Syrian Network for Human Rights and Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies: Arbeen Massacre

This is a detailed and verified account of the Al-Arbeen massacre committed by the Al-Assad regime’s forces on Thursday, 19 July 2012.  On that Thursday, regime forces launched an offensive on the town of Al-Arbeen at 6:00 a.m., starting with a heavy and indiscriminate shelling attack using both military planes and tanks to shell residential homes.

A video showing a helicopter launching a shell at the town.

Snipers were stationed on high buildings and targeted any civilians attemting to step outside their home, particularly the terrified residents who attempted to flee from their homes to escape the shelling.  Regime forces paused the shelling offensive for a short period of time, but then renewed attacks with tanks, rockets, and military planes and helicopters.

Although shelling attacks were reported all over the town, 90 percent of the rockets which fell targeted At-Tahoon Street, near the old Al-Quwaidar gas station.  It left the street in shambles and completely destroyed the electric grid in the area.

The destruction caused by the shelling attacks.

Activists and eyewitnesses to the attack and its aftermath verified that more than 200 mortar shells were used to attack the town.  This military offensive by regime forces resulted in 28 casualties and dozens of wounded residents, all in a matter of a few short hours.  The makeshift hospitals established were simply not enough to keep up with the sheer amount of wounded residents brought in.
**WARNING: VIDEO BELOW CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES**

Some of the victims of the massacre.

 

All information and videos in this report provided by:

Syrian Network for Human Rights

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies in Syria

Author: Impunity Watch Archive