Multiple Militant Attacks in Idlib Province Leave 11 Dead, 20 Injured
In a series of coordinated attacks, fighters from the Ansar Al Tawhid group and the Turkestan Islamic Party targeted troops in the south of Idlib province, resulting in the death of at least 11 individuals and leaving 20 others injured, according to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The militants utilized specially-built tunnels to carry out their assault, detonating explosives beneath army positions and launching simultaneous attacks from other underground passageways.
The situation in Syria has escalated in recent weeks, with violent clashes intensifying in both Idlib and the southern region of Deraa. Damascus and Russia have increased shelling, while rebel and militant groups, as well as those backed by Iran, have also heightened their attacks on Syrian army troops and pro-Assad fighters. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has also conducted assaults, and Israel has carried out bombings targeting Iran-linked facilities near the capital, resulting in the deaths of numerous fighters.
Tragically, civilians have not been spared from the violence either. Russian air strikes at an abandoned water pumping station on Wednesday claimed the lives of two individuals, while a woman and two children sustained injuries. The northwestern region controlled by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, which is led by former Al Qaeda-affiliated fighters, has particularly borne the brunt of Moscow’s intensified bombing campaign.
Both the Ansar Al Tawhid group and the Turkestan Islamic Party involved in the recent attack are affiliated with Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, which controls parts of Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama provinces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights warns that the death toll is likely to rise as the intense clashes continue.
The Syrian conflict has already claimed the lives of over 500,000 people and forced approximately half of the nation’s prewar population to flee their homes. Amidst these alarming developments, anti-regime protests have resurfaced in the southern region of Suweida, where members of the Druze minority have staged substantial demonstrations against President Bashar Al Assad, marking a significant show of dissent against his rule in recent years.
As the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, it is imperative for all stakeholders to prioritize the protection of civilians and seek peaceful resolutions to avoid further loss of life and displacement. International actors must redouble their efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict, bringing an end to the suffering of the Syrian people.
