Siege of Baniyas
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Baniyas was a military operation conducted by the Syrian military
in the city of Baniyas
against what the government calls terrorist groups, while the opposition called it a crackdown against pro-democracy protestors.
On 10 April, protests were held in Baniyas in which violent clashes erupted between the security forces and protesters. 3-6 protesters were shot and killed, while one police officer was killed by unknown gunmen. Following the demonstrations, protesters took over all Sunni neighborhoods in the city.
On 14 April, snipers killed a soldier in Baniyas.
, the Syrian military rolled in with tanks into Baniyas from three directions. They advanced into Sunni districts, which had been under the control of demonstrators since loyalists forces, known as "al-shabbiha", fired at opposition members on 10 April. Heavy gunfire was reported as the operation started.
The next day, some 30 tanks were seen patrolling the city, with some of them positioned in the city center. Also, navy boats were holding positions near the city's coastline and special forces units arrived and entered the northern part of the city from where heavy gunfire was heard.
On 14 May, the military started to pull out of the city, after their operation ended.
Military of Syria
The Syrian Armed Forces are the military forces of Syria. They consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense Force.-Manpower:The President of Syria is the commander in chief of the Syrian armed forces, comprising some 646,500 troops upon mobilization. The military is a conscripted force;...
in the city of Baniyas
Baniyas
Baniyas is a city of northwestern Syria, located at the foot of the hill of Qalaat el-Marqab , 55 km to the south of Latakia and 35 km north of Tartous , and a Catholic titular see under the Latin name of Balanea, which is presently vacant.It is famous for its orchards...
against what the government calls terrorist groups, while the opposition called it a crackdown against pro-democracy protestors.
Background
On 15 March, a protest movement against the Syrian government began to escalate, as simultaneous demonstrations took place in major cities across Syria. On 18 March, the most serious unrest to take place in Syria for decades erupted. After online calls for a "Friday of Dignity" , after Friday prayers, thousands of protesters demanding an end to alleged government corruption took to the streets of cities across Syria. The protesters were met with violent opposition by state security forces. The protesters chanted "God, Syria, Freedom" and anti-corruption slogans.On 10 April, protests were held in Baniyas in which violent clashes erupted between the security forces and protesters. 3-6 protesters were shot and killed, while one police officer was killed by unknown gunmen. Following the demonstrations, protesters took over all Sunni neighborhoods in the city.
On 14 April, snipers killed a soldier in Baniyas.
The Siege
On 7 May, following the successful operation against protestors in DaraaSiege of Daraa
The Siege of Daraa was a military operation, conducted by the Syrian military, in the city of Daraa against what the government called terrorist groups, while the opposition called it a crackdown against pro-democracy protestors.-Background:...
, the Syrian military rolled in with tanks into Baniyas from three directions. They advanced into Sunni districts, which had been under the control of demonstrators since loyalists forces, known as "al-shabbiha", fired at opposition members on 10 April. Heavy gunfire was reported as the operation started.
The next day, some 30 tanks were seen patrolling the city, with some of them positioned in the city center. Also, navy boats were holding positions near the city's coastline and special forces units arrived and entered the northern part of the city from where heavy gunfire was heard.
On 14 May, the military started to pull out of the city, after their operation ended.