2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes

2012 series of battles 2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes the early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war Azaz Syria during the Syrian Civil War Missing front of House.jpg 300px Aftermath of aerial bombardment by the Syrian Air Force in Azaz, 18 August 2012. 10 February – 19 July 2012(02 10 2012 07 19 2012) Aleppo Governorate, Syria * Rebels takes control of Azaz, al-Bab, Manbij, Jarabulus, Tell Rifaat, Anadan, Darat Izza, Atarib and other towns north of Aleppo city YPG takes control of KobanîMore Kurdish Cities Liberated As Syrian Army Withdraws from Area http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurds/4978.html Rudaw 20 July 2012 and AfrinLiberated Kurdish Cities in Syria Move into Next Phase http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/syria/4999.html Rudaw 25 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120728023132/http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/syria/4999.html 28 July 2012 dead Culmination in the battle of Aleppo city Rebel victory Syrian Opposition Syrian opposition Free Syrian Army Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg Al-Nusra FrontBolling 2012 7 Kata’ib Ahrar Al-Sham.jpg Kata’ib Ahrar Al-Sham People's Protection Units Flag (2011-2012).svg no People's Protection Units Syria 1980 Syrian Government Syrian opposition Col. Obaid Mohammad ObaidBolling 2012 4, 5(Aleppo Military Council)Syrian opposition Maj. Mohammed HamadeenBolling 2012 1, 5(Free North Brigade, Aleppo Military Council)Syrian opposition Col. Abdul-Jabar Mohammed EgeydiBolling 2012 3(Amr ibn al-A'as Battalion)Syrian opposition 1st Lt. Rifaat KhalilBolling 2012 4(Muthanna ibn Haritha Battalion) Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (1980–2024).svg Unknown Syrian opposition Free Syrian Army Aleppo Military CouncilBolling 2012 1, 2 Free North BrigadeBolling 2012 1–3, 5https://www.almjhar.com/ar-sy/NewsView/2212/46023/_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1_%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%84_%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1_%D9%8A%D8%B6%D9%85_%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%AB%D8%B1_%D9%85%D9%86_1500_%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5_%D8%A3%D8%B7%D9%84%D9%82_%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%87_%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%85_%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%AF_%D8%A8%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8_.aspx "Pictures" to form a brigade of more than / 1500 / person called the banner of "unification" in Aleppo name ..! Al-Mijhar 19 July 2012 Darat Izza BrigadeBolling 2012 5, 6 Fursan al Jabal BrigadeBolling 2012 5 Muthanna ibn Haritha BattalionBolling 2012 4 Ghuraba al-Sham BattalionBolling 2012 5 Dir al-Wafa BattalionBolling 2012 5 Amr ibn al-A'as BattalionBolling 2012 3, 4, 8 Halab al-Madina BrigadeBolling 2012 8 Syrian Liberation Army Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (1980–2024).svg Syrian Armed Forces Flag of the Syrian Arab Army.svg Syrian Army 6th Division 12th Armoured Brigade 11th Mechanised Brigade 80th Army Brigade 2nd Reserve Division 19th Mechanised Brigade Infantry Border Guard Brigade 99th Army Regiment 111th Army Regiment 15th Division 46th Army Regiment Flag of the Syrian Arab Air Force.svg Syrian Air Force 4th Flying Training SquadronBolling 2012 7 Security Agencies ShabihaBolling 2012 6 Berri clan militiasBolling 2012 6 6,000 fighters 18,000 soldiers 300+ tanks 441 fighters killedSyrian Martyrs شهداء سورية https://web.archive.org/web/20160404195534/http://www.syrianshuhada.com/?lang=en& 2016-04-04 3 tanks lost 1,659 soldiers killed 132 armoured vehicles destroyed1 Su-22 jet bomber shot down1 MiG-23 jet shot down 2 L-39 jet shot down 3 Mi-17 helicopters shot down. at least 50 civilians killed collapsed The 2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes were a series of battles as part of the early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war in the Aleppo Governorate of Syria. The clashes began following the twin bombings in Aleppo city on 10 February 2012, which were conducted by the jihadist anti-government organisation, the Al-Nusra Front. Over the next five months, major clashes left large parts of the rural countryside under rebel control, with the capital of the province, Aleppo city, still being firmly under government control. On 19 July, rebel forces stormed the city and a battle for control of Syria's largest city and economic hub had begun. Background There were anti-government protests in Aleppo, reported since 13 April 2011.Syrian protests spread to Aleppo http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/04/201141315543918716.html 13 April 2011 13 April 2011 However, the city itself was mostly peaceful and spared the violence of the war, unlike the rest of the country, being a government stronghold for the better part of the first year of the conflict.http://www.yalibnan.com/2012/08/07/lone-survivor-describes-aleppo-mass-killings/ Lone survivor describes Aleppo mass killings https://web.archive.org/web/20131216213110/http://www.yalibnan.com/2012/08/07/lone-survivor-describes-aleppo-mass-killings/ 2013-12-16https://archive.today/20130204103103/http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Survivor-describes-new-Syria-mass-killing-3766717.php Survivor describes new Syria mass killing Anti-government activists called for a huge turnout on 30 June, although two small protests were held that day with only 1,000 demonstrators showing up.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13977689 BBC News Syria unrest: Protests in Aleppo as troops comb border 30 June 2011 On 12 August, Syrian security forces fired at protesters in the Sakhur neighborhood, killing four people.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/12/syria-violence-spreads-aleppo London The Guardian Nour Ali Martin Chulov Syria violence spreads to commercial capital Aleppo 12 August 2011 On 17 August, "thousands" protested in the central square (Saadallah al-Jabiri square) of Aleppo and in other parts of the city. Opposition activists claimed that the security forces again opened fire at the protesters.http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/08/18/162817.html Syrian forces kill 16 in Homs, thousands protest in Aleppo English.alarabiya.net 2011-08-18 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20110818060407/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/08/18/162817.html 2011-08-18 dead http://www.democracynow.org/2011/8/18/headlines/syrian_forces_widen_crackdown_on_opposition Syrian Forces Widen Crackdown on Opposition Democracynow.org 2011-08-18 2012-07-11 On 6 September, there were reportedly huge crowds (20,000–40,000) protesting against the government after the killing of the Syrian Sunni Sheikh Ibrahim Salqini.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/09/syria-aleppo-sunni-cleric.html SYRIA: Death of popular Sunni cleric stirs unrest in Aleppo – latimes.com Latimesblogs.latimes.com 2011-09-06 2012-07-11 On 27 September, the government stormed Aleppo with tanks.https://edition.cnn.com/2011/09/27/world/meast/syria-unrest/ CNN Security forces storm Syrian city of Aleppo, activist group says 27 September 2011 On 21 December, four protests were reportedly held at the university, where a student at the Faculty of Science was reportedly killed by government forces.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/syria-dec-21-2011-2155 Syria Live Blog Wed, 21 Dec 2011, 18:55 Blogs.aljazeera.net 2011-12-21 2012-07-11 Bombings On 6 January 2012, the head of the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria warned that the government was plotting a bombing in the city, "just to terrorize the people". Ammar Qurabi told Al Arabiya that he had learned about the alleged plot from Syrian security officials. This came after bombings in Damascus in December 2011 and in January 2012. Qurabi and other opposition groups accused the government of staging those attacks to justify its crackdown on the uprising.http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/01/06/186757.html Syrian opposition figure says Assad's regime plotting a massive blast in Aleppo English.alarabiya.net 2012-01-06 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120922052630/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/01/06/186757.html 2012-09-22 dead On 10 February, twin bomb attacks targeted the military intelligence building in Aleppo and killed 24 members of the security forces.Syria says suicide bombers kill 28 in attacks on security HQs in Aleppo Armed clashes left|thumb|Green triangles denote key settlements taken by opposition forces. Red denotes key government controlled military bases. thumb|left|Azaz after bombardment by the Syrian Air Force, 18 August 2012. On 14 February, five army soldiers, including two officers, were killed in fighting on the outskirts of Aleppo.http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2012/02/14/400598.htm Syrian Arab news agency – SANA – Syria : Syria news :: Sana.sy 2012-02-14 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120218052122/http://sana.sy/eng/337/2012/02/14/400598.htm 2012-02-18 During March, the northern city of Azaz in the region of Aleppo experienced heavy fighting, with three soldiers being killed on 23 March.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/syria-mar-23-2012-0807 Syria – Mar 23, 2012 – 08:07 – Al Jazeera Blogs Blogs.aljazeera.net 2012-03-23 2012-07-11 Activists posted a video showing what appears to be a helicopter engaged in a firefight over the town.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/syria-mar-23-2012-1020 Syria – Mar 23, 2012 – 10:20 – Al Jazeera Blogs Blogs.aljazeera.net 2012-03-23 2012-07-11 A rebel or civilian was also reported killed during the heavy fighting in Azaz.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/syria-mar-23-2012-1744 Syria – Mar 23, 2012 – 17:44 – Al Jazeera Blogs Blogs.aljazeera.net 2012-03-23 2012-07-11 According to state media, two colonels were killed in Aleppo in late March.May 2026 medicmedic A general of the air force intelligence was killed in Aleppo on his way to work, according to the Syrian government.http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2012/03/28/408914.htm Syrian Arab news agency – SANA – Syria : Syria news :: Sana.sy 2012-03-28 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120328173207/http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2012/03/28/408914.htm 2012-03-28 An army intelligence base and air force base were attacked in northern Aleppo province, killing three soldiers including an officer.http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/07/205941.html Clashes, killing continue in Syria despite pullback pledge and U.N. chief's rebuke English.alarabiya.net 2012-04-07 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120626013848/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/07/205941.html 2012-06-26 dead On 6 April, seven civilians and four soldiers were killed north of Aleppo.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/syria-apr-6-2012-1752 Syria – Apr 6, 2012 – 17:52 – Al Jazeera Blogs Blogs.aljazeera.net 2012-04-06 2012-07-11 Two soldiers were killed on 12 April.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9199605/Syria-cease-fire-Live.html London The Daily Telegraph Ruth Sherlock Richard Spencer Lucy Jones Syria ceasefire: latest 12 April 2012 On 21 April, heavy clashes occurred in the early morning between opposition fighters and the Syrian army in Aleppo province. At least 14 Syrian army soldiers and one opposition officer were said to have been killed in the fighting. A Syrian army weapons cache and two cannons were said to have been destroyed by the opposition fighters, another cannon was seized from the army. They also said to have destroyed two armoured vehicles at a Syrian army checkpoint and attacked a Syrian helicopter.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/topic/syria/fourteen-syrian-army-soldiers-killed-heavy-fighting-aleppo-province-activists-say Fourteen Syrian army soldiers killed in heavy fighting in Aleppo province, activists say – Al Jazeera Blogs Blogs.aljazeera.net 2012-06-21 2012-07-11 On 22 April, 26 members of the pro-government militia called the ar no shabibha, accused of the worst massacres during the conflict, were killed, and video footage showing their bodies was posted online by the rebel Free Syrian army.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/06/201262210113949697.html Fighters 'kill 26 members of pro-Assad group' Aljazeera.com 2012-07-11 On 23 April, a bomb struck a convoy carrying army officers and cadets, killing at least one officer according to state media. 42 others were also injured, some in critical condition.http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/23/209613.html Assad's forces kill 80 nationwide despite presence of U.N. monitors English.alarabiya.net 2012-04-23 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120424022248/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/23/209613.html 2012-04-24 dead http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2012/04/23/414153.htm Syrian Arab news agency – SANA – Syria : Syria news :: Sana.sy 2012-04-23 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120605001113/http://sana.sy/eng/337/2012/04/23/414153.htm 2012-06-05 On 24 April, 16 soldiers were killed in many different clashes around Aleppo.http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/24/222384.html Iran urges restraint between Turkey and Syria; 16 troops killed in Syria English.alarabiya.net 2012-06-24 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120629063259/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/24/222384.html 2012-06-29 dead On the same day, rebels reported that they captured a military base near the rebel-controlled town of Daret Azzeh. Sixteen government soldiers reportedly died during the attack after which rebels looted large amounts of ammunition, including hundreds of artillery shells. The Army retaliated by intense strikes from military gunships on the local area.http://www.wtvq.com/news/world/story/Syrian-troops-capture-army-base/5d5AJMQwG0SpElcFairf4g.cspx Syrian troops capture army base Wtvq.com 2012-07-11October 2014 On April 28, three security force members were killed and two others injured in the Aleppo countryside.http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2012/04/28/415455.htm Syrian Arab news agency – SANA – Syria : Syria news :: Sana.sy 2012-04-28 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120506222536/http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2012/04/28/415455.htm 2012-05-06 On 29 April, it was reported that four soldiers died in a blast in a military centre in Aleppo province.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/syria-apr-29-2012-1658 Syria – Apr 29, 2012 – 16:58 – Al Jazeera Blogs Blogs.aljazeera.net 2012-04-29 2012-07-11 On 2 May, 15 soldiers were killed in Northern Aleppo, including two colonels. Two rebels also died in the attack near Al-Rai village, after the military forces had "scaled up military operations" there in the days since the truce took effect on April 12, said the S.O.H.R group In Syria.http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=392085#ixzz1tnM4msZj Deadliest day for Syrian troops as monitors fan out Nowlebanon.com 2012-05-03 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120508122859/http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=392085#ixzz1tnM4msZj 2012-05-08 dead On 3 May, days after four university students were killed by the pro-government military ar no shabibha in anti-government protests. It was reported that 15,000 students protested at the university on 17 may, in the presence of U.N observers. After this incident, on 18 May 2012 the biggest anti-government demonstrations that had ever taken place in Aleppo were reported. Anti-government groups called it a real uprising in Aleppo. In two districts alone, there were reportedly over 10,000 protesters, among thousands of others in the other districts. Tear gas and live ammunition was used by security forces to disperse it.http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/largest-protests-yet-in-syrian-city-aleppo-20120519-1ywul.html Largest protests yet in Syrian city Aleppo News.smh.com.au 2012-05-19 2012-07-11 At least one protester died on 17 may, while an army officer was killed by an explosion in the city.http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/05/19/215036.html Damascus accuses Lebanon of 'incubating' terrorists along the border English.alarabiya.net 2012-05-19 2012-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120603080748/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/05/19/215036.html 2012-06-03 dead Eighteen soldiers were killed near Atareb town in Aleppo province, the fighting destroyed tanks and armoured personnel carriers, according to the Syrian Observatory for human rights.http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172/1192255/ Clashes kill 18 troops in Syria Brecorder.com 2012-05-22 2012-07-11 2014-03-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20140305165443/http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172/1192255/ dead Army tanks were reportedly deployed for the first time in Aleppo, where 12 massive anti-government protests were held in one day.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/aleppo-may-25-2012-2236 Aleppo – May 25, 2012 – 22:36 – Al Jazeera Blogs Blogs.aljazeera.net 2012-05-25 2012-07-11 Two soldiers were killed and five injured after an explosion on 3 May. Also, a man identified as "the brother of a Syrian MP" was shot dead, with SOHR quoting anti-government activists as saying "the man's family is very loyal to the government and has participated in the repression of protests".http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/05/201253115147529764.html Russia and US trade blows over Syria Aljazeera.com 2012-07-11thumb|left|Rebel advances in July 2012http://www.humanrights.gov/2012/06/15/map-of-numbers-and-locations-of-people-fleeing-the-violence-in-syria/ Map of Numbers and Locations of People Fleeing the Violence in Syria « Humanrights.gov 2012-06-15 2012-07-11 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120618095612/http://www.humanrights.gov/2012/06/15/map-of-numbers-and-locations-of-people-fleeing-the-violence-in-syria/ June 18, 2012 http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Syrias_MaturingInsurgency_21June2012.pdf MIDDLE EAST SECURITY REPORT 5 2012-07-11 2017-10-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20171009195031/http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Syrias_MaturingInsurgency_21June2012.pdf dead Rural Aleppo towns and the outskirts of Aleppo city were bombarded by the army in early July. The State-controlled media agency, SANA, claimed that eight rebels were killed and 6 of their armed pick up trucks destroyed by the Syrian army on July 5.Holmes Oliver https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE8610SH20120707 Syria's fighting spills into Lebanon, five killed Reuters 2012-07-07 2012-07-11 On 9 July, two soldiers were killed by an IED in Aleppo. A further four soldiers were killed when trying to enter the opposition controlled town of Azaz.http://supportkurds.org/news/monday-9-july-2012/ Monday 9 July 2012 : Support Kurds in Syria Supportkurds.org 2012-07-11 On 12 July, three soldiers were killed in Aleppo.Wednesday 11 July 2012 : Support Kurds in Syria On 16 July, 13 soldiers, including an officer, were killed when a government checkpoint was attacked by rebel fighters, and during clashes, in the area of Tel Selour, outside Aleppo.Saturday 14 July 2012 : Support Kurds in Syria Aftermath Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016) left|thumb|Situation in the governorate in mid-August 2012 thumb|Internal displacement after aerial bombardment by the Syrian government of Azaz in Aleppo governorate, 18 August 2012. On 19 July, the battle for Aleppo city started. Clashes began with an offensive by the Free Syrian Army against the city, primarily the Salaheddine district.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/22/syrian-rebels-fight-aleppo?newsfeed=true Syrian rebels fight Assad troops in Aleppo Luke Harding and Martin Chulov 22 July 2012 The Guardian 29 July 2012 London As the fighting in Aleppo city continued, near the rebel-held town of Atareb rebel fighters made a failed attack against a government-controlled police school. 12 rebels were killed, including a local brigade commander Ahmed el Faj.A Syrian town's 'Street of Death' On 21 July, fighting was still raging in the Salaheddine district, with the army trying to storm it with troops and armored vehicles. Meanwhile, clashes started in the poorer, tribal district of al-Sakhour. Hundreds of families were forced to flee as commercial city has been slowly turned into a war zone.Al Jazeera Live Blog – Syria 21.7.2012 On 23 July, it was confirmed that the FSA had finally taken control of Azaz.https://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2012/jul/23/syria-damascus-aleppo-battles-live#block-10 London The Guardian Matthew Weaver Syria crisis: chemical weapon warning – Monday 23 July 2012 2012-07-23 They said that 17 government tanks had been destroyed and one captured, a journalist in the area counted 7 destroyed tanks.Syria: The Arab Spring Arrives In Azaz In the Aleppo countryside, the FSA rapidly gained ground in late JulyIn Syria's Aleppo province, the balance of power is changing fast and captured members of the military intelligence.Jailers in Syria's Aleppo become prisoners of war Footage showed rebels riding around the town of Al-Bab in a tankhttp://www.ktul.com/story/19139614/syria-troops-shell-aleppo-neighborhoods Syria's rebels hold Aleppo neighborhoods https://web.archive.org/web/20120801012459/http://www.ktul.com/story/19139614/syria-troops-shell-aleppo-neighborhoods 2012-08-01 and howitzer artillery that they had captured from an army base. Captured soldiers said that 30 soldiers had been killed in Al-Bab in the past week and it was later reported that the last army base in the Aleppo countryside, on the outskirts of Al-Bab, was taken by the opposition.Rebels claim victory in Syria's al-Bab town On 15 August, Syrian fighter jets conducted two devastating bombing runs on the rebel-held town of Azaz, flattening a string of houses and killing at least 20 people including children with a little girl who had been killed in the strike being brought to the hospital and at least 10 houses were flattened in the bombardment. "This was a civilian area. All these houses were packed with women and children sleeping during the fast," said witness Abu Omar, a civil engineer in his 50s, referring to the dawn-to-dusk fast Muslims observe during Ramadan. Witnesses and FSA forces who reinforced security around the town after the strike said the jet fired twice, targeting a makeshift media centre used by foreign reporters in the second, smaller strike. Dozens of people, many wailing and shouting, were climbing over the rubble, trying to pull out victims. Witnesses said the bomb must have weighed at least half a tonne and the impact shattered windows up to four blocks away. Residents insisted there was no rebel base where the bomb struck, but some said the families of FSA fighters lived there. "It was a massacre, an entire family like mine was exterminated," said one woman who refused to give her name.Syrian warplanes hammer rebel border town Four Lebanese hostages were reportedly killed.Four Lebanese hostages killed in Syria shelling near Aleppo Another report put the death toll at 31 people.http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/08/15/232477.html Syria air strike pummels Aazaz, at least 31 people killed 2012-08-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20120816013409/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/08/15/232477.html 2012-08-16 dead References Bibliography Bolling Jeffrey Rebel Groups in Northern Aleppo Province http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Backgrounder_RebelGroupsNorthernAleppo.pdf 29 August 2012 Institute for the Study of War Washington, D.C. Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2012 Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving al-Nusra Front Category:Aleppo Governorate in the Syrian civil war Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian government Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Free Syrian Army