Khawabi
Khawabi (Arabic: الخوابي), also spelled Qala'at al-Khawabi (Arabic: قلعة الخوابي) is a village and medieval citadel in northwestern Syria, administratively part of the Tartus Governorate, located 20 kilometers northeast of Tartus and 12 kilometers east of al-Sawda. Khawabi is situated in a hilly area, surrounded by olive groves, in the Coastal Mountain Range. Nearby localities include al-Sawda and to the west, Al-Annazah to the northwest, al-Qamsiyah to the north, Brummanet Raad to the northeast, al-Shaykh Badr to the east, Khirbet al-Faras to the south and Bimalkah to the southwest.
Khawabi
الخوابي Qala'at Khawabi | |
|---|---|
Village | |
Khawabi Castle | |
Khawabi | |
| Coordinates: 34°58′22″N 36°0′8″E | |
| Country | Syria |
| Governorate | Tartus |
| District | Tartus |
| Subdistrict | Al-Sawda |
| Population (2004) | |
| • Total | 1,039 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics, Khawabi had a population of 1,039 in the 2004 census. Its inhabitants are predominantly Sunni Muslims. The village formerly had a significant Ismaili population until the early 20th century, and during the medieval period, its citadel (Qala'at Khawabi) served as a center of the Ismaili community when they were known as the Assassins. The citadel itself has been inhabited since at least the 12th century.