We Condemn Renewed Airstrikes on Idlib & Demand Protection of Civilians

Press release

Syrian Coalition

Department of Media and Communications

September 5, 2018

The Syrian Coalition condemns the criminal bombardment carried out by the Russian occupation and the Assad regime's warplanes targeting more than 20 towns and villages in Idlib province on Tuesday. The airstrikes killed at least 18 civilians and wounded dozens more. The Coalition warns of inaction by the active international players towards the renewed bombing campaign, especially with regards to the protection and safety of civilians.

It is imperative that the international community adequately and effectively respond to this crime and exert pressure to ensure full compliance with the de-escalation zones agreement in Idlib. We call upon the international community to send a clear, strong message rejecting any justifications for violating the agreement. Action needs to be taken to ensure the protection of civilians and to prevent any attempts to justify the forced displacement or targeting of civilians in Idlib.

The Coalition reaffirms its rejection of any attempts to justify these attacks, stressing that the facts showed that the Free Syrian Army groups were the first to confront and fight terrorist organizations across Syria. Indeed, Syrian civilians have been the number one victim of the actions of those organizations which the Assad regime helped emerge and grow. The Coalition reiterates its full rejection of the existence of extremist organizations or sectarian militias in any part of Syria, stressing the need for their immediate withdrawal from Syria and for ending all forms of foreign occupation of the country.

The Syrian Coalition calls on the UN Security Council to take immediate action against this escalation and to urgently adopt a resolution condemning Russia's crimes and aggression against the Syrian people. The UN Security Council is obliged to force Russia to stop its aggression and its crimes and those of the Assad regime as well as to ensure full implementation of all resolutions on Syria, most notably resolution 2254.