Dozens Killed in Horrible Massacre by Russian Jets in Rural Idlib Thursday

Press release

Syrian Coalition

Media Department

June 8, 2018

Russian jets bombed residential areas in the town of Zardana in rural Idlib late on Thursday (June 7), killing dozens of civilians and wounding many others, including many children. When the civil defense workers rushed to the site of the attack to help the victims, the Russian jets returned and bombed the same place, causing a massacre that claimed the lives of at least 45 people and wounded 100 others. Dozens of people are still missing or trapped under the rubble.

The attack constituted a deliberate crime that was committed in an area that is covered by the ‘de-escalation zones’ agreement. The atrocity of the crime and the extent of damage and destruction are unimaginable. A civil defense volunteer was killed in the attack while many others were injured. The death toll continues to rise as rescue workers are still working to save civilians and help the victims who are still trapped under the rubble.

Despite the shock that such massacres and crimes cause to the world, they have continued unabated since 2011, which makes one wonder as to why the international community is still showing this complete inaction and total indifference. The international community continues to watch idly by as the most heinous massacres, crimes, mass forced displacement, destruction and detention are taking place without shouldering its duties to maintain international peace and security.

The fact that the Syrian people have lost any confidence or hope in the international community and its organizations does not absolve anyone of the responsibility to act, especially the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, and all other international organizations and bodies. Those bodies will continue to be obliged to take action in order to save civilians, stop these crimes, hold those responsible accountable, and impose a just and comprehensive political solution.