Battle of Khirbet Al-Joz

Battle of Khirbet Al-Joz
Part of Idlib Governorate clashes (June 2012–April 2013) (Syrian Civil War)
Date6 October 2012
Location
Result Rebel victory
Belligerents

Syria Syrian Arab Republic

Syria Free Syrian Army
Commanders and leaders
unknown Abu Baeda
(Kaws al-Nasser Brigade commander)
Abdelwahed Wahud(Army defector)
Units involved
45th Army Regiment unknown
Strength
110 soldiers 250 fighters
Casualties and losses
40 killed[1] 9 killed[1]
Total: 50 killed[2]

The Battle of Khirbet Al-Joz was fought between forces of the Syrian Army and the FSA for control of the town. On 6 October 2012, the FSA launched an attack on the government occupied village of Kherbet Eljoz, near the Turkish border. The FSA took control of the village after a 12-hour-long battle with government forces.[3]

Background

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In June 2011, the Syrian military attacked the town, with 40 tanks in a crackdown against supposed pro-democracy protesters.[4]

Battle

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Rebel offensive

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On 6 October, rebels launched an offensive on the border village Khirbet al-Joz in the Idlib Governorate. The FSA was said to first attacked a government border outpost just west of the village. Which left 3 rebels and 15 government soldiers dead.[5] Fighting later intensified in Khirbet al-Joz itself, as rebels attempted to retake the village. Activists claimed that the rebels had captured a 3-story high water tower in the center of Khirbet al-Joz, after 12 hours of fighting with government forces.[1]

On 7 October, the FSA released a statement indicating that they have taken full control of Khirbet al-Joz and its surroundings.[1] The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the capture and put the number of dead at 40 soldiers, including 5 officers and 9 rebels.

Aftermath

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In late October, the Syrian army conducted a series of airstrikes on rebel positions near Khirbet al-Joz.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "40 government soldiers killed". October 6, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "Rebel deminer on mission to protect Syria refugees". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Syrian crisis". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  4. ^ "اقتحام قرية خربة الجوز على الحدود مع تركيا". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  5. ^ 50 dead as Syria rebels take border town |