The intensifying campaign to retake the country’s last rebel holdout Idlib has triggered a deepening humanitarian crisis and intensifying clashes with Ankara.
The World Health Organization says the violence has forced the closure of 53 medical facilities in northwestern Syria in January, warning of “critical health threats” to fleeing civilians.
The United Nations says nearly a million civilians have been forced from their homes and shelters in less than three months, leaving huge numbers to sleep rough in the bitter cold.
On February 27, jihadists and Turkish-backed rebels re-enter Saraqeb, reversing one of the main gains of the government’s offensive so far.
UN chief Antonio Guterres warns that “the risk of greater escalation grows by the hour” as NATO calls an urgent meeting of its ruling council at the request of Ankara.
