Syrian Army captured Krak des Chevaliers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, severing rebel supply routes in western Homs Governorate.
Key Facts
- Date
- 20 March 2014
- Duration
- One day
- Rebels in castle
- ~300 fighters
- Rebel casualties (inside castle)
- 12 killed
- Rebel casualties (retreating)
- 40–93 killed
- Castle age
- ~900 years old (Crusader era)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Rebel fighters had held the village of Hosn and the medieval Crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers since 2012, using the area as a conduit for recruits and weapons flowing between Syria and Lebanon. The Syrian Army sought to sever these supply routes and reassert control over western Homs Governorate.
On the morning of 20 March 2014, Syrian Army forces launched a heavy bombardment of Krak des Chevaliers at dawn. Ground troops then advanced into the castle and the town of Hosn. An opposition activist claimed a safe-conduct agreement had been reached the prior day, which the military commander denied. Government forces took the castle by early afternoon, killing 12 rebels inside and reportedly 40–93 more as they retreated.
The Syrian Army announced full control over the western part of Homs Governorate following the battle. Notable rebel commanders, including an Ahrar ash-Sham brigade leader and the purported head of Jund ash-Sham, were killed. The recapture of the UNESCO-listed castle attracted international attention due to reported damage to the historic site during the fighting.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Abu Suleiman Dandashi (rebel, KIA), Khaled al-Mahmud (rebel, KIA).