White Helmets retrieve a victim from Assad regime shelling of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib Province, Syria, February 16, 2019
Fareed is a citizen journalist in the city of Ma’arat al-Num’an in Idlib Province in northwest Syria.
This is his first-hand account of life under bombardment, amid shelling by Assad regime forces which has killed at least 22 civilians in Idlib Province since Friday:
Since the morning, Assad’s forces have started shelling cluster bombs on the southern Idlib countryside.
The first city was Khan Sheikhoun. [Then] at 1:20 the shelling began on the city of Ma’arat al-Nu’man.
When the first rocket landed on my city, I was very afraid. My heart almost stopped from fear
People started running down the streets to hide from the shelling.
My sisters and children in school — I was very afraid for them.
The ambulance began to rush to the bombing sites to save children and civilians. I went to the bombing site to document and photograph the location of the shelling.
When I was there, an observer said there is a rocket in the sky. I ran and ran awa.
The rocket landed 500 meters away from me. My legs no longer carry me with fear.
Finally I went to my workplace and took a break. There were many dead and wounded civilians and children.
We were afraid of cluster bombs falling on us.
Now I am very tired. Today was very difficult from the severity of the bombing. I’m going to sleep for comfort.
Please everyone pray for us.
I am praying for all the innocents of Syria.
Have cried so much.