On December 9, 2023, Syrian regime forces used a rocket launcher to fire multiple rockets at a number of neighborhoods in Sarmin city in eastern rural Idlib governorate. The bombardment hit the city’s northwestern entrance, as well as areas near the Martyr Abdou Salama School for Elementary Education and the al-Imam al-Nawwi Sharia Institute, in addition to the al-Janoubi neighborhood, the main market in the center of the city, and an area near al-Ferdous Mosque. One civilian was killed and seven others, including children, were injured in the attack. 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 this attack, Syrian regime forces have again unequivocally violated UN 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. An estimated 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.
