On October 20, 2023, Syrian regime force used a rocket launcher to fire multiple rockets, including some containing incendiary substances, targeting al-Abzemou town in western rural Aleppo governorate. The attack burnt two cars and partially destroyed five houses. The area is under the control of armed opposition factions and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Through indiscriminate or deliberate bombardment, the Syrian regime has violated international humanitarian law, failing to distinguish between civilian and military targets. SNHR has documented the use of incendiary weapons in hundreds of attacks against civilian areas, which caused severe burn injuries, and are a source of threat and terror to residents, especially children. The international community must intervene to protect civilians in Syria and act decisively to put an end to the use of such barbaric incendiary weapons.