Idlib Governorate
Idlib Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة ادلب / ALA-LC: Muḥāfaẓat Idlib) is one of the 14 governorates of Syria. It is situated in northwestern Syria, bordering Turkey's Hatay province to the north, Aleppo Governorate to the east, Hama Governorate to the south, and Latakia Governorate to the west. Reports of its area vary, depending on the source, from 5,933 km2[2] to 6,097 km2.[3] The provincial capital is Idlib.
Idlib Governorate
مُحافظة ادلب
Idlib (rebel control)
Khan Shaykhun (Syrian Arab Republic governor's seat)
5
Thaer Nasih Salhab[1]
6,097 km2 (2,354 sq mi)
Estimates range between 5,933 km2 and 6,097 km2
1,501,000
250/km2 (640/sq mi)
SY-ID
In 2011, the governorate was taken over by Syrian rebel militias in the context of the Syrian civil war. In 2017, the governorate came under the nominal control of the Syrian Salvation Government, with Tahrir al-Sham becoming the dominant militia in the region. The governorate saw intense fighting in the 2019 Northwestern Syria offensive and subsequent 2020 offensive, as Syrian government forces advanced deep into rebel territory; by 8 February, only a little more than half of the governorate's territory was reported to still be under rebel control.[4] The remainder of rebel-held territory is dubbed by publications such as Reuters, the BBC and Agence France-Presse as Syria's "last rebel stronghold".[5][6][7]
Demographics[edit]
As per the 2004 Syrian census the population was 1,258,400.[2] A 2011 UNOCHA estimate put the population at 1,501,000, though this has likely changed since the start of the war.[37] The inhabitants are mostly Sunni Muslims,[38] although there is a significant Christian minority.[39]
Map of Idlib governorate
Ruins of Ebla
Salqin
Byzantine temple in Idlib
Ruins of Serjilla
