Syrian regime shells marketplace during Iftar on first day of Ramadan

A woman and man were injured after the Syrian regime shelled a popular marketplace and residential neighbourhood on the first day of Ramadan, according to reports.

The shelling occurred during iftar - when Muslims break their fast - in the northern Syrian city of Atarib, west of Aleppo, which is controlled by opposition factions.

Ramadan, which began on Thursday, sees Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset daily before celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the holiday which marks the end of the holy month.

During Iftar on the first day of #Ramadan, a woman and a man were injured after artillery shelling by regime forces & Russia targeted a market & residential neighborhoods in Atareb, west of #Aleppo, #Syria. Our teams inspected the bombed areas and confirmed no other casualties. pic.twitter.com/ssXRYHUg97

— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) March 23, 2023

After the bombing, local mosques suspended Tarawih prayers – done specifically in Ramadan – due to fears bombing would continue and deaths may occur, according to The New Arab’s Arabic service Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Clashes broke out on Thursday in Idlib province between the Al-Fateh Al-Mubin operations room of the Syrian opposition and the regime's 46th Regiment, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed with the death of one rebel fighter.

Syria’s civil war passed its 12-year anniversary on 15 March. 

Over 500,000 people have died in the conflict, largely due to regime and Russian bombing of civilian areas. At least half of the country’s pre-war population has been displaced.

The war plunged 90 percent of Syrians into poverty and rising prices of basic goods have forced most Syrian families to forgo foods they would regularly buy in bulk to see them through Ramadan.

Economists say the purchasing power of Syrians is hardly enough to cover their daily consumption needs, as one basic commodity, like cheese or jam, would cost a family more than their monthly income.