Erneutes Bombardement von Idlib

Was es heißt in Syrien in einer Deeskalationszone zu leben? Nichts! Außer dass erneut gezielt Krankenhäuser und zivile Einrichtungen bombardiert werden. Stehen auch in Damaskus wegen einer akuten Benzinkrise die Räder still, für seine Luftwaffe hat Assad das nötige Benzin. Und wie üblich interessiert das Leiden und Sterben niemand, man ist stattdessen, wie es im Orwellchen Fachjargon der UN heißt, "deeply concerned".

This week, the Syrian regime of Bashar Al Assad and his Russian backers launched a large air offensive over the country’s north, killing civilians and destroying hospitals.

The move comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin said the time was not right for an all-out offensive on Idlib province, the last major area held by rebels and hardline factions in Syria.

It is also home to nearly 3 million civilians, many of whom were displaced by regime offensives in other parts of the country.

“Aerial, ground and sea-launched bombs pounded north Syria,” said Mohammad Hallajh, director of the local Response Co-ordination Group.

The UN on Wednesday said 140,000 people were displaced in Idlib since bombing began to intensify in February. It has also recorded at least 200 civilian deaths since February.

"The UN is deeply concerned over the recent escalation," said David Swanson of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Mr Hallajh said: “Since last February when the escalation began, the attacks were mostly mortar bombs. But yesterday, helicopters, barrel bombs and air raids were intense.

"The attacks targeted residential area, causing much damage to civilian properly and leaving people destitute."

He said his charity had recorded 12 civilians killed and 42 wounded since Tuesday.

Mr Hallajh said that the bombardment was focused around Hama and rural Idlib, and air strikes left two hospitals shattered and unable to operate.