Government forces escalate shelling of NW Syria
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Syrian government forces renewed on Sunday shelling on several locations in the countryside of Hama, Aleppo, and Idlib in northwestern Syria, following hours of intense clashes between conflicting parties west of Aleppo.
Military sources from the Syrian opposition told North Press that the government forces targeted residential neighborhoods in the villages of Maarat al-Naasan and Shallakh, east of Idlib, as well as the outskirts of Kafr Nouran, Kafr Amma, and Tadil, west of Aleppo, using heavy artillery shells.
The villages and towns of Sarmada, al-Ankawi, and Duwayr al-Akrad in al-Ghab Plain, located in western Hama, were shelled by the government forces from Jorin military camp.
“The shelling caused material damage to both public and private properties,” the sources added.
Northwestern Syria is witnessing an escalation of skirmishes between the government forces, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) and Syrian opposition factions. These clashes have led to casualties among civilians.
Although the de-escalation zone in northwest Syria is subject to a Russian-Turkish ceasefire agreement signed in March 2020, the area witnesses frequent mutual bombardment despite the entry of the ceasefire into force.
In March 2020, Russia and Turkey reached an agreement in Moscow that stipulated a ceasefire, the establishment of a safe corridor, and the conduct of joint patrols on the M4/Aleppo-Latakia Highway.