• Syrians sit in a vehicle as they drive towards the northern areas of Syria's Idlib province near the Syrian-Turkish border as they flee the bombardments in the southern areas of the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
    Syrians sit in a vehicle as they drive towards the northern areas of Syria's Idlib province near the Syrian-Turkish border as they flee the bombardments in the southern areas of the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
  • Syrians sit in a vehicle as they drive towards the northern areas of Syria's Idlib province near the Syrian-Turkish border as they flee the bombardments in the southern areas of the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
    Syrians sit in a vehicle as they drive towards the northern areas of Syria's Idlib province near the Syrian-Turkish border as they flee the bombardments in the southern areas of the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
  • Syrians carrying their belongings drive towards the northern areas of Syria's Idlib province near the Syrian-Turkish border as they flee the bombardments in the southern areas of the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
    Syrians carrying their belongings drive towards the northern areas of Syria's Idlib province near the Syrian-Turkish border as they flee the bombardments in the southern areas of the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
  • Smoke billows from a building following a reported bombardment by pro-Syrian government forces in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Syria's Idlib province, the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
    Smoke billows from a building following a reported bombardment by pro-Syrian government forces in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Syria's Idlib province, the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
  • Smoke billows from a building following a reported bombardment by pro-Syrian government forces in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Syria's Idlib province, the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
    Smoke billows from a building following a reported bombardment by pro-Syrian government forces in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Syria's Idlib province, the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
  • Smoke billows from a building following a reported bombardment by pro-Syrian government forces in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Syria's Idlib province, the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
    Smoke billows from a building following a reported bombardment by pro-Syrian government forces in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Syria's Idlib province, the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
  • TOPSHOT - Smoke billows from a building following a reported bombardment by pro-Syrian government forces in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Syria's Idlib province, the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
    TOPSHOT - Smoke billows from a building following a reported bombardment by pro-Syrian government forces in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Syria's Idlib province, the country's last major opposition bastion. AFP
  • In this frame grab from video militants of the Al Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham try to disperse people who have gathered at the Bab al-Hawa border gate to protest the ongoing bombing campaign in Syria's rebel-controlled Idlib province by the government and its Russian ally. AP Photo
    In this frame grab from video militants of the Al Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham try to disperse people who have gathered at the Bab al-Hawa border gate to protest the ongoing bombing campaign in Syria's rebel-controlled Idlib province by the government and its Russian ally. AP Photo
  • In this frame grab from video a family with their goods loaded on a lorry drives towards the Turkish border in Syria's rebel-controlled Idlib province. AP Photo
    In this frame grab from video a family with their goods loaded on a lorry drives towards the Turkish border in Syria's rebel-controlled Idlib province. AP Photo

UN: More than 235,000 people have fled Idlib amid attacks

The mass displacement between December 12 and 25 within Idlib has left the violence-plagued Maaret Al Numan region 'almost empty'

The National

December 27, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

More than 235,000 people have fled the Idlib region over the past two weeks, the UN said Friday, amid heightened regime and Russian attacks on Syria's last major opposition bastion.

The mass displacement between 12 and 25 December within Idlib has left the violence-plagued Maaret Al Numan region "almost empty". the UN said in a statement.

Since mid-December, Russian-backed regime forces have pressed with an assault on militants in southern Idlib, despite an August ceasefire deal and calls for a de-escalation from Turkey, France and the United Nations.

The increased air strikes came as Russian-backed regime forces advance on the ground.

They have since December 19 seized dozens of towns and villages from the militants amid clashes that have killed hundreds on both sides.

  • This picture shows a view of a deserted square in Maaret Al Numan in Idlib province. AFP
    This picture shows a view of a deserted square in Maaret Al Numan in Idlib province. AFP
  • An empty market street in Maaret Al Numan. AFP
    An empty market street in Maaret Al Numan. AFP
  • A drone picture shows empty streets and damaged buildings in Maaret Al Numan. AFP
    A drone picture shows empty streets and damaged buildings in Maaret Al Numan. AFP
  • A drone picture shows a family fleeing the town. AFP
    A drone picture shows a family fleeing the town. AFP
  • Since mid-December, Russian-backed regime forces have pressed with an assault on jihadists in southern Idlib. AFP
    Since mid-December, Russian-backed regime forces have pressed with an assault on jihadists in southern Idlib. AFP

The bombardment and clashes have amplified displacement from Maaret Al Numan and the nearby town Saraqeb in the southern Idlib region, the UN said.

"People from Saraqab and its eastern countryside are now fleeing in anticipation of fighting directly affecting their communities next," a statement said.

Idlib is dominated by the country's former Al Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, whose chief this week urged militants and allied rebels to head to the frontlines and battle "the Russian occupiers" and the regime.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump warned Russia, Syria and Iran against killing civilians in Syria's Idlib province and said Turkey was working hard to stop the "carnage."

"Russia, Syria, and Iran are killing, or on their way to killing, thousands if inocent (sic) civilians in Idlib Province. Dont do it! Turkey is working hard to stop this carnage," Mr Trump said in a tweet.

Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday that Russia will work to stop attacks in Idlib after talks with a Turkish delegation in Moscow.

Mr Trump has sought a close relationship with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, even after Ankara's recent incursion against American Kurdish allies in Syria and Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.

Syria