Aleppo during the 2011–2012 Syrian uprising

2011–2012 Syrian uprising in Aleppo Part of the Syrian uprising Date 13 April 2011 – present Location Aleppo, Syria Result Ongoing Belligerents Syrian National Council Syrian opposition Anti regime protesters Free Syrian Army Syrian Government Syrian Army Syrian Police Mukhabarat Shabeeha Pro-government civilians Commanders and leaders Unknown Gen. Khleif al-Abdullah † Casualties and losses 40 killed[1] (Updated 15 January 2012) 92 killed[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

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: Rastan (2011) Hama Governorate Daraa Governorate Damascus (Zabadani – Douma) Rastan (2012) 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 Hama Governorate (May. 27) May 29 Homs clashes International incidents: Lebanese clashes Turkish pilgrim bus Raids inside Turkish and Lebanese borders

Anti-government protests have been reported in Aleppo since 13 April 2011^[12] as part of the wider 2011–2012 Syrian uprising. Anti-government activists called for a huge turnout on 30 June and big protests were held that day all over the city and its outskirts.^[13] On 12 August, Syrian security forces fired at peaceful protesters in Sakhur neighborhood, killing four people.^[14] 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.^[15][16] 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.^[17] On 27 September, the government stormed Aleppo with tanks.^[18] On 21 December, video seemed to show Syrian Army raiding Aleppo University, where they then beat and arrested university students for protesting against the government.^[19] Four protests were reportedly held at the university, where a student at the Faculty of Science was reportedly killed by government loyalists.^[20]

On 6 January 2012, the head of the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria warned that the regime 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.^[21]

During March, the northern city of Aazaz in the reigon of Aleppo experienced heavy fighting, with three soldiers being killed on 23 March.^[22] Activists posted a video showing what appears to be a helicopter engaged in a firefight over the town.^[23] An opposition fighter or armed civilian was also reported killed during the heavy fighting in Aazaz.^[24]

Acorrding to state media, two colonels were killed in Aleppo in late March.^[4]

A general of the air force intelligence was killed in Aleppo on his way to work, according to the Syrian government.^[25]

An army intelligence base and air force base were attacked in northern Aleppo province, killing three soldiers including an officer.^[5]

On 29 April 2012, it was reported that four soldiers died in a blast in a military centre in Aleppo province.^[26]

On 2 May, 15 soldiers were killed in Northen 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.^[27]

On 3 May, days after four university students were killed by the pro-government milita shabibha in anti-government protests. It was reported that 15,000 students protested at the University on 17 may, in the prescense 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.^[28] At least one protester died on 17 may, while an army officer was killed by an explosion in the city.^[29]

18 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.^[30] This incident came a few days after a Free Syrian Army brigade announced control over the town after taking control of army checkpoints.^[31]

Army tanks were reportedly deployed for the first time in aleppo, where 12 massive anti-government protests were held in one day.^[32]

2 soldiers were killed and 5 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".^[33]

References