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A second battle between the Syrian Army and the Free Syrian Army for control of the city of Rastan took place from 29 January to 5 February 2012. Located in Homs Governorate, Rastan is a city of 60,000 residents. The FSA captured Rastan after days of intense fighting, according to residents and the opposition. == Battle == The first reports of major battles in Rastan were on 29 January 2012, after the Arab League mission and the subsequent cease fire, when three deserters were killed. A local activist in Rastan, who said the clashes lasted six hours, confirmed the toll. "A large number of soldiers in the countless checkpoints inside the city deserted and turned their arms on the regime's soldiers," he said. "Residents are trying to help deserters fight their way out of Rastan and reach the positions of the Free Syrian Army," added the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "There are regular small demonstrations in the streets, but only a few people come out because snipers are everywhere and the army is carrying out mass arrests every time there is a protest." By the end of the day, an FSA video statement claimed that they controlled the city of 40,000 residents.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=الرستن _بيان كتيبة الحمزة باقتحام الرستن29/1/2012 - YouTube )〕 However, the fighting continued. On 30 January, a defected first lieutenant said that the Hamza Battalion of the Khaled Brigade "routed regime forces from several neighborhoods in the western side of Rastan and vowed to continue fighting until the remaining neighborhoods were liberated". Their commander, Major Ali Ayyoub, confirmed this and said "The Assad army is on the defensive now. They are stranded in a few pockets. They only move forward after they receive reinforcements and the Free Syrian Army is always there to intercept their movements." The Hamza Battalion claimed it had destroyed four army posts, two tanks, and several other armored vehicles. Activists posted a video of a destroyed tank that corroborates at least part of the FSA's claims. In the video, severe damage can be seen on the surrounding buildings. Still residents seemed buoyed by the successes of the FSA. An online video was posted of a protest held "under the protection of the Free Syrian Army". Activists reported that five civilians were killed by loyalists who shelled the city during the battle. Maj. Ayyoub refused to disclose how many FSA soldiers were participating in the defense of the city, citing security reasons, but he had put the number in the hundreds. The next day, on 31 January, defectors gained full control of the city, according to a town activist.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Syrian troops push towards Damascus )〕 Loyalist tanks were still able to shell the city, one such attack killing 10 civilians and wounding 15 others when a building was brought down. Local activists also claimed that 20 more had been killed during the battle, with the bodies being put in a mosque with the victims of the building being destroyed.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Syrian forces kill 10 in rebel town )〕 On 1 February, more fighting in the town reportedly left 15 defectors and two soldiers dead.〔(Deaths mount as Russia resists UN drive on Syria )〕 On 5 February, the FSA declared Rastan "liberated".〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Syria - Mar 4, 2012 - 11:48 )〕 A leader of an opposition battalion said that 42 people were killed in the city of Rastan in the previous days. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Battle of Rastan (2012)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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