Karnaz
Karnaz (Arabic: كرناز, also spelled Kirnaz and Kernaz ) is a town in northern Syria, administratively part of the Hama Governorate, located northwest of Hama. Nearby localities include Kafr Zita and Khan Shaykhun to the east, Kafr Nabudah to the north, Qalaat al-Madiq and al-Suqaylabiyah to the west and Kafr Hud, Tremseh, and Shaizar to the south. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics, Karnaz had a population of 14,075 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants are predominantly Sunni Muslims.[2]
Karnaz كرناز | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 General view of Karnaz | |
  Karnaz Location in Syria | |
| Coordinates: 35.389618°N 36.486657°E | |
| Country | Syria |
| Governorate | Hama |
| District | Mahardah |
| Subdistrict | Karnaz |
| Population (2004) | |
| • Total | 14,075 |
| • Ethnicities | Syrians |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Etymology
Karnaz modified from Kafr naz, likewise many villages in the area: Kafr is a Syriac word which means "farm" or small "village". The second part 'Naz' is probably derived from the root 'nas', which means either irrigated land or people. That coincides with the existence of an intermittent river crosses the village. So, Karnaz means the irrigated village. Kurnaz is also another spelling in some local dialect, and Kur is a Syriac word which means 'local ', so Kurnaz means local people.
Syrian Civil War
During the Syrian Civil War rebel forces had controlled the town until early February 2013, when Syrian Army and pro-government forces surrounded the town from the west and south.[3] On February 8 2013, government and rebel sources confirmed the battle ended with withdrawal of rebel forces. Later on March 14 2018, rebel forces launched an offensive on the city along with Hamamiyat and Magha'ir. This offensive is known as the Anger for Ghouta campaign. Rebel forces captured all 3 towns, and surrounding areas. The government in response launched several airstrikes at the city and recapture it later that day .[4][5]
In 18-September 2018, to avoid a possible attack of the government forces on Idlib and possible consequences on the civilians, and to avoid possible refugees stream, Russia and Turkey made an agreement to create a buffer zone of about 15-20 km around Idlib. Karnaz is located in the Russian observed part of the buffer zone.[6]
As of May 2019, it is controlled by the Syrian Army.
References
- General Census of Population and Housing 2004 Archived 2013-01-12 at Archive.today. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Hama Governorate. (in Arabic)
- Smith, 1841, p. 178.
- "خاص سوريا الغد جولة بمدنية كرناز المنكوبة". Syria Tomorrow. Jan 28, 2013. Retrieved Jan 28, 2013.
- http://www.almayadeen.net/ar/news/syria-pXwVSGsQlUmd86FfAQd,vg/الجيش-السوري-يستعيد-السيطرة-على-كرناز
- "Damascus clashes rage as troops take central town". 7 February 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-45554188
Bibliography
- Smith, Eli; Robinson, Edward (1841). Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the Year 1838. 3. Crocker and Brewster.
