Annab عناب | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Annab Location in Syria | |
| Coordinates:35°25′35″N36°14′20″E / 35.42639°N 36.23889°E /35.42639; 36.23889 | |
| Country |  Syria |
| Governorate | Hama |
| District | Suqaylabiyah |
| Subdistrict | Suqaylabiyah |
| Population (2018) | |
• Total | 8,000 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| City Qrya Pcode | C3117 |
Annab (Arabic:عناب) is a village in centralSyria, administratively part of theal-Suqaylabiyah District of theHama Governorate. The neighboring village ofNabe al-Tayeb was incorporated into Annab and later the combined village was incorporated into the municipality ofAyn al-Kurum. Annab is located 75 kilometers (47 mi) northwest ofHama and lies on the western edges of theGhab plain and the eastern foothills of theSyrian coastal mountains.
The village is characterized by the dense oak, cypress and elm forests and vegetation which envelope it on all sides. It was named for the nearby spring of Annab, which itself is locally held to be named for either thejujube (annab) bushes or grape (anab) vines of the area. Agriculture, particularly grain cultivation, is the mainstay of Annab's economy.[1] In 2018, it had an estimated population of 8,000.[1] Its inhabitants are predominantlyAlawites.
In 1733 or 1734, Annab and neighboringAyn al-Kurum became a refuge for the Shillif brothers Hassun and Ahmad (sons of Muhammad Ibn Shillif). The Shillifs were a prominent family ofAlawites known in theOttoman government sources and Alawite oral tradition for their brigandage in theSyrian coastal mountains and adjacent plains. The brothers had gained safe haven in the two villages from their pursuit by the Ottoman governor ofLatakia, who was attempting to suppress a rebellion they were leading among the local Alawites and Christians in thesanjak (district).[2]
About ten years later, an Ottomanfirman alleged that some 3,000 Alawite villagers from Ayn al-Kurum,Deir Mama, Annab and elsewhere in the vicinity had raided the coastal fortress ofal-Marqab and over two dozen villages, burning several homes, trespassing the mosque at Marqab and seizing livestock. The governor ofTripoli Eyalet was ordered to capture the perpetrators and return the stolen goods, but instead he led the men of al-Marqab on a rampage through the Alawite country up to the castle ofQal'at al-Mudiq in theGhab plain.[3] In early 1759, 200 Alawites from Annab led by themuqaddam Ja'far (known by the authorities for his brigandage) raided Qal'at al-Madiq, taking hundreds of oxen and water buffalo.[4]
