Battle of Rastan (2011)

First Battle of Rastan
Part of the Early insurgency phase of the Syrian Civil War
Date 27 September – 1 October 2011 (4 days) Location Rastan, Homs Governorate, Syria 34°54′55″N 36°44′08″E / 34.91525°N 36.735485°E / 34.91525; 36.735485Coordinates: 34°54′55″N 36°44′08″E / 34.91525°N 36.735485°E / 34.91525; 36.735485 Result Syrian Army victory Syrian Army retakes the city
Belligerents
Syrian opposition Free Syrian Army Civilian rebels	Syrian Ba'athist government Syrian Army Syrian Air Force
Units involved
Unknown	1st Armoured Division
Strength
1,000	900 soldiers 250 tanks and armored vehicles
Casualties and losses
130 killed* 3,000 opposition supporters arrested	13 killed 32 wounded
*The number of dead on the rebel side includes both opposition fighters and civilian protesters
Location within Syria

Syrian Army victory

Syrian opposition

Syrian Ba'athist government

A battle for control of Rastan, a city of 60,000 residents in Homs Governorate, Syria, occurred from 27 September to 1 October 2011. In late September, there were reports of numerous Syrian Army defections in the area, following which the Free Syrian Army took control of Rastan. After a four-day battle, the city was retaken by the Syrian Army.

On 28 May 2011, after major protests, the Syrian Army launched an operation in Rastan and the neighboring town of Talbiseh, which resulted in the suppression of anti-government protests and numerous deaths. The Syrian Army met some armed opposition during the operation, but had gained control of the city by 4 June.

In late September, there were reports of many Syrian Army defections in Rastan, and the Free Syrian Army claimed to have destroyed 17 armoured vehicles during clashes in the city, using RPGs and booby traps. The assault was also, the opposition claimed, supported by Syrian Air Force jets.