SYRIA: Urgent Calls for a Ceasefire Following New Wave of Violence and Deaths of at Least Six Children

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Oct. 6, 2023)—At least six children died in an attack on a military academy in Homs yesterday that killed more than 100 people, as violence escalates across Syria, said Save the Children.

Waves of attacks across Northeast and Northwest Syria this week led to the reported deaths of at least 13 civilians and damages to critical civilian infrastructure, including a school supported by Save the Children.

Rasha Muhrez, Save the Children’s Syria Response Director said:

“There is no safe place for children in Syria, and the little remaining hope for peace is diminishing. This violence must stop now. All parties must de-escalate and cease hostilities without delay. To continue to escalate violence risks killing or injuring children, forcing them to leave their homes, or leaving them without access to food and water and disrupting their education. This jeopardizes the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance and any efforts towards meeting basic needs amidst limited resources.

“All parties to the conflict must make every effort to protect children and their families from further harm.

“After more than 12 years of conflict, Syria’s children deserve the chance at a safer, brighter future. All parties must refrain from further violence and commit to a genuine, meaningful political process to bring an end to this conflict and guarantee children’s futures.”

Save the Children has been working in Syria since 2012, reaching over five million people, including more than three million children across the country. Save the Children’s programming combines emergency and lifesaving interventions with early recovery activities that support the restoration of basic services, including child protection, education, emergency response, food security and livelihoods, water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as health and nutrition.  

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