2011 Rif Dimashq blockades

The Rif Dimashq blockades by the Syrian military forces were launched by Syrian authorities on the different towns in Rif Dimashq Governorate in 2011, in response to the 2011 protests. The first town besieged was Douma, a suburb of Damascus, which began on 25 April. This was soon followed by the blockading of various other towns and suburbs such as Moadamyeh, Darayya, Zabadani, Kanaker, Kiswah, and neighborhoods of Damascus such as Irbin, Zamalka, Saqba, Midan, Qadam, Hajar al Aswad, Qaboun, Salhiyeh, Harasta, and Mezzeh.

Aftermath

On January, the FSA had taken the town of Zabadani, and consequently gained control over large portions of Douma. The battle of Douma began on January 21, after Free Syrian Army fighters changed their tactics from hit-and-run guerilla warfare in the suburbs of Damascus to all-out assault on army and loyalist units.

On 28 January it was confirmed by Reuters journalist on the ground that towns of Saqba, Harasta, Hamoureya, Kfarbatna and Ain Tarma were no longer under government control with FSA soldiers patrolling exists from towns.^[1]

On January 29, the FSA gained control over large portions of Duma, effectively taking control over most of the Rif Dimashq governorate.

On January 30, the Syrian army took control of all opposition held towns and cities in the Rif Dimashq governorate (including Duma) after a major offensive, reducing opposition held areas in all of Syria to just Zabadani and Rastan

References

External links

• By All Means Necessary!, Human Rights Watch, 16 December 2011