Maarat al-Numan#Syrian Civil War

The city, known as Arra to the Greeks, has its present-day name combined from the Aramaic word for cave [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%DC%A1%DC%A5%DC%AA%DC%AC%DC%90 ܡܥܪܗ] (mʿarā) and that of its first Muslim governor, Nu'man ibn Bashir al-Ansari, a companion of Muhammad, meaning "the cave of Nu’man". The crusaders called it Marre. There are many towns throughout Syria with names that begin with the word Maarat, such as Maarrat Misrin and Maarat Saidnaya.

File:Arabischer Maler um 1335 002.jpg of Ma`arra (1334)]]

In 891 Ya‘qubi described Maarrat al-Nu‘man as "an ancient city, now a ruin. It lies in the Hims province."le Strange, 1890, p. [https://archive.org/stream/palestineundermo00lestuoft#page/495/mode/1up 495] By the time of Estakhri (951) the place had recovered, as he described the city "very full of good things, and very opulent". Figs, pistachios and vines were cultivated. In 1047 Nasir Khusraw visited the city, and described it as a populous town with a stone wall. There was a Friday Mosque, on a height, in the middle of the town. The bazaars were full of traffic. Considerable areas of cultivated land surrounded the town, with plenty of fig-trees, olives, pistachios, almonds and grapes.le Strange, 1890, p. [https://archive.org/stream/palestineundermo00lestuoft#page/496/mode/1up 496]

{{main article|Siege of Ma'arra}}

The most infamous event from the city's history dates from late 1098, during the First Crusade. After the crusaders, led by Raymond de Saint Gilles and Bohemond of Taranto, successfully besieged Antioch they found themselves with insufficient supplies of food.

During or after the siege of Ma‘arra some of the starving crusaders therefore resorted to cannibalism, feeding on the bodies of Muslims. This fact itself is not seriously in doubt, as it is acknowledged by nearly a dozen Christian chronicles written during the twenty years after the Crusade, all of which are based at least to some degrees on eyewitness accounts.{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|pp=526, 537}}

The crusaders' cannibalism is also briefly mentioned in an Arab source, which explains it as due to hunger.{{cite journal |first1=Carine |last1=Bourget |url=https://newprairiepress.org/sttcl/vol30/iss2/3/ |title=The Rewriting of History in Amin Maalouf's The Crusades Through Arab Eyes |date=2006 |journal=Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature |page=269 |doi=10.4148/2334-4415.1633 | volume=30 | issue=2, Article 3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719144055/http://newprairiepress.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1633&context=sttcl |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |doi-access=free}}

There is conflicting evidence on when exactly and why the cannibalism happened. Some sources state that enemies were eaten during the siege, others (a slight majority) state that it happened after the city had been conquered.{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|p=537}} Another source of tension exists regarding its motives – was it practised secretly due to famine and lack of food, as some sources suggest, or publicly in front of the enemies in order to shock and frighten them, as others imply?{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|pp=533, 535, 541}}

The earliest of the texts suggesting that the cannibalism occurred after the end of the siege and was entirely motivated by hunger is the Gesta Francorum. It states that because of great deprivations after the siege, "Some cut the flesh of dead bodies into strips and cooked them for eating." Peter Tudebode's chronicle gives a similar description, though adding that only Muslims were eaten.{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|pp=530–531}} Several other works include similar accounts, likewise stating that only Muslims or "Turks" were consumed.{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|pp=532–533}}

Three other accounts, by Fulcher of Chartres (who was a participant of the Crusade though not personally present at Ma‘arra), Albert of Aachen and Ralph of Caen (both of whom based their accounts on interviews with participants) state that the cannibalism happened during the siege and suggest that it was a public spectacle rather than a shameful, hidden episode.{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|pp=534–536}} Ralph states that "a lack of food compelled them to make a meal of human flesh, that adults were put in the stewpot, and that [children] were skewered on spits. Both were cooked and eaten."{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|p=536}}

Several medieval interpretations of the cannibalism during the Crusade, by Guibert of Nogent, William of Tyre, and in the Chanson d'Antioche, interpret it as an deliberate act of psychological warfare, "intended to strike fear in the enemy". This implies it must have happened during rather than after the siege, "while there were still Muslims alive to witness it and to feel the horror that was its intended by-product".{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|pp=539–542}}

Some chroniclers as well as various later sources blame the cannibalism at Ma'arra at the Tafurs, a group of crusaders who followed strict oaths of poverty. One interpretation in this tradition is the French poem The Leaguer of Antioch, which contains lines such as:

:Then came to him the King Tafur, and with him fifty score

:Of men-at-arms, not one of them but hunger gnawed him sore.

:Thou holy Hermit, counsel us, and help us at our need;

:Help, for God's grace, these starving men with wherewithal to feed.

:But Peter answered, 'Out, ye drones, a helpless pack that cry,

:While all unburied round about the slaughtered Paynim lie.

:A dainty dish is Paynim flesh, with salt and roasting due.Von Sybel, History and Literature of the Crusades; translated by Lady Duff Gordon.

In concluding his discussion of the various accounts of the cannibalism, historian Jay Rubenstein notes that the chroniclers clearly felt discomfort and tried to downplay what had happened, hence tending to give only part of the facts (but without agreeing on which part and interpretation to give).{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|p=550}} He also notes that the fact that only Muslims were eaten is at odds with hunger as sole or primary motive – presumably, desperate starving people would not have cared much about the religion of those they consumed.{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|p=529}} He concludes that the cannibalism at Ma‘arra likely went "beyond poor and hungry people eating from the dead" in secret, rather suggesting that "some of the soldiers must have recognized its potential utility [as a weapon of terror] and, hoping to drive the defenders into a quick surrender, made a spectacle of the eating, and made sure that Muslims were the only ones eaten."{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|p=550}}

He notes, however, that the Tafurs were almost certainly "scapegoats" blamed for acts which were by no means particularly limited to them.{{sfn|Rubenstein|2008|p=551}}

Historian Thomas Asbridge states that, while the "cannibalism at Marrat is among the most infamous of all the atrocities perpetrated by the First Crusaders", it nevertheless had "some positive effects on the crusaders' short-term prospects". Reports and rumours of their brutality in Ma‘arra and Antioch convinced "many Muslim commanders and garrisons that the crusaders were bloodthirsty barbarians, invincible savages who could not be resisted". Accordingly, many of them decided to "accept costly and humiliating truces with the Franks rather than face them in battle".{{cite book |title=The First Crusade: A New History| first1=Thomas |last1=Asbridge |authorlink=Thomas Asbridge |isbn=978-0-19-517823-4 |year=2004 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |pages=274–275 |url=https://archive.org/details/firstcrusadenewh00asbr |url-access = registration }}

Ibn al-Muqaddam received lands in Maarat al-Nuʿman in 1179 as part of his compensation for yielding Baalbek to Saladin's brother Turan Shah. Ibn Jubayr passed by the town in 1185, and wrote that "Everywhere around the town are gardens... It is one of the most fertile and richest lands in the world". Ibn Battuta visited in 1355, and described the town as small. The figs and pistachios of the town were exported to Damascus.le Strange, 1890, p. [https://archive.org/stream/palestineundermo00lestuoft#page/497/mode/1up 497]

The town was the focus of intense protests against the government of President Bashar al-Assad on 2 June 2011. On 25 October 2011, clashes occurred between loyalists and defected soldiers at a roadblock on the edge of the town. The defectors launched an assault on the government held roadblock in retaliation for a raid on their positions the previous night.{{cite news| url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-60114220111025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201135119/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-60114220111025 | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 1, 2016 | work=Reuters | title=Assad forces fight deserters at northwestern town | date=25 October 2011}} The Free Syrian Army took control in December 2011–January 2012. The regime recaptured it at a later date. On 10 June 2012, the FSA took it back, but the military recaptured it in August.{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/55206/World/Region/Syria-sends-extra-troops-after-rebels-seize-Idlib-.aspx |title=Syria sends extra troops after rebels seize Idlib: NGO |publisher=English.ahram.org.eg |date=2012-10-10}} Finally the FSA captured the town again in October after the Battle of Maarat al-Numan (2012).

As the Syrian Civil War followed, the town's strategic position on the road between Damascus and Aleppo made it a significant prize. Starting on 8 October 2012, the Battle of Maarat al-Numan (2012) was fought between the FSA and the government, causing numerous civilian casualties and severe material damage. The town was home to the FSA Division 13.

A hospital in Maarrat al-Nu'man was struck by missiles on 15 February 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/syrien-krankenhaus-von-aerzte-ohne-grenzen-bombardiert-a-1077414.html|title=Syrien: Ärzte-ohne-Grenzen-Krankenhaus bombardiert - ein gezielter Angriff?|author=((SPIEGEL ONLINE, Hamburg, Germany))|date=15 February 2016|work=SPIEGEL ONLINE|access-date=20 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://ici.radio-canada.ca/breve/45482/un-hopital-msf-en-syrie-touche-par-frappes-aerienn|title=Un hôpital de MSF en Syrie touché par des frappes aériennes|work=Radio-Canada.ca|access-date=20 April 2016}}{{Cite news|title = MSF-backed hospital in Syria destroyed by air strikes: statement|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-msf-idUSKCN0VO11J|newspaper = Reuters|date = 2016-02-15|access-date = 2016-02-15}} The hospital was targeted again by Syrian government and Russian planes in April 2017,Diana Al Rifai [http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/air-strike-destroys-hospital-idlib-maaret-al-numan-170403061730771.html Air strike destroys hospital in Idlib's Maaret al-Numan], Al-Jazeera, 3 Apr 2017 on 19 September 2017Kristin Helberg [http://en.qantara.de/content/civil-war-in-syria-fighting-the-jihadists-with-unusual-weapons Fighting the jihadists with unusual weapons], Qantara, 06.01.2018 and in early January 2018.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-france/syrian-government-defends-idlib-campaign-condemns-france-idUSKBN1F0120 Syrian government defends Idlib campaign, condemns France], Reuters, 11 January 2018. On 19 April 2016, at least 37 people were reportedly killed when the Syrian government launched air strikes on markets. Dozens more were also injured during the attack.{{Cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36084848 |title= Syria conflict: Air strikes on Idlib markets 'kill dozens'. |work= BBC News |date= 19 April 2016 }}{{Cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idlib/air-strike-on-market-kills-around-40-in-opposition-held-northwest-syria-idUSKCN0XG1XT |title= Air strike on market kills around 40 in opposition-held northwest Syria. |newspaper= Reuters |date= 19 April 2016 }} In 2016, the town came under the control of HTS, but was also the site of significant civil society protests against HTS in 2016 and 2017.[https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/15/a-small-syrian-towns-revolt-against-al-qaida A Small Syrian Town’s Revolt Against Al-Qaida], News Deeply, 15 June 2017 The town's market was bombed in October 2017.AFP, [http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/least-11-dead-syria-market-air-strike-monitor-1494249216 At least 11 dead in Syria market air strike: Monitor], Middle East Eye, 9 October 2017 The Syrian Liberation Front took the town from HTS (Al-Qaeda) on 21 February 2018.{{cite web|url=http://syriadirect.org/news/two-of-the-largest-factions-in-syria%e2%80%99s-northwest-merge-challenge-hts-dominance/|title=Two of the largest factions in Syria's northwest merge, challenge HTS dominance|publisher=Syria Direct|date=22 February 2018|access-date=22 February 2018}}

The Ma'arrat al-Numan market bombing was perpetrated on 22 July 2019.{{cite news|last=Chulov| first=Martin| work=Guardian| title=Russia and Syria step up airstrikes against civilians in Idlib| url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2019/07/air-raid-busy-market-northwest-syria-kills-190722090158010.html| date=23 July 2019| access-date=3 March 2020}}{{cite news| work=Al Jazeera| title='Boundless criminality': Dozens killed in Idlib market bombing| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/22/russia-and-syria-step-up-airstrikes-against-civilians-in-idlib| date=22 July 2019| access-date=3 March 2020}}{{cite news| work= BBC News| title=Syria war: Air strikes on town in rebel-held Idlib 'kill 31' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49074091|date=22 July 2019| access-date=3 March 2020}} It killed 43 civilians, and injured another 109 people.{{cite news| publisher=UN News| title=As children freeze to death in Syria, aid officials call for major cross-border delivery boost |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1058451 |date=2 March 2020| access-date=5 March 2020}}

On 28 January 2020, Ma'arrat al-Nu'man was successfully captured by government forces during the 5th Northwestern Syria offensive.[https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/pro-government-forces-enter-syrian-rebel-town-maaret-al-numan Middle East Eye] But nearly five years later, on 30 November 2024, Syrian rebel forces retook the city during their Northwestern Syria offensive.{{cite news| work=kurdistan24| title=Syria to Launch Major Offensive to Reclaim Territory from HTS-Led Opposition| url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/813156/syria-to-launch-major-offensive-to-reclaim-territory-from-hts-led-opposition| date=1 December 2024| access-date=1 December 2024}}

Today the city has a museum with mosaics from the Dead Cities, a Friday mosque, a madrassa built by Abu al-Farawis in 1199, and remains of the medieval citadel. The city is the birthplace of the poet Al-Maʿarri (973–1057).

In May 2025, a Byzantine-era underground tomb complex was uncovered when a contractor working on a war-damaged property discovered stone openings beneath the rubble. The complex, estimated to be over 1,500 years old, contains two burial chambers with multiple stone tombs, one of which features a carved Christian cross.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=A contractor stumbles upon a Byzantine tomb complex under a destroyed Syrian house |url=https://apnews.com/article/syria-civil-war-byzantine-tomb-discovery-824ced51a4176f1d02c83b0b4d0e6d16 |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=AP News |language=en}}

Maarat al-Numan has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa).

{{Weather box

|width = auto

|metric first=yes

|single line=yes

|location=Ma'arat al-Nu'man

|Jan high C= 8.8

|Feb high C=11.4

|Mar high C=16.1

|Apr high C=21.8

|May high C=28.3

|Jun high C=32.8

|Jul high C=35.1

|Aug high C=35.6

|Sep high C=31.8

|Oct high C=26.2

|Nov high C=18.1

|Dec high C=11.5

|Jan mean C= 4.9

|Feb mean C= 6.7

|Mar mean C=10.6

|Apr mean C=15.1

|May mean C=20.7

|Jun mean C=25.3

|Jul mean C=28.0

|Aug mean C=28.3

|Sep mean C=24.1

|Oct mean C=18.9

|Nov mean C=12.0

|Dec mean C= 7.3

|Jan low C= 1.0

|Feb low C= 2.1

|Mar low C= 5.1

|Apr low C= 8.4

|May low C=13.2

|Jun low C=17.8

|Jul low C=21.0

|Aug low C=21.0

|Sep low C=16.4

|Oct low C=11.7

|Nov low C= 6.0

|Dec low C= 3.1

|precipitation colour=green

|Jan precipitation mm=87

|Feb precipitation mm=73

|Mar precipitation mm=55

|Apr precipitation mm=34

|May precipitation mm=19

|Jun precipitation mm= 6

|Jul precipitation mm= 0

|Aug precipitation mm= 0

|Sep precipitation mm= 5

|Oct precipitation mm=21

|Nov precipitation mm=35

|Dec precipitation mm=84

|source = Climate-Data.org{{cite web

|url = https://en.climate-data.org/asia/syria/idlib/maarrat-al-nu-man-19553/

|title = Climate: Ma'arat al-Nu'man

|access-date = March 10, 2019

}}

}}

• Great Mosque of Maarat al-Numan

{{reflist|2}}

{{refbegin}}

• Amin Maalouf, The Crusades Through Arab Eyes. Schocken, 1989, {{ISBN|0-8052-0898-4}}
• {{Citation|title=Palestine Under the Moslems: A Description of Syria and the Holy Land from A.D. 650 to 1500|url=https://archive.org/details/palestineundermo00lestuoft |first1=Guy|last1=le Strange|year=1890|publisher=Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Rubenstein |first1=Jay |author-link1=Jay Rubenstein |title=Cannibals and Crusaders |journal=French Historical Studies |date=2008 |volume=31 |issue=4 |pages=525–552 |doi=10.1215/00161071-2008-005}}

{{refend}}

{{commons category|Ma'arrat al-Numan}}

• [http://i-cias.com/e.o/crusades_05.htm Encyclopedia of the Orient: Crusades]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20040315022942/http://utah.indymedia.org/news/2003/10/6476_comment.php Utah Indymedia: The Cannibals of Ma`arra]
• [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8555576/Syria-bloody-protests-over-the-slaying-of-30-children.html Telegraph.co.uk: "Syria-bloody-protests-over-the-slaying-of-30-children"]

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{{Cities of Syria}}

{{Idlib Governorate|maara}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Syria

Category:Archaeological sites in Idlib Governorate