See also: Battle of Maarrat al-Numan (2012).
| Conflict: | Battle of Maarat al-Numan (2016) |
| Partof: | the Syrian Civil War and Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War |
| Date: | 13 March 2016 |
| Place: | Maarat al-Numaan and Khan Shaykhun, Idlib Governorate, Syria |
| Map Type: | Syria |
| Map Relief: | yes |
| Result: | Al-Nusra Front and Jund al-Aqsa victory
|
| Combatant1: | Free Syrian Army |
| Combatant2: | Al-Nusra Front Jund al-Aqsa |
| Commander1: | Lt. Col. Ahmed al-Saud (Division 13 chief commander) Maj. Musa al-Khalid[2] (Division 13 commander) Zahir al-Ahmed (56th Infantry Brigade commander)[3] Capt. Ali al-Salloum (Victory Brigade commander) Zakaria Quitaz (Division 13 media official) |
| Commander2: | Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Jabhat al-Nusra Emir) |
| Units1: |
|
| Units2: | Unknown |
| Strength1: | Entire division: around 1,000 fighters |
| Strength2: | Unknown |
| Casualties1: | 7 killed,[4] 40+ captured |
| Casualties2: | 4 killed |
On 13 March 2016, jihadist fighters from Al-Nusra Front and Jund al-Aqsa launched an overnight attack against the Free Syrian Army's 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.[5] [6] [7]
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.[8] Two Division storage facilities that were allegedly filled with the U.S.-built anti-tank TOW missiles were surrendered to the attackers. 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.[9] 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.[10] 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.
See also: Idlib Governorate clashes (2017). 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]