Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
June 5, 2021
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) warns of the continued silence of the international community and the parties sponsoring a political solution in Syria regarding the escalating attacks, violations and artillery and rocket shelling by the Assad regime’s forces against civilian areas in rural Idlib.
Several towns in Al-Arbaeen Mount region in rural Idlib and eastern Al-Zawiya Mount region came under a barrage of heavy artillery and attacks by guided missiles on Saturday. The attacks resulted in many injuries among civilians, including children.
The Assad regime forces and Iranian militias have stepped up their attempts to advance in southern rural Idlib in recent weeks as they have escalated artillery and rocket shelling in the region. The shelling resulted in dozens of civilians injuries and caused widespread material damage, as well as caused the outbreak of wildfires that destroyed large swathes of agricultural land and crops.
These attacks constitute a violation of the de-escalation zones agreement and require taking action to rein in the Assad regime’s strategy aimed at military escalation and keeping the atmosphere of war in order to avoid alternative options.
The Assad regime and its allies will not stop these attempts, plans and crimes. It is therefore imperative that the international community assume its responsibilities towards the situation in Syria; take the necessary action to impose the political path on the regime; and prevent any new violation or attempt to impose the language of terrorism, death and destruction as an alternative to a political solution.