The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria released [7] a report March 11 concerning the most severe escalation of violence in the country since 2020. Explosions during a military academy graduation ceremony in Homs triggered [8] the escalation, which began in October, leading to a series of indiscriminate attacks by Syrian and Russian forces on opposition-held areas. The commission emphasizes that these attacks may constitute war crimes, targeting hospitals, schools, markets, and displaced persons camps.
Paulo Pinheiro, the chair of the Commission, stated: "Since October, Syria has seen the largest escalation in fighting in four years. With the region in turmoil, a determined international effort to contain the fighting on Syrian soil is imperative. Syria, too, desperately needs a ceasefire."
From Jurist [11], March 12. Used with permission.
Note: Over the past months, the Assad regime has repeatedly bombed hospitals [12] in Syria’s rebel-held northwest [13].
Last October's Homs attack [14] followed renewed anti-regime protests [15] in Sweida (Suwayda).
The Kurdish northeast region is meanwhile coming under intermittent Turkish bombardment [16].
