] At the end of 2012, government forces stormed the district, capturing it by 30 December. Activists reported that up to 200 civilians were killed in the assault.[51] |
| Homs – al-Waer | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
On 15 November 2012, opposition sources announced that the suburb was controlled by security forces. A military academy near the suburb routinely shells rebel positions in Homs. | |
| Homs - Qusour | 21,534 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
On 5 October 2012, Syrian warplanes and artillery pounded Qusour, in an attempt to overtake it. Government forces were mainly firing rockets and heavy mortars with an average of 5 rockets falling a minute.[56] |
| Homs - Old City | 18,907 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
The Old City is the most condensed area of Homs, and it includes the neighborhoods of Bab Tadmur, Bab al-Dreib, and Bab Hud and the area around the citadel. ln July and August 2012, the rebel-held Old City was under siege and came under sustained Army shelling.[54][59] On 5 October 2012, Syrian warplanes and artillery pounded Old Homs, subjecting it to its worst bombardment in months. Government forces were mainly firing rockets and heavy mortars with an average of 5 rockets falling a minute.[56] On 9 December 2012, it was reported that the Old City was still under rebel control[61] On 27 December 2012, government forces were trying to invade the districts from the side of Bab Draib.[57] |
| Homs - Khaldiyeh | 32,337 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
ln early July 2012, the rebel-held neighborhood came under sustained Army shelling.[54][59] ln early October 2012, Syrian warplanes and artillery pounded Khaldiyeh, in an attempt to overtake it. Attacking government forces were mainly firing rockets and heavy mortars with an average of 5 rockets falling a minute.[56][60] On 9 December 2012, it was reported that Khaldiyeh was still under rebel control[61] On 18 December 2012, the army attacked the rebels in Khaldiyeh and killed and injured many armed rebels and destroyed their military equipment.[62] |
| Homs - Karm al-Zeitoun | 49,132 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
The Syrian Army captured the district of Karm al-Zeitoun by 9 March 2012, before activists reported that the government forces massacred 47 women and children.[58] |
| Homs - Karm al- Shami | 35,732 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
On 27 December 2012, government security forces carried out an arrest-campaign. The neighborhood is packed with residents and displaced civilians and has no presence of the Free Syrian Army soldiers.[57] |
| Homs - Joret al-Shayyah | 16,816 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
On 3 July 2012, the military made an attempt to storm Joret al-Shayyah.[53][54][55] On 5 October 2012, Syrian warplanes and artillery pounded Joret al-Shayyah, subjecting it to its worst bombardment in months. Government forces were mainly firing rockets and heavy mortars with an average of 5 rockets falling a minute. Activists say most government forces near Homs are stationed outside the town - a common pattern in rebel strongholds.[56] |
| Homs - Jobar | 4,242 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
On 20 january 2013, it was reported that the army was fighting to enter Jobar (from four directions) where Free Syrian Army soldiers were present.[52] |
| Homs - Ghouta | 12,634 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
On August 21, 2012, the rebel-held district came under sustained Army shelling. |
| Homs - Baba Amr | 34,175 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
On 28 February 2012, reinforcements from an elite Syrian military unit, directed by the brother of the Syrian president, took positions in Homs. They managed to completely seal off the city, notably by destroying a tunnel.[43] On the morning of 29 February, the Syrian Army launched a ground assault with infantry on the rebel-held district.[44] On 1 March 2012, the Syrian Army took full control of the quarter of Baba Amr according to a Syrian official. Rebel leaders reported that they pulled out of the quarter and that some fighters stayed to cover the retreat.[45] On 3 July 2012, clashes raged in and around the neighborhood of Baba Amr.[46] On 10 March 2013, rebel fighters launched an assault on the district, around a year after its capture by government troops, in an effort to relieve pressure on besieged rebel-held districts in the city centre.[47][48] However, the military re-secured the district and repelled the rebels two weeks later.[49] |
| Homs - Abbasiya | 33,363 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | |
On 19 November 2012, there was shelling of opposition positions in Homs coming from this pro-government neighborhood (by opposition sources own admission). |
| Homs (except neighborhoods listed separately) | 353,184 | Homs District | Homs Governorate | 80% |
Districts listed here indicate fighting or shelling during February 2012
|
| Hish | Maarat al-Numaan District | Idlib Governorate | |
The task of cutting off the crucial M5 highway that ferries military supplies from Hama and Damascus north to Idlib and Aleppo has largely fallen to the rebels of Hish, a town about 17 km from the important Wadi Daif military base. The rebels blew up an overpass on the stretch of asphalt that passes below them, using an improvised explosive device planted under cover of darkness. The destroyed overpass cut off part of the highway. Now they were hoping to destroy the rest of it. Four snipers hid behind a makeshift wall of white stones piled atop one another, a little over waist-high, their scopes trained on the road below. Several other men, rifles at the ready, stood behind a thin cinderblock wall, a structure unlikely to offer any protection should the tanks stationed several hundred meters away near a loyalist outpost on a hill overlooking the highway turn their turrets in the rebels’ direction. At the other end of Hish, several groups were digging a trench leading to their end of the highway.[132] | |
| Hayalin | 3,913 | Al-Suqaylabiyah District | Hama Governorate | |
Government forces shelled the village on 13 May 2012.[256] Rebels claimed to have captured Hayalin On 17 December along with a string of other towns during an offensive against the Hama Governorate. According to the Local Coordination Committees (LCC), security forces reportedly surrounded checkpoints outside the village, leading to doubts as to whether or not rebels had full control over Hayalin, unlike the other places they captured in the operation.[257] |
| Harem | 21,934 | Harem District | Idlib Governorate | |
Harem is situated exactly on the border of Turkey. Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[36][119] In October, the FSA gained control of the town.[120] Army troops remain surrounded in the town’s citadel. On December 25, the FSA gained complete control over the town after government forces that were surrounded in the town's ancient citadel surrendered after a 70 day siege.[121] |
| Harasta | 68,708 | Douma District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
On 21 October 2012, it was reported that Harasta was under heavy shelling.[255] On 25 October, the Syrian army fired heavy tank and rocket barrages, after rebels overran two army checkpoints on the edge of the town.[4] The town is home to the 104th and 105th Republican Guard regiments and has a high population of Alawites in the suburbs. It was reported to be under regime control as of 7 December 2012.[15] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012) and Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–present). |
| Hama | 312,994 | Hama District | Hama Governorate | 90% |
On 28 January 2012, 4 neighborhoods of Hama city were under opposition control.[35] Inside Hama city, FSA under the leadership of Captain Mohammed Khalid al-Battal’s al-Majed Brigade has been able to coordinate disruptive raids across the city targeting military checkpoints and security forces’ outposts, but their ability to inflict casualties on loyalist troops pales in comparison to their rural counterparts.[36] On December 23, 2012, Assad forces stationed at Hama military air base were fiercely shelling villages in rural Hama.[37] on 2013/04/25, there were fights in the Tariq Halab neighbourhood[38] See also: Siege of Hama (2011), 27 May 2012 Hama Governorate clashes and 2012 Hama offensive |
| Duraykish | 13,244 | Dreikiche District | Tartus Governorate | |
Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[36] |
| Douma | 110,893 | Douma District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
A battle began on 21 January 2012, after FSA fighters changed their tactics from attack and retreat guerrilla warfare in the suburbs of Damascus to all-out assault on army and loyalist units. Earlier in January, the FSA had gained control over large portions of Douma. On 31 January 2012, the Syrian Army retakes Douma. Hundreds of troops controlled the mostly deserted streets and arrested hundreds of people.[111] Complete control was achieved on 30 June when Syrian army troops entered all parts of Douma.[112] On 18 October, after heavy fighting, the FSA retook control of the city.[113] On 30 October, there were continuing fights in Douma.[114] It was reported to be under rebel control as of 7 December 2012.[15] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012) and Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013). |
| Deir Jamal | 4,287 | A'zaz District | Aleppo Governorate | |
By the end of July 2012, rebel forces controlled Deir Jamal[90] |
| Deir ez-Zor | 211,857 | Deir ez-Zor District | Deir ez-Zor Governorate | 25/75% |
Deir ez-Zor is an impoverished Sunni Muslim city on the banks of the Euphrates that anchors a vast, arid region bordering Iraq. In August 2012, Rebels said they control at least half of Deir ez-Zor city. A Western diplomat monitoring the Syrian military said that rebel forces in Deir ez-Zor were fragmented but that Assad's forces lacked the numbers and supply lines to defeat them. Most government departments have shut and public workers are unpaid in what activists call collective punishment of a tightly knit population siding increasingly with rebels after alliances between the Damascus elite and tribal chiefs unraveled. An estimated one-third of Deir ez-Zor city's inhabitants have fled to the bordering governorates of Al-Hasakah and Ar-Raqqah.[27] Omar Ibn al-Khattab battalion of FSA is based here.[28] Iraqi sunni tribes smuggled weapons because their offshot tribe joined armed opposition on the other side of border. On October 15, 2012, there were heavy shelling by artillery and missiles on the city from the Airport. On 24 November 2012, rebels were surrounding the airport.[29] On 11 January 2013, it was reported that the government controlled the neighborhoods of Al Qussour and Aljourra (north west) and was shelling the neighborhoods of Alwrdi, Al-Jabaile, and Ar rushdia (south east).[30] Again, in April 2013, it was reported that the government was shelling the neighborhood of Al-Jabaile.[31] From January to April 2013, there were clashes between the FSA and Assad forces around the political police building in in Al-Hawika neighborhood.[32][33][34] See also: 2011–2012 Deir ez-Zor clashes. |
| Deir Atiyah | 10,984 | An-Nabk District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
|
| Dayr Hafir | 18,948 | Dayr Hafir District | Aleppo Governorate | |
ln June 2012, the government was reported in control of this town that is close to a military airport (Kweiris).[36] on January 15, 2013, there were air strikes by the regime’s warplanes, which dropped explosive barrels and cluster bombs[110] |
| Darkush | 5,295 | Jisr al-Shughur District | Idlib Governorate | |
on 28 March 2012, it was reported that two British journalists of Algerian descent, Nassim Terreri and Walid Bledi, were killed by the pro-government militia Shabiha in this town located on the border with Turkey. The freelance journalists were filming a documentary about refugees fleeing the violence.[248] ln June 2012, FSA was reported to have control of Darkush.[36] At a later date, FSA lost control of the town. On 11 October, rebels recaptured it.[119] |
| Darayya | 78,763 | Darayya District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
From the start of the conflict, the city outside Damascus had been a hotspot for protesters against the government. When hundreds were arrested, locals took up arms. In June 2012, the police and state intelligence withdrew from the town. Soon after, 3,000 FSA fighters made Darayya their stronghold. They held a strategic position, situated on the edge of the military airport at Mezze, which was being used for air-strikes against rebel-held areas. Opposition forces conducted mortar and rocket strikes against the base from Darayya. In mid-August, the rebels claimed to have killed 30 soldiers when they attacked a military checkpoint outside the town.[99][100] On 20 August 2012, Darayya was shelled. Among those killed were 12 rebels.[101] On 21 August, the Syrian Army began a three-day artillery offensive against the rebel's positions in Darayya, reportedly killing 70 people, including at least 18 rebels.[102] After that, hundreds of soldiers, backed by helicopters and armored vehicles entered Darayya, facing little resistance. The last rebel group withdrew in the face of the military advance and opposition activists were fearing that young men suspected of being rebels could be executed.[103][104] On 25 August, the bodies of 200 people were reportedly discovered in the town. Most of the dead appeared to be the result of executions.[105][106] 40-50 of the corpses had been discovered near a mosque.[107] 80 of the dead had been identified as civilians, while 120 remained unidentified.[108] On 18 November 2012, Darayya was under rebel control and surrounded by army troops On 7 December 2012, there was fighting in Daraya.[109] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012) and Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–present). |
| Darat Izza | 13,525 | Mount Simeon District | Aleppo Governorate | |
On June 23, 2012, 25 Shabiha militias were killed by Syrian rebels in the city. They were part of a larger group kidnapped by a rebel group. The fate of the others kidnapped was unknown.[241] Many of the corpses of the shabiha militia killed were in military uniform.[242][243][244] A secondary school has turned into a police station, a courthouse and a temporary town hall run by the rebels. It is part of a nascent rebel administration that is taking shape in areas of the country where Assad's authority has disappeared as his security forces try to secure control of Syria's main cities: Aleppo, Damascus, Homs and others. A defector from the Assad administration, Abdul Hadi heads a "revolutionary" security force made up of some 40 officers, all of them former policemen in the government. At times, Abdul Hadi's role seems more akin to that of a local mayor than a police officer. Among his self-assigned responsibilities, he monitors local bread supplies, urging bakeries to adjust production according to need. Recent rebel attacks on a government-owned wheat silo and army gasoline depots have given them access to new supplies.[245] On 21 November, rebels attacked the nearby Sheikh Suleiman base (which was under siege for over two months), but were repelled from the area by an army counterattack, in which 25 rebels were killed.[246] on 10 December, the base was taken by opposition forces. A little over 100 regime troops that were left inside the base retreated to the scientific building wearing gas masks.[247] |
| Daraa | 97,969 | Daraa District | Daraa Governorate | |
On 25 April 2011, the Syrian military launched a large operation in Daraa in a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.[24] The operation lasted until 5 May 2011. On 16 February 2012, the army reportedly attacked Daraa, shelling the city heavily. This was apparently because, "Daraa has been regaining its role in the uprising. Demonstrations have resumed and FSA has been providing security for protests in some parts of the city." The attack was part of a security force push "to regain control of areas they lost in recent weeks", indicating FSA in Daraa had taken control of parts of the city. Security forces attacked at least three districts, but FSA fighters fought back, firing at army roadblocks and buildings housing security police and militiamen.[25] On 14 March 2012, FSA controlled at least 1 main district in the city of Daraa (Al-Balad district) which made the Syrian army attack it by firing anti-aircraft guns into buildings of the FSA-controlled district.[26] See also: 2011–2012 Daraa Governorate clashes and 2013 Daraa offensive. |
| Damascus - Tadamon | 86,793 | Damascus District | Damascus Governorate | |
ln late November 2012, the west side of this neighborhood of Damascus was controlled by the Syrian Army whereas the east side was controlled by FSA after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq.[15] See also: Damascus offensive (2013). |
| Damascus - Kafr Sousa | Damascus District | Damascus Governorate | |
||
| Damascus - Barzeh | 47,339 | Damascus District | Damascus Governorate | |
Barzeh, a suburb of Damascus, was reported to be contested as of 7 December 2012.[15] See also: Damascus offensive (2013). |
| Damascus - Al-Qabun | Damascus District | Damascus Governorate | |
||
| Damascus (except neighborhoods listed separately) | 1,280,781 | Damascus District | Damascus Governorate | 90% |
Situation in the city during the battle of Damascus. Pink indicates a conflict area.
|
| Da'el | 29,408 | Daraa District | Daraa Governorate | |
In March 2011, this predominantly Sunni Muslim town was among the first towns in the area of Daraa where residents participated in demonstrations against the government.[239] On 29 March 2013 the town was reportedly captured by anti-government rebels. Da'el is strategically located on one of two main north-south highways that connect Damascus to Daraa. The rebels initially enagaged in clashes with Syrian Army troops manning checkpoints outside the town, leaving 12 government soldiers and 16 rebels, according to the activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).[240] |
| Busra al-Harir | 13,315 | Izra' District | Daraa Governorate | |
From the town and the nearby Laja area, the FSA have attacked military supply lines.[233] On 11 December, the Syrian Army's Izra'-based 12th Armoured Brigade stormed the town in an attempt to rout out FSA fighters.[233] According to opposition activists, two people were killed and dozens were injured after Busra al-Harir was shelled by Syrian Army tanks in April 2012.[234] on May 9, 2013, there was shelling with rocket launchers from the 12th brigade, and 175th regiment nearby, in conjunction with clashes between the Free Syrian Army and Regime Forces.[235] |
| Bosra | 19,683 | Daraa District | Daraa Governorate | |
On October 14, 2012, there were intense gunfire from regime forces stationed at checkpoints on the main road running through the town.[citation needed] On 13 November 2012, fierce fighting has been reported in the east side of the town.[citation needed] On 15 january 2013, it was reported that the citadel was used by the army on a daily basis to shell the town.[232] |
| Binnish | 21,848 | Idlib District | Idlib Governorate | |
Binnish has been a major protest hub. On 13 October 2011, clashes were reported in the city.[227] FSA takes control in December 2011–January 2012. The Syrian Army then later assaulted Idlib city in March 2012 in a major operation. As early as March 23, it was reported Binnish was one of their next targets.[228] Binnish is on a hill, so it is harder to assault. The Syrian Army had agreed to Kofi Annan's peace plan and to withdraw troops by April 10. By April 3, CNN reported the Syrian Army was assaulting Binnish with tanks and helicopters.[229] On April 4, the Syrian Army was still shelling Binnish with citizens fleeing the city.[230] In June 2012, the government has control.[36] In November, the town was under rebel control.[231] in March 2013, it was reported that rebels in Binnish have negotiated a limited ceasefire with regime forces in nearby Idlib, in which the regime abstains from shelling the town in exchange for opposition assurances that they will not attack a village of minorities nearby[22] |
| Beit Sawa | 6,249 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Beit Sawa and the nearby Hammurah fields, experienced intermittent shelling by Syrian Army for three days between June 30 to July 2, 2012.[226] ln late November 2012, Beit Sawa was under FSA control after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq.[15] |
| Beer Ajam | 353 | Quneitra District | Quneitra Governorate | |
This village in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights, populated mostly by Syrian Circassians, was reported to be under rebel control by 13 November[224] On 30 December, SOHR reported clashes between rebels and government troops in Beer Ajam that left one rebel dead.[225] See also: 2012 Golan Heights clashes . |
| Bariqa | 371 | Quneitra District | Quneitra Governorate | |
This village in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights was reported to be under rebel control by 13 November.[224] |
| Baniyas | 41,632 | Baniyas District | Tartus Governorate | |
On 10 April 2011, protests were held in Baniyas in which violent clashes erupted between the security forces and protesters. Between three and six were reportedly shot dead, while one police officer was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen.[93] On 14 April, snipers killed a Syrian Army soldier in Baniyas.[94] On 7 May 2011, Syrian Army tanks rolled into Baniyas from three directions. They advanced into Sunni districts, which had been under the control of demonstrators since loyalist forces, known as Shabeeha, fired at opposition members on 10 April. Heavy gunfire was reported as the operation started.[95] The next day, some 30 tanks were seen patrolling the city, with some of them positioned in the city center. Syrian Navy boats were also reportedly holding positions near the city's coastline. Special forces units allegedly entered the northern part of the city, from where heavy gunfire was heard.[96] On 14 May 2011, the military started to pull out of the city, after their operation ended.[97] During May 2013 there was reported clashes in the city,and reports of sectarian massacre against the Sunni inhabitants of the city and the villages nearby. Hundreds of panicked Sunni families fled Ras al-Nabaa in the south of Banias after the night of violence, said Rami Abdelrahman, head of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. But after that, the army was turning people back at the checkpoints outside the town, telling them to go back to Banias, and that nothing was wrong.[98] |
| Babbila | 50,880 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
ln late November 2012, this suburb has seen fighting between FSA and government troops after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq[15] |
| Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing | — | Harem District | Idlib Governorate | |
It is a frequent place of crossing for Syrians trying to reach the refugee camp in nearby Reyhanlı.[214] Drivers complained in December 2011 that they had been stalled at the crossing for days after customs officials stopped allowing vehicles with Turkish registrations to enter Syria.[215] The crossing is a major route for smuggling, particularly oil and gas, and has seen a dramatic rise in weapons smuggling.[216] On July 19, 2012, the FSA with 200 fighters seized the border crossing and defaced images of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.[217][218][219][220] On 22 July 2012, Turkish armed forces further restricted border crossings of their own nationals.[221] Crisply dressed rebels check passports of new arrivals, enter names into computers and extend a welcome hand to "Free Syria."[89] In mid-August 2012, FSA fighters attacked tanks and helicopters from the government near the Turkish border, foiling an attempt to take over the Bab al-Hawa border gateway.[222] On January 7, 2013, the new Bab al-Hawa hospital was opened[223] |
| Baath Dam | — | Al-Thawrah District | Ar-Raqqah Governorate | |
On 4 February opposition forces captured this minor dam on Euphrates river, week before capturing Tabqa Dam[212][213] |
| Azmarin | 3,720 | Harem District | Idlib Governorate | |
ln June 2012, FSA was reported to have control of this town located on the border with Turkey.[36] At a later date, FSA lost control of the town. On 14 October, rebels recaptured it after a three day siege. Remaining government soldiers fled during the night, some across the Turkish border and into Turkish custody. Dr. Ghnnam worked as a urologist in Azmarin before taking command of rebel forces in the town.[119] |
| Azaz | 31,623 | A'zaz District | Aleppo Governorate | |
Azaz is a passage point to turkey. On 19 July 2012, FSA chased out army from the city of Azaz and have taken complete control over it.[87] FSA also took over the associated border crossing of Bab al-Salam. Crisply dressed rebels check passports of new arrivals, enter names into computers and extend a welcome hand to "Free Syria."[88] Samir Haj Omar, an economist who now heads the local 30-member political council, said Turkish officials have been more willing to deal with him and other rebel leaders now that they are de facto governors. He has used that newfound heft to convince Turkey to allow cargo trucks to cross the border. In early August 2012, the first new shipments of rice, flour and gasoline arrived in rebel-controlled northern Syria, according to local officials here. For fighters desperately trying to keep up supplies of food, fuel and weapons, the ability to freely cross the Turkish border and move between villages without fear of encountering regime forces is a dramatic change. Earlier in the conflict, supplies were ferried across the Turkish border by horse, or on foot, by smugglers traversing muddy trails while dodging Turkish and Syrian border guards. A local fighter in Azaz who said he helped smuggle in local rebels' first rocket propelled grenades earlier this year said it took them weeks to negotiate the treacherous route through regime-controlled territory for just two RPGs. Now, such supply shipments can make the run from the Turkish border to the front line in Aleppo in about 90 minutes.[89] On 29 October 2012, France 24 reported that there was a refugee camp between Azaz and the Turkish border.[citation needed] |
| Ayn al-Arab | 44,821 | Ayn Al-Arab District | Aleppo Governorate | |
On 20 July 2012, After Syrian military forces retreated from Ayn al-Arab (also called Kobani by kurds), a predominantly Kurdish city located near the Turkish border, residents stormed the local security headquarters. The local Kurdish authorities raised the Kurdish national flag at municipal buildings. The Kurdish Popular Defense Committees took over the city without resorting to violence.[86] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| Atarib | 10,657 | Atarib District | Aleppo Governorate | |
At the center sit the charred shells of the police station and city hall, which government troops occupied in February 2012. For months, local rebels attacked their positions and tried to cut their supply lines. By the time the army left in June 2012, the city was destroyed and deserted. Every building downtown is damaged and is without electricity and water. Town leaders have formed military and civil councils and opened a prison. The army still shells the town daily, keeping residents away[84] Only about 4,000 residents remain as of August 2012.[85] |
| at-Tulul | 1,703 | Harem District | Idlib Governorate | |
In June 2012, FSA was in control.[36] In September 2012, the government was reported in control of the town[90] On 30 October 2012, FSA announced it had taken control of at-Tulul and many villages (including Hayr Jamus, Kafrinnah, Jisr al Maksour, and Ayn Bakara) near the Turkish border and the town of Salqin and many of Assad’s soldiers were taken prisoners.[202][203] |
| Assal al-Ward | 5,812 | Yabrud District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Since June 2012, FSA has control of this town located along the Syrian–Lebanese borders.[36] |
| Ash-Shaddadeh | 15,806 | Al-Hasakah District | Al-Hasakah Governorate |  |
In February 2013, al-Nusra fighters attacked Shadadi and captured the city 3 days later. Over 100 regime soldiers and 40 al-Nusra fighters were killed. |
| As-Suwayda | 73,641 | As-Suwayda District | As-Suwayda Governorate | |
On 28 October 2012, security forces launched a campaign of mass arrests in this Druze city.[75] |
| Armanaz | 10,296 | Harem District | Idlib Governorate | |
Rebels drove out government forces on 20 June 2012 after weeks of clashes.[211] |
| Arihah | 39,501 | Arihah District | Idlib Governorate | |
FSA repelled a number of deliberate military assaults between March and June 2012, despite the Army’s ability to execute combined arms operations involving armored vehicles, artillery and helicopter gunships.[36][79] The city was retaken by the army in 11 August.[80] However, days later, the rebels retook control of the city. Ariha's northern edge touches the M4 highway linking Aleppo city to the coast. This route has grown in importance as rebel controlled territory along the M5 highway linking Aleppo to Damascus extends south from Jebel al-Zawiyah into the Maarat al-Numan region, threatening the government's only alternate route for resupplying its troops in the north.[81] ln early February, opposition sources reported that government forces entered the Western neighbourhood of Ariha, in "Al Hadeeqa checkpoint"[82] By late July 2013, rebels controled part of Ariha, while government forces maned three checkpoints inside the town.[83] |
| Arbin | 44,934 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
On July 2, FSA had taken control of a number of suburbs north of the capital Damascus, including Arbin. FSA fighters openly patrolled the streets of the suburbs, and clashes occurred less than 10 KM from the center of Damascus city itself.[210] In November 2012, there was sustained fighting in the town after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq. It was reported to be under rebel control as of 7 December 2012.[15] |
| Ar-Raqqah | 220,488 | Ar-Raqqah District | Ar-Raqqah Governorate | |
On 28 January 2011, in one of the first events of the uprising, an evening demonstration was held in Ar-Raqqah to protest the killing of two soldiers of Kurdish descent.[73] After taking over the north part of Ar-Raqqah Governorate in September 2012, the FSA has made Ar-Raqqah a target the influx of internally displaced refugees has more than doubled Ar-Raqqah’s population.[74] On March 4, 2013, rebel forces overrun government loyalists in the city and declared it under their control after seizing the central square and pulling down a statue of Hafez al-Assad. They also captured the Governor's Palace and arrested the provincial governor as well. |
| Aqraba | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
On 6 December 2012, FSA overran Aqraba’s military airport (which is close to the road leading to the Damascus International Airport) as part of their offensive in Rif Dimashq. | ||
| Anadan | 11,918 | Mount Simeon District | Aleppo Governorate | |
At dusk on 29 July 2012, FSA commander in the area, Lieutenant Rifaat Khali, mobilized 150 fighters to seize control of the Anadan checkpoint, a strategic location linking the city of Aleppo 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to the south with the Turkish border to the north, which the FSA used as a source for supplies. On 30 July, after ten hours of fighting, FSA seized control of Anadan checkpoint[205] and retrieved ammunition left behind by the defeated government forces. During the fighting, eight tanks were also captured, seven of which were still operational; the operational ones were intended for use in the battle of Aleppo.[206] At least some of the captured tanks were deployed northwards to Azaz, where they were used to support an attack on a loyalist-held airbase.[207] Anadan has been the site of heavy shelling by the Syrian military.[208] On 24 October 2012, the formation of a local administration council composed from prominent engineers, doctors, human right activists, was announced.[209] |
| An-Nabk | 32,548 | Al-Nabk District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[36] on December 30, 2012, FSA took control of the fuel depot of Regiment 14, after violent clashes.[144] |
| Amuda | 26,821 | Al Qamishli District | Al Hasakah Governorate | |
In late July 2012, Kurdish forces started campaign in Syrian Kurdistan and then proceeded with take-over of Amuda.[204] See also 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| Aleppo - Sheikh Maqsoud | 116,214 | Mount Simeon District | Aleppo Governorate | |
In late July 2012, YPG forces took control over this north-central neighborhood of Aleppo.[3] In late September 2012, FSA, who grew suspicious over some alleged Kurdish militants' ties with the government, threatened to confront groups they said were linked to the militant [[Kurdish Worker's Party]] (PKK) in neighboring Turkey. One rebel leader, Abdelqadir al-Saleh, commander of the [[Tawheed Brigade]], requested that the Kurdish militia surrender their weapons and "not drag themselves into a losing battle that is not their fight." Shortly thereafter, FSA entered a part of the neighborhood during a massive offensive throughout Aleppo.[5][6] Opposition activists and rebels claimed that the Kurdish militia engaged the rebels and fought alongside government troops against the rebel forces in Sheikh Maqsoud.[7] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign and Battle of Aleppo (2012–13). |
| Aleppo - Ashrafiyeh | 42,473 | Mount Simeon District | Aleppo Governorate |  |
In late July 2012, YPG forces took control over this north-central neighborhood of Aleppo.[3] On October 25, 2012, FSA entered Ashrafiyeh with about 200 fighters.[4] See also 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign and Battle of Aleppo (2012–13). |
| Aleppo (except neighborhoods listed separately) | 1,973,413 | Mount Simeon District | Aleppo Governorate | 40%/60% |
ar situation
|
| Al-Zahraa | 13,780 | A'zaz District | Aleppo Governorate | |
Located on a main road between Aleppo and Turkey, Al-Zahraa and neighbouring Nubl form a small Shia-dominated pocket in a mostly Sunni area in the Aleppo Governorate. Though their relations with the surrounding villages were normally friendly before the war, al-Zahraa and Nubl have been under siege by rebel forces since July 2012, with opposition members claiming that the towns hosted pro-government militias who had attacked opposition supporters.[321][322] The villages were still under siege as of 10 December 2012, being regularly supplied by government helicopters. Sniper fire from both government and opposition forces had rendered the highway impassable, and traffic was diverted around them.[323] |
| Al-Zabadani | 26,285 | Zabadani District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | 70% |
Military deployments in the vicinity of Zabadani between 11 and 13 February 2012
|
| Al-Thawrah | 69,425 | Al-Thawrah District | Ar-Raqqah Governorate | |
On November 26, 2012, a main route from Raqqah to Aleppo passing through Al-Thawrah along the Euphrates was reported to be dotted with both regime and rebel checkpoints[178] On 30 December 2012, it was reported that opposition forces were fighting in the city.[179] on January 10, 2013, fierce artillery shelling from Tabqa military airport was reported in the city[180] On February 11, 2013, it was reported that opposition forces took over the city.[181] |
| Al-Tall | 44,597 | Al-Tall District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
In July 2012, the city became an important rebel base around Damascus.[100] When the Battle of Damascus started, the rebels stormed two government buildings and reportedly detained 40 soldiers while seizing a quantity of weapons. The city was also one of the places where the rebel retreated after their defeat in Damascus. At the end of July, rebels were gathering and massing in Al-Tall to ready themselves for another attack on Damascus.[169] In the beginning of August, the Syrian Army started shelling the rebel positions more intensively.[170] The city became completely besieged by the Army after the capture of 3 Syrian journalists by the rebels near the city.[171] The Syrian Army took control of the city and cleared it of rebel presence the 17 August, while the Syrian National Council described the area a "sinister zone".[172] The three captured journalists were found by the Syrian Army.[173] The bodies of 58 executed civilians were reportedly found in the town following the operation.[174][175] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012). |
| Al-Suqaylabiyah | 13,920 | Al-Suqaylabiyah District | Hama Governorate | |
On October 14, 2012, there was fierce artillery and rocket shelling from Al-Nahel checkpoint in this Christian town, targeting the town of Kirnaz |
| Al-Shaykh Maskin | 24,057 | Izra' District | Daraa Governorate | |
on 16 Dec 2012, rebels and troops clashed in this predominantly Sunni Muslim[346] town.[122] on December 26, 2012, there was a huge explosion in the radar’s battalion in Brigade 82, followed by violent clashes within the brigade |
| Al-Shaykh Badr | 9,486 | Ash-Shaykh Badr District | Tartus Governorate | |
Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[36] |
| Al-Sanamayn | 26,268 | Al-Sanamayn District | Daraa Governorate | |
Al-Sanamayn is base to the 9th division’s 15th Brigade[22] |
| Al-Safira | 63,708 | As-Safira District | Aleppo Governorate | |
Al-Safira is next to important weapon factories and the government's largest chemical weapons stockpiles. In mid-December, Rebels have been reported to be attacking towards it. on December 23, 2012, Assad forces were launching rockets on the town as they were battling FSA.[158] on February 8, 2013, it was reported that government forces were stationed at defense establishments and have set up checkpoints on the route to Khanasser, but rebel battalions control the streets of the city.[159] See also: Battle of Safira. |
| Al-Sabinah | 62,509 | Markaz Rif Dimashq | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
On 15 September 2012, state media reported that a qualitative operation took place in Al-Sabinah. The Syrian Army later found the corpses of 17 rebels who had been killed in the clashes.[329] ln late November 2012, this suburb has seen fighting between FSA and government troops after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq[15] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012). |
| Al-Rastan | 39,834 | Ar-Rastan District | Homs Governorate | |
Al-Rastan is on the main highway between Damascus and Aleppo. The area near Al-Rastan was scene of the first serious armed confrontations between army defectors and loyalist forces through 2011.[154] Assad’s forces regained control of the city several times, but it has kept slipping back into rebel hands.[154] Its strategic location along the road which links the capital Damascus to the north of the country[155] and the terrain had helped deserters from disparate units mount raids against Syrian army buses and roadblocks manned by Military Intelligence and pro-Assad militia.[154] (see also: Siege of Rastan and Talbiseh, Battle of Rastan, 2011 and Battle of Rastan, 2012). The rebels in Al-Rastan were strong enough to fend off a military offensive in mid-May 2012. After twelve hours of indirect fire to soften rebel positions, elite security forces assaulted Al-Rastan in armored vehicles. The rebels destroyed three armored vehicles, including a main battle tank, and killed over twenty government troops. The rebels had their own losses, including a long-standing leader within Khalid bin Walid and its affiliated units, Lieutenant Ahmad Ayoub. The Army called off the assault and retreated to the perimeter to shell the city with rockets through the following day. Ten days later security forces attempted another combined arms assault on the rebel stronghold, failed again, and took similar heavy losses.[36] The two main rebel forces in the Homs area, the Khaled Ibn Walid Brigade and Farouq, both work out of Rastan[156] ln January 2013, the Engineering Battalion launched fierce artillery and rockets on the city.[157] |
| Al-Qutayfah | 26,671 | Al-Qutayfah District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
on December 5, 2012, government forces stationed in Al-Qutayfah launched rocket shelling on neighboring areas. On December 22, 2012, opposition sources reported that the town was under control by the 3rd regiment and was also suffering from bread shortage[153] |
| Al-Qusayr | 29,818 | Al-Qusayr District | Homs Governorate | |
Al-Qusayr, which lies along the Lebanese border, is a critical node in rebel supply lines that links the predominantly Sunni areas of Lebanon’s northern Bekaa valley. Rebels had been fighting loyalist troops in the border town long before the survivors of the Farouq Brigades arrived, but in the second half of March, fighting in al-Qusayr picked up. Rebels and loyalist troops had reached an uneasy stalemate in the city by the time the ceasefire went into effect in mid-April, since neither side had been able to expel the other from the town, but by the end of May, the pace of fighting had picked up again and gun battles raged two out of every three days in al-Qusayr[36] On 10 July 2012, Al-Qusayr was completely under rebel control with the city being under siege from the surrounding countryside.[149][150] However, later, it was confirmed that government troops still held the town's main road.[151] On June 5 it was confirmed that government troops were if full control of Al-Qusayr [152] See also: Battle of Al-Qusayr and Al-Qusayr offensive. |
| Al-Qahtaniya | 16,946 | Al-Qamishli District | Al-Hasakah Governorate | |
The majority of the population is Kurdish. In late July 2012, YPG forces took control over the town.[271] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| Al-Muslimiyah | 5,916 | Mount Simeon District | Aleppo Governorate | |
Since late November 2012, the Syrian Army Military Infantry College (north east of the city of Aleppo) has been under siege by rebels from the Tawhid Brigade of the Free Syrian Army (FSA). The siege of the College is a continuation of the push from Atarib and base 46.[311][312] In early December, FSA entered the College and took control progressively of all buildings[313]On 15 December 2012, the rebels reportedly captured the infantry academy, army base and recruiting center at al-Muslimiyah,[314][283] after weeks of fighting. The Hanano Barracks has a three-kilometer square campus.[314] A top rebel commander from the Tawhid Brigade, Yusef al-Jadr ("Abu Furat"), was killed during the clashes while the pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated a large number of rebels and soldiers were also slain in the battle.[315] The rebel brigade claimed it captured 100 prisoners.[283] |
| Al-Mukharram | 6,202 | Al-Mukharram District | Homs Governorate | |
Al-Mukharram and the localities of its district have a significant Alawite population.[143] The government has maintained control.[36] |
| Al-Malikiyah | 26,311 | Al-Malikiyah District | Al-Hasakah Governorate | |
YPG forces on 21 July reportedly captured Al-Malikiyah, which is located just 10 kilometers from the Turkish border.[136] Although another report stated that fighting was ongoing in the city.[137] On 22 July 2012, it was reported that Kurdish forces were still fighting for Al-Malikiyah where one young Kurdish activist was killed after government security forces opened fire on protesters.[138] In November 2012 Kurdish militia evicted all remaining regime forces from the city See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| al-Ma'bada | 16,000 | Al-Malikiyah District | Al-Hasakah Governorate | |
On 24 July 2012, PYD announced that Syrian security forces withdrew from al-Ma'bada, located between Al-Malikiyah and Turkish borders. YPG forces afterwards took control of all government institutions.[301] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| Al-Lataminah | 16,267 | Mhardeh District | Hama Governorate | |
On 19 December 2012, Qassem Saadeddine, a member of the rebel military command, said that towns taken by rebels included Al-Lataminah.[278] |
| Al-Janudiyah | 7,774 | Jisr ash-Shugur District | Idlib Governorate | |
On 5 February 2013, it was reported that rebels north of Jisr al-Shughur, in recent days, have seized the Christian village of Al-Janudiyah which dominates the Orontes valley.[267] |
| Al-Hirak | 20,760 | Izra' District | Daraa Governorate | |
On 6 March 2012, the Syrian Army bombed the city which served as a base for the FSA and clashed with them in intense fighting. Residential areas and the Abu Bakr al-Saddiq Mosque were reportedly hit by Syrian Army shells.[258] During the battle, the FSA ambushed a Syrian Army armored carrier, killing five soldiers. A 15-year old boy was also killed after being allegedly shot by a government sniper.[259] "Mosque al-Herak" is named on the Global Heritage Fund listing of damages to Syrian cultural heritage.[260] On August 22, 2012, France 24 reported that the Syrian army began a campaign against Al-Hirak which lead to a fierce battle.[citation needed] On August 24, 2012, the FSA withdrew from the town.[citation needed] On 12 and 13 November 2012, the town was reported having a rebel presence and shelled by the army.[citation needed] On May 3, 2013, it was reported that the base of the 52 mechanized brigade of the 9th Division was shelling the area of Khirbet Ghazala and Al-Hirak[261] |
| Al-Hasakah | 188,160 | Al-Hasakah District | Al-Hasakah Governorate | |
On 26 January 2011, in one of the first events of the uprising,[39] Hasan Ali Akleh from Al-Hasakah poured gasoline on himself and set himself on fire, in the same way Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi had in Tunis on 17 December 2010. According to eyewitnesses, the action was "a protest against the Syrian government".[40][41] In 2012, Al-Hasakah which has a large Kurdish population, began witnessing protests of several thousand people against the Syrian government, which responded with tanks and fired upon the protesters.[42] In 2013, PYD controls Kurdish districts and government controls Arab districts. There were also clashes in the city between an Arab insurgent group and the YPG. |
| Al-Hajar al-Aswad | 84,948 | Darayya District | Rif Dimashq Governorate | |
On 26 July 2012, fighting was reported in the Al-Hajar al-Aswad suburb of the capital, a place described as home to thousands of poor refugees from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights who were at the forefront of the movement against Assad.[250] The FSA had withdrawn to the southern suburb of Al-Hajar al-Aswad with the suburb being shelled by Government forces and an activist in the area said that there were still ongoing clashes in the south of the city.[251] On 27 July 2012, the army took it back. On 30 October 2012, clashes broke out in Al-Hajar Al-Aswad between rebels and the army, spreading into the adjacent Yarmuk Palestinian camp.[252][253] On 19 November, rebels seized the headquarters of an army battalion and air defense base on the edge of the suburb, making it the nearest military base to Central Damascus to fall under rebel control.[254] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012) and Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–present). |
| Al-Haffah | 4,298 | Al-Haffah District | Latakia Governorate | |
Al-Haffah is a Sunni Muslim town that lies in the foothills of the coastal mountains that form the heartland of Assad's Alawi sect. It is strategically located close to the port city of Latakia, as well as, the Turkish border which has been used by the rebels to smuggle people and supplies.[115] On 12 June 2012, the military recaptured al-Haffah,[116] and the remaining 200 FSA fighters under heavy bombardment by government forces withdrew from the town. FSA said that the fact that Al-Haffah is surrounded by Alawi villages did not help them.[117][118] The rebels were reported to have retreated to Turkey. |
| Al-Fu'ah | 10,264 | Idlib District | Idlib Governorate | |
On January 4, 2013, the Shia town was reported to be loyal to the government.[249] |
| Al-Darbasiyah | 8,551 | Al-Hasakah District | Al-Hasakah Governorate | |
On 22 July 2012, YPG forces took control over the town which is on the Turkish border, after the security and political units withdrew from it, following an ultimatum issued by the Kurds.[138] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| Al-Dana | 14,208 | Harem District | Idlib Governorate | |
Since July 2012, it is under FSA control.[74] |
| Al-Buwaydah al-Sharqiyah | 3,196 | Al-Qusayr District | Homs Governorate | |
The village was the site of the al-Buwaida al-Sharqiya massacre in May 2012, during the Syrian civil war. Opposition activists claimed 13 factory workers were killed by the government's security forces, while Syrian government sources blamed rebel forces for the killings[236][237] On 8 June 2013, the town was recaptured by the Syrian Army during the Al-Qusayr offensive.[238] |
| Al-Bab | 63,069 | Al Bab District | Aleppo Governorate | |
Until April 2012, Al-Bab had been relatively unscathed by the conflict in Syria. On April 20, regime forces opened fire on protesters in the city, sparking the growth of the rebel movement in Al-Bab. Between mid-May and mid-July, some 15 rebel groups formed within the city. At least two of these groups, the Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq Battalion and the Al-Bab Martyrs Battalion, claimed to be part of Ahrar al-Shamal. The fight for Al-Bab included a series of raids and assaults on government offices over the course of two months, finally culminating on July 18 when rebels seized the final regime stronghold within the city limits. Rebel forces pushed the regime from this garrison on the south edge of town on July 29, With the seizure of al-Bab, the armed opposition in northern Aleppo gained considerable momentum.[90][91][92] The city has hosted a large number of refugees fleeing Aleppo |
| al-Alani | 3,279 | Harem District | Idlib Governorate | |
In June 2012, FSA was in control.[36] In September 2012, the government was reported in control of the town[90] On 30 October 2012, FSA announced it had taken control of Alini and many villages (including Hayr Jamus, Kafrinnah, Jisr al Maksour, and Ayn Bakara) near the Turkish border and the town of Salqin and many of Assad’s soldiers were taken prisoners.[202][203] |
| Afrin | 36,562 | Afrin District | Aleppo Governorate | |
As of 11 July 2012, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) controls the town with checkpoints.[77] The PYD do not support either side.[78] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. |
| Abu Kamal | 42,510 | Abu Kamal District | Deir ez-Zor Governorate | |
In late July 2012, FSA takes it over along with its associated border post with Iraq. In early September 2012, France 24 reported that the Hamdan military airport was under attack by FSA.[citation needed] On 16 November 2012, FSA took over the Hamdan military airport, which was once used to transport farm produce, but was converted to a base for helicopters and military tanks. The capture of Hamdan means Assad's forces now only hold one air base in the province - the main military airport in Deir ez-Zor city.[76] See also: 2011–2012 Deir ez-Zor clashes. |
| Abu al-Thuhur | 10,694 | Idlib District | Idlib Governorate | |
Abu al-Thuhur is the site of military airfield.[199] The rebels are relying on cutting off the various supply routes to the loyalists inside Idlib province. Toward that end, the Abu al-Thuhur military airport has been under siege since September 2012. Supplies for the troops are airdropped by helicopters that fly in from air bases in Hama. The rebels have also upped their attacks on the airport.[132] They claimed that as a result of their employment of anti-aircraft weaponry, they have rendered flights from the base inoperable.[200][201]' |
| Abil | 2,873 | Homs Governorate | |
On 20 January 2013, it was reported that FSA overran the Um al-Sakhar air defense base, (that is located near the rebel held town of Abil and two km north of the village of al-Buwaydah) and took weapons and ammunition from it.[195][196] On 18 April, the Syrian Army took control over the town of Abel[197][198] |
From: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_and_towns_during_the_Syrian_civil_war