UN alarmed over civilian plight in Idlib

The United Nations is "very alarmed about the safety and protection of over three million civilians in Idlib and its surrounding areas in  Syria," a spokesman told reporters in New York on Thursday.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, was speaking following reports of heavy airstrikes and shelling in northwestern Syria.

According to the UN, hostilities are now approaching densely populated areas - such as Idlib city and Bab al-Hawa border crossing, which has among the highest concentration of displaced civilians in northwest Syria and also serves as a humanitarian lifeline.

"A massive cross-border operation in the northwest of the country is currently underway to assist civilians as needs are growing," Dujarric said.