On September 5, 2023, Syrian regime forces used a rocket launcher to fire multiple rockets at Sfuhun village in Jabal al-Zawiya in southern rural Idlib governorate. One of the rockets directly hit the Abu Thar al-Ghafari School in the village, completely destroying the school building. The area is under the joint control of armed opposition factions and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) notes that Tuesday, September 5, 2023, saw intensified ground and aerial attacks by the Syrian-Russian alliance forces on the villages and towns of Jabal al-Zawiya.
SNHR notes that through these attacks, Syrian-Russian alliance 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.
