A woman, identified as Maram al-Shafi, and a boy, identified as Abdul Raouf Obayda al-Mekhlef, were killed on November 6, 2023, in an artillery attack by Syrian regime forces who fired multiple mortar shells at al-Hawayej town in eastern Deir Ez-Zour governorate. The area is under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
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.
