According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Abu Dali had a population of 1168 in the 2004 census.

[1] During the Syrian Civil War, it was controlled by tribal leaders loyal to the government.

[2] It did not see much violence in the first years of the war, and had functioned as a local economic hub between rebel-run areas and those under government forces.

[2][3] A National Defence Forces (pro-government militia) garrison was located there from 2014.

[4][3] The attack, filmed by HTS, shows a unit of hundred soldiers, few motos, vehicles and tanks, overrunning the local defense.