On August 5, 2023, Syrian regime artillery forces fired multiple shells at Jisr al-Shoghour city in western rural Idlib governorate. One of the shells hit a house in a residential neighborhood of the city, causing one of its wall to collapse on the occupants. As a result, three siblings suffered fractures and bruises of varying severity. Another shell landed about 100 meters from al-Turkman Hospital. The area is under the joint control of armed opposition factions and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) condemns any and all bombardment of civilian-populated areas. It should also be noted that, through this and similar attacks, Syrian regime forces have unequivocally violated Security Council resolutions 2139 & 2254, both of which categorically prohibit indiscriminate attacks, as well as violating the rules of international humanitarian law on distinguishing between civilians and fighters. Such attacks aim solely to spread fear and panic among civilians, and to drive them from their lands and homes, and forcibly displace them. It is estimated that 6.5 million people are currently internally displaced in Syria.
The international community must put pressure on the Syrian regime and its allies to compensate the displaced victims, repair the damaged homes and civilian facilities, and support a process of political transition. Pressure should be applied on all parties to compel them to launch such a transition within a period of no more than six months, so that millions of displaced people can safely and stably return to their homes.
