Syrian regime bombing kills 11 civilians in Idlib province

Syrian first responders and activists say regime bombing of the last rebel stronghold in the country has killed at least 11 civilians, as the nearly four-month offensive shows no sign of abating.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says six people were killed, including a child, in the government bombing of the village of Urum al-Joz in southern Idlib province. The opposition-operated Shaam news agency says those killed had been displaced from the southern tip of the rebel stronghold.

Rescue workers, known as Syria's Civil Defense or White Helmets, say three children and a woman were killed in Kfaruma, south of Urum al-Joz. A prominent White Helmet volunteer was killed in the town of Khan Sheikhoun, the group says.

Anas Diab was also an active citizen journalist who covered most of rename and Russian assaults on Khan Sheikhoun, including the chemical attack in April 2017.

Russian and regime fighter jets have since late April ramped up deadly bombardment of the Idlib region of some 3 million people in northwest Syria, despite a deal to avert a massive regime assault.

More than 650 civilians have been killed in deadly campaign, monitoring groups and activists say.

Also, hundreds of regime fighters and jihadists and allied rebels were killed in northwestern Syria battles, the area that includes most of Idlib province as well as parts of neighboring Hama, Aleppo and Latakia.

Also, the spike in violence has caused 330,000 people to flee their homes since May 1, the UN has said.

A senior UN adviser on Friday voiced concern over the ongoing violence in northwestern Syria, decrying a distressing rise.

"An alarming intensification of daily violence continues in northwestern Syria," Najat Rochdi, senior humanitarian adviser to the UN special envoy for Syria, said in a statement.

Although Turkey and Russia have agreed to stop acts of aggression and turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone, the Syrian regime has consistently violated the cease-fire, launching frequent attacks inside the de-escalation zone.

"Strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure – including de-conflicted health facilities and humanitarian workers – are absolutely unacceptable and may amount to war crimes," Rochdi added.

The adviser called on the member states to support the UN’s immediate humanitarian priorities, adding that "humanitarian needs are vast across Syria, an estimated 11.7 million people need assistance, 5 million of whom are in acute need."

Syria's war has killed more than 560,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-regime protests. (Zaman Al Wasl, Agencies)