A girl, identified as Retaj Emad al-Adl from Ma’aret al-Nu’man city in southern rural Idlib governorate, was killed on January 6, 2024, in an attack by Syrian regime artillery forces who fired a shell targeting al-Sheikh Thulth neighborhood on the southeastern outskirts of Idlib city. The shell landed in an area of empty land next to the fence on the eastern perimeter of the Salvation Government’s Ministry of Endowments, near al-Barakat Mosque and a small irregular camp. Retaj’s mother was also injured in the attack which caused slight material damage as well. 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 have a safe and stable return.
