Four children killed on their way to school in northwest Syria
Four children – three boys and a girl – were killed on Monday morning while travelling to school in northwest Syria, along with a teacher, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday.
UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Ted Chaiban, said in a statement that they were victims of an attack on a market in Ariha, south of Idlib. The governorate is the last rebel held enclave in the country.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it was the deadliest attack on Idlib since March 2020.
According to news reports, a total of ten people were killed in the attack on Ariha, while another 20 were wounded during the shelling.
Damascus attack
The numbers of children injured and killed continue to increase, said Mr. Chabain, noting that earlier on Wednesday, a military bus had come under attack in the capital Damascus.
According to media reports, two explosive devices attached to the bus, detonated as it passed under a bridge in the centre of the city during rush hour.
At least 14 were reportedly killed, which the Sana State News Agency described as the deadliest attack in the Syrian capital in four years.
“Today’s violence is yet another reminder that the war in Syria has not come to an end”, said the UNICEF official.
Protect the children
“Civilians, among them many children, keep bearing the brunt of a brutal decade-long conflict”, added Mr. Chabain.
“Attacks on civilians including children are a violation of international humanitarian law. Children should be able to reach their schools safely”, he underscored.
“We repeat our calls to those fighting, that children are not a target. They should be protected at all times especially in times of conflict.”
