Russian airstrikes near the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib have killed at least 10 people and injured more than 30 others, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The strikes, which targeted civilian areas, have further heightened concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Observatory reported that the airstrikes carried out in the Idlib countryside, killed 10 civilians, including a child.
The attacks specifically targeted a wood mill, a furniture workshop, and an olive oil press on the outskirts of the city.
The strike also left 14 children among the wounded, underlining the devastating impact of the assault on innocent civilians.
The White Helmets, or Syria Civil Defence, confirmed that the airstrikes targeted a furniture workshop where workers were present.
The team recovered the bodies of the victims and reported that 32 others were injured. The incident has further aggravated the already dire situation for civilians in the region, with many suffering from the effects of ongoing conflict.
Since 2015, Russia has been a key military ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, conducting regular airstrikes on opposition forces in northwestern Syria.
Russia’s intervention has been critical in bolstering Assad’s regime, but it has also contributed to significant civilian casualties and destruction. Despite the lack of a formal comment from the Russian military, these strikes are part of an ongoing campaign against opposition groups in the region.
Idlib, along with surrounding areas, is controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other smaller opposition factions, who hold nearly half of the province. The area is home to over 5 million people, the majority of whom are displaced by the conflict, according to the United Nations.
Since March 2020, a ceasefire agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara has been in place in Idlib and its surroundings.
This agreement followed a months-long offensive by the Syrian regime, backed by Russian forces, which caused widespread displacement and loss of life. However, violations of the ceasefire have continued, resulting in recurrent airstrikes and clashes that have exacerbated the already fragile situation.
The recent airstrikes serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and instability in Syria, which continues to affect civilians, many of whom have been displaced multiple times during the course of the conflict.
