Yazan Shahdawi writes:

Hama has a long and storied history. It witnessed massive demonstrations in 2011, involving tens of thousands of protesters, who filled the central Assi Square in defiance of Bashar al-Assad’s rule. Its reputation for dissent dates back to 1982, when it became a symbol of opposition after the infamous Hama Massacre, a brutal crackdown ordered by Hafez al-Assad to secure his regime’s control.

Hama suffered extensively under the Assad family’s 54-year rule. Its people endured massacres, arrests and oppressive security measures, and were systematically excluded from leadership roles to prevent the city from emerging as a threat to the regime.

The massacre in Hama that began on Feb. 2, 1982 remains one of the bloodiest events in Syria’s history. Lasting 27 days, it was orchestrated by the paramilitary force known as the Defense Companies under the command of Hafez al-Assad’s brother, Rifaat. It also involved several divisions and brigades of Syria’s regular army, acting on direct orders from the president. According to Hama residents and eyewitnesses, an estimated 20,000 troops stormed the city to carry out the assault.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights estimates that the massacre claimed the lives of approximately 40,000 civilians, with around 17,000 still missing. Yet residents of Hama speak of even higher figures, suggesting as many as 60,000 civilian deaths. [Continue reading…]