In a tragic series of events, four civilians, including an elderly man, and a woman, were killed and 13 others, including six children, were injured in a missile and artillery attack on the northern Idlib countryside on Monday evening. Assad regime forces, supported by Hezbollah and Iranian militias, launched a barrage of missiles on the town of Kafriya and its outskirts, marking another brutal chapter in a longstanding pattern of retaliation targeting vulnerable civilian populations.
The attacks followed recent Israeli strikes against Hezbollah and Iranian military assets in Syria and Lebanon, underlining a recurrent and troubling trend. Instead of responding directly to Israeli military targets – an option hindered by their inability to match Israel’s military capabilities – Iran and its proxies frequently retaliate by targeting civilians in Syria, particularly in Idlib. This region remains a hotspot for revolutionary forces in opposition to the Assad regime and a regular target for retaliatory strikes.
The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, reported that Monday’s assault on Kafriya left several homes in ruins, with shelling extending to nearby Sarmin. Earlier that day, regime forces targeted the town of Al-Nayrab with explosive-laden drones, destroying a civilian house and damaging property. The missile barrage also reached Maarat al-Naasan, al-Wasata, and Kafr Ammah, as well as a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and several villages in the northwestern Hama countryside, forcing many residents to flee.
The shelling is part of a campaign of violence orchestrated by pro-Iranian militias and the Assad regime, which have increased their attacks in response to the loss of key military positions following Israeli airstrikes. Civilians are attacked, almost daily, by missile, artillery, and drone attacks, with casualties mounting and livelihoods under threat.
The White Helmets documented 392 attacks in Idlib during the first half of 2024 alone. Among these, 293 were artillery strikes, 27 were rocket attacks, and several were carried out by Russian warplanes in support of the Assad regime. Hezbollah’s involvement, especially through the use of explosive-laden drones, has added another layer of violence to an already volatile situation.
The toll on Syrian civilians is becoming increasingly severe. In the past week alone, artillery and missile strikes have left dozens dead or injured across Idlib, Aleppo, and Hama. The consistent targeting of civilian areas – particularly those near the front lines – has driven a wave of displacement, as families flee in search of safety. The White Helmets warn that continued violence could trigger another humanitarian crisis, with thousands of residents forced from their homes amid a declining international response.
As the violence in Idlib intensifies, local leaders are calling for international intervention. The Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), which governs most of Idlib and the affected areas, released a statement condemning the attacks and calling for an end to the Iranian-led campaign of terror against civilians. The SSG’s Political Affairs Department called for Hezbollah and Iranian militias to withdraw from Syria and cease their relentless targeting of civilian areas. In response to Monday’s massacre, Fath al-Mubeen forces in the region retaliated, targeting Hezbollah and regime positions in Saraqib and Kafranbel.
The pattern of violence in Syria is demonstrative of the wider regional dynamics at play. As long as Hezbollah and Iran face setbacks in their confrontations with Israel, civilians in Syria will continue to bear the brunt of the retaliation. The lack of accountability for these war crimes only exacerbates the situation, leaving the people of Idlib in a precarious position.
