IFRD notes reports that the Syrian army announced the opening of two humanitarian corridors—including the Al-Awarid crossing and the Al-Zohour Street crossing—to facilitate civilian movement out of the affected neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Achrafieh amid renewed hostilities.IFRD acknowledges any practical step that can reduce harm to civilians, provided such corridors are genuinely safe, accessible, and administered in full compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
At the same time, IFRD stresses that the decision to leave or to remain must be voluntary. Reports that civilians refused to leave—for fear, distrust, family circumstances, disability, lack of transport, or other reasons—do not diminish their protected status. Under the Geneva Conventions and customary IHL, all civilians who remain in these neighbourhoods must be protected by all parties without discrimination, and must not be subjected to collective punishment, intimidation, starvation tactics, reprisals, or indiscriminate attack.
Accordingly, IFRD calls on all involved parties to:
- Respect the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions, and refrain from any attack that risks foreseeable civilian harm in dense residential areas.
- Ensure any corridor or evacuation arrangement is safe, clearly communicated, time-sufficient, and non-coercive, and does not result in arbitrary detention, forced disappearance, or retaliation against those who move.
- Guarantee protection for those who remain, including the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities, and ensure safe access to medical care and basic supplies.
- Refrain from using civilians to shield military objectives and investigate credible allegations – by any side – of obstructingcivilian movement or endangering evacuees.
IFRD reiterates: whether civilians leave or stay, their rights and safety remain non-negotiable obligations under IHL.
