The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, released a statement yesterday, October 16, condemning a new wave of Russian and regime-led military attacks in northwestern Syria. The group warned that the ongoing shelling is fueling fear among civilians and deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
In the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo, Russian airstrikes and artillery attacks by Assad’s forces claimed the life of a 23-year-old man and injured eight others, including two children and two women. Many of the wounded are in serious condition, according to the White Helmets’ report.
The attacks caused significant damage, including a fire at the Al-Kilani power station, west of Idlib, which was struck by Russian aircraft. The power station, critical for supplying water to surrounding areas, was forced out of service, leaving dozens of towns and villages without drinking water.
“The continuation of these crimes increases the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe,” the White Helmets’ statement read, pointing to over 13 years of ongoing violence and displacement in Syria.
The most recent escalation, which increased Monday, has particularly targeted civilian infrastructure, including homes and power stations. On Monday, 16 missiles were launched by regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) at civilian areas in Aleppo, injuring eight people, including two children.
This year alone, the White Helmets responded to 698 attacks by Russian and Assad regime forces, resulting in the deaths of 66 civilians – among them 18 children and eight women – and the injury of 272 others. The group called for urgent international intervention and accountability.
“The absence of accountability has greatly contributed to the increase in criminality,” the statement emphasized, urging the international community to hold both the Assad regime and Russia responsible for the mounting casualties.
The White Helmets warned that continued strikes, particularly on civilian infrastructure, threaten to further displace communities, disrupt essential services, and prevent access to medical and educational facilities. They also noted the gap between humanitarian needs and the international response, stressing the urgency of addressing the crisis in Syria’s liberated areas.
With airstrikes ongoing for the second consecutive day, fears are mounting that the situation will worsen, compounding the devastation already experienced by millions of Syrians over the years.
The White Helmets highlighted the catastrophic impact on daily life in the liberated areas, where civilians face constant threats from various forms of bombardment. Agricultural, industrial, and commercial activities have been severely disrupted, deepening the economic and humanitarian challenges in regions already struggling from years of conflict.
The statement concluded with a renewed call for international action, emphasizing that the escalation of violence is stalling any political solution to the conflict. It also stressed that Russia’s ongoing support for the Assad regime is preventing a resolution to the war and exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
“Today, the international community is required to stand up to the Assad regime and Russia and hold them accountable for all their crimes against the Syrians,” they urged. As the attacks continue, the Syrian people, particularly in northwestern regions, remain caught in the crossfire of a brutal conflict that shows little sign of abating.
