Arbin, Syria Explained

Official Name:Arbin
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Syria
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Governorate
Subdivision Name1:Rif Dimashq
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Markaz Rif Dimashq
Subdivision Type3:Subdistrict
Subdivision Name3:Arbin
Unit Pref:Metric
Population As Of:2004
Population Total:44934
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+3
Timezone Dst:EEST
Utc Offset Dst:+2
Coordinates:33.5385°N 36.3661°W
Elevation M:690

Arbin (Arabic: عربين; also spelled Irbin or Arbeen) is a town in southern Syria, administratively part of the Markaz Rif Dimashq District of the Rif Dimashq Governorate, located just east of Jobar neighborhood of Damascus. Nearby localities include Kafr Batna and Saqba to the south, Zamalka and Ein Tarma to the southwest, and Douma to the north. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Arbin had a population of 44,934 in the 2004 census.[1] Arbin is one of the suggested locations for the ancient town of Riblah.

History

During the Syrian civil war, FSA took control of a number of suburbs north of the capital Damascus, including Arbin on 2 July 2012. FSA fighters reportedly openly patrolled the streets of the suburbs, and clashes occurred less than from the center of Damascus city itself.[2] In November 2012, there was sustained fighting in the town after a regain in strength of the rebels in Rif Dimashq. It was reported to be under rebel control as of 7 December 2012.[3] In 2017–18, during the government siege of eastern Ghouta, Arbin was one of the towns targeted in multiple airstrikes by Syrian and Russian aircraft, for instance on 4 January 2018.[4]

In the end of March 2018, the Syrian army imposed their control over the area of Eastern Ghouta including Arbin.[5]

Notes and References

  1. https://archive.today/20130113020938/http://www.cbssyr.org/new%20web%20site/General_census/census_2004/NH/TAB03-6-2004.htm General Census of Population and Housing 2004
  2. Web site: Bill Neely: International Editor . Is Syrian Army losing control of Damascus? - ITV News . 2 July 2012 . Itv.com . 2012-12-22.
  3. Web site: The Battle for Damascus: The Current State of Play in Syria. Holliday. Joseph. Michael Lynch. 7 December 2012. Institute for the Study of War. 12 December 2012.
  4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42566063 Syria war: 'Russian strikes' kill 25 in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta
  5. Web site: باستثناء دوما…. قوات النظام تفرض سيطرتها على كامل الغوطة الشرقية. . 31 March 2018 . 31 March 2018.