Russian shelling of de-escalation zones in Syria’s Idlib amid displacement wave
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Russian fighter jets bombed the Idlib countryside on Tuesday, in a new development which threatens the implementation of the ceasefire in de-escalation zones, amid reports of casualties and displacement from the region’s villages.
Field sources told North Press that Russian warplanes renewed their bombardment on the villages of Kansafra, Kafr Awayd and Ablin in Zawiya Mountain, causing civilian casualties among the region’s residents.
According to the sources, the Zawiya Mountain area is witnessing the second wave of displacement in a month. The first occurred after a simultaneous mobilization by Syrian government forces and armed opposition groups on the front lines in southern Idlib countryside and the villages of al-Ghab Plain, followed by the announcement of the military office of the National Front for Liberation (a Turkish-backed Syrian opposition coalition) on June 2 that the eastern areas of Zawiya Mountain are military zones, preventing civilians from wandering in the area.
The villages of Zawiya Mountain have witnessed waves of displacement towards northern Idlib since Monday, after renewed clashes and mutual shelling between Syrian government forces and armed opposition groups in al-Ghab Plain in Hama countryside.
Violent clashes took place between Syrian government forces and armed opposition groups in al-Ghab Plain on Monday, accompanied by intensive and mutual shelling between the two sides, and bombing of Russian warplanes in al-Ghab Plain and Zawiya Mountain amid reports of armed opposition groups advancing on some axes.
The area between al-Qarqour and the thermal station of al-Ghab Plain witnessed a bombardment by Russian fighter jets on June 3.
The renewed bombing of locations in the de-escalation zones signifies a possible resumption of military escalation. Turkey has yet to comment on the bombings, which contradict the ceasefire agreement signed between Russia and Turkey in early March.