Syria Daily: UN — “Worst Fears Coming True” with Russia-Regime Offensive on Northwest

Displaced women sit in a field near a camp in northwest Idlib Province, May 8, 2019 (AFP)

The UN has warned of a humanitarian disaster in northwest Syria, as Russia and the Assad regime enter the third week of an offensive to overrun part of the last major opposition area in Syria.

Speaking at a Security Council meeting on Friday, UN humanitarian affairs coordinator Mark Lowcock noted a statement by Secretary General António Guterres last September, just before a Russia-Turkey agreement on a demilitarized zone — an arrangement now shattered by Moscow and the Assad regime:

He stressed that it was absolutely essential to avoid a full-scale battle in Idlib [Province], and he warned that would unleash a humanitarian nightmare unlike any we have seen in Syria.

When I briefed you here on September 18, I said a full-scale military onslaught could result in the worst humanitarian tragedy of the 21st century. Despite our warnings, our worst fears are now coming true.

The UN estimates 3 million people — about 20% of Syria’s remaining population — live in Idlib and northern Hama Provinces. Many of them have been displaced by pro-Assad assaults and forced transfers from other parts of the country.

The White Helmets civil defense said another six people were killed and 15 wounded by Russia-regime bombing and shelling of Idlib on Friday.

Four civilians were slain in Ma’arat al-Num’an and two in nearby Kafarruma.

Since late April, about 200 civilians have been killed and hundreds injured by the attacks, with an estimated 350,000 forced to flee from September to April despite the supposed demilitarized zone.

The regime ground offensive, enabled by Russian airstrikes, began on May 6 in northwest Hama Province. Several opposition towns have been captured, although a regime attempt to seize a key town in neighboring northeast Latakia Province has failed so far.

Russia Unrestrained

Lowcock told the Security Council that the offensive has displaced another 180,000 people, with up to 160 killed in three weeks. At least 18 hospitals and clinics have been destroyed or damaged, several of which were on UN “no target” lists that give exact locations to all sides in the conflict.

The UN official said 49 health facilities have partially or totally suspended activities. At least 17 schools have been damaged or destroyed and many more closed.

UK and US representatives called on Russia and the Assad regime to provide assurances to the Security Council that the attacks will be halted.

“Russia and Syria are the only countries that fly planes in the area,” UK Ambassador Karen Pierce said. “I think we need answers today.”

Council members had hoped that by raising the issue in a closed meeting last week, Russia might step back. But Moscow has only increased its attacks, as well as propaganda trying to discredit the White Helmets rescuers and other local services.

So the members held the emergency session on Friday, hoping countries such as China might restrain the Russians.

There was no sign of any effect yesterday, as Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia lied about the extent of the bombardment.

We categorically reject accusations of violations of international humanitarian law.

Not the Syrian army, or the Syrian air force, or Russia are conducting hostilities against civilians or civilian infrastructure. Our goal is the terrorists.

The Russian “Center for Reconciliation” in Syria went farther by repeating Moscow’s long-standing disinformation that rebels and the White Helmets are planning “false flag” chemical attacks in Idlib.

Appeal by Aid Groups

Almost 70 aid groups called for an immediate end to the Russian-regime assault.

The groups said at least 16 humanitarian organisations have suspended operations, with facilities under attack and staff displaced — despite sharing coordinates of their location with Russia and the Assad regime.

Lynn Maalouf of Amnesty International told the Security Council in a statement:

Bombing hospitals carrying out their medical functions is a war crime.

The international community has so far utterly failed to protect civilians in Syria from the horrors of this conflict.

Physicians for Human Rights said it has verified nine attacks on hospitals and medical facilities by Russia and the regime in the last month. At least two health workers have been killed.