In its most intense bombardment since Russia and Turkey brokered a truce deal to halt violence in the Idlib province, Syrian regime forces shelled on Tuesday the city of Maarat al-Numan, killing and injuring dozens of civilians.
“Eleven people were killed, including a child and woman,” said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group monitoring the war. It added that others were wounded, with some in critical condition.
The shelling is the largest massacre committed by regime since the September 17 truce signed between Russia and Turkey to avert a major regime offensive on Idlib province.
The Syrian Civil Defense also known as the White Helmets said the shelling rocked residential neighborhoods in the town.
The shelling took place as Damascus sent additional military reinforcements to the north of Hama, which is close to Maarat al-Numan.
The Observatory said regime forces brought to the area a military column of more than 35 vehicles, mostly from the 5th Legion, which is supported and armed by Russia, and from the 9th Division with vehicles, weapons, ammunition, soldiers and other military and logistic equipment.
The military convoy arrived to al-Jerniyyeh, Jalmeh and Tal Meleh in the countryside of Hama.
Also, a new column sent from the Brigadier Suhail al-Hassan, aka the “tiger,” arrived to Joureen area in Sahl al-Ghab at the northwestern countryside of Hama.
Meanwhile, Moscow escalated its media campaign against Ankara and said Turkey did not respect its promises to remove extremists from the area.
Separately, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit met on Tuesday with Russia's Envoy to the Middle East Mikhail Bogdanov to tackle regional developments, particularly the issue of Syria’s return to the Arab League.
In the past weeks, Moscow had set the issue of Damascus’ membership at the organization as one of its priorities.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was keen to bring up the issue during all meetings held with his Arab counterparts, asking that the League “correct its mistake”.
The official had embarked last week on a tour of North African states.
The Arab League had suspended Syria's membership in November 2011.
