Civilians in northwest Syria are facing relentless attacks from Assad regime forces and their Iranian and Russian allies, with explosive-laden “suicide” FPV drones targeting towns and villages in Idlib and Aleppo. Early this morning, regime forces deployed suicide drones against the village of Majdalya, east of Idlib, prompting warnings from civil observatories about increased drone activity near contact lines in Idlib.
On Tuesday, regime drones struck the village of Afes, east of Idlib, following artillery shelling in the Aleppo countryside that killed a woman. The frequency of attacks has escalated sharply throughout 2024, according to the Syrian Response Coordinators (SRC) team, a humanitarian organization monitoring violence in northern Syria. From January through October, Idlib and Aleppo have suffered 256 drone attacks, using an estimated 874 drones. While some 133 drones were downed without casualties, the strikes have killed 34 civilians and injured 88, including women and children.
The drones are described as “suicide” drones due to the explosive payloads they carry. They inflict extensive damage and terrorize residents in these hard-hit regions. Humanitarian groups are voicing strong condemnation of the attacks, with SRC emphasizing the severe toll on civilian life and the growing psychological and economic strain on local communities already destabilized by years of conflict.
“The use of drones and guided missiles intensifies civilian casualties and compounds suffering,” the group said in a statement, stressing that the instability has left the region’s population increasingly vulnerable.
In addition to drones, the Assad regime has also targeted the town of Mawzara in Jabal al-Zawiya, and Sarmeen with heavy artillery. With attacks occurring across Aleppo and Idlib day and night over the last few months.
Local observatories monitoring the Idlib region have advised residents in nearby areas to remain on high alert, reporting that recent drone strikes appear to be targeting civilian infrastructure and populated areas.
