Syria regime bombs Idlib, breaching de-escalation deal

Smoke billows following reported shelling by government forces on the northwestern Syrian town of Barah, in the rebel held Idlib province on 12 February 2021. [ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP via Getty Images]

February 19, 2021

Syrian regime forces yesterday bombed a number of areas in the northwestern province of Idlib, a day after Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed to support calm in the area.

Local sources said regime forces fired heavy artillery and missile shells on the towns of Kansafra, Al-Fateera, Sufuhn, Fulayfel, Al-Ruwayjah, Benin and Al-Bara in Idlib's southern suburbs.

According to the sources, the Syrian regime's bombardment coincided with a Russian reconnaissance flight in the region.

On Wednesday, the Astana process guarantors said in their final statement that after reviewing in detail the situation in the Idlib de-escalation area, they highlighted the necessity to maintain calm on the ground by fully implementing all agreements on Idlib.

A few days ago, regime forces bombed Jabal Al-Zawiya, south of Idlib, killing a woman and her son.