Northwest Syria scenario dire with 21 civilians killed

United Nations: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said that the situation in Idlib was dire, referring to the beleaguered governorate in northwest Syria where at least 21 civilians reported killed in the last 48 hours.

Airstrikes were reported on Tuesday in 19 communities and shelling in 10 villages in Idlib and Hama, Xinhua news agency quoted Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as saying on Wednesday.

The victims, including five women and nine children, were reported killed by airstrikes as well as ground-based attacks, Dujarric said, adding that the most urgent need is for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians.

The airstrikes also damaged educational and medical facilities, including several that were serving as a shelter for displaced people, he said. Idlib Central Hospital was among medical facilities reportedly damaged on Tuesday.

The world organization continues to seek ways to expand the ongoing humanitarian response, including by expanding the capacity of cross-border relief mechanism, Dujarric said.

Earlier this week he said humanitarian workers were striving to hike the number of aid trucks allowed over the border from Turkey into northwest Syria from 50 to up to 100 trucks per day. (IANS)

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