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{{Infobox civilian attack
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = Zara'a attack
| title = Zara'a attack
| partof = the [[Syrian civil war]]
| partof = the [[Syrian civil war]]
| image = File:Harbnafsah nahiyah.svg
| image = File:Harbnafsah nahiyah.svg
| caption = Zara'a in the [[Hirbnafsah Nahiyah]], [[Hama Governorate]]
| caption = Zara'a in the [[Hirbnafsah Nahiyah]], [[Hama Governorate]]
| location = [[Hama Governorate]], [[Syria]]
| location = [[Hama Governorate]], [[Syria]]
| target = [[Alawite]] civilians, [[National Defence Forces (Syria)|National Defence Forces]]
| target = [[Alawite]] civilians, [[National Defence Forces (Syria)|National Defence Forces]]
| coordinates =
| coordinates =
| date = 12 May 2016
| date = 12 May 2016
| time =
| time =
| timezone =
| timezone =
| type = [[Shooting]]
| type = [[Shooting]]
| fatalities = Unknown
| fatalities = 8-30 NDF militiamen
| injuries = Unknown
| injuries = Unknown
| susperps =
| susperps =
| perps = [[Al-Nusra Front]] and [[Ahrar ash-Sham]]
| perps = [[Al-Nusra Front]] and [[Ahrar ash-Sham]]
| weapons = [[AK-47]]s and other small arms
| weapons = [[AK-47]]s and other small arms
| motive = [[Sectarianism]]
| motive = [[Sectarianism]]
}}
}}


On 12 May 2016, militants of the [[Al Qaeda]]-linked [[Al-Nusra Front]] and [[Ahrar ash-Sham]] attacked and captured the Alawite village of [[Zara'a, Hama|Zara'a]], Southern [[Hama Governorate]].<ref name="Zara'a">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-opposition-forces-massacre-kidnap-120-civilians-southern-hama/|title=Syrian opposition forces massacre, kidnap 120 civilians in southern Hama|work=Al-Masdar News|date=12 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-village-idUSKCN0Y30Y2|title=Rebels seize Alawite village in Syria, abduct civilians: Observatory|work=Reuters|date=12 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref>
On 12 May 2016, militants of the [[Al Qaeda|al-Qaeda]]-linked [[al-Nusra Front]] and [[Ahrar ash-Sham]] attacked and captured the Alawite village of [[Zara'a, Hama|Zara'a]], Southern [[Hama Governorate]].<ref name="Zara'a">{{cite web |date=12 May 2016 |title=Syrian opposition forces massacre, kidnap 120 civilians in southern Hama |url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-opposition-forces-massacre-kidnap-120-civilians-southern-hama/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301100157/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-opposition-forces-massacre-kidnap-120-civilians-southern-hama/ |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=1 June 2016 |work=Al-Masdar News}}</ref><ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-village-idUSKCN0Y30Y2|title=Rebels seize Alawite village in Syria, abduct civilians: Observatory|work=Reuters|date=12 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref>


==The attack==
==The attack==
An early morning surprise attack on Zara'a defeated a [[National Defence Forces (Syria)|National Defence Forces]] unit stationed there, and allowed the rebels to enter the predominantly [[Alawite]] village.<ref name="Red Crescent">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamists-agree-hand-corpses-civilians-massacred-northern-homs/|title=Islamists agree to hand over corpses of civilians massacred in northern Homs|work=Al-Masdar News|date=24 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that civilians had been kidnapped<ref name="Reuters" /> and the Red Crescent confirmed that 42 children and seven NDF militiamen were killed during the militant attack. According to the [[Local Coordination Committees of Syria|LCCS]], rebels killed over 30 pro-government fighters while [[Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|SOHR]] said seven militants were killed.<ref name="Ynet">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4802513,00.html|title=Al-Qaida, hard-line rebels seize Alawite village in Syria|work=Ynet|date=12 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> More clashes continued into the afternoon with the Syrian and Russian Air Forces airstriking the rebel positions.<ref name="Ynet"/> This rebel attack was a part of an assault in "revenge for Aleppo."<ref name="Reuters"/>
An early morning surprise attack on Zara'a defeated a [[National Defence Forces (Syria)|National Defence Forces]] unit stationed there, and allowed the rebels to enter the predominantly [[Alawite]] village.<ref name="Red Crescent">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamists-agree-hand-corpses-civilians-massacred-northern-homs/|title=Islamists agree to hand over corpses of civilians massacred in northern Homs|work=Al-Masdar News|date=24 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> According to the [[Syrian Observatory for Human Rights]], eight pro-government militiamen were killed and several villagers were kidnapped,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alawite civilians 'killed in homes' in opposition attack on Hama village |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/alawite-civilians-killed-homes-opposition-attack-hama-village |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref> while the [[Local Coordination Committees of Syria]] claimed that 30 pro-government militiamen were killed.<ref name="Ynet">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4802513,00.html|title=Al-Qaida, hard-line rebels seize Alawite village in Syria|work=Ynet|date=12 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> More clashes continued into the afternoon with the Syrian and Russian Air Forces conducting airstrikes on rebel positions.<ref name="Ynet"/> This rebel attack was a part of an assault in "revenge for Aleppo."<ref name="Reuters"/>


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Civilians, including women and children, were kidnapped and taken to [[Al-Rastan]] Plains with some news sources putting the number kidnapped at 70.<ref name="Zara'a"/> Some of the captured were pro-government troops.<ref name="Reuters"/> On 24 May 2016, the Syrian [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Crescent]] convinced the militants to hand over civilians and NDF bodies.<ref name="Red Crescent"/> They were transported by the [[Syrian Army]] to the Homs Military Hospital for identification the next day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-recovers-bodies-42-massacred-civilians-zaraha/|title=Syrian Army recovers the bodies of 42 civilians massacred at Zarah by rebel forces|work=Al-Masdar News|date=25 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617171147/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-recovers-bodies-42-massacred-civilians-zaraha/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
According to the pro-government outlet [[Al-Masdar News]], the kidnapped civilians were taken to the [[al-Rastan]] plains.<ref name="Zara'a"/> Some of the captured were pro-government troops.<ref name="Reuters"/> On 24 May 2016, the [[Syrian Red Crescent]] convinced the militants to hand over civilians and NDF bodies.<ref name="Red Crescent"/> They were transported by the [[Syrian Army]] to the Homs Military Hospital for identification the next day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-recovers-bodies-42-massacred-civilians-zaraha/|title=Syrian Army recovers the bodies of 42 civilians massacred at Zarah by rebel forces|work=Al-Masdar News|date=25 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617171147/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-recovers-bodies-42-massacred-civilians-zaraha/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Reactions==
==Reactions==

Latest revision as of 16:06, 18 December 2024

Zara'a attack
Part of the Syrian civil war
Zara'a in the Hirbnafsah Nahiyah, Hama Governorate
LocationHama Governorate, Syria
Date12 May 2016
TargetAlawite civilians, National Defence Forces
Attack type
Shooting
WeaponsAK-47s and other small arms
Deaths8-30 NDF militiamen
InjuredUnknown
PerpetratorsAl-Nusra Front and Ahrar ash-Sham
MotiveSectarianism

On 12 May 2016, militants of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front and Ahrar ash-Sham attacked and captured the Alawite village of Zara'a, Southern Hama Governorate.[1][2]

The attack

[edit]

An early morning surprise attack on Zara'a defeated a National Defence Forces unit stationed there, and allowed the rebels to enter the predominantly Alawite village.[3] According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, eight pro-government militiamen were killed and several villagers were kidnapped,[4] while the Local Coordination Committees of Syria claimed that 30 pro-government militiamen were killed.[5] More clashes continued into the afternoon with the Syrian and Russian Air Forces conducting airstrikes on rebel positions.[5] This rebel attack was a part of an assault in "revenge for Aleppo."[2]

Aftermath

[edit]

According to the pro-government outlet Al-Masdar News, the kidnapped civilians were taken to the al-Rastan plains.[1] Some of the captured were pro-government troops.[2] On 24 May 2016, the Syrian Red Crescent convinced the militants to hand over civilians and NDF bodies.[3] They were transported by the Syrian Army to the Homs Military Hospital for identification the next day.[6]

Reactions

[edit]

 Syria: Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi said that the massacre was "a heinous crime against the whole world." He also mentioned that "the international community must stand by Syria in fighting terrorism and should take immediate steps to prevent the countries which support terrorism from supplying terrorists with arms and money, on top Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey."[7]

The Syrian Foreign Ministry also sent two letters where they called on the UN Secretary-General and the UN Security Council to condemn the massacre.[citation needed]

 France: A French MP and president of the France-Syria Friendship Group in the National Assembly, Gérard Bapt condemned the murder of Alawite families in Zara'a. He added that "the recent initiative to officially add Ahrar ash-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam to the list of terrorist organizations was not supported by the UN Security Council due to the fact that five Western countries have disagreed." He further said "[We] must take the appropriate measures in Riyadh and within the framework of the High Negotiation Committee in Vienna to ensure the immediate liberation of civilians who were taken hostage."[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Syrian opposition forces massacre, kidnap 120 civilians in southern Hama". Al-Masdar News. 12 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Rebels seize Alawite village in Syria, abduct civilians: Observatory". Reuters. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Islamists agree to hand over corpses of civilians massacred in northern Homs". Al-Masdar News. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Alawite civilians 'killed in homes' in opposition attack on Hama village". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  5. ^ a b "Al-Qaida, hard-line rebels seize Alawite village in Syria". Ynet. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Syrian Army recovers the bodies of 42 civilians massacred at Zarah by rebel forces". Al-Masdar News. 25 May 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  7. ^ "Foreign-backed terrorists commit massacre in al-Zara [Hama countryside], 2 civilians killed in terrorist rocket attack on Aleppo". Syrian Free Press. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.

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