UN says at least 20 children killed in Syria this week

"In Idlib earlier in the week, violence reportedly left 30 people dead, including 16 children. Some of those killed were displaced from fighting in Aleppo," UNICEF Regional Director Geert Cappelaere said in a Friday statement on reports of children killed and injured in Syria.

Noting that another four children were killed and at least five were injured in attacks in Homs, Cappelaere said other attacks also took place in eastern Ghouta, with children among the killed.

"These attacks appear to be among the heaviest since the start of the most recent cessation of hostilities on December 30, 2016," Cappelaere said. 

"Killing and injuring children is a grave violation of children’s rights. They must stop once and for all," he added.

A countrywide ceasefire deal brokered by Turkey and Russia went into effect in Syria last December. The ceasefire witnessed dozens of breaches by Assad and Hezbollah terrorists, and Iran-backed militias in multiple areas across the country.