Massive displacement in Syria's Idlib amid Assad regime attacks

Villages and towns in Idlib, and other areas of opposition-controlled northern Syria, have witnessed a massive wave of displacement over the past few days due to continuous attacks by Assad regime forces, Russia and Iran-backed militias.

Civilians living in affected areas have been subject to artillery shelling, airstrikes and drone attacks, The New Arab's Arabic language sister outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

This comes as the Turkish military sent reinforcements to its positions near the frontlines with regime forces in what is known as the "Fourth De-escalation Zone", comprising Idlib and its surroundings, amid discussions about the possibility of a military clash and the start of a ground battle between certain factions operating within Idlib and Assad regime forces, supported by Russia.

Ahmed Hijazi, a resident of Al-Abzmo in the western Aleppo countryside, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that "for the residents of western Aleppo countryside in general, the displacement rate is extremely high due to rumours of a possible military operation against regime forces positions.”

“Civilians fear such an operation as the villages from which they are fleeing are close to frontlines with regime forces and are constantly shelled," Hijazi continued.

"For this reason, many have fled to northern areas fearing they might be targeted by Assad regime forces," he added.

The rumours of potential major military action in Idlib began around three weeks ago, with confusion as to whether an offensive was to be launched by pro-Assad forces or armed factions within opposition areas.

Regardless, while these frontline areas are regularly bombarded by the Assad regime and Russia, attacks have majorly increased in recent days, prompting thousands to flee northwards to areas considered safer from regime attacks.

Earlier this month, Russian airstrikes killed 10 people after targeting civilian areas of Idlib City, claiming that forces in the area were planning a military offensive. 

Ibrahim Al-Sayed explained to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that "in general, about three-quarters of the residents of Sarmin have fled to relatively safer areas in northern Syria. This is the largest displacement the city has experienced since the ceasefire agreement was signed in March 2020."

Al-Sayed noted that "the city of Sarmin is subjected to daily artillery and missile shelling, and the same situation applies to the nearby town of Afs, which lies directly along the frontlines with Syrian regime forces."

Turkey, which nominally controls opposition-controlled areas of northern Syria, usually sends in reinforcements to both deter attacks from Assad and Russia on areas where its military is stationed, as well as stop escalation from more radical Islamist groups.

The Syrian National Army, which is a coalition of moderate Turkish-backed forces in Idlib, told Enab Baladi that it was not going to be involved in any offensive military attack on regime forces.

However, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is one of the strongest anti-Assad factions in the area that is not aligned with Turkey, has not made any comment on whether it plans an offensive.

Turkey and Russia have maintained a fragile ceasefire between opposition-controlled areas and regime-held areas since 2020. However, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has maintained that he wants to conquer all of Idlib and bring all of Syria under his rule.

Regime forces, backed by Russia and Iran, have broken the ceasefire terms on numerous occasions, frequently carrying out deadly airstrikes and artillery fire on opposition-held areas.