On October 16, 2024, fixed-wing warplanes believed to be Russian fired four missiles at a furniture workshop within the agricultural lands on the western outskirts of Idlib city. The attack resulted in a massacre, where 10 civilians, including four children, were killed, while 32 others were injured. The workshop was also heavily destroyed and damaged in the attack. The area targeted 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 members. 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.
