Syrian Government Shelling in Idlib Kills Four, Amid Renewed Escalations
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – At least four civilians were killed, and 14 others were injured on Tuesday after the Syrian government launched artillery strikes on Ariha, a city in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province.
This incident marks an escalation in ongoing hostilities as government forces continue to target opposition-held areas amid the nation’s prolonged conflict.
According to local sources and Syrian opposition platforms, Syrian government forces fired multiple artillery shells and rockets into the city of Ariha, situated in southern Idlib, causing significant casualties among residents. The fatalities include at least two children and one elderly man, who were reportedly killed as the shells landed on a residential neighborhood. Emergency services and first responders, including the White Helmets, rushed to the scene, evacuating the injured and searching for any additional victims.
The government shelling also extended beyond Ariha, affecting other towns and villages in the Idlib countryside, such as Maaret al-Naasan, Maaret Aliya, al-Fatira, and Marablit. However, details about casualties or damage in these locations remain unclear.
The latest attacks also saw the use of suicide drones. FPV (First Person View) drones—reportedly used by Syrian government forces—targeted the village of Makalbis in western Aleppo. Although the extent of the damage remains undisclosed, these drones represent a new tactic in the Syrian military’s arsenal, underscoring the escalating severity of the conflict in this region.
Background on the Escalation in Idlib
This renewed wave of violence comes as tensions between government forces and opposition groups intensify in northwest Syria. Idlib province is one of the last remaining strongholds controlled by opposition and extremist factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group with former ties to al-Qaeda. The region has been the focus of periodic escalations, with civilian areas often caught in the crossfire.
The northwestern region, particularly Idlib, has been subject to a 2020 ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey, who support opposing sides in the conflict. However, the truce has been tenuous, with regular breaches reported, leading to sporadic flare-ups of violence and civilian casualties. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), government forces have significantly increased artillery shelling and drone attacks on opposition areas in recent months, raising concerns over a potential escalation to a full-scale offensive.