At least 10 civilians, including three children and a woman, were killed while approximately 30 others were injured when Syrian regime artillery forces using shells to target a number of vital, densely populated areas in Ariha city in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate in the morning of October 20, 2021, with the students heading for their schools.
SNHR notes that this bombing is a breach of the ceasefire agreement reached following consultations between the Turkish and Russian presidents, which came into effect on March 6, 2020.
Through this action, Syrian regime forces have, without doubt, committed another violation of Security Council resolutions 2139 and 2254 which prohibit any further indiscriminate attacks, as well as violating the rules of international humanitarian law which stress the distinction between civilians and combatants. Attacks of this nature spread terror and panic among civilians, leading them to flee their lands and homes in an attempt to reach safety, and forcibly displacing them, with the number of internally displaced persons within Syria currently standing at approximately 6.5 million Syrian citizens in total. The international community should put pressure on the Syrian regime and its allies to force them to compensate the displaced victims, rehabilitate homes and vital centers, support the process of political transition, and press all parties to pursue implementation of political transition according to a strict timetable which must not exceed six months, thus enabling millions of refugees and IDPs to return homes.
* According to information we received at the time, we previously published a news report stating that a total of 12 civilians, including three children and one woman, were killed by Syrian regime bombardment of Ariha city in south Idlib on October 20. Following subsequent investigation, we have confirmed that the total number of victims was 10, including three children and one woman. We accordingly edited the news report to reflect this as of October 27, 2021.
Photo show the destruction at one of sites in the city caused by Syrian regime bombing.
Photo shows one of victims killed by Syrian regime attack in the city.
