Another tragedy of refugees in Syria

At least seven children – including a seven-months-old baby died from freezing in Idlib, according to Hurras Network, a Save the Children’s partner. Idlib province, in north-west Syria, is the last Syrian rebel-held area, from where rebels and jihadist groups are trying to overthrow Syrian President Assad since 2011.

In the last weeks, Syrian forces, backed by Russia and Iran, are trying to recapture the area by an intensive aerial bombardment and the Turkish-backed groups are trying to regain control. The battle for Idlib has forced thousands of families to flee their homes, creating one of the last humanitarian crises of the Syrian war, according to the United Nations.

Since December 1, 2019, some 900,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Idlib, according to UN, what describes it as “the largest exodus of civilians since World War II” and 300 civilians have been killed in attacks. Camps are full, and some families are sleeping outside in sub-zero temperatures, according to Al Jazeera.

On February 11, a wife and a husband, their 12-year-old daughter and their three-year-old granddaughter, were found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning as they tried to heat their makeshift tent in the village of Killi, in Idlib. Recently, two sisters, 4 and 3, died when their tent burned down and their pregnant mother suffered burns.