(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian regime airstrikes on de-escalation zone in Idlib killed at least 30 civilians on Friday, local activists said.
The regime warplanes carried out tens of airstrikes since early Friday, pounding the southern countryside of Idlib and northern countryside of Hama province.
Anees Diab, spokesman of the Civil Defense in Khan Shaykhun, said at least 25 civilians were killed in Urum al Kubra, a rural area west of Aleppo, in airstrikes by Russian fighter jets.
Another five civilians were killed in Assad regime airstrikes on areas near Khan Shaykhun district and Tuh village.
The military jets also attacked the neighborhoods of Khan Shaykhun, al-Tamaniah and Sukayk, and Turkmen region in Latakiyah, said Diab.
Located in northwestern Syria near the Turkish border, Idlib was designated a “de-escalation zone” in May where acts of aggression are expressly forbidden.
The U.N. children's agency says a battle for Idlib province between regime forces and the rebels could affect the lives of more than 1 million children, many of whom live in refugee camps.
UNICEF says food, water and medicine are already in short supply in the largely rural northwestern province, now home to over 1 million Syrians who have been displaced from their homes by government offensives across the country.
The agency says a battle for Idlib, the last major bastion for Syria's political and military opposition, would exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation, and potentially displace 350,000 children.
Syria's regime dropped leaflets across the province Thursday urging residents to reconcile with its rule. Officials have warned that government forces will take back the province by force if necessary.
With AA, AP
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