On October 17, 2023, fixed-wing warplanes believed to be Russian fired multiple missiles that landed near al-Quneitra Camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) near Hafsarja town in western rural Idlib governorate. injuring two women and a girl. The camp, which had been bombed previously and is now only inhabited by families of shepherds, was also heavily damaged.
The area is under the control of armed opposition factions and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) notes that through these attacks, Russian 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.
