Syrian Civil Defense: The escalation of the Assad regime forces and Russia threatens the lives of 4 million civilians in northwest Syria
The Syrian Civil Defense Foundation, “White Helmets”, said that the continued escalation of the Assad regime forces and its Russian ally and their violation of the ceasefire threaten the lives of 4 million civilians in northern Syria, including 2 million displaced people.
The Foundation explained that the escalation continues in light of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and the threat of the Corona virus, pointing out what the Syrians are experiencing today is not new, but rather it is a continuation of a systematic policy by the forces of the Assad regime and its Russian ally for ten years based on the destruction of infrastructure and the killing and displacement of civilians, stressing However, this tragedy will not end without a fair accountability for the perpetrators of the crimes, and the start of a political solution in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254.
The “White Helmets” pointed out that the Assad regime forces and Russia renewed their attacks on northwestern Syria after a relative calm since the beginning of August, following an escalation in the area during the months of June and July, and targeted the village of Qastoun in SahelAl-Ghab, west of Hama, with artillery shelling, which led to the killing of 4 children and the injury of 5 others, all from the same family.
The village of Al-Ziyadiya in the same countryside witnessed similar bombardment, which resulted in the injury of a woman and a man, while the outskirts of the village were bombed with burning napalm, which is internationally prohibited. Artillery shelling also targeted the villages of Al-Mashik, Al-Mansoura and Tal Wasit, however no casualties have been recorded.
The frequency of Assad regime’s attacks and its Russian ally on northwestern Syria has increased significantly since June 5 until the end of July, and has become almost daily with sophisticated, accurate and systematic weapons targeting civilian homes, hospitals, vital facilities, Syrian Civil Defense centers and humanitarian workers, in a policy similar to what was happening during Ten years and comes within the framework of a policy aimed at maintaining a state of no war and no peace, with the aim of preventing any political solution on the ground, and preventing stability in the region.