Syrians head north amid ongoing airstrikes in Idlib

By Burak Karacaoglu and Erdal Turkoglu

IDLIB, Syria (AA) - Thousands of civilians in Syria's Idlib have begun moving to northern parts of the province following eight days of intense airstrikes, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents based in the area.

Residents of several Idlib villages -- including Bidame, Al-Basiriya, Al-Sirmeniyye, Al-Zahir, Al-Sigir Hitye and Al-Hamama -- could be seen vacating their homes Wednesday morning.

While some have sought shelter in camps set up in Turkey’s southeastern Hatay province, others have moved to Idlib’s relatively safer northern districts.

“Many of those who fled the airstrikes have taken shelter here, where some 30,000 people already live,” Temmem Otur, who is currently staying in Hatay’s Hirbiticoz refugee camp, said.

“Some are going to camps near the Turkish border; others are staying at the homes of their relatives,” Otur told Anadolu Agency.

Since Sept. 19, southern Idlib has remained the target of intense airstrikes by both Russia and the Syrian regime.

According to local sources, at least 70 civilians have been killed in the strikes, a number of which have targeted local hospitals and schools.

Some targeted districts are located within Idlib’s de-escalation zone, which was recently set up based on an earlier agreement -- signed in Astana -- between Turkey, Iran and Russia.

On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu condemned the ongoing airstrikes.

“We know Russia is targeting terrorist elements in Idlib,” he said. “But scores of civilians and moderate rebels have also been killed.”

He added: “Attacks on civilians constitute a breach of the ceasefire and a violation of the Astana agreement.”