Syria, Russia target 47 civilian settlements in Idlib Tension De-escalation Zone in 1 week

By Esref Musa and Ahmet Karaahmet

IDLIB, Syria (AA) - At least 36 civilians were killed and 211 injured in ground and air strikes by the Syrian army and its supporter Russia on dozens of civilian settlements within the borders of Idlib De-escalation Zone in the last week.

The attacks were conducted between Oct. 1 - 7, according to information received from the Aircraft Observatory officials.

- Situation in Idlib

Türkiye, Russia, and Iran decided to create four "de-escalation zones" in Syria in areas not under the control of the Syrian government at a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan in 2017.

The Damascus administration, Iran-backed terrorists and Russia continued their attacks and seized three out of four districts and headed for Idlib.

Although Türkiye reached an additional agreement with Russia to strengthen the cease-fire in September 2018, the attacks intensified again in May 2019.

After a new cease-fire deal for northwestern Syria was reached between Ankara and Moscow on March 5, 2020, the cease-fire was largely preserved.

About 2 million civilians fleeing the attacks from 2017 - 2020, were forced to migrate to areas near the Turkish border.