Al-Malihah Explained

Official Name:al-Malihah
Native Name:المليحة
Pushpin Map:Syria
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:al-Malihah Subdistrict
Settlement Type:Town
Unit Pref:Metric
Population As Of:2004 census
Population Total:23,034
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+2
Timezone Dst:EEST
Utc Offset Dst:+3
Coordinates:33.4847°N 36.3741°W

Al-Malihah (ar|المليحة, also spelled al-Mleha or Al Mulayhah) is a town in southern Syria, administratively part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate, located on the eastern outskirts of Damascus to the west of Jaramana, in the Ghouta area. Nearby localities include 'Aqraba, Deir al-Asafir, Zabdin, Kafr Batna and Babbila. According to the Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics, al-Malihah had a population of 23,034 as of the 2004 census.[1] The town is also the administrative centre of the al-Malihah nahiyah, which is composed of eight towns and villages having a combined population of 56,652.[1] Malihah is considered strategic due to its proximity to the main road between Damascus and its airport.[2]

History

Syrian uprising

During the start of the Syrian Revolution in 2011, the town participated in peaceful protests against the regime.[3] The town was taken over by the Free Syrian Army in the First Rif Dimashq Offensive in 2012. The town stayed under rebel control and was the site of repeated artillery and aerial bombardments by the government[4] [5] which culminated in the Battle of Al-Malihah in 2014. The city has remained under government control ever since.

Notes and References

  1. https://archive.today/20121209015818/http://www.cbssyr.org/new%20web%20site/General_census/census_2004/NH/TAB03-4-2004.htm General Census of Population and Housing 2004
  2. News: عشرات القتلى ومعارك قرب مطار دمشق . 26 September 2024 . الجزيرة نت . ar.
  3. News: سورية : قتلى في "جمعة أحفاد خالد" . 26 September 2024 . BBC News عربي . 22 July 2011 . ar.
  4. News: Syrian army hits rebel positions in Damascus . 26 September 2024 . Al Jazeera . en.
  5. News: قتلى وحملة عنيفة على ريف دمشق . 26 September 2024 . الجزيرة نت . ar.