The province of Idlib has witnessed new escalations in violence since mid-December 2017, as military operations have targeted the province despite its inclusion as one of the four areas at the center of the de-escalation zones agreement signed in Astana. This has confirmed the fears of civilians in Idlib, who have experienced some of the most intense fighting and human rights violations of the conflict over the past years, including the mass displacement of civilians into informal settlements and sometimes the open air as a result of the heavy shelling and artillery used by the regime and their allies, Russia and Iran. The silence of the international community in the face of these actions has shocked a large number of Syrians because it seems that no measures have been taken and no pressure has been applied on the conflict parties, and particularly the Syrian regime which first breached the truce.
Local and displaced civilians from Idlib appeal to the world and international organizations to act and respond to massive displacement and humanitarian situation.
Tens of thousands of displaced people are currently living in the open and in the midst of dark tents that do not protect them from the winter cold. They are waiting for help and the movement of the local and international organizations to respond to the situation, secure supplies and alleviate their suffering. This situation requires us collectively to apply pressure on the parties of the conflict and move with the United Nations and the international community to put an end to the current developments before witnessing another humanitarian catastrophe on Syrian soil.
Through the Idlib local platform the Syrian Civic Platform has monitored the developments of the situation and the conditions of civilians since the beginning of the ceasefire and the de-escalation zones agreement. In addition, the Idlib local platform has monitored the negative and positive changes witnessed by the area as well as the impact of the truce, which had positively influenced Idlib’s stability and encouraged local recovery.
SCP General Coordinator
Ayham Saker