UN warns hostilities ramping up in northwest Syria

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – The Syrian regime and allied airstrikes resumed in northwestern Syria after a fragile cease-fire collapsed after just three days, the UN said Tuesday.

"Fighting has flared up again, including with airstrikes against northern Hama, southern Idlib and western Aleppo governorate," spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "We reiterate our deep concern for the civilians in Idlib and all surrounding areas."

Four civilians were killed in regime attacks in Idlib province in northwestern Syria, the White Helmets civil defense group said earlier Tuesday.

The attacks targeted the towns of Khan Sheikhoun and Maarat Al-Numan in Idlib’s de-escalation zone, and Hama province's towns of Kafr Zita, Latamneh and Murak.

Over than 500 civilians have been killed and more than 400,000 others displaced in the three months that have elapsed since regime forces began their offensive to retake the last rebel-held territory in northern Syria, according to the UN.

Turkey and Russia agreed last September to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.

The Syrian regime and its allies, however, have consistently broken the terms of the cease-fire, launching frequent attacks inside the de-escalation zone.

The de-escalation zone is currently inhabited by 4 million civilians, including hundreds of thousands of those displaced by regime forces from cities and towns throughout the war-weary country in recent years.

*Betul Yuruk contributed to this report from the United Nations in New York