Civilians Killed in New Russian Crime in Rural Idlib

Press Release

Media Department

Syrian Coalition

March 30, 2017

The Russian air force has committed yet a new barbarous crime when Russian jets bombed the town of Deir Sharqi east of the town of Maaret Alnouman in rural Idlib on Wednesday. Dozens of civilians, mostly internally displaced people, were killed and wounded in the airstrikes.

The airstrikes, which used cluster bombs, targeted civilians waiting in line at a bakery to buy bread. They also reportedly caused damage to the shrine of Omar bin Abdul Aziz.

The Syrian Coalition condemns this crime of deliberately targeting civilians as it reiterates condemnation of the continued violations of the truce by the Russian forces. According to the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Russia, a guarantor of the agreement, pledged to force the Assad regime and its Iranian ally to respect the agreement.

However, Russia's actions in Syria only facilitated the continuation of massacres, mass forced displacement of civilians, and impunity for criminals. Russia's actions provide coverage for violations and crimes against international law as well as demonstrate Russia is unwilling to play a positive role to bolster the ceasefire agreement and help reach a political solution in Syria.

Russia has been an accomplice to the Assad regime in its crimes. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council responsible for maintaining international peace and security, the Russian government is obliged to respect the will of the Syrian people and their right to freedom and self-determination. Russia must also stop supporting the tyrannical territory and end its blatant intervention in Syria.