Russian airstrikes in northwest Syria resulted in the death of 10 people and the injury of 30 others, including 14 children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The attacks targeted a furniture workshop, a sawmill, and an olive presser on the outskirts of Idlib city. The “White Helmets” civil defense force recovered the bodies of the victims and reported that a furniture manufacturing workshop was hit while workers were inside.
Russia, a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has not provided any comments on the strikes in Idlib. The region, largely controlled by the former Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is under a ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey since March 2020. Despite occasional violations, the ceasefire has mostly held.
The tragic incident highlights the ongoing conflict in Syria and the devastating impact of airstrikes on civilian populations. Efforts must be made to ensure the protection of innocent lives and promote peace in the region.