December 2012 Timeline of the Syrian Civil War (September–December 2012)

1 december 2012

1.1 1 december
1.2 2 december
1.3 3–4 december
1.4 5 december
1.5 6–10 december
1.6 11 december
1.7 12 december
1.8 13 december
1.9 14 december
1.10 15 december
1.11 16 december
1.12 17 december
1.13 18 december
1.14 19 december
1.15 20 december
1.16 21 december
1.17 22 december
1.18 23 december
1.19 24 december
1.20 25 december
1.21 26 december
1.22 27 december
1.23 28 december
1.24 29 december
1.25 30 december
1.26 31 december
1.27 2013

december 2012
1 december

syria without internet , mobile phone coverage third straight day. rebels without satellite phones had use landlines, monitored government forcing them speak in code. hardest hit civilians, in government controlled areas, unable ring emergency services in case of casualties caused fighting. later day, internet , telephone service had returned of syria. rebels claiming have captured number of sa-16 missiles , defected soldier, trained use such weapons, credited downing 2 helicopters on 2 consecutive days.
the lcc reported 165 civilians/rebels killed, including 60 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

2 december

15 people died when car bomb exploded in central syrian city of homs. syrian human rights observatory said in communique vehicle blew in al-malaa al-baladi neighborhood. opposition activists general committee of syrian revolution said among killed, @ least 3 children , woman. no 1 has claimed responsibility.
lebanese troops fought syrian rebels on border between 2 countries, in security source said first such clash between lebanon’s army , rebels. clash occurred when lebanese border patrol spotted rebel fighters along border , rebels opened fire prevent patrol approaching, lebanese military source said. there no casualties.
meanwhile, syrian army forces pounded rebel-held suburbs around damascus fighter jets , rockets on sunday, killing , wounding dozens in offensive push rebels away airport , stop them closing in on capital.
shells fired syria hit turkish border town of reyhanlı in first cross-border shelling incident since turkey requested nato deploy patriot air defence missiles near border.
syrian state television broadcast images of more 5 dead bodies lebanese identification, reporting men among 21 lebanese salafist fighters fell syrian army ambush friday. station said men killed in tal kalakh after sneaking country wadi khaled, , others in group had been wounded.
haaretz reports on 2 december syrian government may preparing use chemical weapons.
the lcc reported 202 killed, including 82 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

3–4 december

on 3 december, u.s. president barack obama said there consequences if syrian government decides use chemical weapons. lcc reported 239 civilians/rebels killed, including 116 in damascus suburbs.
the next day, nato agreed request turkey deploy patriot missiles along southern border syria. several hours after agreement russia delivered first shipment of iskandar missiles syria when naval logistic vessels docked @ tartus.
the lcc reported 184 killed, including 110 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

5 december

u.s. officials claimed nbc news military of syria has loaded deadly nerve gas, sarin aerial bombs.
the lcc reported 107 killed, including 45 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

6–10 december

on 6 december, lcc reported 89 civilians/rebels killed, including 45 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army. on 7 december, lcc reported 130 civilians/rebels killed, including 51 in massacre in deir ezzor , 45 in damascus suburbs.
on 8 december, lcc reported 129 civilians/rebels killed, including 58 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army. same day, syria wrote u.n. secretary-general ban ki-moon , chairman of un security council in saying not use chemical weapons during battles. foreign ministry s letters read:
the u.s. administration has consistently worked on past year launch campaign of allegations on possibility syria use chemical weapons during current crisis. raises concerns news circulated media our serious fear of countries backing terrorism , terrorists might provide armed terrorist groups chemical weapons , claim syrian government used weapons.
american officials said on 8 december american satellites , other tools have detected increased activity @ several chemical weapons depots in syria. believe @ least 1 military base has been ordered begin combining components of sarin nerve gas make ready use. william hague, british secretary, confirmed awareness of evidence.



we have seen evidence of that, said. , us, said in parliament week, have seen evidence of , why have issued strong warnings it. have done directly syrian regime.

concerned opposition advances, in particular on damascus, regime might consider use of chemical weapons. intelligence have causes serious concerns being considered.

on 9 december, lcc reported 116 killed, including 41 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
on 10 december, lcc reported 142 killed, including 59 in aleppo , 50 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
a video recording published on youtube, unarmed , immobilized prisoner being beheaded child using machete. rebels gathered around shout allah akbar , display 2 bodies severed heads. perpetrators believed members of khalid ibn al-waleed brigade, part of fsa.

11 december

u.s. declare al-nusra front terrorist organisation. unhcr reported: according unhcr s latest figures lebanon, jordan, iraq, turkey , north africa, 509,559 syrians either registered or in process of being registered. when asked news on chemical weapons movement, u.s. defence secretary leon panetta said @ point intelligence has kind of levelled off. haven t seen new indicating aggressive steps move forward in way.
allegedly, 125 hurt or killed in series of explosions destroyed several houses in alawite village of aqrab, hama. alawite resident nearby town blamed attack on rebels houla, 8 km. aqrab, suffered massacre of more 100 sunnis last may, in more half of victims children. however, alex thomson of channel 4 has given different account of events.
the lcc reported 165 killed (not including aqrab). 61 of deaths reported in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
in interview abc news, u.s. president barack obama announced government recognize syrian rebels legitimate government of syria.

12 december

american officials in obama administration reported assad government has begun using scud missiles, calling significant escalation. many 6 scuds have been launched damascus area @ rebel targets in northern syria.
three bombs exploded outside interior ministry building in damascus, killing 5 , injuring @ least 23. earlier in day, more 100 countries recognized new syrian opposition coalition formed in november, national coalition syrian revolutionary , opposition forces.
the lcc reported 113 killed, including 41 in aleppo , 31 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

13 december

mikhail bogdanov, deputy foreign minister of russia – admitted first time bashar al-assad losing syrian civil war.
six members of nbc news team in syria, including chief foreign correspondent richard engel, abducted in syria after rebel group escorting them ambushed. news of disappearance largely withheld until became free due media blackout. engel had blamed pro-regime shabiha abduction, in 2015 had correct account of event, acknowledging nbc team taken sunni criminal element affiliated free syrian army, new york times investigations found out.
the lcc reported 138 killed, including 69 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

14 december

the lcc reported 106 killed, including 49 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

15 december

the lcc reported 131 people killed, including 36 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
it reported 60 members of pflp-gc defected rebels , anti-assad palestinian brigades in yarmouk camp, damascus. pflp-gc leader, ahmed jibril fled tartous after rebels gained ground in district. pflp-gc denied reports storm brigade had taken entire yarmouk district, although government jets later bombed southern district, killing 8 civilians/rebels. air attack condemned ban ki-moon, called matter of grave concern .

16 december

the lcc reported 183 people killed, including 60 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

17 december

the lcc reported 158 people killed, including 50 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

18 december

the lcc reported 128 people killed, including 42 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
on road between tartus , homs 2 russians , italian kidnapped, kidnappers demanding unspecified ransom. russian navy deploying 5 ships, destroyer, tugboat, tanker , 2 large amphibious landing vessels port of tartus. port @ tartus russian naval base outside of former soviet union. deployment of 2 amphibious landing vessels possible indication russian government considering large scale evacuation of russian citizens in syria.
american journalist richard engel, ambushed along rest of team freed. later went on today show discuss ordeal. captured pro-assad militia, executed 1 of journalists rebel escorts. shabiha group loyal al-assad wanted exchange engel , crew 4 iranian soldiers , 2 lebanese militants captured rebels. news crew moved various locations throughout time missing. shabibha group drove checkpoint manned rebels belonging ahrar ash-sham, freed hostages 5 days later. @ least 2 of engel s captors killed in shootout free journalist. nbc news had requested news blackout out of concern engel , crew s safety, , on december 18 reported media had been kidnapped released unharmed.
free syrian army announces delay of execution of ukrainian reporter ankhar koncheva, had been held rebels since october. captors insisted koncheva had been spy , demanded ransom of $50 million.

19 december

the lcc reported 161 people killed, including 67 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
after rebels took control of yarmouk in damascus , thousands of palestinian refugees left area due heavy fighting fsa declared district liberated area , handed on palestinian control.

20 december

the lcc reported 117 people killed, including 42 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
syrian plane released cluster bombs onto neighborhoods , homes, on town of marea in syria. in described victims of attacks collective punishment. local freedom hospital counted 4 dead , 23 wounded.

21 december

the lcc reported 169 people killed, including 58 in damascus suburbs.
the syrian government has fired @ least 6 scud-b @ rebel targets in syria according nato. 1 missile landed 20 miles turkish border @ least 4 landing near aleppo. nato not comment on targets hit or damage done. use of scud missiles may due rebel efforts limit syrian air force s capacities.

22 december

the lcc reported 143 people killed, including 75 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
russian military advisors have told syrian government move stockpile of chemical weapons many locations 1 or 2 safeguard them.

23 december

up 200 people killed in halfaya when syrian air force bombed bakery killing standing in line bread.
the lcc reported 208 people killed, including helfaya massacre , 51 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
seven people died , dozens injured in rebel held area of homs rebels blaming use of chemical gas government forces. doctors have reported symptoms of gas similar of sarin gas. however, has been reported u.s. officials feel skeptical claim because sarin odorless , deadly in small amounts, while reports speak of foul stench , significant inhalation. other suggested causes chemicals chlorine, phosgene, cyanogen chloride, or severe asthma attack. israeli officials expressed doubts chemical weapons used.

24 december

the lcc reported 156 people killed, including 60 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

25 december

syria s military police chief major general abdulaziz al-sallal defected, becoming highest-ranking military defector defect since chemical weapons department s head, major general adnan sillue, defected. government source, while confirming defection, claims near retirement , had announced defection play hero.
the lcc reported 171 people killed, including 61 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

26 december

the lcc reported 164 people killed, including 32 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
the syrian observatory human rights reported 45,048 people have been killed in fighting in syria since march 2011. observatory believes not true figure both sides hide total casualties. attorney-general aleppo province announced defection rebels , protestors.

27 december

the lcc reported 197 people killed, including 103 in damascus suburbs, among 50 found field executed in town alongside damascus-daraa highway. neglected report death of of syrian army.

28 december

a turkish official said 2 airforce generals , 3 state tv journalists defected turkey on 28 december. government forced rebels out of deir baalbah neighborhood leaving rebels in control of khalidiyah district , parts of old city. dozens of civilians have been reported being killed in fighting in homs.
the lcc reported 137 people killed, including 138 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

29 december

opposition groups reported many 400 people killed in syria, half of them civilians slain in mass killing carried out government troops in deir baalba, suburb of central city of homs. massacre followed government troops retaking control of rebel-held town, after surrounded month ago.
an unknown source says 201 people captured syrian army soldier said had been executed in deir baalba neighborhood of homs. anonymous source says: @ least 392 people killed on 29 december, lcc said. death toll includes 201 people captured syrian army soldier said had been executed in deir baalba neighborhood of homs.

30 december

the lcc reported 130 civilians killed, including 82 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.
syrian observatory human rights however, estimated sunday s death toll @ on 150, of them in aleppo province.

31 december

thirty fifty bodies found in barzeh district, damascus. showed signs of torture. republican guard forces started biggest attack on daraya, damascus in 2 months.
turkey denied infiltration attempt. demonstrators blew natural gas pipeline near deir ez-zor in oil-rich east, disrupting distribution.
the lcc reported 119 civilians killed, including 49 in damascus suburbs. neglected report death of of syrian army.

2013

for events in 2013, please see timeline of syrian civil war (january 2013–present).




^ syria internet, mobiles down third straight day 1 december 2012 . nowlebanon.com. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ bassem mroue (1 december 2012). syrian internet restored after blackout . associated press. retrieved 2 december 2012. 
^ syria rebels captured missiles downed army aircraft 2 december 2012 . nowlebanon.com. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ cite error: named reference http://www.lccsyria.org/en invoked never defined (see page).
^ @ least 7 dead in syria car bomb blast . efe via fox news latino. 2 december 2012. retrieved 2 december 2012. 
^ car bomb kills 15 in syria s homs . aap via australian. 2 december 2012. retrieved 2 december 2012. 
^ al arabiya reuters (2 december 2012). lebanese army clashes syrian opposition fighters . al arabiya. retrieved 2 december 2012. 
^ ruth sherlock (2 december 2012). syrian shells hit turkish border town . london: telegraph. retrieved 2 december 2012. 
^ misbah al-ali, antoine amrieh (2 december 2012). syria tv airs images of dead lebanese salafists . daily star. retrieved 2 december 2012. 
^ report: syria may preparing use chemical weapons . haaretz. 2 december 2012. retrieved 2 december 2012. 
^ syria today 2-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. 2012-12-03. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ obama warns assad against using chemical weapons: there consequences . cbs news. 2012-12-03. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ baker, peter; gordon, michael r. (december 3, 2012). u.s. warns syria on chemical weapons . new york times. 
^ syria today 3-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ nato oks patriots , delivers warning: don t think attacking turkey . cnn. december 5, 2012. 
^ syria today 4-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ jim miklaszewski , m. alex johnson (5 december 2012). syria loads chemical weapons bombs; military awaits assad s order . nbc news. retrieved 5 december 2012. 
^ syria today 5-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 6-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 7-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 8-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ new head of syrian opposition briefs european foreign ministers - cnn.com . edition.cnn.com. 10 december 2012. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ william hague confirms evidence of syrian chemical weapons . guardian. london. 8 december 2012. 
^ syria today 9-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 10-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syrian rebels use child behead prisoner « human rights investigations . humanrightsinvestigations.org. 2012-12-10. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ daniel miller (2012-12-11). horrific video of syrian rebels forcing boy behead captive sword | mail online . london: dailymail.co.uk. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ action on syria rebels backfires . ft.com. 2012-12-12. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ on half million people flee syria conflict . news.sky.com. 2012-12-11. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ 125 victims in syria alawite bombing . news.com.au. 2012-12-12. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ 200 hurt in attack on syrian alawite village - activists | reuters . in.reuters.com. 2012-12-12. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria violence erupts here fearful alawis lay blame on carr . australian. 26 june 2012. 
^ there massacre in syrian town of aqrab? | alex thomson s view - part 3426 | alex thomson s view . blogs.channel4.com. 2012-12-14. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 11-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. 2012-12-11. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ exclusive: president obama recognizes syrian opposition group - abc news . abcnews.go.com. 2012-12-11. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ obama recognizes syrian opposition coalition . cnn.com. 12 december 2012. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ gordon, michael r.; schmitt, eric (december 12, 2012). syria uses scud missiles in new effort push rebels . new york times. 
^ scislowska, monika (2012-12-12). times of israel . times of israel . retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ syria today 12-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. 2012-12-13. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ harding, luke; elder, miriam; beaumont, peter (13 december 2012). assad losing syria war, russia admits first time . guardian. london. 
^ bbc news - syria government losing control - russian official . bbc.co.uk. 2012-12-13. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ ravi somaiya; c. j. chivers; karam shoumali (15 april 2015). nbc news alters account of correspondent s kidnapping in syria . retrieved 8 december 2015. 
^ syria today 13-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 14-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 15-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ on 60 key pflp-gc members defect syrian rebels | ya libnan | world news live lebanon . lb: ya libnan. 2012-12-15. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/12/16/255444.html
^ no winner in syrian conflict, says vp - middle east . al jazeera english. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 16-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 17-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 18-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ russian navy ships sail mediterranean amid talk evacuation of russians syria 18 december 2012
^ stelter, brian; sebnem arsu; bill carter (19 december 2012). richard engel of nbc freed in syria . new york times. retrieved 18 december 2012. 
^ thomas whittle (17 december 2012). turkish reporter nbc missing in syria: report . nz week. archived original on 30 december 2012. retrieved 17 december 2012. 
^ john cook (17 december 2012). richard engel missing in syria; nbc news enforces news blackout . gawker. retrieved 17 december 2012. 
^ kelley, michael (december 17, 2012). nbc chief foreign correspondent richard engel has not checked in network in days . business insider. retrieved 18 december 2012. 
^ carol morello , debbi wilgoren (2011-02-28). nbc s richard engel, crew freed after kidnapping, death threats in syria . washington post. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ morello, carol; wilgoren, debbi; ramadan, ahmed (2012-12-18). nbc correspondent richard engel , crew freed in syria . washington post. retrieved 2012-12-18. 
^ syrian rebels delay execution of ukrainian reporter | world | ria novosti . en.rian.ru. 2012-12-18. archived original on 5 july 2013. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 19-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ activist says yarmouk has been bombed again on monday - al jazeera blogs . blogs.aljazeera.com. 2012-12-17. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ battles rage in damascus refugee area - middle east . al jazeera english. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ un sees no prospect of end syria violence - middle east . al jazeera english. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 20-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ chivers, c. j. (december 20, 2012). syria unleashes cluster bombs on town, punishing civilians . new york times. 
^ syria today 21-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ nato: syrian forces firing more scud missiles 21 december 2012 . edition.cnn.com. 21 december 2012. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ mcelroy, damien (12 december 2012). syria fires scud missiles on own people 12 december 2012 . london: telegraph.co.uk. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ syria today 22-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria safeguarding chemical weapons 22 december 2012 . aljazeera.com. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/12/23/256715.html
^ syria today 23-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ harel, amos (2012-12-24). syrian rebels claim assad regime uses chemical weapons 24 december 2012 . haaretz.com. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ syria live blog 24 december 2012 . blogs.aljazeera.com. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ shachtman, noah (2012-12-26). u.s. officials doubt syrian rebels chemical attack claim . wired.com. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ israel: no proof chemical weapon used in syria . worldnews.nbcnews.com. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ poison gas in syria: rebels killed regime denies chemical weapons . isciencetimes.com. 2012-12-26. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ syria today 24-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria discuss brahimi peace proposals russia december 27, 2012 . thedailystar.net. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/12/25/257059.html
^ syria today 26-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ aleppo s attorney-general defects, denounces syrian government s crimes 27 december 2012 . english.alarabiya.net. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ syria today 27-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/12/28/257531.html
^ assad s forces seize homs district rebels: activists 30 december 2012
^ assad s forces seize homs district rebels - activists 29 december 2012 . reuters.com. 29 december 2012. retrieved 2013-08-21. 
^ syria today 28-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ morello, carol (29 december 2012). syria peace envoy warns of surge in death toll . washington post. retrieved 1 january 2013. 
^ deadly day in syria diplomats talk . cnn.com. 30 december 2012. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 30-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria nearing victory on rebels, premier says - trend.az . en.trend.az. 2012-12-31. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ major war crime in syria . business insider. 2012-12-31. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ yacoub, khaled (2012-12-31). assad s forces battle retake damascus suburb | reuters . in.reuters.com. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/146161/general-staff-no-turkish-pilots-arrested-in-syria.html
^ syria says rebels destroyed gas pipeline . usatoday.com. 2012-12-31. retrieved 2013-08-10. 
^ syria today 31-12-2012 | local coordination committees of syria . lccsyria.org. retrieved 2013-08-10.