A/HRC/22/59 E. Deir Baalbeh, 22–30 December 33. Several first-hand accounts of events that occurred in Deir Baalbeh, a town to the east of Homs between 22 and 30 December were received. Intermittent skirmishes had occurred between Government forces and FSA elements on the outskirts of Deir Baalbeh during December. On 22 December, FSA elements successfully attacked the “Ishara” checkpoint at the eastern edge of the city and managed to take control of it for a few hours. Shortly after, Government forces shelled the eastern flank of the city using mortars and tanks, causing civilian families to flee towards the centre of Deir Baalbeh. The shelling intensified throughout the night of 22 to 23 December. According to some of the accounts collected, that night “was the worst shelling that the city witnessed since the outset of events in March 2011.” The shelling was indiscriminate and caused significant damage to civilian houses and infrastructure. 34. On 23 December, Government tanks and armoured personnel carriers pushed through the southern and northern parts of the city as confrontations intensified with various FSA elements who attempted to push back Government forces using light weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Civilians, including families, were trapped in these areas as they attempted to leave through regular checkpoints by foot or by other means of transportation including cars and buses. According to corroborated accounts, Government forces effectively blocked many of the exit points out of the city and forced families to return. In one instance, a family of three was killed as it attempted to leave through the Tal Nasr checkpoint manned by Government forces to the east of the city. 35. Throughout the period from 24 until 28 December, hostilities continued between the FSA and Government forces at various locations, as Government forces gradually gained ground. Accounts confirm that the FSA light weaponry could not match the overwhelming firepower of Government tanks, armoured personnel carriers and shelling. Groups of FSA fighters, who were running low on ammunition, attempted unsuccessfully to smuggle some of the families who were trapped inside the city to other locations before Government forces could regain control of the city. Credible accounts confirm that Government forces were able to push all FSA elements outside the city and take over Deir Baalbeh on 29 December. Investigations of the incident continue, including into reports stating that civilians — numbering between 220 and 400 — were killed by Government forces as they established control over the city on 29 December. 36. It is clear from the information obtained from credible and corroborated witness accounts that Deir Baalbeh was attacked by Government forces. There are reasonable grounds to believe that the shelling of the town during the night of the 22 to 23 December was indiscriminate, causing significant damage to civilian houses and infrastructure. On 23 December, in the course of confrontations between the FSA and Government forces, Government forces trapped civilians within Deir Baalbeh, blocking their exit from the town and in one documented instance, killing a family that attempted to flee. Trapping civilians within an area that is subsequently attacked suggests that Government forces made the civilian population the object of their attack. There are reasonable grounds to believe that Government forces committed the war crime of attacking civilians in Deir Baalbeh. Investigation into this incident continues, with efforts to establish the number of casualties and those responsible for issuing orders and implementing the military operation against Deir Baalbeh. F. Al-Mastomah, 7 January 37. Al-Mastomah is a predominantly Sunni village located seven kilometres south of Idlib. Prior to hostilities, Al-Mastomah had a population of 8,000, most of whom have fled 50 GE.13-10627