Airstrikes by the Syrian regime and its Russian allies on the Idlib de-escalation zone have killed at least 100 civilians since the beginning of this month, according to a local NGO.
Also, 50,000 people from 10,000 families in Idlib, northwestern Syria were displaced in attacks by Russia, the Assad regime and Iran-backed groups in the last 25 days, said the Syria Intervention Coordinators.
During this period, 90 people in Idlib, nine in Aleppo and one in Hama, were killed. The fatalities included 37 children.
Also, the opposition's Health Directorate said 44 hospitals and medical points in Idlib, Hama and Aleppo provinces were hit by the Assad regime and Russia.
The displaced people sought refuge in camps located in northern Syria, and olive groves in Idlib and areas that were cleared of terrorists by Turkey with Operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch in northern Syria.
Turkey and Russia agreed in September 2018 to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.
The Syrian regime and its allies, however, have consistently broken the terms of the cease-fire, launching frequent attacks inside the zone.
Syria’s northwest corner, including the Idlib region, is the last major chunk of territory still in rebel hands after more than eight years of war.
The regime army has been pressing to take a strategic territory located between Idlib and Latakia province to cut the main supply route and to weaken the unprecedented resistance by rebels.
Bashar al-Assad, who now controls around 60 percent of the country, has vowed to reclaim the rest, including Idlib and small pockets in Latakia.
Al-Assad forces launched a blistering military campaign against Idlib in April, killing around 1,000 civilians and displacing more than 400,000 people from their homes.
A ceasefire announced by Russia has largely held since late August, although dozens of civilians have been killed in sporadic bombardment since then.
Last month, Assad said Idlib was standing in the way of an end to the civil war that has ravaged his country through most of the current decade.
Eight years of war in Syria have killed 560,000 people and driven half the pre-war population of 22 million from their homes, including more than 6 million as refugees to neighbouring countries.
Zaman Al Wasl, AA
Zaman Al Wasl
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