The Government of Syria and its Iranian-backed militias in the south are continuing their military offensive against Daraa province. There are also reports of Russian airstrikes in areas held by opposition armed groups. These developments constitute a gross violation of the Astana de-escalation zones agreement, guaranteed by Russia, Turkey and Iran, which covers Daraa province.

The shelling has focused on Daraa’s eastern countryside, accompanied by several attempts to advance into the area by land. ISIS has also mobilized its forces in the Yarmouk Basin, east of the al-Roba’e barrier, as well as in the surrounding areas of Jalin and Hitt.

Humanitarian situation:

  • The ongoing military offensive, launched last week, has resulted in many civilian casualties. Dozens of people have been wounded.
  • Two hospitals – Herak and Busra al-Harir hospitals – have been forced to suspend service after being hit by barrel bombs.
  • Most of the hospitals and medical points in Daraa suffer from severe shortages of medicines and equipment.
  • The towns in Daraa province held by opposition armed groups are witnessing an almost complete lack of electricity, working telephone landlines, and drinking water.
  • Across the province there is a significant shortage of food and fuel, as well as of baby milk and infant formula.

Given these developments, the Syrian Civic Platform (SCP) calls upon the three guarantor states of the Astana De-escalation Zones agreement to respect their commitments. The SCP appeals to the international community to halt this military offensive, take seriously its responsibilities for the protection of civilians, especially with regard to humanitarian and medical access and the needs of those who have been forcibly displaced. In addition, SCP stresses that a political solution must be carried out under the auspices of the United Nations, in accordance with the Geneva Communiqué, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, 2015, and all relevant resolutions.

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