Humanitarian organisations are warning that the “lives of millions of people” are at stake as pro-Government forces in Syria prepare for a full-scale attack on the last rebel-held enclave in the country.
Syrian and Russian forces shelled the city of Idlib for the second day in a row ahead of an expected full-scale attack in the coming days.
The planned offensive – backed by Russia and Iran – has raised alarm bells around the world, with the UN warning that displaced people make up around half of the three million residents in the area.
Meanwhile, the Turkish president Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan warning that any attack on Idlib would be “a serious massacre.”
Russia, Turkey and Iran – the three countries with the most influence in Syria – are due to meet for a tri-lateral Summit in Tehran on Friday to discuss the conflict.
This afternoon, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the Summit would provide clarity on what might happen in the coming weeks.
2.5 million lives in #Idib are in danger. But we don’t have to wait for tragedy to happen to react. Let's try to stop it from happening. Let Putin, Erdogan & Rouhani know you are watching.
Share now, our #EyesOnIdlib. pic.twitter.com/qY8UQpLorw
— AmnestyInternational (@amnesty) September 5, 2018
In a statement Amnesty International warned that the lives of millions of people in Idlib are now in the hands of the three countries.
Samah Hadid, the organisation’s Middle East director of campaigns said: “The shocking civilian death tolls and war crimes witnessed recently in other parts of Syria such as eastern Aleppo city, Eastern Ghouta, and Daraa must not be repeated in Idlib.”
“It is essential that all parties to the conflict do not attack civilians, grant safe passage to civilians wishing to flee the fighting and attacks, and ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian relief for all civilians in need in Idlib,” she said.
Five children were killed, and more than 12 others are injured in a new massacre unleashed by Russian aircraft in the city of #JisralShughur in #Idlib western countryside. #WhiteHelmets teams mobilized quickly to retrieve the dead and transfer the wounded to medical points. pic.twitter.com/5DD2tsFZRj
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) September 4, 2018
She said the humanitarian situation in the city is already dire – with 700,000 internally displaced people living alongside its two million residents.
“People have little access to basic services such as healthcare, education and clean water and the vast majority rely on humanitarian aid,” she said.
“People cannot bear the consequences of yet another offensive using prohibited tactics such as starvation of civilians and indiscriminate bombardment.”
#SYRIA On the same day, four airplanes of the Russian Hmeymim Air Base delivered strikes by high-precision weapons on facilities of the Jabhat al-Nusra in Idlib province #RusMoD #Video pic.twitter.com/OzMLYH9lbT
— Минобороны РоÑÑии (@mod_russia) September 5, 2018
Russia’s Defence Ministry has claimed Tuesday’s air strikes targeted militants and did not strike populated areas; however, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 13 civilians – including children – were killed, but no fighters.
It said rebels blew up another bridge in the city ahead of the planned offensive.
Russia has described Idlib as a “nest of terrorists” and a “festering abscess” that must be resolved.
Iot is believed Idlib’s rebel factions are divided between Tahrir al-Sham - a jihadist alliance that hold the most ground in the area - and a new Turkish-backed alliance, known as the National Liberation Front (NLF).
The NLF includes a range of different factions - including some that previously fought under the banner of the Free Syrian Army.
Three women were killed, and many other injured, as a result of the renewed aerial bombardment on #Muhambel city in #Idlib western countryside. #WhiteHelmets teams rushed to the scene and worked to retrieve the dead and assist the wounded, evacuating them to the medical point. pic.twitter.com/9kyZSPViJi
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) September 4, 2018
