Syrian Civil War 2011-2012 - Societa italiana di storia militare

head of the United Nations, called for an end to the violence in Syria and said it was the government's responsibility to end the
bloodshed. [138] After two days of clashes, oppositions and FSA sources confirmed that the Syrian army seized back the control of the
eastern suburbs of Damascus from the rebels and started to make house to house arrests. SANA said 51 soldiers were killed in recent
days of fighting. [139][140][141] Opposition activists claimed that close family members of Assad, including his wife, had tried to leave
Damascus via plane, but had been intercepted by the Free Syrian Army and forced to return to government held areas of Damascus.
The government refused to comment on the rumor. [142]
30 January On 30 January, the Syrian Army continued its offensive on previously rebel held area around Damascus. After seizing
back the eastern suburbs the previous day, the army entered the city of Rankous after several days of clashes forcing the rebels to
retreat and withdraw, according to the London based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. [143] On the night of 30 January, the
fighting subsided as Syrian army extended their control in Ghouta. An activist said that the FSA moved out of the suburbs and that the
Syrian army arrested 200 opposition members in Hammourya. The opposition death toll in Damascus given by the activist was 19
civilians killed and 6 FSA soldiers killed. [139] The Free Syrian Army returned to Saqba, and began conducting hit and run attacks
against the Syrian army. [144] Local Coordination Committees in Syria reported the number of people killed by the Syrian army on 30
January reached 100, including 8 children and a woman. 56 of the deaths were in Homs, 20 in Rastan, 15 in Daraa, 6 in Damascus
suburbs, 1 in Hasakah, and 2 in Idlib. [145] Despite the prior demand from the FSA, an official from the Syrian League for Human
Rights claimed to AFP that FSA colonel Hussein Harmush was executed by a gunshot wound to the head by an Air Force intelligence
unit. In June 2011, Harmush was the first military officer to defect from the Assad government, doing so by communicating such to
AFP in the Turkish town of Guvecci. He was later allegedly captured by intelligence from a refugee camp and forced to confess to
various "crimes," with the confessions broadcast on state television. [146]
31 January The Syrian Ministry of Interior issued a statement announcing that Assad's security forces had killed a number of
suspected "terrorists" and arrested several others in Douma, Harasta, Saqba, Hammouriyeh and Kfar Batna, seizing a large stockpile
of weapons. [147] The Syrian army continued its assault in the Damascus region with troops and tanks moving on Arbeen and Zamalka.
On another note, an activist claimed that the opposition fighters had captured the city of Rastan after a day of fighting with
government forces. [148] Further clashes occurred in Rastan, according to certain activists, who witnessed the destruction of an
unidentified structure by a tank. [149] Local coordination committees reported that the number of those killed on 31 January have
reached 34, including two children, a woman and 5 army defectors, 4 of whom were executed in Idlib. 14 were believed killed in
Idlib, 12 in Homs, and at least 3 in the Damascus Suburbs. [150]
February 2012
1 February While the army continued their operations, the Russian ambassador at the UN stated that Russia would veto the proposed
resolution if a clause explicitly excluding any military intervention was not included. [151] Eleven Iranian pilgrims were allegedly
kidnapped in Syria, and Iranian authorities accused armed opposition groups of being responsible. [152] The number of those killed by
Syrian security forces on 1 February has risen to 70 so far including 14 deaths from the Free Syrian Army, 2 women and 2 children.
35 were killed in Wadi Barada (Damascus suburbs), 8 in Daraa, 14 in Homs, 6 in Eastern Gharba (Daraa suburbs), 3 in Damascus
suburbs (Arbeen and Moadamiya), 3 in Idlib and one in Qamishli. [153][154]
2 February Heavy gunfire and shelling were reported to have occurred in Wadi Barada valley outside Damascus. Twenty four
people, including six army defectors were killed in the fighting according to activists. [155] At the United Nations, talks were
progressing toward a consensus. The text in Syrian resolutions being drafted have been watered down in an attempt to dodge a
Russian veto and do not explicitly call for Assad to step down although the UN reaffirms its support for Arab League proposals. The
new drafts also rule out foreign military intervention. [156] However, Russia continued to voice its disapproval. [157]
3 February - "Friday of Apologies to Hama" Protesters across Syria rallied in memorial of the 1982 Hama massacre. The largest
protests occurred within Homs, Aleppo, and Idlib. Protesters attempted to rally in Hama, but were dispersed by security forces
stationed to preempt mass protesting in Hama. Other protests occurred in Daraa and Latakia. Protests in Damascus's suburbs were
fired upon and dispersed the Syrian army stationed there. 42 protesters and civilians across Syria were reported killed by security
forces. [158] Opposition troops assaulted Syrian army positions in Anadan, just outside Aleppo. [159][160] Demonstrations in Syria on 3
February were seemingly amongst the most widespread of the entire uprising, including protests in over 600 towns and
neighborhoods.
4 February - Homs Massacre Government forces began an intense artillery bombardment of Homs, leading to over 400 civilian
deaths, according to activists in the city. Shabiha invaded some hospitals as well, with intent to kill or abduct the wounded. [161][162]
Syria strongly denied that such a shelling happened. They said that it was a fabrication from the opposition to try to influence the vote
at the UN the same day and accused the armed groups in Homs of killing soldiers and civilians. [163] However, activists posted web
videos which display burning structures believed to be hit by Syrian artillery. The authenticity of these films have not been
verified. [164][165][166] The Lebanese army deployed into the northern towns of Wadi Khaled and Akroum to root out possible Syrian
opposition forces and gunrunners. [167][168] A mass funeral was held in Khalidya, Homs, for those who lost their lives in the
neighborhood during the night. Elsewhere in Daraya, Damascus, a second funeral was attacked by security forces, who reportedly
shot 12 mourners. [169] Russia and China announced their veto to the contemporary UN resolution on Syria at the security council. [170]
5 February The Local Coordination Committees said the number of those killed by security forces on 5 February had risen to 43,
including 6 children and 3 women; of which, 29 of the deaths were in Homs, 6 in Idlib, 5 in Damascus Suburbs, 2 in Daraa and 1 in
Aleppo. [171]
6 February At least 300 rockets were reported to have landed in the city of Homs, with at least 15 initially reported killed on Monday
morning. [172] Great Britain recalled their ambassador. [173] A pipeline was damaged in the city of Homs. [174] The United States had
announced that they were closing their embassy. [175] The United Kingdom has also summoned its ambassador to the Foreign
Office, [176] and has suspended services in Syria. United States sent an official to Russia to talk about sanctions against Syria and
Iran. [177] Russia foreign minister Lavrov said western reactions to the Russian veto were too "hysterical". [178] Canada said that contrary
to the United States, they decided to keep their embassy open. [179] United nation secretary general Ban Ki Moon blamed the Syrian
government for the Homs bombardment. [180][dead link] The Local Coordinating Committees stated the number of those killed by security