29 May 2019 | 06:16 PM UTC
Syria: Airstrikes kill 40 civilians in Idlib and Aleppo provinces May 28-29 /update 1
Syrian government airstrikes kill an estimated 40 civilians in Idlib and Aleppo provinces May 28-29; additional government airstrikes to be expected in northwestern Syria over the near term
Event
Syrian government airstrikes killed an estimated 40 civilians in Idlib and Aleppo provinces on Tuesday, May 28, and Wednesday, May 29, as the Damascus-based regime and Russian allies continue to apply military pressure on Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)-controlled territory. While a full-scale Syrian military offensive on rebel-held Idlib province remains unlikely as of late May, additional air raids by Syrian government-aligned forces are to be expected on HTS-controlled areas in northwestern Syria over the near term.
Context
To date, the Syrian conflict involves many parties, including the Syrian government, the Russian government, the Iranian government, the Turkish government, a US-led coalition, and numerous armed groups on the ground (including the Islamic State) with competing goals.
Advice
Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.
