More than 235,000 flee northwest Syria flare-up: UN

More than 235,000 people have fled Idlib region over past two weeks, UN said Friday, amid heightened regime and Russian attacks on Syria's last major opposition bastion.

mass displacement between 12 and 25 December has left violence-plagued Maaret al-Numan region in sourn Idlib "almost empty", UN said in a statement.

Since mid-December, Russian-backed regime forces have pressed with an assault on jihists in sourn Idlib, despite an August ceasefire deal and calls for a de-escalation from Turkey, France and United Nations.

increased air strikes came as Russian-backed regime forces vance on ground.

y have since December 19 seized dozens of towns and vills from jihist amid clashes that have killed hundreds on both sides.

bombardment and clashes have amplified displacement from Maaret al-Numan and nearby town Saraqeb in sourn Idlib region, UN said.

"People from Saraqab and its eastern countryside are w fleeing in anticipation of fighting directly affecting ir communities next," a statement said.

Idlib is dominated by country's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, whose chief this week urged jihists and allied rebels to he to frontlines and battle " Russian occupiers" and regime.

region hosts some three million people, including many displaced by years of violence in or parts of Syria.

Damascus regime, which w controls 70 per cent of Syria, has repeatedly vowed to take back area.

Backed by Moscow, Damascus launched a blistering offensive against Idlib in April, killing around 1,000 civilians and displacing more than 400,000 people.

Despite a ceasefire anunced in August, bombardment has continued, prompting Turkey this week to press for a fresh ceasefire deal during talks in Moscow.

France on Tuesday called for an "an immediate de-escalation", warning of deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it began with anti-government demonstrations brutally crushed by security forces. (AFP) SCY

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