In a major escalation of the conflict in Syria, Russia has launched a series of airstrikes on rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib. The attacks, which began on Saturday, have targeted several towns and villages, killing dozens of civilians and displacing thousands more.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, at least 21 civilians were killed on Sunday, including eight children and six women. Among the victims were a family of seven who died when their home was hit by a Russian missile in the town of Ariha.
The attacks have also damaged or destroyed several health facilities, schools, mosques and markets, according to local sources and aid groups. The White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group, said they had documented 18 attacks on civilian infrastructure in the past two days.
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The Russian Defense Ministry said it was targeting “terrorist groups” that had violated a ceasefire agreement brokered by Turkey and Russia in March 2020. The ministry claimed that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Turkey and in response to “provocations” by the rebels.
However, Turkey, which backs some of the rebel factions in Idlib, denied any involvement in the Russian attacks and condemned them as a violation of the ceasefire. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Russian ambassador to Ankara to express its “strong reaction” to the strikes.
The UN humanitarian coordinator for Syria, Mark Lowcock, also expressed alarm over the situation in Idlib and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians. He said the UN was ready to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the violence.
Idlib is the last major rebel stronghold in Syria, where a civil war has been raging since 2011. The province hosts about three million people, more than half of whom are internally displaced from other parts of the country. The region has witnessed several waves of violence and displacement in recent years, as the Syrian government and its allies have tried to recapture it from the rebels.
Why did Russia launch new aerial attacks?
The Russian defense ministry said it targeted “terrorist” positions and infrastructure, but activists and witnesses reported civilian casualties and damage to hospitals, schools and markets. What are the motives behind this intervention and what are the implications for the region and the world?
One possible reason for the Russian airstrikes is to support its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is facing a serious threat from a variety of rebel groups, some of which are backed by the US, Turkey and other countries. Russia has been a staunch ally of Assad since the start of the civil war in 2011, providing him with military, economic and diplomatic assistance. By launching the airstrikes, Russia may hope to bolster Assad’s position and prevent his regime from collapsing.
Another possible reason for the Russian airstrikes is to counter the influence of the US and its allies in the Middle East. Russia has been critical of the US-led coalition that has been conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria and Iraq since 2014, accusing it of violating Syria’s sovereignty and failing to coordinate with the Syrian government. Russia may also see the US as a rival for regional dominance and seek to challenge its interests and allies, such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
A third possible reason for the Russian airstrikes is to protect its own national security interests. Russia may fear that the instability and violence in Syria could spill over into its neighboring regions, such as the Caucasus and Central Asia, where it has strategic and economic interests.
Russia may also worry that some of the rebel groups in Syria, especially those affiliated with IS or al-Qaeda, could pose a terrorist threat to its homeland or its citizens abroad. By launching the airstrikes, Russia may aim to prevent the spread of extremism and terrorism in its vicinity.
The Russian airstrikes have provoked mixed reactions from the international community. The US and its allies have condemned the intervention as a violation of international law and a hindrance to the peace process. They have also expressed concern that Russia is not targeting IS but rather other rebel groups that are fighting against Assad.
They have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a political solution to the conflict. On the other hand, some countries, such as Iran, Iraq and China, have welcomed the Russian intervention as a contribution to the fight against terrorism and a stabilizing factor in the region.
The Russian airstrikes have also raised questions about the future of Syria and the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The intervention may complicate the efforts to find a political solution that would involve all parties, including Assad and his opponents.
It may also increase the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and the US or its allies, which could escalate into a wider regional or global war. The intervention may also worsen the humanitarian situation in Syria, where millions of people have been killed, injured or displaced by the violence.
The Russian airstrikes are a significant development in the Syrian civil war that could have far-reaching consequences for the region and the world. The motives behind this intervention are complex and multifaceted, involving geopolitical, security and ideological factors.
The intervention has sparked controversy and criticism from some countries and support from others. The intervention has also added uncertainty and complexity to the situation in Syria and challenged the hopes for a peaceful end to the conflict.