SARAQEB, Syria — By late March, the Free Syrian Army in this restive city was bracing for trouble. Although the rebels had controlled Saraqeb for months, government troops had just finished their conquest of surrounding cities. Saraqeb would no doubt be next, attacked by forces far better equipped than the rebels. On the crisp, sunny morning of March 24, they saw the ominous sign of a full-blown government assault. A column of T-72 tanks rolled into the city center.