Syria: Assad regime intensifies attacks on Homs

ANKARA, Turkey / HOMS, Syria

The Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria intensified its attacks on rebel-held areas of the northern Homs province, killing at least two civilians on Sunday.

According to information gathered by Anadolu Agency’s correspondents on the ground, the regime forces launched 70 airstrikes, targeting al-Zafarana, al-Makramiyyah, Deir Ful and Talaf villages -- all of which are home to large civilian populations.

Additionally, the hospital in al-Zafarana was destroyed by the strikes.

Roughly 250,000 people living in a 592-square-kilometer (229-square-mile) area have remained under a blockade imposed by the Syrian regime for five years.

The regime which recently managed to seize eastern Ghouta -- which was one of the opposition’s last strongholds on the capital’s outskirts -- is now focusing on retaking opposition-held parts of Homs.

Under Russian mediation, a short-term cease-fire was declared in the area but it expired on April 22.

In peace talks in Astana in May 2017, Homs was declared a de-escalation zone by the guarantor states Turkey, Russia and Iran.

According to UN officials, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict that began in 2011 while millions more have been forced to flee their homes.

Reporting by Mohamad Misto and Ayse Dogru; Writing by Meryem Goktas