"We heard that they are arresting and kidnapping people and we have to leave now," said one father driving a silver sedan with two children in the back. The rebel presence at the main checkpoint was very thin, just about 15 fighters with two anti-aircraft guns and two vans, said an AFP reporter.
The only hotel in town evacuated guests for about three hours, from 5.00 am to 8.00 am (0300 GMT to 0600 GMT) with staff knocking on doors, shouting "emergency, emergency, you should leave". Almost all the guests were journalists.
Hotel staff said they heard from Bin Jawad that they were clearing the town "because they were heard there would be a battle".
But the situation was confused, with some people taking their chances to head west beyond Bin Jawad, despite warnings from rebels at the checkpoint. Another AFP reporter saw several cars packed with families going towards Bin Jawad and shortly after, the hotel re-opened.
One man said he was taking his family to Noufria to check on relatives. "Hopefully we'll be there at 8.00 am. God wiling, there will be no problem." One of the rebels at the checkpoint tried to talk them out of it, but he seemed confident they would reach safely.