| April 2012 Idlib Governorate Operation | |||||||||
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| Part ofEarly insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Syrian opposition |  Syrian government | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 400 fighters |  1,000 soldiers 90 tanks | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 100+ fighters and opposition supporters killed (number includes civilians)[2] | 58 soldiers killed At least 5 tanks destroyed or damaged[3] | ||||||||
TheApril 2012 Idlib Governorate Operation was initiated by theSyrian Ba'athist government, in order to make gains against therebels, prior to the implementation of the U.N. brokered ceasefire, planned for 10 April 2012.[4] The ceasefire was officially announced by the Syrian Ba'athist government and other sides on 14 April 2012.
Binnish throughout theSyrian civil war has been a major protest hub. It had been captured by the FSA. The Syrian Army then later assaulted Idlib city in March 2012 in a major operation. As early as March 23, it was reported Binnish was one of their next targets.[5] Binnish is on a hill, so it is harder to assault. The Syrian Army had agreed toKofi Annan's peace plan and to withdraw troops by April 10.
On April 1, it was reported that the FSA was outgunned, so they were making homemade bombs to defend themselves.[6]
By April 3, the Syrian Army had retakenSarmin.[6] CNN reported they were assaultingBinnish, Taoum, Sarmin, andTaftanaz with tanks and helicopters.[7]
On April 4, the Syrian Army was still shelling Binnish and Taftanaz. Citizens were reported to be fleeing Binnish, but could not flee Taftanaz because it was surrounded by the Syrian Army. 20 were reported killed in Taftanaz.[8]
On April 5, the Syrian Army announced a pause in fighting in Taftanaz for residents to collect the dead.[9] Imagery released by AmbassadorRobert Ford showed that the Army withdrew from Taftanaz after taking it, then took the nearby town ofZardana.[10][better source needed]
On April 6, the Syrian Army started shelling the village ofKilli.[11]
By April 7, it was reported at least 100 had been killed in Taftanaz and Killi.[2]
On April 8, the Syrian Army, with about 90 tanks backed by helicopters, assaulted the al-Rouge plain with the FSA being surrounded and shelled in the villageal-Bashiriyah in the plain.[12]
On April 12,Khirbet al-Joz was reported to have been taken by the Syrian Army after two hours of clashes.[13]
On April 13, though, it was reported the FSA still held Khirbet al-Joz and shelling was ongoing.[14]
Capital:Idlib | ||||||||||||||||||||
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