The northwest regions of Syria have witnessed an escalation in attacks initiated by the Syrian regime and its Russian ally since October 5, 2023. These attacks have sometimes been characterized by randomness and deliberate shelling of civilians and vital civilian centers, using a variety of internationally prohibited ammunitions, including cluster munitions. The main targets of these attacks have been the city of Idlib and areas in its western, southern, eastern, and northern countryside, in addition to areas in the western countryside of Aleppo province.

The Syria Response Coordinators organization has documented the killing of over 60 civilians, one-third of whom are children, and the injury of more than 285 individuals. The attacks and assaults have targeted vital centers, with over 88 civilian vital facilities documented to have been targeted, such as schools, medical facilities, centers and vehicles affiliated with the Syrian Civil Defense, mosques, and forcibly displaced camps and their gatherings.

We, in the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, strongly condemn the bombings carried out by the Syrian regime, which target civilian-populated areas, constituting a blatant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2139 and 2254, which call for an end to indiscriminate attacks, and also violate the rules of international humanitarian law regarding the distinction between civilians and combatants. This has spread panic among civilians and forced them to leave their lands and homes, pushing them towards forced displacement.

We call on the international community to practise pressure on the Syrian regime and its allies to halt aggression in all areas of Syria, and to emphasise the active parties in accelerating the political transition process in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254 and relevant international resolutions, in order to halt the shedding of Syrian blood and enable millions of displaced individuals to safely return to their homes.

Peace be upon the souls of all Syrians

The General Secretariat of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement

Wednesday, October 25, 2023.