Second Battle of Rastan

2012 Battle of Rastan Part of the Syrian uprising Date 29 January 2012 – 3 March 2012 Location Rastan, Homs Governorate, Syria Result FSA victory Free Syrian Army (FSA) takes control of most of Rastan on February 1 FSA takes full control of the city and its suburbs on March 3 Syrian Army bombardment ongoing Belligerents Syrian National Council Syrian opposition Free Syrian Army Syrian Government Syrian Armed Forces Security agencies Shabeeha Commanders and leaders Major Ali Ayyoub Colonel Jihad Ahmad † Unknown Casualties and losses 19 killed (early February) 10 killed (mid-February) 27 civilians killed (early February)

v t e Syrian uprising (2011-present) Timeline Jan-Apr 2011 May-Aug 2011 Sep-Dec 2011 Jan-Apr 2012 from May 2012 Homs Aleppo Deir ez-Zor Idlib Governorate Bombings First phase: Daraa Rif Dimashq Baniyas Talkalakh Rastan and Talbiseh Maarat Al-Numaan Jisr al-Shughur Homs (July 2011) Hama Jabal al-Zawiya Al-Bukamal Latakia Second phase: 1st Rastan Hama Governorate Daraa Governorate Damascus (Zabadani - Douma) 2nd Rastan Homs offensive Al-Qusayr Feb.12 Idlib City Mar.12 Idlib City Azaz Saraqeb Apr.12 Idlib Governorate (Taftanaz) During cease-fire: 3rd Rastan Daraa Governorate (Apr.20) Damascus Houla International incidents: Lebanese clashes Turkish pilgrim bus Raids inside Turkish and Lebanese borders

The Second Battle of Rastan was a second consequtive battle between the Syrian army and the Free Syrian Army for control of the city of Rastan in Homs province. Rastan is a city of 60,000 residents. The FSA retook Rastan after days of intense fighting, according to residents and the opposition.

Battle

The first reports of major battles in Rastan were on 29 January 2012, after the Arab Legue mission and the subsequeent cease fire, when three deserters and five soldiers were killed. A local activist in Rastan, who said the clashes lasted six hours, confirmed the toll. "A large number of soldiers in the countless checkpoints inside the city deserted and turned their arms on the regime's soldiers," he said. "Residents are trying to help deserters fight their way out of Rastan and reach the positions of the Free Syrian Army," added the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "There are regular small demonstrations in the streets, but only a few people come out because snipers are everywhere and the army is carrying out mass arrests every time there is a protest."^[1]

On 30 January an FSA video statement said that they controlled the city of 60,000 residents. A defected first lieutenant said that Hamza Battalion, Khaled Brigade "routed regime forces from several neighborhoods in the western side of Rastan and vowed to continue fighting until the remaining neighborhoods were liberated". Their commander, Major Ali Ayyoub, confirmed this and said "The Assad army is on the defensive now. They are stranded in a few pockets. They only move forward after they receive reinforcements and the Free Syrian Army is always there to intercept their movements." The Hamza Battalion claimed it had destroyed four army posts, two tanks, and several other armored vehicles. Activists posted a video of a destroyed tank that corroborates at least part of the FSA's claims. In the video, severe damage can be seen on the surrounding buildings. Still residents seemed buoyed by the successes of the FSA. An online video was posted of a protest held "under the protection of the Free Syrian Army". Activists reported that 5 civilians were killed by loyalists who shelled the city during the battle. Maj. Ayyoub refused to disclose how many FSA soldiers were participating in the defense of the city, citing security reasons, but he had put the number in the hundreds.^[2]

The next day, on 31 January, defectors gained full control of the city according to a town activist^[3] and the Free Syrian Army itself, and photos were posted on the internet showing FSA fighters in the streets of Rastan, standing guard.^[4]

Loyalist tanks were still able to shell the city, one such attack killing 10 civilians and wounding 15 others when a building was brought down. Local activists also claimed that 20 more had been killed during the battle, with the bodies being put in a mosque with the victims of the building being destroyed.^[5]

On 1 February, more fighting in the town reportedly left 15 defectors and two soldiers dead.^[6] A leader of an opposition batallion said that 42 people were killed in the city of Rastan in recent days. ^[7]

During an artillery attack on 9 February, FSA colonel Jihad Muhammad Ahmad was killed.^[8]

On 13 February, government tanks attempted to push into the town of Rastan. However, they were repelled by the Free Syrian Army and at least 3 soldiers were killed. On March 3, 2012 the Free Syrian Army successfully gained control on the last pocket of resistance of the Syrian Army, then a commander from the Free Syrian Army announced that the FSA Troops will move out of Rastan to liberate other towns near to Rastan.^[9]

Aftermath

After retaking the Baba Amr district in Homs, in an assault where 700 rebels and civilians were killed according to Human Rights Watch, security forces began to intensively shell the town of Rastan. It was reported that at least 12 civilians, including many children, were killed by the shelling.^[10] On 4 March, seven civilians, including four children, were killed by government shelling. The victims included six family members killed when a rocket slammed into their home, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which reported intensive shelling of Rastan throughout the day.^[11] 15 rockets were reported to have fallen in 15 minutes.^[12]

A staff general of the army announced his defection on 6 March because of the army's shelling of Rastan. He posted a video, in which he showed his identification card and was flanked by other officers and stated:

"I declare my defection from the Syrian army to the Free Syrian Army, because of the artillery bombing against Rastan which is continuing violently. Houses have been damaged and children and women were killed. This is not the right behaviour of the Syrian army, and that's why I declare my defection to the Free Syrian Army. Long live free Syria."^[13]

A week later on 16 March, two civilians were killed by government shelling.^[14] On 27 March, three members of the military were killed when the government tried to enter Rastan but were repelled.^[15] Three days later, two brigadier generals defected to the FSA in Rastan. Videos showed the generals announcing their allegiance to the Free Syrian Army while showing their military identification cards.^[16]

On 6 April, the army killed at least 4 civilians in their homes when shelling Rastan heavily. Two children where among the dead.^[17]

On 14 May, activists reported that shells had rained down on Rastan at the rate of one shell per minute. Nine people were killed in the bombardment. Among the dead was a local rebel commander.^[18] In response, opposition fighters attacked three armoured vehicles carrying government troops as they were heading to Rastan, reportedly killing 23 soldiers.^[19]

In late May, a BBC reporter within the city reported that the rebels were locked in constant street fighting with the government forces which were responding with sporadic artillery shelling.^[20]

References