Inkhil, Syria

Welcome to Inkhil, a historic town located in the southern part of Syria. Inkhil is a part of the al-Sanamayn District of the Daraa Governorate and is situated north of Daraa and just east of the Golan Heights in the Hauran plain. The town has a population of 31,258 as per the 2004 census by the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics. Inkhil has a rich history dating back to the Roman era, and there are many ancient ruins to explore. One of the most notable ruins is a large villa dating from the 2nd century CE during Roman rule. Within the building is a large vaulted central hall which connects to several rooms containing busts and other Roman-era sculptures carved from basalt. Its facade has highly decorated entrances and conch-head niches. During Byzantine rule, Inkhil was dominated by the Ghassanids, Arab vassals of the empire based in nearby Jabiya. In 1596 Inkhil appeared in the Ottoman tax registers under the name of Nahal, being part of the nahiya of Bani Kilab in the Sanjak of Hauran. It had an entirely Muslim population consisting of 86 households and 45 bachelors. They paid a fixed tax-rate of 40% on agricultural products, including wheat, barley, summer crops, goats, and bee-hives; in addition to occasional revenues; a total of 13,000 akçe. Most of the income (22 out of 24 parts) went to a waqf (religious trust). The town consisted of about 50 houses in the early 1840s all of which were inhabited by Muslims. According to German archaeologist Gottlieb Schumacher, Inkhil was recorded to be a small place numbering 55 to 60 huts in 1897. Inkhil was one of the first towns to participate in the 2011–2012 Syrian uprising against the government of Bashar al-Assad in March 2011 following demonstrations in Daraa. On 19 August 2012, four protesters were killed and dozens injured after Syrian security forces shot at demonstrators emerging from a mosque following Friday prayers. Inkhil is a great place to visit for history buffs and those interested in ancient ruins. The town is also a great starting point for exploring the Hauran plain and the Golan Heights. Visitors can enjoy the local cuisine and experience the warm hospitality of the people of Inkhil. Come and explore this hidden gem of Syria and discover its many treasures.