The UN humanitarian wing on Tuesday voiced its concern at the deteriorating situation in northwestern Syria, saying that the new round of fighting has led to "numerous civilian deaths and injuries."
"The (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA) says that the humanitarian situation in Idleb, northwestern Syria, is deteriorating," said Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing here.
The fighting between the government of Syria and non-state armed groups, which escalated on March 24, has led to the displacement of some 30,000 people, along with the numerous civilian deaths and injuries.
The UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Syria, Yacoub El Hillo, said that he is "gravely concerned by the ongoing fighting taking place in Idleb governorate and its possible impact on hundreds of thousands of civilians."
While pointing to the dire situation in Idleb, where there are power shortages, schools and hospitals, as well as many shops are closed, the coordinator called on all parties to this conflict to adhere to their obligations to protect civilians and all humanitarian personnel under international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Most of Idleb's population, estimated at 500,000 people, have remained in the city.
"However, should the fighting continue to intensify, the UN and partners are worried that large scale displacement could take place towards neighbouring governorates and across the border to Turkey," Haq warned.