North-west Syria: Escalation of Hostilities - Flash Update No. 1, 28 November 2024 [EN/AR]

Situation Overview

125 attacks and 14,000 people displaced in three days

At least 125 attacks of shelling, airstrikes and other incidents have been reported in Idleb and western Aleppo in three days. From 26 to 28 November, at least 12 civilians, including four children, were killed by the hostilities and 46 others were injured.

On 26 November, shelling struck an educational institution in Ariha, killing three children and injuring 14 others in the dead of night. The UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis (DRHC), David Carden, expressed deep concerns about the violence and called for the protection of civilians and children.

The fighting continued on 27 and 28 November with reports of shelling and airstrikes affecting 50 communities across Idleb and western Aleppo. At least ten civilians were killed, including a 10-year-old child, and 32 others, including 12 children, were injured.

More than 14,000 people – nearly half are children - have been displaced, according to the IDP Task Force, a group co-chaired by OCHA and the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster, as of 28 November. The situation remains highly fluid, with partners continuing to verify figures.

Since 27 November, 30 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Idleb have reported suspension of humanitarian activities due to the fighting. At least 24 health facilities have suspended services, mostly in areas close to the frontlines, while 15 nutrition partners have suspended their fixed and outreach activities in 13 sub-districts. The Bab Al-Hawa Hospital, one of north-west Syria’s largest health facilities, has suspended outpatient clinics and non-emergency surgeries, limiting its operations to critical cases.

The fighting also interrupted protection services due to security and access constraints. Nearly 50 protection facilities, including 19 community centers, have reported suspending all protection activities. At least 78 gender-based violence (GBV) service delivery points, which regularly served over 7,000 women and girls, have halted services across 14 sub-districts. Most Child Protection activities, including child-friendly spaces and case management services, have also been suspended.

Since 27 November, public and private schools and universities in Idleb and the western Aleppo countryside have suspended classes. The Posta ve Telgraf Teşkilatı (PTT) centers, the main financial service provider for north-west Syria, have suspended operations in northern Aleppo. The Al-Ghazawiya internal crossing, linking Daret Azza to Afrin, has been closed with the exception of emergency cases.

North-west Syria has experienced an intensification of attacks since 23 September, with intermittent periods of calm and escalation of incidents. On 17 October, the DRHC issued a statement calling on all parties to the conflict to take all necessary measures to ensure that civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected, following a week of increasing violence and clashes in Idleb and northern Aleppo.

UN and partners responding amidst 70 per cent funding gap

The UN and its partners continue to monitor the situation closely. Priority needs identified include winterization items and basic needs of food, WASH, health support, and shelter. As of 28 November, 11 reception centers have been set up in Idleb by local authorities, with a capacity to accommodate 1,065 families. An additional 18 reception centers, with a total capacity of 3,906 families, are under preparation.

The Bab Al-Hawa border crossing remains operational for aid delivery. On 27 November 10 trucks carrying medical supplies, shelter items and other aid provided by the WHO, UNHCR and UNICEF crossed from Türkiye to Idleb.

On 27 November, the Protection Cluster ran a Rapid Protection Assessment (RPA) with 28 households and activated 38 community centers as entry points for the provision of integrated protection services, including psychosocial support, evacuation and referral support, transportation and legal support. On 28 November, the Humanitarian Leadership Group (HLG), chaired by the DRHC, convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on the evolving situation.

The increasing hostilities come at a time when the cross-border response is facing its worst funding gap since the start of the Syrian crisis, ahead of another harsh winter season. With just one month left in the year, the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria has secured less than 30 per cent of the $4.07 billion needed to help the most vulnerable. In north-west Syria, underfunding has led to the suspension of aid and key services including water and sanitation support in hundreds of camps and health services in over 80 health facilities.