Siege of Hama (2011)

Siege of Hama (2011)
Part of the Syrian revolution
A map of Syria with Hama Governorate (مُحافظة حماه) highlighted.
Location
Hama, Syria
TargetOpposition protesters
Date3 July[1][2] – 4 August 2011[3]
(1 month and 1 day)
Executed by Syrian Army
OutcomeProtests suppressed
Casualties16 civilians killed in early July 2011[1]
200 civilians killed during Ramadan offensive[3]
Total: 216+ killed

The 2011 siege of Hama was among the many nationwide crackdowns by the Syrian government during the Syrian revolution, the early stage of the Syrian civil war. Anti-government protests had been ongoing in the Syrian city of Hama since 15 March 2011, when large protests were first reported in the city,[4] similar to the protests elsewhere in Syria. The events beginning in July 2011 were described by anti-government activists in the city as a "siege"[5] or "blockade".[6]

On 1 July, with more than 400,000 protestors, Hama witnessed the largest demonstration against President Bashar al-Assad.[2] Two days later, government tanks were deployed at Hama,[7] in an operation that led to more than 16 civilian deaths at the hands of Syrian security forces.[1]

On 31 July, the Syrian government deployed the Syrian Army into Hama to control protests on the eve of Ramadan, as part of a nationwide crackdown, nicknamed the "Ramadan Massacre."[8] At least 142 people across Syria died on that day, including over 100 in Hama alone, and 29 in Deir ez-Zor. Hundreds more were wounded.[9][10] By 4 August, more than 200 civilians had been killed in Hama.[3]

  1. ^ a b c "Syrian forces in deadly assault on Hama - Middle East". Al Jazeera English. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Syria: 'Hundreds of thousands' join anti-Assad protests". BBC. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Bakri, Nada (4 August 2011). "Civilian Toll Is Mounting in Assault on Syrian City". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  4. ^ "Syria: President Bashar al-Assad sacks governor of Hama". BBC News. 2 July 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  5. ^ "France-Diplomatie". Diplomatie.gouv.fr. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Syrian protesters demand end of Hama blockade". Alarabiya.net. 7 July 2011. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Syrian tanks deploy at Hama after large protest". Reuters. 3 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  8. ^ Samuelson, Robert J. (2 August 2011). "Syria's Ramadan massacre". The Washington Post.
  9. ^ AFP (31 July 2011). "Syrian army kills at least 95 in Hama: activist". Dawn.Com. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  10. ^ "Hama assault into second day, UN revives Syria debate". Khaleejtimes.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.