Mount Zāwiya forms the southern group of the
Limestone Massif of the western
Aleppo plateau. To the north and northwest of the mountain lies the
Rouge Plain. The
Ghāb Plain is on the western side. South of the mountain are the plains of
Ḥamā, and on the eastern side are the plains of Idlib. The average elevation of Mount Zāwiya is 750 m. The highest point is Mount Ayyūb (939 m). The western side of the mountain is steep, but the eastern side slopes gradually. Many springs and streams arise on the western side and drain into the Rouge and Ghāb plains. The mountain includes two masses separated by a valley which has many archaeological sites, such as the ancient city of
Bārā. The northern part of the mountain is called
Mount Arbaʻīn () (877 m). The ancient city of
Ebla stands northeast of the mountain, and the ancient city of
Apamea stands in the southwest. The region is also known for hosting various shrines dedicated to Sufi orders, visited by its local inhabitants. Since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War however, Sufi shrines in Jabal al-Zawiya have been under threat of desecration by extremist forces, most notably in late 2016. ==Syrian Civil War==