Jisr al-Shughur

Jisr ash-Shugur جسر الشغور (also romanized as Jisr al-Shughour)
Covered market in the old town of Jisr ash-Shugur (2009)
Nickname(s): literally, "bridge of vacancy"
Jisr ash-Shugur Location in Syria
Coordinates: 35°48′51″N 36°19′12″E / 35.81417°N 36.32000°E / 35.81417; 36.32000Coordinates: 35°48′51″N 36°19′12″E / 35.81417°N 36.32000°E / 35.81417; 36.32000
Country	Syria
Governorate	Idlib Governorate
District	Jisr ash-Shugur District
Occupation	Syrian opposition and Army of Conquest
Elevation	170 m (560 ft)
Population
• Total	44,322

Jisr ash-Shugur (Arabic: جسر الشغور‎‎, pronounced [dʒɪsr aʃˈʃuɣuːr]; also spelled Jisr al-Shughour) is a city in the Idlib Governorate in northwestern Syria. Situated at an altitude of 170 metres (560 ft) above sea level on the Orontes river, the city was inhabited by 44,322 people in 2010.^[1]

History

Jisr ash-Shugur has long been an important stopping point on trade routes and is situated on the main route between Latakia, 75 kilometres (47 mi) to the west and Aleppo 104 kilometres (65 mi) to the east. Located in the rich alluvial plain of the Ghab valley on the eastern side of the An-Nusayriyah Mountains (also known as the Jebel Ansariye), the area has been continuously inhabited for over 10,000 years. The ancient city of Qarqar is thought to have been situated some 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) south of the modern town,^[2] which was established in Hellenistic times as the city of Seleucia ad Belum. The Romans called it Niaccuba and built a stone bridge there across the Orontes.^[3]

Little remains of the ancient city other than portions of the much-repaired Roman bridge, which is now incorporated into a 15th-century Mameluke construction that still serves as one of the city's two bridges over the river. The bridge's V-shaped design was intended to enable it to withstand the force of the river's current. Although Jisr ash-Shugur is mostly of modern construction, a number of old Ottoman-era buildings still survive including a caravanserai built in the centre of the old town between 1660–75 and restored in 1826-27.^[3][4]

The city has been described as conservative and predominately Sunni Muslim with a history of unrest against the government of the ruling secular Arab nationalist Baath party.^[5] It was the scene of a mass killing by Syrian security forces in 1980 that prefigured the later and more notorious Hama massacre. On 9 March 1980, against a background of anti-government protests across Syria, inhabitants of Jisr ash-Shugur marched on the local Ba'ath Party headquarters and set it on fire. The police were unable to restore order and fled. Some demonstrators seized weapons and ammunition from a nearby army barracks. Later that day, units of the Syrian Army Special Forces were helicoptered in from Aleppo to regain control, which they did after pounding the town with rockets and mortars, destroying homes and shops and killing and wounding dozens of people. At least two hundred people were arrested. The following day a military tribunal ordered the execution of more than a hundred of the detainees. In all, about 150–200 people were said to have been killed.^[6]

Syrian Civil War

Violence broke out again in Jisr ash-Shugur on 4 June 2011, three months into the Syrian civil war. According to the Syrian state TV, armed gangs attacked local security forces, killed 120 members of the security forces and seized control of the city, with many civilians fleeing to Latakia. Some local witnesses denied the government's version of events, claiming that the dead were killed by their own side for defecting.^[7] The Syrian military launched an operation in a crackdown against pro-democracy protesters. The operation lasted until 12 June 2011.^[8] The city was reported to have been largely abandoned by its inhabitants, many of whom fled to neighbouring Turkey, as Syrian Army units massed outside to retake it.^[9] In December 2011–January 2012, FSA took control, establishing a key rebel center.^[10] ln June 2012, the FSA was still in control. In October 2012, the Syrian government was reported by Al Jazeera to be in control of the town.^[11] However, on 25 April 2015, the city was captured by an alliance of Islamist insurgents, including the Al-Nusra Front, Ahrar al-Sham,^[12][13] and the Turkistan Islamic Party.^[14] The city has become a stronghold of the TIP, and reportedly 3,500 Uyghurs have since settled in the city.^[15]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jisr ash-Shugur.

References

Cities and towns of Syria
Governorate centres	Aleppo Damascus Daraa Deir ez-Zor Hama al-Hasakah Homs Idlib Latakia Quneitra Ar-Raqqah Rif Dimashq al-Suwayda Tartus
District centres	Abu Kamal Afrin Arihah Atarib Ayn al-Arab Azaz al-Bab Baniyas Darayya Dayr Hafir Douma Duraykish Fiq al-Haffah Harem Izra' Jableh Jarabulus Jisr ash-Shugur Maarat al-Numaan al-Malikiyah Manbij Masyaf Mayadin Mhardeh al-Mukharram al-Foqani an-Nabk Palmyra Qamishli Qardaha Qatana Qudsaya al-Qusayr al-Qutayfah Ra's al-'Ayn al-Rastan as-Safira Safita Salamiyah Salkhad al-Sanamayn Shahba ash-Shaykh Badr al-Suqaylabiyah Talkalakh al-Tall Tell Abyad al-Thawrah Yabrud Zabadani
Sub-district centres	Abu Qilqil Abu al-Thuhur Akhtarin Amuda Arbeen Arima al-Ariqah al-Arishah Armanaz Arwad al-Asharah Assal al-Ward Awj Ayn al-Fijah Ayn Halaqim Ayn Issa Ayn al-Nasr Babbila Banan Barri Sharqi Beit Jinn Binnish Bir al-Helu Bosra Bulbul Busayrah Da'el al-Dana Darat Izza Darkush al-Darbasiyah Deir Atiyah al-Dimas al-Dumayr Furqlus Ghabaghib Ghandoura al-Ghariyah al-Ghizlaniyah al-Hader Hadidah al-Hajar al-Aswad al-Hajib Hajin al-Hamidiyah al-Hamraa Harasta Harbnafsah Harran al-Awamid al-Hirak Hish Hisyah al-Hawl Huraytan al-Huwash Ibbin Samaan Ihsim Jayrud al-Jalaa al-Janudiyah Jaramana al-Jarniyah Jasim al-Jawadiyah Jubb al-Jarrah Jubb Ramlah Jindires al-Jiza al-Qabu Kafr Batna Kafr Nabl Kafr Takharim Kafr Zita al-Karamah al-Kasrah Kessab al-Khafsah Khan Shaykhun Khasham Kirnaz Kuwayris Sharqi Khanaser Khirbet Ghazaleh Khirbet al-Tin Mahmoud al-Kiswah Ma'arrat Misrin Maabatli Maadan Ma'loula Madaya Mahin Malah al-Malihah al-Mansurah Mare' Markadah Mashta al-Helu Maskanah al-Masmiyah al-Mazraa Muhambal Muhasan al-Musayfirah al-Mushannaf Muzayrib al-Nashabiyah al-Nasirah Nawa Nubl al-Qadmus al-Qahtaniyah Qalaat al-Madiq Qarah al-Qaryatayn al-Qurayya Qurqania Rajo Rankus Rasm Harmil al-Imam al-Rai al-Riqama al-Ruhaybah al-Saan Saasaa Sabburah al-Sabe' Biyar al-Sabkhah Sadad Sahnaya Saidnaya Salqin Saraqib Sarmin Sarrin Sawran Sebei al-Shaddadah al-Shajara Shaqqa Sharran Shathah Shaykh al-Hadid al-Shaykh Maskin Shayukh Tahtani Shin Sinjar Sirghaya Slinfah Suluk al-Sur al-Surah al-Saghirah Suran al-Susah al-Sukhnah al-Tabni Talbiseh Taldou al-Tamanah Tasil Tell al-Daman Tell Hamis Tell Rifaat Tell Salhab Tell Tamer Tedef Thiban Uqayribat Urum al-Kubra Wadi al-Oyun al-Yaarubiyah al-Zurbah az-Ziyarah

Idlib Governorate
Idlib District Idlib Subdistrict Idlib Al-Mastumah Faylun Qminas Aqrabat Arshani Ein Shib Kafruhin Kreiz Martein Nayrab Northern Ora Sijer Tab Issa - Eastern and Western Abu al-Duhur Subdistrict Abu al-Duhur Tell Sultan Tell Touqan Ballisa Baragethi Barissa Big Zafar Busra - Little Zafar Harmala Hmeimat Eldayer Hseiniyeh - Tell Kalba Jallas Jdidhe Abu Elthohur Msheirfeh MustAriha Ras El Ein Rasm Abed Tell Elaghar Tell Fukhar Tell Silmo Taljineh Talkhatra Tawahineh Tawil Elsheikh Tweim Taweila Saraqib Subdistrict Saraqib Khan al-Sabil Mardikh Abul Khos Afs Ajez Anqrati Bijfas Bweiti Dadikh Jobas Kafr Battikh Kafr Amim Khuwara Lof Maar Dibsi Maharem Rasafa Rayan Salamin San Sheikh Idris Tell Karatine Tronba Taftanaz Subdistrict Taftanaz Ketyan Maaret Elnaasan Shallakh Talhiyeh Maarrat Misrin Subdistrict Maarrat Misrin Zardana Haranabush Hizano Kafriya Kaftin Killi Maarrat al-Ikhwan Batenta Bhora Kafrehmul Kafr Jales Kafr Nabi Murin Ram Hamdan Taltuneh Binnish Subdistrict Binnish Al-Fu'ah Ta'um Sarmin Subdistrict Sarmin
Maarrat al-Nu'man District Maarrat al-Nu'man Subdistrict Maarrat al-Nu'man Abu Makki Babilla Barsa Bsida Al-Dana Deir Sharqi Ghadqa Halbeh Hantutin Harran Hatamiyeh Hazzan Hraki Jarada Jarjnaz Kafr Rumah Kanayes Kuweires Maar Shamshah Maar Shamarin Maar Shurin Maasaran Qaratli Samkeh Sarman Tell Dibis Tell Kersyan Tell Mannas Thahrat Talamnas Tqana Western Deir Khan Shaykhun Subdistrict Khan Shaykhun Abdin Baarbu Hbit Kafr Ein Nqeir Qasabiyeh Umm Zaytuna Sinjar Subdistrict Sinjar Abu Sharji Abul Eleij Bashkun Big Karatin Borj Brennan Dreibiyeh Dwadiyeh Eastern Lweibdeh Ejaz Fahil Jallas Ferwan Ghazileh Halban Hawa Heisa Jaberiyeh Jahman Jeb Elqasab Kafraya Elmaarra Karsanti Khayriyeh Khwein Elshaer Khyara Little Karatin Little Khayrieyh Magharet Merza Maksar Mardagana Burtuqala Mreiheb Mreijeb Elmashad Mutawaseta Nibaz Northern Lweibdeh Ojeh Qasr Elabyad Qatra Rabeeah Brennan Rabeeah Musa Rasm Elabed Saree Sayadi Seraa Shara - Sharat Elajayez Sheikh Barakeh Southern Umm Mweilat Sqiah Tell Dam Tell Elojeh Tell Halawa Tellemara Thleijeh Umm Sehrij Umm Tini Western Sarja Estern Sarja Kafr Nabl Subdistrict Kafr Nabl Hazarin Hass Basqala Big Dara Faqie Fleifel Ftireh Jbala Kafr Musa Kafr Oweid Karsaa Kawkabeh Lweibdeh Maar Tahroma Maar Tamater Maar Tesin Maarzita Milaja Northern Rasha Qoqfin Sfuhen Sheikh Mustafa Shorlin Tramla Umm Nir Tamanah Subdistrict Al-Tamanah Sukayk Abu Dali Abu Omar Big Khwein Breiseh Dajaj Farja Hamadaniyeh Mashraf Rajmel Mashraf Msheirfeh Qabliyeh Niha Northern Msheirfeh Qleiat Eltubiyeh Raffa Rweideh Sahal Shatib Tell Khanzir Tell Maraq Tama Umm Elkhalayel Umm Jalal Hish Subdistrict Hish Abu Habbeh Ameriyeh Amudiyeh Armanaya Babuline Kafr Basin Kafrsajna Maar Hattat Maysruneh Moqa Rakaya Sijneh Sahyan Sheikh Dames Al-Tah Tahtaya Salhiyeh Jbala
Ariha District Ariha Subdistrict Ariha Iblin Kafr Latah Kurin Nahlaya Shinan Urum al-Jawz Abkally Bab Ellah Banin Bazabur Berjhab Ebneh Kafr Shalaya Kafraziba Maarbalit Maarzaf Majdaliya Moataf Maataram Mseibin Nahleh Sarja Thaheriya Al-Badria Ihsim Subdistrict Ihsim Al-Rami Juzif Marayan Abdita Arnaba Balshun Balyun Bara Bsames Deir Sunbul Ein Laruz Farkya Kafr Haya Kansafra Maghara Marata Mozra Muhambal Subdistrict Muhambal Anb Bales Baqlid Baydar Shamsu Beftamun Bsanqul Hila Hlul Hmeimat Jadraya Kafrmid Kniseh Matleh, Ariha Northern Laj Ora Qabli - Edwan Sahen Sararif Shagurit Al-Sad Al-Marj
Jisr al-Shughur District Jisr al-Shughur Subdistrict Jisr al-Shughur Al-Marj Al-Akhdar Al-Sharqi Alyeh Balmis Bkafla Bsheiriyeh - Bello Bteibat Bzeit Dgali Ein Elhamra Ein Elsoda Eshtabraq Frikeh Ghanya Ghassaniyeh Halluz Hseiniyeh Jannet Elqora Kafir Kniset Nakhleh Maalaqa - Bishlamon Marj Elzohur Matleh Mintar Msheirfeh Qaysiyeh Rawda Sabileh Salhiyeh Sali Sokkariyeh Tell Awar Tell Hamki Umm Elgar Umm Rish Upper Sheikh Sindyan Upper Shghur Watba Western Marj Akhdar Al-Arien Shughur Tahtani Bidama Subdistrict Bidama Armala Baksariya Ein El-Bayda Hanbushiyeh Kherbet Eljoz Kinda Maraand Najiyeh Ramliyeh Shaturiyeh Tuffahiyeh Yunesiyeh Sheikh Sndian Tahtani Darkush Subdistrict Darkush Zarzur Amud Andnaniyeh - Farjein Deir Othman Dorriyeh Ghazala - Mgheidleh Jamiliya Matleh - Batlaya Mazuleh Maryamin Ramadiyeh Sadiyeh - Bsentiya Sawadiya - Nabhan Sheikh Issa Elashury Thahr Turin Zahraa Zanbaqi Janudiyah Subdistrict Al-Janudiyah Al-Qunaya Yakubiyah Athar Foz - Zuf Hamama - Kafr Debbin Hassaniyeh - Hatya Jdidet Eljisr Maland Mudiah - Luxin Nasra Qaderiyeh - Qayqun Tiba - Katrin
Harem District Harem Subdistrict Harem Ariba Besnaya - Bseineh Kafr Hum Kafr Mu Mira Shaq Dana Subdistrict Al-Dana Salwah Atme Qah Kafr Dariyan Sarmada Taladah Turmanin Aqrabat Burj Elnumra Deir Hassan - Darhashan Hezreh - Hezri Tell Elkarame Salqin Subdistrict Salqin Abu Talha Isqat Al-Alani Azmarin Talamar Betiya Big Hir Jamus Bozanti Delbiya Ein Elbikara Foziyeh Hamziyeh Kafarna Kafr Hind Kafrahlat Jallad Little Hir Jamus Saidiyeh Al-Tlul Al-Shiokh Kafr Takharim Subdistrict Kafr Takharim Kafr Kila Abarita Bshendlaya - Rashadiya Helleh Jadeen Kafr Mars Kuku - Ein Eljaj Taltita Qurqania Subdistrict Qurqania Banabil Barisha Qalb Loze Boz Ghaz Htan Kafr Aruq Meraf Elshalaf Rabeeta Radwa Ras Elhisn Sardin Torlaha Armanaz Subdistrict Armanaz Millis Bsaliya Biret Armanaz Dweila Ghafar Hafasraja Kabta Kuwaro - Umm Elriyah Quneitra Sheikh Yousef Haj Jomaa