On November 8, 2023, Syrian regime forces fired an anti-armor directed rocket at a civilian’s car in al-Wasata area to the southeast of al-Atareb city in western rural Aleppo governorate. The attack destroyed the car and injured its owner. While the area where the attack took place is under the control of armed opposition factions and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), it is exposed to regime-held areas.
On the same day, Syrian regime forces also used the same type of rockets to target a car transpoerting farmers while they were collecting harvest on the road connecting al-Jena village and al-Aatareb city in western rural Aleppo governorate. While no casualties were recorded, the car was destroyed by the attack. The area is under the control of armed opposition factions and the HTS.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) notes that 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.
