On September 20, 2024, a Syrian regime artillery detachment fired multiple shells at Taftanaz town in eastern rural Idlib governorate, killing one nurse and one child, and injuring eight civilians, including four children and three women. The nurse was identified as specialized nurse Zakariya Hekmet al-Akhan from Taftanaz town who was the head of nurses at al-Hekma Specialized Hospital for Eye Surgery in the town, while the boy was identified as 10-year-old Thabet Mahmoud Dalati from Ma’ar Debsa village in eastern rural Idlib governorate. Additionally, a number of houses were partially destroyed in the bombing. 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 members. 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 be ensured a safe and stable return to their homes.
