Bombing and bombing put pressure on Syrian rebels

BEIRUT – The Syrian government and Russian warplanes on Saturday targeted the southern border of Idlib province, which has been described by the militants as the most intense airstrikes in recent weeks, which have intensified military pressure on the rebel stronghold. .

More than 60 air raids have killed at least four civilians in southern Idlib, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights based in Britain and rescuers. The bombings also included blind-fire bombs dropped on helicopters, invariably attributable to the government.

Bombing, including shelling in government areas, took place in the aftermath of Iran and Russia's support for a military campaign in the rebel-held area despite calls for a ceasefire from Turkey. Turkey has troops and 12 observation points surrounding Idlib.

Public television channel Al-Ikhbariya said the government had retaliated against bombings in rebel-held areas in a town in Hama province, south of Idlib. Friday's bombings in Mhradah killed nine civilians, according to official media reports. The national SANA news agency said government forces bombed "terrorist" posts in northern Hama.

But government and Russian raids have targeted much of the rebel-controlled zone at the southern edge of the rebel-held enclave, which includes much of Idlib province and from north of Hama province. More than three million people live in the region, nearly half of whom have already been displaced from fighting in Syria.

The Observatory reported that 68 air raids and 19 barrel bombs were launched Saturday on several towns and villages in the southwestern Idlib and Hama provinces. The targeted area in recent days overlooks areas controlled by the government.

The Observatory has described attacks on rebel-held areas as "more intense" since August and said they killed four people in Abdeen, west of the city of Khan Sheikhoun, including two children and one child. wife. According to the Observatory, the raids forced schools to close in Khan Sheikhoun.

The White Helmets, a team of first responders, also reported the four people killed in Abdeen. A video posted from the city shows their rescuers shooting a woman who was still alive under the rubble of a building covered in pebbles, while other members of the team warn the government helicopters hovering overhead two.

Rescuers said that another person had been killed in Halba, a village further north. The group said one of its already damaged centers had been hit by the wave of airstrikes.

In another village in central Idlib, Hass, a hospital was hit by air strikes, putting it out of service and injuring two of its staff, according to volunteers.

<Prev

Next>

Related stories