On October 4, 2023, Syrian regime forces used a rocket launcher to fire multiple rockets at Sarmin city in eastern rural Idlib governorate. One of the missiles directly hit the al-Masjid al-Kabir, the ‘Grand’ or ‘Old’ Mosque in the city, partially destroying the mosque building and moderately damaging its interior furnishings. The area was under the control of armed opposition factions and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) at the time of the incident.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) notes that through these attacks, Syrian regime forces have again 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, to drive them from their lands and homes, and to 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 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.
