Syrians living in fear and uncertainty as Assad and Russia intensify attacks on northern Syria

In the past 72 hours Syrian regime and Russian warplanes have bombed busy markets, hospitals and highly populated residential areas of Aleppo and Idlib, killing and injuring civilians and forcing thousands of people to flee.

At least 98 civilians, including 36 children, have been killed and hundreds injured in Idlib province alone since 27 November , according to the White Helmets who responded to the intensified airstrikes by the regime and Russia. The White Helmets have also expanded their rescue work into Aleppo to respond to the intense attacks.

The bombardment is forcing many families to flee their homes yet again in search of safety. While doctors are calling for support amid an alarming shortage of medical staff and medicine, warning of a total collapse to the medical sector in both Idlib and Aleppo.

Civilians are living in great fear and uncertainty, mainly of indiscriminate bombardment and airstrikes, with worries of violations and discrimination by the opposition armed groups.

A resident of Aleppo said:

“We fear the regime’s airstrikes because we’ve seen the devastation they have caused in the past. We also fear armed men in big cars roaming the streets of Aleppo, but we are praying that this will change. As for other necessities like water, bread and electricity, things have been improving in the past days.”

Amidst the fear are also moments of deep sadness and also joy as some are able to return to their homes they were forced to leave when regime forces pushed them from Aleppo. Some families have been reunited as those detained in two of Assad’s prisons have been released.

Hiba Barakat, a photographer in Idlib said:

“On Friday I went back to my home in Urem, western Aleppo countryside, after almost five years of being forcibly displaced with my family. When I arrived, I was completely speechless from the horror of what I saw there. I was unable to complete my visit and returned without looking back.

My heart broke as I watched how the regime destroyed my home and burned it down.”

Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), and other armed groups announced full control of Aleppo city over the weekend, in an unprecedented advance, that left people wondering what might their rule of the second largest city in Syria look like, amid concerns given the groups’ history of violations in northwest Syria.

Ranim Ahmed of The Syria Campaign said:

“Many Syrians are daring to hope for the freedom and dignity they dreamed of since 2011. Suddenly maybe a Syria free of Assad and his regime is possible. But knowing how the regime and its allies might respond to protect Assad’s power makes many terrified of what’s next. People continue to hold onto the struggle to free all detainees, to seek justice for war crimes, and to rebuild the country destroyed by years of bombardment and oppression.

Nobody can deny that everything we are witnessing today is the result of diplomatic failure to activate and push for a real political solution for Syria, a Syrian-owned solution that guarantees freedom and dignity for all. It’s more urgent than ever that the international community comes together to support a meaningful political transition.”