Dozens of civilians killed, injured in new Assad massacres in Syria's Idlib

Assad warplanes and helicopters intensified bombardment on the demilitarized zone (DMZ) of Idlib countryside on Saturday (January 11), killing and injuring dozens of civilians, violating a ceasefire announced by Russia on the 9th of January, Orient correspondent said.  

The warplanes and helicopters launched several airstrikes on civilian homes in Idlib city center, a popular market in Binnish city Nayrab village and Sarmin town in Idlib countryside, killing at least 17 civilians, including women and children and injuring more than 50 others.

White Helmets volunteers are still working hard to rescue civilians from under the rubble of destroyed buildings in the aftermath of the airstrikes.

Russian Defense Ministry on Thursday announced a ceasefire, taking effect in the region at 02.00 p.m. local time (1200GMT).

Following the announcement of the alleged cease-fire, Assad artillery shells and rockets targeted on Friday several villages and towns in Idlib countryside, including Maarat al-Nuaman city, Maar Shurin village and Talmenes village, causing material damage.

Later on Friday, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that Turkey and Russia had agreed on a cease-fire in Idlib set to start at midnight on Jan. 12.

On Sunday, Assad warplanes bombed a school, a mosque, and kindergarten in the city of Ariha in Idlib province, killing 12 civilians, including three children and a woman and injuring 25 others, including three women and six children.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights SNHR documented in its report released on (January 1) 43 massacres committed by Assad regime's militias and 22 massacres committed by Russian forces in 2019.

The report documented the deaths of 3,364 civilians in 2019, including 842 children and 486 women at the hands of the perpetrator parties to the conflict in Syria, including 234 in December.