Battle of Rastan (January–February 2012)

The Battle of Rastan (January–February 2012) refers to a military engagement during the Syrian Civil War. It took place primarily in and around the city of Rastan, located in the Homs Governorate of Syria.

The battle saw fighting between the Syrian Armed Forces, loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, and various rebel groups, including the Free Syrian Army (FSA). The Syrian Army sought to reassert control over Rastan, a strategic city that had been largely under rebel control for several months.

The fighting involved heavy artillery shelling, airstrikes, and ground assaults by government forces. Rebel groups, often relying on guerilla tactics and improvised weaponry, attempted to defend the city. Civilian casualties were reportedly high, and significant damage was inflicted upon the city's infrastructure.

While specific outcomes are debated, most reports indicate that the Syrian Army was ultimately successful in regaining control of Rastan. However, fighting in and around the city continued sporadically in the months and years that followed, demonstrating the ongoing instability of the region and the wider Syrian conflict. The battle is notable as one example of the intense and prolonged urban warfare that characterized much of the Syrian Civil War.