Highlights
Approximately 12,733 people have been displaced in Lattakia since mid-November.
Since 24 January, approximately 1,200 of these people have fled from Yamadiya towards Jisr al-Shagour and Kharbat al-Joz in Idleb governorate while hundreds of people crossing into Turkey on a daily basis.
Amidst intensified fighting, protection of civilians remains the major concern and NGO partners are suspending humanitarian activities including operation of hospitals.
Intense Fighting Prompts Displacement in Northern Lattakia
Throughout the months of December 2015 and January 2016 Government of Syria (GoS) and allied forces undertook a sustained and intense aerial campaign, combined with military ground offensives, against non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in and around villages and towns in Jabal Turkman and Jabal Akrad in Lattakia governorate. Approximately 300 air raids were conducted over the same period. In January, GoS forces took control of several towns around the M4 highway, including Salma and Rabia towns.
As a consequence of the escalation in fighting, at least 12,733 civilians have been displaced from towns along the M4 highway towards camps and towns adjacent to the Turkish border including Kharbet al-Joz and Jisr al-Shagour.
Many households fled through cold January weather to reach safe and secure areas. Many IDPs have established makeshift shelters around Yamadiya border crossing. Hundreds of people are crossing into Turkey with numbers averaging 250 per day as of 29 and 30 January..
After GoS and allied forces took control of Rabia town on 24 January, at least 1,200 people (200 households) fled Yamadia in search of safety and shelter. Most IDPs moved towards Ain al-Bayda, Jisr al-Shaugour, Kharbet al-Joz and Hambusyiha towns. As of 28 January, approximately 500 people are reported to have gathered near the Yamadia border crossing. Two hospitals in Salma and Rabia suspended operations as a result of fighting in December and January. Local sources expect that if GoS and allied forces advance towards Kensaba town and along the Turkish border, more civilians are likely to be displaced to Idleb and to crossing points along the Turkish border.
There are protection concerns for many of the communities living in northern Lattakia due to their close proximity to the ongoing hostilities, especially for those who have remained in Obein town and the Marj al Zawiyeh area. The majority of GoS and allied forces-led airstrikes have impacted on rural towns that had been relatively safe, which is why people from these communities are now being displaced in large numbers.
A small number of humanitarian organizations operate in Yamadia and Rabia and some suspended their activities in Rabia earlier in the month due to the escalation in fighting. While some organizations continue their operations in Yamadia, others report they are considering relocation of their humanitarian programmes and facilities. One NGO partner reported that it suspended activities in two hospitals one in Yamadia and one in Obein while other partners announced that further suspensions are being considered due to ongoing shelling. One NGO will offer medical services in a new field hospital in Kharbat al-Joz along the Turkish border.