In March 2012, Assad forces besieged and pounded Hama province in western Syria for more than two weeks. The historic citadel of Qalaat al-Madiq was heavily shelled and stormed several times by forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad.

Footage allegedly leaked by a Syrian soldier emerged on Thursday. It reportedly shows the advance of a convoy on al-Madiq citadel, “After occupying the citadel, we are going to cleanse it” says first lieutenant Abu Shareef before adding “The Citadel is burning. Either Assad or the country burns.” The lieutenant also lists the type of artillery they are about to use to "cleanse the area".