Battle of Rastan ( 2012 ) A second battle between the Syrian Army and the Free Syrian Army for control of the city of Rastan took place from 29 January to 5 February 2012 . Located in Homs Governorate , Rastan is a city of 60 , 000 residents . The FSA captured Rastan after days of intense fighting , according to residents and the opposition . Battle . The first reports of major battles in Rastan were on 29 January 2012 , after the Arab League mission and the subsequent cease fire , when three deserters were killed . A local activist in Rastan , who said the clashes lasted six hours , confirmed the toll . " A large number of soldiers in the countless checkpoints inside the city deserted and turned their arms on the regime ' s soldiers , " he said . " Residents are trying to help deserters fight their way out of Rastan and reach the positions of the Free Syrian Army , " added the activist , who spoke on condition of anonymity . " There are regular small demonstrations in the streets , but only a few people come out because snipers are everywhere and the army is carrying out mass arrests every time there is a protest . " By the end of the day , an FSA video statement claimed that they controlled the city of 40 , 000 residents . However , the fighting continued . On 30 January , a defected first lieutenant said that the Hamza Battalion of the Khaled Brigade " routed regime forces from several neighborhoods in the western side of Rastan and vowed to continue fighting until the remaining neighborhoods were liberated " . Their commander , Major Ali Ayyoub , confirmed this and said " The Assad army is on the defensive now . They are stranded in a few pockets . They only move forward after they receive reinforcements and the Free Syrian Army is always there to intercept their movements . " The Hamza Battalion claimed it had destroyed four army posts , two tanks , and several other armored vehicles . Activists posted a video of a destroyed tank that corroborates at least part of the FSA ' s claims . In the video , severe damage can be seen on the surrounding buildings . Still residents seemed buoyed by the successes of the FSA . An online video was posted of a protest held " under the protection of the Free Syrian Army " . Activists reported that five civilians were killed by loyalists who shelled the city during the battle . Maj . Ayyoub refused to disclose how many FSA soldiers were participating in the defense of the city , citing security reasons , but he had put the number in the hundreds . The next day , on 31 January , defectors gained full control of the city , according to a town activist . Loyalist tanks were still able to shell the city , one such attack killing 10 civilians and wounding 15 others when a building was brought down . Local activists also claimed that 20 more had been killed during the battle , with the bodies being put in a mosque with the victims of the building being destroyed . On 1 February , more fighting in the town reportedly left 15 defectors and two soldiers dead . On 5 February , the FSA declared Rastan " liberated " . A leader of an opposition battalion said that 42 people were killed in the city of Rastan in the previous days . Aftermath . During an artillery attack on 9 February , FSA colonel Jihad Muhammad Ahmad was killed . On 13 February , government tanks attempted to push into the town of Rastan . However , they were repelled by the Free Syrian Army and at least three soldiers were killed . After retaking the Baba Amr district in Homs , in an assault where 700 rebels and civilians were killed according to Human Rights Watch , security forces began to intensively shell the town of Rastan . It was reported that at least 12 civilians , including many children , were killed by the shelling . On 4 March , seven civilians , including four children , were killed by government shelling . The victims included six family members killed when a rocket slammed into their home , alleged the UK - based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which claimed intensive shelling of Rastan throughout the day . 15 rockets were reported to have fallen in 15 minutes . A staff general of the army announced his defection on 6 March because of the army ' s shelling of Rastan . He posted a video , in which he showed his identification card and was flanked by other officers and stated : A week later , on 16 March , two civilians were killed by government shelling . On 27 March , three members of the military were killed when the government tried to enter Rastan but were repelled . Three days later , two brigadier general s defected to the FSA in Rastan . Videos showed the generals announcing their allegiance to the Free Syrian Army while showing their military identification cards . On 14 May , activists reported that shells had rained down on Rastan at the rate of one shell per minute . Nine people were killed in the bombardment . Among the dead was a local rebel commander . In response , opposition fighters attacked three armoured vehicles carrying government troops as they were heading to Rastan , reportedly killing 23 soldiers . In late May , a BBC reporter within the city reported that the rebels were locked in constant street fighting with the government forces which were responding with sporadic artillery shelling .