Battle of Maarat al-Numan (2016)
Part of the Syrian Civil War and Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War
Date 13 March 2016 Location Maarat al-Numaan and Khan Shaykhun, Idlib Governorate, Syria 35°38′N 36°40′E / 35.633°N 36.667°E / 35.633; 36.667 Result Al-Nusra Front and Jund al-Asqa victory Al-Nusra Front fully captures Maarat al-Nu'man and Khan Shaykhun [1] Majority of Division 13's leaders captured [2]
Belligerents
Free Syrian Army	Al-Nusra Front Jund al-Aqsa
Commanders and leaders
Lt. Col. Ahmad al-Saud (Division 13 chief commander) Maj. Mousa al-Khalad [3] (Division 13 commander) Zaher al-Ahmad ( POW) (56th Infantry Brigade commander) [4] Capt. Ali al-Salloum ( POW) (Victory Brigade commander) [5] Zakaria Quitaz (Division 13 media official) [4]	Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Jabhat al-Nusra Emir) [6]
Units involved
Division 13   [6] Victory Brigade [5] 56th Infantry Brigade [4]	Unknown
Strength
Entire division: around 1,000 fighters	Unknown
Casualties and losses
7 killed, [1] 40+ captured [6]	4 killed [1]
class=notpageimage| Location within Syria

On 13 March 2016, jihadist fighters from al-Nusra Front and Jund al-Aqsa launched an overnight attack against the 13th Division headquarters in the town of Ma'arrat al-Nu'man. According to social media activists in support of the Syrian opposition, Jabhat al-Nusra attacked Division 13 over local protesters and demonstrations. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Division 13 capture

The Division headquarters located in Ma'arrat al-Nu'man was overrun in a nighttime attack by a joint Al-Nusra Front and Jund al-Asqa assault force. ^[5] Two Division storage facilities that were allegedly filled with the U.S.-built anti-tank TOW missiles were surrendered to the attackers. ^[8] This claim was denied by Division 13 leader Ahmad al-Sa'aoud, insisting Al-Nusra Front captured only 'light weapons and ammunition' and that all of the groups anti-tank missiles and mortars were secured. ^[10] The Division 13’s depots in Maarat al-Nu'maan and three nearby towns were overrun; Hesh, Khan Shaykhun and Tal Aas. An unspecified number of armored vehicles and a tank were reportedly captured. ^{[6] [5]} Al-Nusra fighters conducted door-to-door searches, ultimately detaining 40 Division fighters including several top leaders of the rebel group. By the end of the battle, Division 13 abandoned all its posts in Maarat al-Nu'man and the bulk of its leadership fled to Turkey. ^[11] However, civilians opposed to the takeover took to the streets and stormed Nusra's HQ in the city, freeing some prisoners. ^[12] A total of 11 combatants died during the clashes. ^[5]

Aftermath

Unrest and civilian resistance against al-Nusra rule continued for coming months. On 12 June 2016, a demonstration took place in Maarat al-Nu'man against al-Nusra's authoritarianism, with protestors calling Abu Muhammed al-Jolani an "Iranian nark". ^[13]

From 6 to 8 June of the next year, clashes broke out between Tahrir al-Sham and Sham Legion in Maarrat al-Nu'man. The 13th Division and the Free Police joined the fighting on 8 June. By the evening of 8 June, HTS captured both the 13th Division and the Sham Legion's headquarters in Maarat al-Nu'man and killed Col. Tayser al-Samahi, the head of the Free Police in the town. ^[14] On 9 June, a ceasefire agreement was signed between the Free Idlib Army and Tahrir al-Sham in the town and the latter ordered the 13th Division to be disbanded. ^[15]

References