Dallas, Texas- On January 15 at 2:06 pm Damascus time, a massive airstrike hit the crowded Al-Hal Market in Idlib City, Syria killing at least 19 and injuring at least 65 civilians, including many women and children. This new military campaign on Idlib City, which started last week, poses the greatest threat to millions of civilians since the start of the conflict.
Last year, the UN counted 82 attacks on medical centers, leaving the medical infrastructure decimated in Idlib and unable to handle another escalation of violence. The winter weather in Idlib is currently near freezing temperatures and rainy, exposing hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people to the harsh conditions without adequate shelter.
Dr. Khaula Sawah, Vice President of UOSSM USA said, " It is horrifying to think what could happen if the bombardment is not stopped. Millions of lives are at stake and at least one million could face displacement yet again. There is nowhere for these people to go. We call on the international community to act immediately to stop the bloodshed, before it is too late."
In the strongest terms, UOSSM condemns today’s attacks against civilians, which constitute a clear war crime. UOSSM demands the international community act immediately to protect millions of civilians from an impending bloodbath, and that they mobilize emergency rations of shelter, food, water and medical care for the underserved population.
- There are over 3.5 million people in the Idlib governorate and 1 million people in the densely populated Idlib city.
- In December alone, over 300,000 people were displaced by violence in Maarat Nouman and the Idlib countryside.
- UNICEF estimates that 140,000 children have been displaced into the freezing winter in the past four weeks.
- The UN verified 145 attacks on schools and 82 attacks on medical infrastructure (90% in North Western Syria) in 2019.
*Numbers are constantly changing due to situation on the ground.
