Cities and towns during the Syrian Civil War

Syria is subdivided in a hierarchical manner into:

• 14 Governorates (or G.)
  • 65 Districts

For each governorate, the first city in the table is the governorate capital (and capital city of its district at the same time). The following towns are the regional capitals (administrative centers) of the districts. The next towns are other significant towns. The last item is the rural area outside of the listed towns in each governorate. The population figures are given according to the 2004 official census. The table is sortable. Click on the arrows next to the column headings to sort alphabetically, based on population, District, or control status.

Table of contents
Aleppo Governorate: Aleppo . Afrin . Atarib . Ayn al-Arab (Kobanî) . Azaz . Al-Bab . Dayr Hafir . Jarabulus . Manbij . Al-Safira . Anadan . Aqiba . Darat Izza . Deir Jamal . Jindires . Kafr Safra . Khan Tuman . Khanasir . Mare' . Maydan Ikbis . Al-Muslimiyah . Nubl . Sarrin . Tell Aran . Tell Rifaat . Tell Shughayb . Tishrin Dam . Urum al-Kubrah . Urum al-Sughrah . Al-Zahraa . Others .
Damascus & Rif Dimashq Governorates: Barzeh . Kafr Sousa . Al-Qabun . Tadamon . Other neighborhoods . Darayya . Douma . An-Nabk . Qatana . Qudsaya . Al-Qutayfah . Al-Tall . Yabrud . Al-Zabadani . Arbin . Assal al-Ward . Babbila . Beit Sahem . Beit Sawa . Deir Atiyah . Al-Hajar al-Aswad . Harasta . Jaramana . Kafr Batna . Muadamiyat al-Sham . Al-Sabinah . Sahnaya . Saidnaya . Saqba . Sayyidah Zaynab . Yalda . Zamalka . Others .
Daraa Governorate: Daraa . Izra . Al-Sanamayn . Adwan . Bosra . Busra al-Harir . Da'el . Al-Harra . Al-Hirak . Inkhil . Jamla . Jasim . Kafr Nasej . Kafr Shams . Khabab . Muthabin . Nawa . Qarfa . Al-Shaykh Maskin . Al-Shaykh Saad . Others .
Deir ez-Zor Governorate: Deir ez-Zor . Al-Bukamal . Mayadin . Others .
Hama Governorate: Hama . Masyaf . Mhardeh . Salamiyah . Al-Suqaylabiyah . Hayalin . Kafr Nabudah . Kafr Zita . Kirnaz . Al-Lataminah . Ma'an . Qalaat al-Madiq . Qastun . Taybat al-Imam . Tremseh . Others .
Al-Hasakah Governorate: Al-Hasakah . Al-Malikiyah . Qamishli . Qamishli border crossing . Ras al-Ayn . Amuda . Al-Darbasiyah . Al-Maabadah . Al-Qahtaniya . Al-Shaddadi . Simalka border crossing . Others .
Homs Governorate: Abbasiya . Baba Amr . Deir Baalbah . Ghouta . Jobar . Joret al-Shayyah . Karm al-Shami . Karm al-Zeitoun . Khaldiyeh . Old City . Qusour . Al-Waer . Other neighborhoods . Al-Mukharram . Palmyra . Al-Qusayr . Al-Rastan . Talkalakh . Abil . Al-Buwaydah al-Sharqiyah . Houla . Al-Husn . Talbiseh . Others .
Idlib Governorate: Idlib . Arihah . Harem . Jisr al-Shughur . Maarrat al-Nu'man . Abu al-Thuhur . Al-Alani . Armanaz . Azmarin . Bab al-Hawa border crossing . Binnish . Al-Dana . Darkush . Al-Fu'ah . Al-Janudiyah . Kafr Nabl . Kaftin . Khan Shaykhun . Maarrat Misrin . Qah . Salqin . Saraqib . Sarmin . Taftanaz . Yakubiyah . Others .
Latakia Governorate: Latakia . Al-Haffah . Harasta . Jableh . Qardaha . Kesab . Salma . Others .
Quneitra Governorate: Quneitra . Bariqa . Beer Ajam .
Ar-Raqqah Governorate: Ar-Raqqah . Tell Abyad . Al-Thawrah . Baath Dam . Tabqa Dam . Others .
As-Suwayda Governorate: As-Suwayda . Salkhad . Shahba . Others .
Tartus Governorate: Tartus . Baniyas . Duraykish . Safita . Al-Shaykh Badr . Others .
See also References

History during the Syrian Civil War

Aleppo Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by
Aleppo	2,132,100	Mount Simeon District	u75%[1]	See Battle of Aleppo (2012–present).
Afrin	36,562	Afrin District	v	The situation in Afrin district As of 11 July 2012, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) controls the town with checkpoints. The PYD do not support either side.[2] On 5 June 2013, Kurdish forces attacked rebel-held Kurdish villages in the Afrin area. The rebels, who were entrenched in the villages for the previous two weeks after taking them over, were the same ones who attacked the Kurdish villages on 25 May. After two days of fighting, by 7 June, YPG forces captured the villages of Basila and Bashmera and secured the roads linking the villages of Jelbiri, Mirimin and Tel Rif'at, where they set up security checkpoints. As the rebels were retreating from Basilam they burned down Kurdish houses and property. The fighting and the destruction of their homes caused a mass migration of Kurds out of the village. It was also reported that rebel forces were trying to besiege Afrin city itself.[3] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.
Atarib	10,657	Atarib District	y	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.[4] Only about 4,000 residents remain as of August 2012.[5] By November 2013, the town was controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS).[6] By early January 2014, clashes were reported between the Islamic Front and ISIS forces in the town.[7] By April 2014, the town was under rebel control. By June 2014, clashes were reported between the SRF and al-Nusra, about 5 days later, most of al-Nusra Front withdrew from the towns of Atarib and Sarmada.
Kobanî	44,821	Ayn Al-Arab District	y	On 20 July 2012, After Syrian military forces retreated from Ayn al-Arab (also called Kobanî by the Kurds), a predominantly Kurdish town 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 town without resorting to violence.[8] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. The town was threatened by ISIS fighters, who captured some of the outskirts of the town. In October 2014, Turkish officials reported that the town is "about to fall."[9] In January 2015, the Syrian Kurds pushed the ISIS fighters out of the town.[10]
Azaz	66,138	A'zaz District	y	Azaz is a passage point to Turkey. On 19 July 2012, the FSA chased out the Syrian Army from the city of Azaz and took complete control of it.[11] FSA also took over the associated border crossing of Bab al-Salame.[12] 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. In early August 2012, the first new shipments of rice, flour and gasoline arrived in rebel-controlled northern Syria, according to local officials there. 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.[13] On 29 October 2012, France 24 reported that there was a refugee camp between Azaz and the Turkish border. On 28 February 2013, it was reported that the FSA checkpoint in Azaz was where the Free Syrian Soldiers hand in their weapons to go into the Refugee camp and onto Turkey. It is also the first or second checkpoint into Turkey and Syria.[14] On 18 September 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant seized control of the town, posting snipers on rooftops, erecting checkpoints and imposing a curfew on the local population.[15] On 28 February 2014, FSA and Jabhat al-Akrad took control of the town and the surrounding villages.[16][17] As of January 2015; Northern Storm Brigade controls the town.[18] al-Nusra Front has a minor presence.[18]
Al-Bab	130,475	Al Bab District	y	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.[19][20][21] By November 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was in full control of the town.[22]
Dayr Hafir	18,948	Dayr Hafir District	r	ln June 2012, the government was reported to be in control of this town that is close to a military airport (Kweiris).[23] On 18 March 2014, it was reported that an effort entitled "Do Not Divide" [Wa La Tafaraqu] aimed to seize Kuweiris Airbase. Rebel forces have surrounded Kuweiris for more than a year but have not yet overrun it. Six jihadi groups initially participated in the battle: Suqour al-Izz, JN, ISIS (which has played a major role maintaining the siege on Kuweiris), Katibat al-Khadra’, Jaysh Muhammad, and Ansar al-Mahdi. However, as rebel infighting with ISIS intensified, ISIS apparently left (or was forced off) the battlefield and a new logo without its name was posted online by another brigade. The "Do Not Divide" raid appears to be ongoing, but many competing claims exist as to the situation on the ground. Regardless, the attack has not yet succeeded in capturing Kuweiris Airbase.[24]
Jarabulus	25,000	Jarabulus District	y	On 20 July 2012, Syrian rebels took over the city, along with its border post with Turkey. However, since early July 2013, the town has been controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[22][25] By January 2014, rebels were engaging in clashes with ISIS and seized the town, but ISIS was able to recapture it within hours.[26]
Manbij	69,000	Manbij District	y	On 20 July 2012, France 24 reported that rebels took it over. ln December, there was an election to appoint a local council[27] From April 2013, the town was controlled by Ahrar ash-Sham and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[22] On 5 January, Rebels seized the ISIL compound in the town of Manbij in the northern province of Aleppo, the SOHR reported. The group obtains its information from a network of activists on the ground.[28] On 23 January, SOHR reported that ISIL had fully captured Manbij after days of fighting.[29][30]
Al-Safira	95,832	As-Safira District	n	Al-Safira is next to important weapon factories and the government's largest chemical weapons stockpiles. On February 8, 2013, it was reported that government forces were stationed at defense establishments and had set up checkpoints on the route to Khanasser, but rebel battalions controlled the streets of the city.[31] On October 13, 2013, it was reported by Xinhua that the town was besieged by the government forces.[32] See also: Battle of Safira.
Anadan	11,918	Mount Simeon District	y	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[33] 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.[34] 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.[35] Anadan has been the site of heavy shelling by the Syrian army military.[36] On 24 October 2012, the formation of a local administration council composed from prominent engineers, doctors, human right activists, was announced.[37]
Aqiba	1,040	Afrin District	y	By early March 2013, YPG forces controlled Aqiba.[38]
Darat Izza	13,525	Mount Simeon District	y	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.[39] Many of the corpses of the shabiha militia killed were in military uniform.[40][41][42] 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.[43] 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.[44] 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.[45] The town was under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant since September 2013.,[46] but then withdrew following a wide-scale offensive led by the Army of Mujahedeen and the Islamic Front.[47]
Deir Jamal	4,287	A'zaz District	y	By the end of July 2012, rebel forces controlled Deir Jamal[19] By January 2014, the town was controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[48] After heavy clashes, Kurdish fighters from Jabhat al-Arad take full control of Deir Jamal.[49] The town of Deir Jamal came under control of rebel forces in 2015.[50]
Jindires	13,661	Afrin District	v	In late July 2012, YPG forces took control over the town.[51] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.
Kafr Safra	2,150	Afrin District	y	By August 2012, YPG forces controlled this town.[52]
Khan Tuman	2,781	Mount Simeon District	y	There is a huge collection of warehouses (about 58 of them) that extends over 5 kilometers in Khan Tuman. 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. 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.[53] On 18 August, Sohr said that Syrian troops take control over the hill of Khan Toman.[54]
Khanasir	2,397	Al-Safira District	y	On late August 2013, Ahrar al-Sham seized the town.[55] On October 1, Syrian Army forces launched an offensive outside the town (which is situated along a key road needed to transport essential supplies), met by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Al Nusra Front, Ahrar al-Sham and other militias troops.[56] By 10 October, Syrian government troops had seized the town.[57] On 25 February 2016, government forces regain over control the town of Khanassir after ISIS take him during their attack on the town a few days ago.[58]
Mare'	16,904	A'zaz District	y	The Ibn Walid brigade of FSA was formed in the town in August 2012.[59] As of January 2015, Liwa al-Tawhid controls the town.[18]
Maydan Ikbis	1,302	Afrin District	y	By late July 2013, YPG fighters controlled the town.[60]
Al-Muslimiyah	5,916	Mount Simeon District	y	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.[61] In early December, FSA entered the College and took control progressively of all buildings[62] On 15 December 2012, the rebels reportedly captured the infantry academy, army base and recruiting center at al-Muslimiyah,[63][64] after weeks of fighting. The Hanano Barracks has a three-kilometer square campus.[64] 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.[65] The rebel brigade claimed it captured 100 prisoners.[63] During the SAA offensive in October 2014 which captured the Handarat area and placed rebel-held Aleppo under a de facto siege, Syrian Army units captured the village along with surrounding areas.[66]
Nubl	21,039	A'zaz District	n	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.[67][68] 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.[69]
Sarrin	6,104	Ayn Al-Arab District	y	In May 2013, the YPG took control of this area near the Tomb of Suleyman Shah. In September 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and al-Nusra Front militants seized control of Sarrin.[70] See also 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign. In July 2015, YPG forces took over the area.[71]
Tell Aran	17,767	Al-Safira District	y	On 1 August 2013, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Al Nusra Front fighters took control of the town after defeating Kurdish forces.[72] Shortly afterwards, local Kurdish sources claimed that Kurdish civilians were killed by the jihadist groups.[73] On 11 November 2013, Tell Aran was seized by Syrian Army troops[74]
Tell Rifaat	20,514	A'zaz District	y	In the early summer of 2012, Syrian government authorities withdrew from Tell Rifaat and were replaced by a council made up of local scholars, judges, and former Syrian Army officers.[75] 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.[76] 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.[77] By November 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was in full control of the town.[78] In January 2014, resistance fighters, mainly members of the Islamic Front, defeated ISIS militants in the town. Liwa al-Fatah of the Islamic Front came into control of the town.[18] On 15 February 2016, the town was taken by the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces.[79]
Tell Shughayb	5,110	Mount Simeon District	n	On 1 March 2013, the Syrian army regained control of the strategic Tell Shughayb town allowing them to approach the Aleppo airport.[80][81]
Tishrin Dam	—	between Ayn al-Arab and Manbij Districts	y	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.[82] The dam's capture also cuts of one of the last government supply lines to Aleppo, further encircling soldiers fighting in the city.[83]
Urum al-Kubrah	5,391	Atarib District	y	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.[84] By January 2014, the town was controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[85]
Urum al-Sughrah	637	Atarib District	y	Since June 2012, FSA has control.[23] 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. 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[86] 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[87]
Al-Zahraa	13,780	A'zaz District	n	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.[67][68] 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. Siege broken by government troop on 3 February 2016.[69]
Outside of listed towns in Aleppo G.		—	uAround 70 towns and villagesAround 70 towns and villagesAround 70 towns and villagesAround 50 towns and villages	The military situation in and around the Aleppo as of 4 December 2016      Syrian Army control      Opposition control In March 2012, fighting erupted for the first time in the 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.[23] 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. The countryside stretching from Aleppo to the Turkish border about 30 miles away has been cleared of government forces.[13] 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.[4] On 1 January 2013, it was reported that a large majority of the governorate was under rebel control.[88] See also: Aleppo offensive (October 2013).

Damascus and Rif Damashq Governorates

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Damascus - Barzeh	47,339	Damascus District	r	Barzeh, a suburb of Damascus, was reported to be contested as of 7 December 2012.[89] A truce in Barzeh was signed in January 2014. Government footage showed bulldozers clearing rubble and the local governor speaking to residents; footage from the rebels showed their fighters were still present, neither shooting nor being rounded up. The deal was voluntary; rebels were tired and wanted their destroyed town cleaned up.[90] On 14 April, Barzeh, a suburb of Damascus, was reported to be the under army control.[91] See also: Damascus offensive (2013).
Damascus - Kafr Sousa		Damascus District	n
Damascus - Al-Qabun		Damascus District	r
Damascus - Tadamon	86,793	Damascus District	r	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.[89] In February 2014, it was reported that the neighborhood was under siege by the army.[92] See also: Damascus offensive (2013).
Damascus (except neighborhoods listed separately)	1,280,781	Damascus District	p90%	The situation in Rif Dimashq as of 000000002016-10-30-0000October 30, 2016      Syrian Government control     Opposition control     Contested By mid-July 2012, fighting in Damascus intensified, with a major rebel push to take the city.[93] On 19 July 2012, the Syrian Army stormed the rebel held Qaboun neighborhood with a large number of tanks.[94] On 20 July, the Syrian Army continued its counterattack, storming the neighborhood of Jobar in Damascus, searching for rebels.[95] The rebels confirmed they had been forced to withdraw from Al-Midan after the army assault.[96][97] Rebel fighters stormed and burned the Sa'iqa military camp, which was being used as a training facility, in the Basateen al-Mezzeh neighborhood in central Damascus.[98] The conflict reached a decisive phase in late July. Government forces managed to break the rebel offensive on Damascus by pushing out most of the opposition fighters. In November 2012, there was renewed fighting in some of the neighborhoods (Qaboun, Jobar, Qadam) after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq. The Mezzeh Military airport and its nearby military bases are home to the 4th Armored Division. These bases protect central Damascus from the rebel forces in Darayya and Muadamiyat al-Sham. The nearby Mazzeh 86 neighborhood is an Alawite slum and the point of origin for many pro-government militias.[89] The mountains that loom over western Damascus bristle with Assad’s strength. Four large military complexes in Qassioun, Mezzeh, al-Dreij, and Qatana sprawl across most of the territory between Damascus and the Lebanese border. The Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Republican Guard, and the 4th Armored Division’s headquarters are virtually impregnable fortresses that the opposition would have extreme difficulty overcoming without heavy artillery or an air force.[99] On 16 June a rebel attack was launched on Mezze military airport. This compound hold the headquarters of the Republic Guards, special forces, Military Intelligence and has been used as a personal airport for members of the Assad family. A booby trapped car bomb exploded at a roadblock near the compound killing and wounding 20 members of the security forces according to SOHR. However the base itself was spared.[100] On 11 August, Syrian troops have recaptured northern districts of al-Maliha on east Damascus, a week after breaking the siege on the embattled town by rebels, freeing 700 besieged fighters, activists said.[101] See also: Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign
Darayya	78,763	Darayya District	r	See Darayya (Syrian civil war). Rebels surrenderes Darayya to Syrian Army in August 2016.[102]
Douma	110,893	Douma District	y	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.[103] Complete control was achieved on 30 June when Syrian army troops entered all parts of Douma.[104] On 18 October, after heavy fighting, the FSA retook control of the city.[105] On 30 October, there were continuing fights in Douma.[106] It was reported to be under rebel control as of 7 December 2012.[89] On 30 December, the Syrian troops killed 30 "terrorists" from the Al Qaeda-linked Al Nusra Front and other jihadist groups during a series of "qualitative" operations in two areas of the rebel-held Douma suburb, east of the capital Damascus.[107] On 1 February, the Observatory said that regime-versus-rebel clashes were heavy in the Damascus suburb of Douma.[108] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012) and Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013) and Rif Dimashq offensive (August 2014–present).
An-Nabk	32,548	Al-Nabk District	y	Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[23] See also: Battle of Qalamoun.
Qatana	33,996	Qatana District	n	In December 2012, it was reported that 28 government checkpoints control this multi-ethnic regime stronghold.[109] On 15 October 2013, there was shelling emanating from Turba checkpoint and the Baath School area.
Qudsaya	33,571	Qudsaya District	r	Qudsaya is called "The Lion’s Den" because of the presence of a large number of Alawite government supporters.[89] On 24 August 2012, government forces stormed the town amid heavy gunfire. 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.[99] On November 9, 2013, military sources announced an agreement had been reached in Qudsaya. The agreement establishes a ceasefire and a joint security committee from the army and the opposition militants, under the Syrian flag, which will be raised in the town square. Also as part of the agreement, the two roads leading to Qudsaya will be reopened – the old Safsaf Avenue and the road that links the city to its main suburb.[110]
Al-Qutayfah	26,671	Al-Qutayfah District	n	on December 5, 2012, government forces stationed in Al-Qutayfah launched rocket shelling on neighboring areas.
Al-Tall	44,597	Al-Tall District	r	In July 2012, the city became an important rebel base around Damascus.[111] 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.[112] In the beginning of August, the Syrian Army started shelling the rebel positions more intensively.[113] The city became completely besieged by the Army after the capture of 3 Syrian journalists by the rebels near the city.[114] 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".[115] The three captured journalists were found by the Syrian Army.[116] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012).
Yabrud	25,891	Yabrud District	y	As of 24 December 2012, the town has been in FSA control for over 6 months.[117] In December 2013, the town was controlled by the Al Nusra Front.[118] On 30 December, In the town of Yabrud near Damascus, the troops eliminated gatherings of the Nusra fighters, killing 15 of them and destroying their ammunitions and weaponries.[119] On February 27, 2014, 10 officers of Artillery Brigade 555 were killed as they were attempting to infiltrate Yabrud.[120] On 16 March, Syrian state media and opposition activists have reported that the Syrian troops, backed by Hezbollah fighters, are in full control of Yabroud after clearing out rebels holed up in the strategic Syrian town for months.[121]
Al-Zabadani	26,285	Zabadani District	r	Military deployments in the vicinity of Zabadani between 11 and 13 February 2012 The city of Zabadani is vitally important to Syria's government and to Iran because, at least as late as June 2011, the city served as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps's logistical hub for supplying Hizballah.[122] On January 18, 2012 Zabadani became the first city to fall under the control of the FSA following a bloody battle that lasted 11 days.[123][124][125] and the adjoining town of Madaya mid-January.[126] Syrian Army retakes control of Madaya and Zabadani in mid-February.[127] In May, much of Zabadani was once again reportedly out of government control, with army checkpoints on the roads leading into and out of the city and security forces guarding government buildings in the town, but not venturing outside to such places as the central square. Around 450 FSA fighters were in the orchards outside of Zabadani, but they did not have a presence in the town itself. Instead, opposition activists were reporting from within the city via walkie-talkies and organizing protests.[128][129][130] By late July, the town had become a base of operations for Hezbollah the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, who had entered Syria to fight for the Assad government.[131] However, in August local fighters in Zabadani retook 70% of the town with only a few isolated army checkpoints remaining[132] On February 28, 2014, a truce was reached between government and rebel forces.[133] Later, however, it was reported that this truce broke down and that rebels attacked government checkpoints, with the government besieging and shelling the town.[134] On 26 April 2014, rebels in the Syrian town of Zabadani have surrendered after intense fighting with regime troops, losing their last stronghold along Lebanon's border.[135]
Arbin	44,934	Markaz Rif Dimashq	y	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.[136] 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.[89]
Assal al-Ward	5,812	Yabrud District	y	Since June 2012,the Syrian Army has control of this town located along the Syrian–Lebanese borders.[23] On 15 April 2014, the Syrian army, backed by Hezbollah fighters, retook village Aasal al-Ward.[137] In October 2014, al-Nusra Front launched a heavy attack on al-Jebbah and Assal al-Ward.[138]
Babbila	50,880	Markaz Rif Dimashq	r	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[89] In February 2014, Syria's army and rebels agreed a truce in Babbila. Regime troops raised the Syrian flag over the municipality of the southern suburb, which had been used as a rebel rear base until several months ago when the army laid siege to it. Armed rebels were still present in the area, as the terms of the agreement also included an amnesty, a security source said.[139]
Beit Sahem	15,667	Markaz Rif Dimashq	r	ln January 2014, the local opposition committee in the suburb proposed to the government a cease-fire with local autonomy, according to a resident of a neighboring town familiar with the talks. People there were shot as they tried to leave under an abortive deal in December, but they are hungry, and ready to try again.[90]
Beit Sawa	6,249	Markaz Rif Dimashq	n	Beit Sawa and the nearby Hammurah fields, experienced intermittent shelling by Syrian Army for three days between June 30 to July 2, 2012.[140] ln late November 2012, Beit Sawa was under FSA control after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq.[89]
Deir Atiyah	10,984	An-Nabk District	n	Deir Atiyah is a town with a Christian majority. See also: Battle of Qalamoun.
Al-Hajar al-Aswad	84,948	Darayya District	r	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.[141] 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.[142] 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.[143][144] 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.[145] ln January 2014, reports indicated that opposition fighters fleeing the fallen towns are concentrated in the remaining strongholds, particularly Al-Hajar al-Aswad.[146] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012) and Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–present).
Harasta	68,708	Douma District	r	On 21 October 2012, it was reported that Harasta was under heavy shelling.[147] On 25 October, the Syrian army fired heavy tank and rocket barrages, after rebels overran two army checkpoints on the edge of the town.[148] 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.[89] Harasta is mostly in government hands but rebels have been trying since summer 2012 to advance into it.[149] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012) and Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–present).
Jaramana	114,363	Markaz Rif Dimashq	n	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.[89]
Kafr Batna	22,535	Markaz Rif Dimashq	y	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.[150] 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[151]
Muadamiyat al-Sham	52,738	Darayya District	r	After a two-day operation at the end of July 2012, which killed 120 people in this suburb,[152] 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.[153][154] The death toll of the operation was estimated at 86 dead, half of them executed by the Syrian Army for being suspected rebels.[155][156] 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.[157] On November 30, 2012, there was continued shelling in the suburb from 4th division headquarters and Mezzeh Military Airport. Rebels surrendered to the Syrian Arab Army on 1 Sept. 2016[158] See also: Siege of Darayya and Muadamiyat.
Al-Sabinah	62,509	Markaz Rif Dimashq	r	On late November 2012, this suburb has seen fighting between FSA and government troops after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq[89] The town was retaken by the SAA, National Defense Force and Hezbullah fighters on 7 November 2013, cutting off the main rebel supply lines into southern Damascus.[159] On March 12, 2013, artillery shelling targeted Hujaira Balad from brigade 158 that is situated on Jabal Suhya south of Al-Sabinah.[160] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012).
Sahnaya	13,993	Darayya District	n	Since late November 2012, this suburb was under government control[89] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012) and Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–present).
Saidnaya	5,194	Al-Tall District	n
Saqba	25,696	Markaz Rif Dimashq	n	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.[161][162] ln late November 2012, Saqba was under FSA control after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq.[89] See also: Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012).
Sayyidah Zaynab	136,427	Markaz Rif Dimashq	n	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.[89] on 4 February 2013, it was reported that Sayyidah Zaynab was contested between rebels and hezbollah/iraqis[163]
Yalda	28,384	Markaz Rif Dimashq	r	ln late November 2012, this suburb was under FSA control after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq.[89] Syrian Army Kills More Militants, Terrorist Attacks Claim Lives of 19 Citizens
Zamalka	44,661	Markaz Rif Dimashq	r	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.[136] 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.[89] However, as of September 2013, the government still had a presence in the town.[164]
Outside of listed towns in Rif Dimashq G.		—	r	Frontlines in the Qalamoun Mountains in April 2014     Syrian Government control      Opposition control      Hezbollah Presence      Contested Since June 2012, FSA controls rural areas between the Damascus-Homs highway and the Lebanese frontier (north of Zabadani)[23] 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.[136] 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[165] On 29 November, rebels stated that they had blocked access to Damascus International Airport.[166] 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.[166] 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.[167] For almost forty years, the majority of Syria’s medium- and short-range ballistic missile force has been garrisoned at the Al Qutayfah Tactical SSM Storage and Training Facility ,located 25.4 kilometers northeast of Damascus, which is the home of both the Syrian Army’s 155th Missile Brigade, equipped with Russian-made SCUD ballistic missiles, and the 156th Missile Brigade, which controls the Syrian Army’s entire complement of Russian-made FROG short-range ballistic missiles. There is a SCUD missile storage and support facility 14 miles south of Damascus at the Hirjillah Army Barracks which is home of the 76th Armored Brigade of the Syrian Army’s 1st Armored Division.[168] See also: 2011 Rif Dimashq blockades, Battle of Jdaidet al-Fadl, Battle of Qalamoun, Al-Otaiba ambush, Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign and Yarmouk camp fighting (2015).

Daraa Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Daraa	97,969	Daraa District	r	The situation in Daraa in February 2016     Syrian Army control     Opposition control On 25 April 2011, the Syrian military launched a large operation in Daraa in a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.[169] The operation lasted until 5 May 2011. On 16 February 2012, the Syrian 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 that the 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 Syrian Army roadblocks and buildings housing security police and militiamen.[170] On 14 March 2012, the FSA controlled at least one 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.[171] See also: 2011–2012 Daraa Governorate clashes and 2013 Daraa offensive. A tent where around 100 supporters of President Assad had assembled to discuss an election campaign was shelled on May 22, 2014 killing at least 21 people and wounding dozens more.[172]
Izra	19,158	Izra' District	n	Izra is base to 5th division’s 12th Armored Brigade and 175th Artillery Regiment;[99] on 16 Dec 2012, rebels and troops clashed in the town.[173] On 22 January 2013, it was reported that the army entered the town and started an arrest campaign.[174]
Al-Sanamayn	26,268	Al-Sanamayn District	n	Al-Sanamayn is base to the 9th division’s 15th Brigade[99]
Adwan	2,487	Izra District	t	By early September 2013, the town was in control of the Syrian Army.[175] Rebels took control of the town during their spring offensive in 2014.
Bosra	19,683	Daraa District	r	On October 14, 2012, there were intense gunfire from regime forces stationed at checkpoints on the main road running through the town. On 13 November 2012, fierce fighting has been reported in the east side of the town. On 15 January 2013, it was reported that the citadel was used by the army on a daily basis to shell the town.[176] Since the beginning of February 2014 the city under the control of the Syrian army.[177] Rebel groups took control of the town under March 2015.[178]
Busra al-Harir	13,315	Izra' District	r	From the town and the nearby Laja area, the FSA have attacked military supply lines.[179] On 11 December, the Syrian Army's Izra'-based 12th Armoured Brigade stormed the town in an attempt to rout out FSA fighters.[179] 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.[180]
Da'el	29,408	Daraa District	y	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.[181] 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).[182]
Al-Harra	17,172	al-Sanamayn District	y	On 10 August 2013, the Syrian Army seized the town, formerly under opposition control. They freed prisoners held by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and captured weapons and munitions, following their victory. The army reportedly found an almost empty village upon their arrival, since the vast majority of the residents had left their houses due to the ongoing military operations.[183]
Al-Hirak	20,760	Izra' District	y	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.[184] 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.[185] "Mosque al-Herak" is named on the Global Heritage Fund listing of damages to Syrian cultural heritage.[186] On August 22, 2012, France 24 reported that the Syrian army began a campaign against Al-Hirak which lead to a fierce battle. On August 24, 2012, the FSA withdrew from the town. On 12 and 13 November 2012, the town was reported having a rebel presence and shelled by the army. 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[187]
Inkhil	31,258	al-Sanamayn District	r
Jamla	1,916	Daraa District	y	On 6 March 2013, rebels kidnapped 21 United Nations peacekeepers patrolling the border between Syria and the Israeli Golan Heights. Rebels were reportedly in control of the village itself, but intense clashes were occurring around it.[188] 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.[189]
Jasim	31,683	Izra' District	y	Jasim was one of the first cities to participate in large-scale protests against the government on 18 March 2011.[181] Further mass protests were reported on 22 April 2011.[190] On 1 April 2012, four Syrian Army soldiers were killed in clashes with rebel FSA gunmen in Jasim.[191] On 12 and 13 November 2012, fierce gunfire has been reported in the town. On 15 January 2014, rebels were in control of Jasim.[192]
Kafr Nasej	2,381	Al-Sanamayn District	n	On 9 February 2013, Syrian Army troops repulsed an attack on a military post in the town.[193]
Kafr Shams	12,435	Al-Sanamayn District	n
Khabab	3,379	Al-Sanamayn District	n	By May 2013, this predominantly Catholic town was reportedly under the control of the Syrian Army.[194]
Muthabin	2,351	Al-Sanamayn District	n	By May 2013, the town was reportedly in control of the Syrian Army.[194]
Nawa	47,066	Izra' District	r	In the same speech where he commented on the loss of territory in Daraa 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.[195] On 17 July, rebels captured most of Nawa city.[196] In early August 2013 the town was under the control of the Army.[197] On October 16, 2013, a powerful blast ripped through a pickup truck that went past Tell_al-Jumou' (south-west of Nawa), where a battalion of troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad was positioned.[198] On 9 November 2014, Islamic battalions and the al-Nusra Front took over the city of Nawa, after violent clashes against regime forces.[199]
Qarfa	4,885	Izra' District	r	On early January 2013, FSA fighters attacked a compound in the outskirts of Qarfa, killing a nephew of Rustum Ghazaleh, while the victim’s father was wounded and his brother abducted.[200]
Al-Shaykh Maskin	24,057	Izra' District	y	on 16 Dec 2012, rebels and troops clashed in this predominantly Sunni Muslim[201] town.[173] On December 26, 2012, there was a huge explosion in the radar’s battalion in Brigade 82, followed by violent clashes within the brigade. November 22, 2014: Syrian army back under the control of the territory Brigade 82[202] On 14 Nowember 2015, Syrian troops advance in the town Sheikh Meskin and seizing some parts of it.[203] On 25 January 2016, government forces retake the city of Al-Shaykh Maskin.[204]
Al-Shaykh Saad	3,373	Izra District	n	By early September 2013, the town was under the control of the Syrian Army.[175]
Tubna	1,272	Al-Sanamayn District	n	By May 2013, this predominantly Catholic town was reportedly in control of the Syrian Army.[194]
Outside of listed towns in Daraa G.		—	r	Since June 2012, FSA controls two areas, west and east of Daraa city (about ¼ of Governorate).[23] by December 2012, the FSA took control of several border checkpoints stationed at the borders with Jordan[205] 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 Golan Heights.[206] On 3 April 2013, 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.[207] On May 3, 2013, it was reported that the rebels were surrounding brigade 34 of the 9th Division[187][195] See also: Daraa Governorate campaign.

Deir ez-Zor Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Deir ez-Zor	211,857	Deir ez-Zor District	r	The situation in Deir ez-Zor in January 2016      Syrian Government control     ISIS control 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 Syrian Army 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.[208] Iraqi sunni tribes smuggled weapons because their offshoot 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.[209] On 11 January 2013, it was reported that the government controlled the neighborhoods of Al Qussour and joura (north west) and was shelling the neighborhoods of Alwrdi, Al-Jabaile, and Ar rushdia (south east).[210] From January to April 2013, there were clashes between the FSA and Syrian Army forces around the political police building in Hawiqa neighborhood.[211] On 13 August, Clashes took place in Sinaa neighbourhood. SOHR said "the rebels have advanced in various districts, but without taking anything completely; and control of the city remains divided between rebels and the government".[212] As of 20 August 2013, the western Hawiqa neighborhood, including the local Baath Party headquarters, had fallen to the rebels. Government forces retaliated by bombarding the rebels from their positions in the joura and Ghazi Ayyash districts. The FSA-affiliated Ahfad al-Rasul Brigade, recently supplied by Qatar with anti-aircraft missiles, played an important role in taking Hawiqa.[213] On the same day, the army hit rebel forces in Hawiqa district on Tuesday with tanks and multiple rocket launchers, and also battled them in territory separating Hawiqa from the district of joura, opposition sources in the city said. The regime is trying to regain Hawiqa because it cannot afford the rebels to be so close to its most important stronghold of Joura and the army camp there, said Abu al-Tayyeb al-Deiri of the opposition Deir al-Zor Media Centre. Deiri said that airforce intelligence and military intelligence, two important security compounds in the city, were also located in the nearby Ghazi Ayyash district, and were now within the range of rebel rocket-propelled grenades.[214] See also: 2011–2012 Deir ez-Zor clashes.
Al-Bukamal	42,510	Al-Bukamal District	y	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. 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 that the Syrian Army forces now only hold one air base in the province - the main military airport in Deir ez-Zor city.[215] As of 6 January 2014, the ISIL control the city.[216] The city was later reclaimed by the rebels. On 3 Jule, SOHR said that city Mayadeen, the biggest town in Deir Ezzor province, "is now under IS control, after Al-Nusra Front evacuated its headquarters there, and IS raised its banner. On 3 Jule, SOHR said that all towns and villages on the route from Al-Bukamal to Al-Bab, passing through Raqa province, are now under IS control,""[217] See also: 2011–2012 Deir ez-Zor clashes.
Al-Busayrah	6,199	Deir ez-Zor District	y
Mayadin	44,028	Mayadin District	y	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.[218] 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.[219] On 3 Jule, SOHR said that city Mayadeen, the biggest town in Deir Ezzor province, "is now under IS control, after Al-Nusra Front evacuated its headquarters there, and IS raised its banner."[217]
Outside of listed towns in Deir ez-Zor G.		—	t	As the Syrian Army has concentrated its 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.[208] In August 2012, units of the FSA targeted the remaining isolated outposts of the Syrian Army 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.[220] Residents in Deir ez-Zor used crude oil for heating and agriculture for lack of fuel[221] On 1 January 2013, it was reported that two thirds of Deir ez-Zor Governorate was under rebel control.[88] On April 11, 2014, ISIL withdrew from Al-Bukamal to the T2 oil site, where a Syria-Iraq pipeline runs.[222][222] On 3 Jule, SOHR said that all towns and villages on the route from Albu Kamal to Al-Bab , passing through Raqa province , are now under IS control," Only the provincial capital, which shares the same name as the province, and the military airport are not under IS control. The city of Deir Ezzor is split between President Bashar al-Assad's forces and an amalgam of rebel groups.[217] In early 2016, the forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces entered the governorate following the Al-Shaddadi offensive.

Hama Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Hama	312,994	Hama District	n	On 28 January 2012, 4 neighborhoods of Hama city were under opposition control.[223] 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.[23] On 25 April 2013, there were fights in the Tariq Halab neighbourhood[224] See also: Siege of Hama (2011), 27 May 2012 Hama Governorate clashes and 2012 Hama offensive
Masyaf	22,508	Masyaf District	n	Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[23]
Mhardeh	17,578	Mhardeh District	n	In June 2012, FSA was in control of this Christian town.[23] In September 2012, the government was reported in control of the town[19] On 17 December 2012, government positions in Mhardeh were reportedly under attack by rebel forces.[225] In the summer 2014, Al Nusra briefly besieged the city during the 2014 Hama offensive before being beaten back.
Salamiyah	66,724	Salamiyah District	n	Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[23]
Al-Suqaylabiyah	13,920	Al-Suqaylabiyah District	n	On October 14, 2012, there was fierce artillery and rocket shelling from Al-Nahel checkpoint in this Christian town, targeting the town of Kirnaz
Suran	29,100	Hama District	n	On August 31, Jund al-Aqsa and allies captured this town on the road between Aleppo and Damascus.[226] Later, the army recaptures this town.[227][228]
Halfaya	21,180	Mahardah District	n	Halfaya was the site of the Halfaya massacre in 2012. Rebels led by Jund-al-Aqsa captured this town on August 29, 2016.
Hayalin	3,913	Al-Suqaylabiyah District	y	Government forces shelled the village on 13 May 2012.[229] 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.[230] See also: 2013 Hama offensive.
Kafr Nabudah	13,513	Al-Suqaylabiyah District	n	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. Qassem Saadeddine, a member of the rebel military command confirmed this.[231]
Kafr Zita	17,052	Mhardeh District	y	On 16 December 2012, government forces combating rebels bombed Kafr Zita, leaving three children dead, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).[232] On 20 December 2012 rebels claimed to have captured Kafr Zita and a string of other nearby towns during an offensive against government forces in the vicinity of Hama.[233] In September 2013, abu shafiq checkpoint (lat=35.375;long=36.652) which is between Kafr Zita and Morek, has been captured by rebels.[234][235] By early January 2014, the town was controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[236]
Kirnaz	14,075	Mhardeh District	n	On January 28, 2013, FSA was reported to be in control of this predominantly Sunni Muslim[237] town, while the army was shelling it and preparing to attack it.[238] On 7 February 2013, SOHR reported that the army had regained control over the town.[239]
Al-Lataminah	16,267	Mhardeh District	y	On 19 December 2012, Qassem Saadeddine, a member of the rebel military command, said that towns taken by rebels included Al-Lataminah.[231]
Murak	14,307	Hama District	n	On 23 October 2014, the Syrian army backed allies took back total control of the strategically important city Morek, later nine months after it was seized by rebels and their Al-Qaeda allies.[240] See also: Battle of Mork. Despite this on November 6th, 2015 after a two day battle Jund al Aqsa and their allies retook the town from the SAA and their allies.
Ma'an	1,561	Hama District	y	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[241] On October 7, 2014, SOHR reported clashes in the vicinity of Ma'an.[242] During the 2016 Hama offensive rebels retake control. Army recaptures Ma'an.[243]
Qalaat al-Madiq	12,925	Al-Suqaylabiyah District	y	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.[244] See also:Template:Syrian Civil War detailed map.
Qastun	6,187	Al-Suqaylabiyah District	y	On 29 January 2013, it was reported that FSA was in control of the town.[245] However, The Tiger Forces of the Syrian Arab Army launched an assault of their own in the Jisr Al-Shughour District, taking control of the several villages including Qastoun, after fierce clashes with the Syrian Al-Qaeda group "Jabhat Al-Nusra" on the afternoon of Monday April 27, 2015. currently fighting is still ongoing this morning, with both sides in a deadlock for control of this town.[246]
Taybat al-Imam	24,105	Hama District	n	See also: 2013 Hama offensive, 2016 Hama offensive
Tremseh	6,926	Mhardeh District	n	The Tremseh residents are mostly Sunni Muslims.[247] 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.[248][249] 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.[250] See also: Battle of Tremseh.
Outside of listed towns in Hama G.		—	r 90% 10%	Frontlines in the Hama Governorate during the 2013 Hama offensive.     Syrian Government control      Opposition control      Contested By June 2012, FSA controlled swathes of land in Northern Hama governorate. FSA and local people, administered justice and the distribution of supplies to residents.[251] On 16 December 2012, the Syrian armed opposition launched the 2012 Hama offensive with the intent of taking control of Hama Governorate. Within two days, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that government troops had already been cleared from the towns of Halfaya, Hasraya, and Sheikh Hadid.[252] Rebels had advanced 40 kilometres (25 mi) south from Maarrat al-Nu'man and Jisr ash-Shugour, encountering little resistance.[253] On 19 December, brigades of FSA claimed in videos that they had captured Kafr Zita and all area north of Hama city. It seemed that rebels had overrun the loyalist army lines north of Hama city within 48 hours[254] On 20 December, rebel commander Kassem Saaddedin said via Skype that rebels had captured six towns north of Hama. He claimed FSA controlled Kafr Zita, Halfaya, and Hasraya.[255] In April 2013, Syrian rebels launched a military operation in the eastern part of the province of Hama, in an attempt to open up a new front, after rebel attacks in the governorate had stalled. The rebels managed to capture 10 villages during their offensive. However, the Army soon captured Halfaya and 20–23 other villages, including most of the ones previously captured by the rebels. On 7 September 2013, it was reported that there were many checkpoints manned by Assad’s forces in northwestern Hama province. ISIS also controls some parts of Hama countryside.[256] See also: 2013 Hama offensive. During the middle of 2014, rebels launched an attack toward Hama City and Hama military airport. During this offensive, they seized several villages, but the Syrian military quickly launched a counter attack, reversing all rebels gains and taking new villages. As of October 2014, in Northern Hama, rebels are in control of only a few villages near the Idlib governorate.

al-Hasakah Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History of the Syrian Civil War
Al-Hasakah	188,160	Al-Hasakah District	q 100%	Frontlines in Al-Hasakah.     Syrian Government control      Kurdish control      Syriac Military Council control      Contested On 26 January 2011, in one of the first events of the uprising,[257] 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".[258][259] 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.[260] 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. On 23 August 2016 an agreement between YPG and Syrian Army let Al-Hasakah be freed completely from Government forces.[261][262]
Al-Malikiyah	26,311	Al-Malikiyah District	v	YPG forces on 21 July reportedly captured Al-Malikiyah, which is located just 10 kilometers from the Turkish border.[263] Although another report stated that fighting was ongoing in the city.[264] 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.[265] In November 2012 Kurdish militia evicted all remaining regime forces from the city See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.
Qamishli	184,231	Qamishli District	q	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.[264] 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.[265] 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.[266] As of December 18, 2013, the regime controls about 10 percent of Qamishli, including the airport, the security quarter housing the intelligence services, and several buildings to the south. Regime security services move unfettered around the city and the surrounding Arab villages. In many ways, the PYD is neutral in the civil war, because they see it as a war between two evils. Even so, the YPG has sporadically skirmished with regime units for control of checkpoints.[267] Syrian regime retains wide control in city of Qamishli.[268] In February 2014, a Human Rights Watch official explained that the Assad forces and the government is basically present in three places in Qamishli: One is in the center so they call it kind of ‘security square.’ That also includes some Arab neighborhoods. The second is on the Turkish border at the border crossing. The third is at the airport.[269] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.
Qamishli Border Crossing	—	Qamishli District	v	By late November 2013, the border crossing between Qamishli and the Turkish city of Nusaybin was controlled by the Syrian government.[270]
Ras al-Ayn	29,347	Ra's al-'Ayn District	v	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.[265] ln late November 2012, there were fights between rebels and Kurdish militias. See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.
Amuda	26,821	Al Qamishli District	v	In late July 2012, Kurdish forces started campaign in Syrian Kurdistan and then proceeded with take-over of Amuda.[271] See also 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.
Al-Darbasiyah	8,551	Al-Hasakah District	v	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.[265] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.
Al-Hawl	3,409	Al-Hasakah District	v	The town was under IS control, after several offensives by YPG and their allied al-Sanadid forces were repelled. This town was seized by the YPG forces.See also: Al-Hawl Offensive (2015).
Al-Maabadah	15,759	Al-Malikiyah District	v	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.[272] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.
Al-Qahtaniya	16,946	Al-Qamishli District	v	The majority of the population is Kurdish. In late July 2012, YPG forces took control over the town.[51] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.
Al-Sabaa wa Arbain	14,177	Al-Hasakah District
Al-Shaddadi	15,806	Al-Hasakah District	v	In February 2013, al-Nusra Front fighters attacked Al-Shaddadi and captured the city 3 days later. Over 100 SAA soldiers and 40 al-Nusra fighters were killed, as well as dozens of petroleum workers, according to SOHR claims.[273] The Syrian Democratic Forces captured the town from ISIS in February 2016, during the Al-Shaddadi offensive (2016).
Markada	2,530	Al-Hasakah District	v	On the morning of 27 March 2014, the ISIS attacked the town, which was being held by the Al-Nusra Front. The ISIS managed to force Nusra to withdraw to the town's hospital and the mountain overlooking Markada.Before dawn on 29 March, clashes erupted in the town[6] as the ISIS attacked the hospital and Nusra positions in the mountain.[5] After heavy fighting that left 43 Nusra and 13 ISIS fighters dead,[4] the ISIS took full control of the town
Simalka Border Crossing	—	Al-Malikiyah District	v	Border crossing between towns of Simalka on Syrian side and Fish Khabur on Iraqi side was built 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.[274]
Outside of listed towns in Al-Hasakah G.		—	q	Territories held by Kurdish forces, ISIL jihadists, by the Syrian Army or contested in the Al-Hasakah Province, as of 23 March 2016 On January 8, 2013, FSA took control of Tishreen oil field Opposition sources reported that all other oil fields in the governorate were under Syrian government control.[275] See also: 2012 Syrian Kurdistan campaign.

Homs Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Homs - Abbasiya	33,363	Homs District	n	On 19 November 2012, there was shelling of opposition positions in Homs coming from this pro-government neighborhood (by opposition sources own admission).
Homs - Baba Amr	34,175	Homs District	n	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.[276] On the morning of 29 February, the Syrian Army launched a ground assault with infantry on the rebel-held district.[277] 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.[278] On 3 July 2012, clashes raged in and around the neighborhood of Baba Amr.[279] 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.[280][281] However, the military re-secured the district and repelled the rebels two weeks later.[282]
Homs – Deir Baalbah	44,795	Homs District	n	In October 2012, FSA took over part of the neighborhood that has been under army control for many months. On 28 October 2012, the neighborhood was under attack by the army. On 4 November 2012, army tanks entered the neighborhood from the north and clashed with the rebels. On 22 December 2012, Deir Baalbah was shelled from the pro-government neighborhood of Abbasiya.[283] 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.[284]
Homs - Ghouta	12,634	Homs District	r	On August 21, 2012, the rebel-held district came under sustained Army shelling.
Homs - Jobar	4,242	Homs District	n	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.[285]
Homs - Joret al-Shayyah	16,816	Homs District	r	On 3 July 2012, the military made an attempt to storm Joret al-Shayyah.[286][287][288] 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.[289] On 7 May 2014, under the terms of the agreement between the Syrian government and rebels the government forces take over all rebels districts in Homs city and Al Waer district in western Homs city.[290] However, rebels still hold the suburb.[291]
Homs - Karm al- Shami	35,732	Homs District	n
Homs - Karm al-Zeitoun	49,132	Homs District	n	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.[292]
Homs - Khaldiyeh	32,337	Homs District	r	ln early July 2012, the rebel-held neighborhood came under sustained Army shelling.[287][293] 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.[289] On 9 December 2012, it was reported that Khaldiyeh was still under rebel control[294] On 18 December 2012, the army attacked the rebels in Khaldiyeh and killed and injured many armed rebels and destroyed their military equipment.[295]
Homs - Old City	18,907	Homs District	r	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.[287][293] 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.[289] On 9 December 2012, it was reported that the Old City was still under rebel control[294] On 7 May 2014, under the terms of the agreement between the Syrian government and rebels the government forces take over all rebels districts in Homs city and Al Waer district in western Homs city.[290] However, rebels still hold the suburb.[291]
Homs - Qusour	21,534	Homs District	r	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.[289] On 7 May, under the terms of the agreement between the Syrian government and rebels the government forces take over all rebels districts in Homs city and Al Waer district in western Homs city.[290] However, rebels still hold the suburb.[291]
Homs – al-Waer		Homs District	r	Rebels still hold the suburb, over 400 fighters with their families.[291]
Homs (except neighborhoods listed separately)	353,184	Homs District	p	Situation in Homs as of May 2014 January 2012 saw intense fighting in the opposition stronghold of Homs, as the opposition claimed to be in control of ⅔ of the city. However, starting on 3 February 2012, the Syrian army launched a major offensive to take rebel-held neighborhoods in the city. By the end of March, and after weeks of artillery bombardments and heavy street fighting, the Syrian army retakes control of half a dozen districts, leaving them in control of 70 percent of the city.[292] By March 2013, the military was in control of 80 percent of the city.[296] On 7 May, under the terms of the agreement between the Syrian government and rebels the government forces take over all rebels districts in Homs city and Al Waer district in western Homs city.[290][297] See also: Siege of Homs and 2012 Homs offensive.
Al-Mukharram	6,202	Al-Mukharram District	n	Al-Mukharram and the localities of its district have a significant Alawite population.[298] The government has maintained control.[23]
Palmyra	51,323	Palmyra District	n	Since June 2012, the government has maintained control of the city. However, on May 20, 2015, Syrian government forces retreated and militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria took full control of the city. On March 2016, the Syrian government forces, with the help of the Russian forces, took full control of the city.[23][299][300]
Al-Qusayr	29,818	Al-Qusayr District	n	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[23] On 10 July 2012, Al-Qusayr was completely under rebel control with the city being under siege from the surrounding countryside.[301][302] However, later, it was confirmed that government troops still held the town's main road.[303] On June 5 it was confirmed that government troops were if full control of Al-Qusayr [304] See also: Battle of Al-Qusayr and Al-Qusayr offensive.
Al-Rastan	39,834	Ar-Rastan District	y	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.[305] Assad’s forces regained control of the city several times, but it has kept slipping back into rebel hands.[305] Its strategic location along the road which links the capital Damascus to the north of the country[306] 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.[305] (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.[23] The two main rebel forces in the Homs area, the Khaled Ibn Walid Brigade and Farouq, both work out of Rastan[307]
Talkalakh	18,412	Talkalakh District	y	On 15 May 2011, the Syrian military entered the town which is on the border with Lebanon, in a crackdown against pro-democracy protesters.[308] 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.[309][310][311] By 19 May, the military finished its operation and withdrew from Talkalakh.[312] Since June 2012, FSA has controlled some neighbourhoods of the city, however the government has retained control of loyalist and mixed neighbourhoods.[313] In late October 2012, Talkalakh was under siege by the army. 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.[314] 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.[315]
Abil	2,873	Homs District	n	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.[316] On 18 April, the Syrian Army took control over the town of Abel[317]
Al-Buwaydah al-Sharqiyah	3,196	Al-Qusayr District	r	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[318][319] On 8 June 2013, the town was recaptured by the Syrian Army during the Al-Qusayr offensive.[320]
Houla	50,000	Homs District	y	The settlement is essentially a Sunni town surrounded by Alawite villages.[321] 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.[322][323] See also: Houla massacre.
Al-Husn	8,980	Talkalakh District	r	On January 22, 2014, heavy clashes raged in al-Hosn[324] On 20 March 2014, the Syrian troops recaptured the town of Al-Hosn close to the border.[325]
Talbiseh	30,796		y	Talbiseh witnessed large demonstrations protesting against the government of Bashar al-Assad in April 2011.[326] Since the beginning of the insurrection, the city has become a stronghold for the opposition and the anti-government Free Syrian Army (FSA).[327] 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.[328] On 8 June 2012, three civilians and nine Syrian troops were killed in fighting in the Talbiseh area.[329] 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.[330] The Syrian Army attempted to retake Talbiseh on 21 July, sparking heavy clashes in the city and subsequent artillery bombardment.[331] On 25 September 2012, France 24 reported that Talbiseh was under siege from all directions by the army. On 24 March 2014, it was reported that the main obstacle preventing the rebels from breaking the siege of Homs city was the Malouk army complex, just south of Talbiseh. The Malouk complex is composed of many checkpoints, spanning 15 square km. It contains 60 tanks and tens of other military vehicules, in addition to 1200 soldiers.[332] See also: Talbiseh bakery massacre.
Outside of listed towns in Homs G.		—	r	Since June 2012, FSA has control of parts of rural Homs.[23] At the beginning of 2015 the Syrian troops controls most of Homs province.[333]

Idlib Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Idlib	98,791	Idlib District	y	Additional armored and artillery units arrived outside of Idlib by 11 March and began deploying into the city by 12 March. On 12 February 2012, the entire city of Idlib was under opposition control, but was preparing for an attack by the government.[334] In mid-March 2012, rebels in Idlib offered stiff resistance but could not defeat the military’s tanks and the city fell in a matter of days.[23] As of 7 June 2012, the edges of the city and the surrounding areas belong to the rebels.[244] On 20 January 2013 a coordinated attack on Idlib city was begun by the FSA. They overran several checkpoints on the Western edges of Idlib, one attack at Rodoko checkpoint led to the killing of 15 Syrian Army soldiers (the rest fled on foot) and allowed rebels to capture 3 tanks and the checkpoints weapons cache.[335] Furthermore rebels could start to siege the central prison of Idlib, which holds more than 600 inmates.[336] On 28 March 2015 the rebel coalition Jaish Al-Fatah captured Idlib City. See also: 2011–2012 Idlib Governorate clashes, February 2012 Idlib Operation, Battle of Idlib and Idlib Governorate clashes (June 2012–present).
Ariha	39,501	Arihah District	y	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.[23][337] The city was retaken by the army on 11 August 2012.[338] By late July 2013, rebels controlled parts of Ariha, while government forces manned three checkpoints inside the town.[339] On 24 August, rebels captured Ariha. However, after 10 days of bombardment, government forces recaptured the town on 3 September.[340][341] On the 28th of May 2015 a coalition of rebel forces cooperating under the banner of Jaish al-Fatah captured Ariha after a brief battle led to the withdrawal of Syrian army units.
Harem	21,934	Harem District	y	Harem is situated exactly on the border of Turkey. Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[23][342] In October, the FSA gained control of the town.[343] 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.[344] In December 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant announced its entire control over Harem.[345] By January 2014, clashes were on going in the town as part of the Syrian opposition–Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant conflict.
Jisr al-Shughur	39,917	Jisr ash-Shugur District	n	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.[346] However, FSA takes control of what will become a key rebel center in December 2011–January 2012.[347] ln June 2012, the FSA was still in control.[23] In October 2012, the Syrian government was reported by Al Jazeera to be in control of the town.[348] But 25 April 2015, Al Nusra and their allies captured the city of Jisr al-Shughur.[349]
Maarrat al-Nu'man	58,008	Maarat al-Numaan District	y	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. On 25 October 2011, clashes occurred between loyalists and defected soldiers at a roadblock on the edge of the town. The defectors launched an assault on the government held roadblock in retaliation for a raid on their positions the previous night.[350] FSA takes control in December 2011–January 2012. The regime recaptures it at a later date. On 10 June, the FSA takes it back, but the military recapture it in August.[351] Between 9 and 11 October 2012, France 24 reported a major rebel offensive and the overtake of the city. This is strategically important since Maarat al-Numaan is on the highway that Assad troops use to reinforce and resupply its forces in Aleppo city.[352][353] 80% of the population of the town has left to neighboring areas. Syrian Army recaptures villages along the highway that leads to Maarat al-Numaan. On 14 November the Syrian forces launched two air strikes on Maaret al-Numan while continuing their attempt to retake the town from the rebels, a battle which has been ongoing since 9 October.[354] ln mid-October, a large military base 3 km east of the town (Wadi Deif) came under siege. The base is protected by two large outposts, the Zahlani, which is just 600 to 700 m from the various rebel groups that are now this village’s only inhabitants, and the Hamidiyah, which has also come under greater attack from rebels. The two rebel launch points were Maarat al-Numaan and Marshamsheh; In addition to its imposing position near a strategic spot along the south-north Damascus-Aleppo highway, Wadi Daif is also an important barracks with an armored regiment and a fuel depot believed to hold millions of liters in underground silos. There are at least four other smaller checkpoints protecting it, as well as the Zahlani and Hamidiyah. The rebels are spread out along a 5-km southern front in Maarat al-Numaan, working to take out the Hamidiyah checkpoint. Each position is 100 m from the other. There are seven men per post (on six-hour shifts) and each post contains a machine gun, a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, a sniper rifle and four Kalashnikovs. The nearest regime location is only 400 m away in some places, 700 in others.[355] On 13 April 2013, the Syrian army launched an offensive to resupply Wadi Deif, inflicting losses on the rebels. They ambushed the rebels near the village of Babulin.[356] SOHR claimed that if the government is able to hold this gain, they could reopen the whole road to Aleppo and it would have major strategical implication. Rebels attempted a counter attack on 15 April, but their front was weakened due to infighting and deployement of fighters elsewhere.[357] Nusra Front later took over the FSA headquarters and captured several weapons depots after the Second Battle of Maarat al-Nu'man in March 2016.[358]
Abu al-Thuhur	10,694	Idlib District	r	Abu al-Thuhur is the site of military airfield.[359] 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.[355] They claimed that as a result of their employment of anti-aircraft weaponry, they have rendered flights from the base inoperable.[360][361]'
al-Alani	3,279	Harem District	y	In June 2012, FSA was in control.[23] In September 2012, the government was reported in control of the town[19]
Armanaz	10,296	Harem District	y	Rebels drove out government forces on 20 June 2012 after weeks of clashes.[362]
Azmarin	3,720	Harem District	y	ln June 2012, FSA was reported to have control of this town located on the border with Turkey.[23] 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.[342]
Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing	—	Harem District	y	It is a frequent place of crossing for Syrians trying to reach the refugee camp in nearby Reyhanlı.[363] 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.[364] The crossing is a major route for smuggling, particularly oil and gas, and has seen a dramatic rise in weapons smuggling.[365] On July 19, 2012, the FSA with 200 fighters seized the border crossing and defaced images of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.[366][367][368][369] On 22 July 2012, Turkish armed forces further restricted border crossings of their own nationals.[370] Crisply dressed rebels check passports of new arrivals, enter names into computers and extend a welcome hand to "Free Syria."[13] 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.[371] By early December 2013, fighters from the Islamic Front ousted FSA-aligned fighters from the border crossing.[372]
Binnish	21,848	Idlib District	y	Binnish has been a major protest hub. On 13 October 2011, clashes were reported in the city.[373] 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.[374] 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.[375] On 4 April 2012, the Syrian Army was still shelling Binnish with citizens fleeing the city.[376] In June, the government has control.[23] In November, the town was under rebel control.[377] 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[99] By November 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was in full control of the town.[78] In January 2014, army begin operation against rebel positions in Binnish.[378]
Al-Dana	14,208	Harem District	y	Since July 2012, it is under FSA control.[379] However, al-Jazeera reported that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant controlled entirely the town since early July 2013.[22][380] ISIS rebels withdrew from Al-Dana.[381] See also:Syrian opposition–Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant conflict.
Darkush	5,295	Jisr al-Shughur District	y	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.[382] ln June 2012, FSA was reported to have control of Darkush.[23] At a later date, FSA lost control of the town. On 11 October, rebels recaptured it.[342]
Al-Fu'ah	10,264	Idlib District	n	On January 4, 2013, the Shia town was reported to be loyal to the government.[383] On March 29, 2014, the rebels seized parts of Al-Fu'ah.[384]
Al-Janudiyah	7,774	Jisr ash-Shugur District	y	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.[385]
Kafr Nabl	15,455	Maarat al-Numaan District	y	FSA takes control in December 2011–January 2012.[386] 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.[387][388] On 30 December, ISIS takes on Kafranbel.[389] In January 2014, the ISIS withdrew from the town following mass protests and clashes that were part of the Syrian opposition–Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant conflict.
Kaftin	2,346	Idlib District	y	By November 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was in full control of the Druze-majority town.[78]
Khan Shaykhun	34,371	Maarat al-Numaan District	n	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.[390] On 17 December 2012, government positions in Khan Shaykhun were reportedly under attack by rebel forces. In May 2014, it was reported that the rebels had captured most of the city with the exception of two regime-held bases (Al-Khazanat & Sallam_Checkpoints).[225] From the end of October 2014 the city is the main stronghold of Jabhat al-Nusra.[391][392]
Maarrat Misrin	17,519	Idlib District	y	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.[63] 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.[393] In December 2012 the FSA took control of the city.[394] By November 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was in full control of the town.[78] In early January 2014, fighting raged between ISIS and non-ISIS rebels in the Syrian opposition–Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant conflict.
Qah	2,262	Harem District	y	ln June 2012, the regime was reported to have control.[23] 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.[395]
Salqin	23,700	Harem District	y	Since June 2012, FSA has control.[23] ln early October 2012, the town was reported under army control.[342] 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.[396]
Saraqib	32,495	Idlib District	y	FSA takes control in December 2011–January 2012.[397] 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.[398] On 24 March, eleven days after the Syrian Army took back Idlib,[399] 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.[400] 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.[401] In July 2012, it was reported that the FSA had regained control of the city.[402] 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.[403] In January 2014, the town saw heavy clashes between ISIS and other Syrian rebel groups, but ISIS remained in control of the strategic town.[404] See also: Battle of Saraqeb.
Sarmin	14,530	Idlib District	n	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.[375][405] Sarmin’s mosque was severely damaged.[406][407] By November 2012, Sarmin was back under FSA control.[408]
Taftanaz	8,540	Idlib District	y	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.[409][410] 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.[411] 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.[412] 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.[413] In November, the town was under rebel control.[377] On 2 January 2013, the strategic Taftanaz military airbase (which rebels have repeatedly tried to capture but failed) was attacked by rebels launching what they called "the battle to liberate Taftanaz Military airport" involving three rebel brigades.[414][415]
Yakubiyah	476	Jisr al-Shughur District	y	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.[385]
Outside of listed towns in Idlib G.		—	t95% 3%	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.[251] Sham Falcons (led by General Mustafa al-Sheikh) operate in Jabal al-Zawiya.[416] Eight out of the 35 villages of the Zawiya Mountain, around 25% percent, were reportedly under opposition control.[417] 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[418] By November 2012, the FSA had taken control of 65% of the Governorate.[419] 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.[420] Al Nusra Front and a number of Islamist militias, along with a small number of FSA groups, now controlled between 70 and 80 percent of Idlib province.[420] 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, April 2012 Idlib Governorate Operation and Idlib Governorate clashes (2014).

Latakia Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Latakia	383,786	Latakia District	n	Latakia had been a site of protest activity since March 2011. The Syrian government claimed 12 were killed there in clashes in late March,[421] 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.[422] 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.[423]
Al-Haffah	4,298	Al-Haffah District	n	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.[424] On 12 June 2012, the military recaptured al-Haffah,[425] 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.[426][427] The rebels were reported to have retreated to Turkey.
Jableh	53,989	Jableh District	n	Since June 2012, the government has maintained control.[23]
Qardaha	8,671	Qardaha District	n	On early October 2012, Mohammad Assad, cousin of President Bashar Assad and leader of the local Shabiha, was wounded after a gunfight in the town with member of the rival Alawite Khayyir clan, sparked by a discussion about the earlier detention at Damascus airport of Abdel-Aziz Khayyer, a Qardaha native and member of the latter clan.[428] On early August 2013 in a surprise offensive, rebel fighters comprising ten mainly Islamist brigades, including al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant advanced south to the outskirts of the village of Aramo, 20 km. (12 miles) from Qardaha. One of the attackers stated "The objective is to reach Qardaha and hurt them like they are hurting us."[429]
Kesab	1,754	Latakia District	y	Kesab, which has a border post, is 3 kilometers away from the Turkish border and is mainly populated by Armenians[430] 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, however they were prevented from doing so by the local Alawite militias formed there.[63] Local Alawite militias continue to exercise control over the area.[431] In late December, the town was reportedly shelled by unspecified forces, but no residents were killed or injured.[432] On 24 March 2014, the Islamist rebels and their jihadist ally Al-Nusra Front seized the small city of Kasab and nearby Kasab border crossing.[433] However they were repelled and forced back by the Syrian army and allied NDF forces (including by Syrian Resistance of Ali Kayali) by the end of June 2014.
Salma	2,131	Al-Haffah District	y	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.[427] As of early August 2013, the town is reported by The Guardian to be the Latakia governorate headquarters of both al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[434] In 2014, ISIS fully withdraws from Latakia governorate. On 12 January 2016, Syrian army with allies recaptured the town of Salma.[435][435]
Outside of listed towns in Latakia G.		—	p 97% 3%	Situation in the Latakia Governorate in December 2016     Syrian Army control     Opposition control 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.[23] 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.[436] 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.[437] 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.[420] See also: Latakia Governorate campaing.

Quneitra Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Quneitra	4,318	Quneitra District	y	On June 6 rebels attacked Quneitra and captured the border crossing with Israel. Several hours later the government re-captured the crossing.[438] On August 27, it was initially reported that the al-Nusra Front had captured Quneitra Crossing. Later, Israeli intelligence reported that its border crossing was in both Free Syrian Army and Al-Nusra hands. But the town of Quneitra itself, 20 kilometers east, is still under control by Syrian troops.[439]
Bariqa	371	Quneitra District	y	This village in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights was reported to be under rebel control by 13 November.[440]
Beer Ajam	353	Quneitra District	r	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[440] See also: 2012 Golan Heights clashes .
Khan Arnabah	7,375	Quneitra District	r	Town in southern Syria, administratively part of the Quneitra Governorate (Golan Heights), in the portion of the province still under Syrian control. On 9 July, pro opposition source confirmed that the city Khan Arnabah fully under control by Syrian troops.[441]
Madinat al-Baath	4,500	Quneitra District	r	Town in southern Syria, administratively part of the Quneitra Governorate (Golan Heights), under control the Syrian army. See also: Template:Syrian Civil War detailed map .
Quneitra Crossing	4,318	Quneitra District	y	Since the end of April 2015, town of Quneutra and border crossing under control of ISIL.[442][443]
Outside of listed towns in Quneitra G.		—	p80% 20%	As of 13 September the Syrian government has lost control of about 80 percent of towns and villages in Quneitra province.[444] See also: Quneitra Governorate clashes (2012–present)

ar-Raqqah Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Ar-Raqqah	220,488	Ar-Raqqah District	y	Course of the battle and control in ar-Raqqah, as of October 2013.     Syrian Army control      Opposition control 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.[379] On March 4, 2013, rebel forces overran 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. By early November 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was in full control of the town.[445][446] By January 6, 2014, non-ISIS rebels had ousted the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from the city as part of the Syrian opposition–Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant conflict.[447] On 9 January, in Raqa, where ISIS is headquartered, fighting raged between the jihadists and rebels on Thursday, the Great Britain-based Observatory claimed."The rebels have taken control of the strategic political intelligence building, which had been under ISIS control and is just 400 meters from the jihadists' headquarters," Abdel Rahman said. "But ISIS still controls the bridges leading into the city, so people have to take boats to get in."[448] By 12 January, ISIS fighters had recaptured much of the provincial capital.[449] By 14 January, ISIS secured complete control of the city.[450]
Tell Abyad	14,825	Tal Abyad District	y	The Free Syrian Army took control over the city on September 19, 2012.[451][452] Tell Abyad under control Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[453] While rebels in Raqa appeared to be advancing, ISIL was fighting back in the countryside, especially in the border town of Tal Abyad, from which they were expelled earlier this week.[454] In the first weekend of January 2014, ISIS forces recaptured the town.[449] The YPG and FSA captured Tal Abyad from ISIS on June 15, 2015.
Al-Thawrah	69,425	Al-Thawrah District	y	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[455] On February 11, 2013, it was reported that opposition forces took over the city.[456] On 21 November, fierce fighting was reported between government troops and rebels in the town.[457] On 25 November, Jabhat al-Nusra and Liwa al-Tawhid were reported to be in control of the town. Rebels were reportedly besieging the nearby airbase of the same name, and had shot down a government helicopter outside the base, killing all of its crew members.[458] Officers from the government military and political security departments captured in the battle for Raqqa city were also being held as prisoners in the town.[459] On 5 January, clashes also were reported in the town of Tabqa in the eastern province of Raqqa, where ISIL forces are most dominant, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.[460]
Baath Dam	—	Al-Thawrah District	y	On 4 February opposition forces captured this minor dam on Euphrates river, week before capturing Tabqa Dam[461][462]
Tabqa Dam	—		y	On February 11, 2013, opposition forces captured the nation's largest dam, which is on the Euphrates and near the city of Al-Thawrah.[462] In November, the dam was used as a base by the al-Nusra Front.[459]
Outside of listed towns in Ar-Raqqah G.		—	s(southern part)(northern part)	On 1 January 2013, it was reported that a majority of Ar-Raqqah Governorate was in rebel control.[88] On March 4, 2013, FSA forces captured the provincial capital of Ar-Raqqah. While ISIS has captured the remaining SAA outposts left in Ar-Raqqah Governorate,the Tabqa (Thawra) military airbase, as well as the army bases of Division 17 near the city of Ar-Raqqah and of Brigade 93 near the town of Ayn Isa.[463] See also: Syrian Kurdistan campaign (2012–present).

as-Suwayda Governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
As-Suwayda	73,641	As-Suwayda District	n	On 28 October 2012, security forces launched a campaign of mass arrests in this Druze city.[396]
Salkhad	9,155	Salkhad District	n	The government has maintained control of this town located in the central Jabal el Druze highlands.[23]
Shahba	13,660	Shahba District	n	The government has maintained control of this town located in the Jabal el Druze.[23]
Outside of listed towns in As-Suwayda G.		—	p (most part) (several villages)	Since June 2012, FSA controls a small part near the frontier with Daraa Governorate. During November 2014, ISIS advanced into Suwaydaa from the Badiyah.[23]

Tartus governorate

Name	Population	District	Held by	History during the Syrian Civil War
Tartus	115,769	Tartus District	n	Syrian army kept control of this Alawi stronghold and naval facility.[23]
Baniyas	41,632	Baniyas District	n	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.[464] On 14 April, snipers killed a Syrian Army soldier in Baniyas.[465] 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.[466] 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.[467] On 14 May 2011, the military started to pull out of the city, after their operation ended.[468] 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.[469]
Duraykish	13,244	Dreikiche District	n	Syrian army kept control of this town.[23]
Safita	20,301	Safita District	n	Syrian army kept control of this town.[23]
Al-Shaykh Badr	9,486	Ash-Shaykh Badr District	n	Syrian army kept control of this town.[23]
Outside of listed towns in Tartus G.		—	n	The government has maintained control of this governorate that has an Alawi majority.[23]

See also

• List of airports in Syria
• Spillover of the Syrian Civil War

References

External links

• Map of territorial control of Damascus area (outdated)
• Maps of territorial control from Karybdamoid
• Map of Orontes river valley from PBS
• Map of territorial control of Daraa governorate in March 2013 from Business Insider
• Map of territorial control of Deir-ez-zor city in December 2013 from pro-government source
• Video: Survivors of Al Zara massacre in Syria's Homs tell what happened to them by bloodthirsty terrorists