Beit Jinn Explained

Official Name:Beit Jinn
Native Name:Arabic: بيت جن
Pushpin Map:Syria
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Governorate
Subdivision Name1:Rif Dimashq
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Qatana
Subdivision Type3:Subdistrict
Subdivision Name3:Beit Jinn
Settlement Type:Town
Unit Pref:Metric
Population As Of:2004 census
Population Total:2846
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+2
Timezone Dst:EEST
Utc Offset Dst:+3
Coordinates:33.3106°N 35.9189°W
Area Code:11

Beit Jinn (Arabic: بيت جن), also known as Bayt Jin, Beit Jann or Beyt Jene, is a town in southern Syria, administratively part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate, located southwest of Damascus on the foothills of Mount Hermon. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics, Beit Jinn had a population of 2,846 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants are predominantly Sunni Muslims.[2]

The town is the administrative center of the Beit Jinn Subdistrict, which consists of nine towns, with a combined population of 15,668.[1] The subdistrict has a mixed Sunni and Druze population and Beit Jinn contains a Druze religious shrine.[3] Nearby localities include Arnah to the north, Darbal to the northeast, Mazraat Beit Jinn to the east, Harfa to the southeast, and Hader to the southwest. The Nahr al-Awaj river (ancient Pharpar) passes near the town.

History

Beit Jinn was visited by Andalusian geographer Ibn Jubayr in the late 12th century, during Ayyubid rule. He noted that it was "a village between Darayyah and Baniyas lying among the hills."[4]

In 1838, during Ottoman rule, Eli Smith noted Beit Jinn's population as being predominantly Sunni Muslim.[5]

In December 2017, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the village was a source of fighting between the Syrian Arab Armed Forces and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Levant Liberation Committee.[6] Following the Beit Jinn offensive of late 2017, the Syrian government took control of the area. The local rebels surrendered and were allowed to leave.[7]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. https://archive.today/20130112154704/http://www.cbssyr.org/new%20web%20site/General_census/census_2004/NH/TAB03-32-2004.htm General Census of Population and Housing 2004
  2. News: Gilbert. Ben. Syria: Refugees dodge patrols on deadly mountain hike to safety. Al-Jazeera America. 2013-11-02.
  3. Web site: Sharrouf. Ayman. Assad’s Druze game exposed. NOW News. 2014-11-11. 2015-09-04. 2015-07-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20150715162807/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/reportsfeatures/564387-assads-druze-game-exposed. dead.
  4. Le Strange, 1890, p. 412
  5. Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 139
  6. News: Syrian troops capture new areas near Israeli-occupied Golan . . The Associated Press . The Associated Press . December 25, 2017 . The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media reported that Syrian troops and their allies captured Monday three new areas from al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee [...] The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Right said the fighters are now besieged in the village of Beit Jin and nearby areas after a 10-day intense offensive. .
  7. News: Assad regains control as Syrian rebels abandon area bordering Golan Heights. Times of Israel.