On February 29, 2024, two fixed-wing warplanes believed to be Russian carried out four airstrikes on the western outskirts of Idlib city, firing eight missiles in total, that targeted a furniture workshop located in an agricultural area there. One man, identified as Mohammad Ghazi Assakir originally from the Bab al-Saba neighborhood in Homs city, was killed and five other civilianss, including one child, were injured.he workshop buildings, equipment, and machinery were also partially destroyed in the airstrikes, which also wrought massive destruction in the surrounding area. 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 and similar attacks, Russian forces have 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, and to drive them from their lands and homes, and 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 compensate the displaced victims, repair the damaged homes and civilian facilities, and support a process of political transition. Pressure should be imposed 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 to their homes.
