The Whole of Syria Flash Update No. 2 - Recent Developments in Syria (As of 5 December 2024)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ongoing hostilities in northern Syria continue to expand to other parts of the country, endangering civilians and humanitarian workers, causing severe damage to critical infrastructure and disrupting humanitarian operations.
• As of 5 December, at least 178,000 people have been displaced due to the recent escalations in northern Syria, including 128,000 newly displaced and 39,000 displaced at least twice. Figures are still being reconciled, noting that UNHR and NGOs operating in the northeastern part of Syria estimate that between 60,000 and 80,000 people have been newly displaced there, including more than 25,000 currently hosted in collective centers.
• Public services and critical facilities in Aleppo are either disrupted or non-functional due to shortages of supplies and personnel.
• The escalation of violence has severely impacted the local healthcare system, leading to the suspension of operations at key health facilities in Aleppo and Idleb.
• In the northeast, not only collective centers are filling up as soon as they’re assigned, reception centers are at capacity and in below freezing temperatures, people are sleeping on the streets and in their cars. Assessments are ongoing to identify the needs of newly arrived families.
• Although the exact number of casualties remains to be confirmed, hundreds of civilians are estimated to have lost their lives or got injured during the past 7 days. It is reported that at least 69 civilians have been killed, including 26 children and 11 women, with more than 200 injured, primarily in north-west Syria. Also, over 370 civilians reported killed in Hama due to ongoing clashes.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The security situation in Syria remains highly concerning, with intensifying hostilities, particularly in the northern and northwestern regions. Since late November 2024, hostilities in Aleppo, Idleb, and Hama Governorates have escalated resulting in widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and severely constrained access to and availability of essential services for affected communities, especially those trapped near the frontlines.

Ongoing active hostilities in Aleppo, Idleb and Hama Governorates since 27 November have resulted in territorial control changes in different locations in the afore mentioned governorates. Thousands of affected people continue to flee areas and seek refuge in safer locations within the affected governorates and in other governorates. Thousands have temporarily relocated to Northeast Syria (NES), through the Tabqa and Bu Assi crossing points.

By early December, at least 69 civilians had reportedly been killed, including 26 children and 11 women, with more than 200 injured, primarily in Northwest Syria (NWS). In Aleppo, civilian deaths and injuries have been reported in Alleramoon, Al-Sakhour, and Ash-Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods. The exact number of casualties remains unverified. The escalation in hostilities has also led to significant damage to vital civilian infrastructure in Aleppo. In Homs and Hama Governorates, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with over 370 civilians reported killed in Hama.

In Homs, the displacement of thousands of families from highly affected Governorates (Aleppo, Idleb, and Hama) has strained shelters and humanitarian assets. While efforts are underway to rehabilitate shelters in both Governorates, the infrastructure supporting IDPs remains inadequate. In Hama, some shelters have been temporarily opened and then closed, creating uncertainty around shelter availability. Shortages of basic necessities are reported, including food, hygiene kits, and medical support, coupled with the destruction of civilian infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in both areas.

As of 5 December, an estimated total of 178,000 people have been displaced due to the recent escalations in northern Syria, including 128,000 newly displaced and 39,000 displaced at least twice. Approximately 15,400 people have moved from Tall Refaat area to Menbij (Aleppo), while most of the population has moved from Idleb sub-districts. In Tabqa, NES, 35 buildings were assigned to host IDPs. The situation in Ar-Raqqa is chaotic, despite having more than 70 buildings assigned as temporary collective centres, the displacement wave is beyond the capacity to accommodate forcing people to sleep on the streets and in their cars As of 4 December, four new reception sites were established in Ain Al-Arab, Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli Cities with more than 400 families already hosted there.