Siege of Hama (2011)
| Siege of Hama (2011) | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Syrian revolution and the Syrian civil war | |
| Location | |
| Target | Opposition protesters |
| Date | 3 July – 4 August 2011 (1 month and 1 day) |
| Executed by | Syrian Army |
| Outcome | Protests suppressed |
| Casualties | 16 civilians killed in early July 2011 200 civilians killed during Ramadan offensive Total: 216+ killed |
The 2011 siege of Hama was among the many nationwide crackdowns by the Syrian government during the Syrian revolution, the early stage of the Syrian civil war. Anti-government protests had been ongoing in the Syrian city of Hama since 15 March 2011, when large protests were first reported in the city, similar to the protests elsewhere in Syria. The events beginning in July 2011 were described by anti-government activists in the city as a "siege" or "blockade".
On 1 July, with more than 400,000 protestors, Hama witnessed the largest demonstration against President Bashar al-Assad. Two days later, government tanks were deployed at Hama, in an operation that led to more than 16 civilian deaths at the hands of Syrian security forces.
On 31 July, the Syrian government deployed the Syrian Army into Hama to control protests on the eve of Ramadan, as part of a nationwide crackdown, nicknamed the "Ramadan Massacre." At least 142 people across Syria died on that day, including over 100 in Hama alone, and 29 in Deir ez-Zor. Hundreds more were wounded. By 4 August, more than 200 civilians had been killed in Hama.