Karnaz كرناز | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 General view of Karnaz | |
  Karnaz Location in Syria | |
| Coordinates:35°23′23″N36°29′12″E / 35.389618°N 36.486657°E /35.389618; 36.486657 | |
| Country |  Syria |
| Governorate | Hama |
| District | Mahardah |
| Subdistrict | Karnaz |
| Population (2004) | |
• Total | 14,075 |
| • Ethnicities | Syrians |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Karnaz (Arabic:كرنازSyriac ܟܪܢܵܫْܹܐ,Kirnaz orKernaz) modified fromKafr Naz ܟܦܪ ܐܢܵܫْܹܐ, is a town in northernSyria, administratively part of theHama Governorate, located northwest ofHama, its elevation rang is 220-240 meter. Nearby localities includeKafr Zita andKhan Shaykhun to the east,Kafr Nabudah to the north,Qalaat al-Madiq andal-Suqaylabiyah to the west andKafr Hud,Tremseh, andShaizar to the south.
According to theSyria Central Bureau of Statistics, Karnaz had a population of 14,075 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants are predominantlySunni Muslims.[2] People of Karnaz are known for openness and coexistence with other groups in Syrian society. They are living in harmony with other nearbyChristian villages like al-Suqaylabiyah andMhardeh, as well as with nearbyAlawite villages likeHurat Ammurin,Ein Elkorum andTell Salhab to the west. This feature stands despite the complications of theCivil War after 2012.
Karnazes is modified fromKafr Naz orKafrnaz (also spelledKfar Naz), likewise many villages in the area:Kafr ܟܦܪ is aSyriac word which means "farm" or small "village". The second partNaz is probably derived from the rootnasheh ܐܢܵܫْܹܐ, which means either irrigated land or people. That coincides with the existence of an intermittent river that crosses the village. So,Karnaz means the irrigated village.Kurnaz is another spelling in some local dialects, andKur is aSyriac word which meanslocal, soKurnaz means local people.[citation needed]
During theSyrian Civil War, rebel forces had controlled the town until early February 2013, whenSyrian Army and pro-government forces surrounded the town from the west and south.[3] On February 8, 2013, government and rebel sources confirmed the battle ended with the withdrawal of rebel forces. Later on March 14, 2018, rebel forces launched an offensive on the city along withHamamiyat and Magha'ir. This offensive is known as theAnger for Ghouta campaign. Rebel forces captured all 3 towns and surrounding areas. The government in response launched several airstrikes at the city and recapture it later that day.[4]
On 18 September 2018, to avoid a possible attack of the government forces on Idlib and possible consequences on civilians, and to avoid a possible refugees stream,Russia andTurkey made an agreement to create a buffer zone of about 15–20 kilometres (9.3–12.4 mi) around Idlib. Karnaz is located in the Russian observed part of the buffer zone.[5]
From June 2019 to November 2024, it wascontrolled by theSyrian Army. On 30 November 2024,HTS rebels captured the city from the Syrian Army during theHama offensive.[6] Two days later, on 2 December, it was recaptured by HTS following a Syrian Army counter-attack.[7][8]
