Idlib civilians prepare bomb shelters in fear of Syrian regime air attacks

Civilians in Idlib are preparing makeshift bomb shelters across the province as residents brace themselves for an anticipated Russian-backed Syrian regime offensive.

Some three million people live in the area and the United Nations has warned that a full-scale regime assault could spark the century's worst humanitarian catastrophe.

The regime's use of air raids across Syria has sent residents fleeing to basements or caves, even forcing hospitals, community centres and schools to move underground.

Residents' fears have been heightened by Russian and Syria air strikes, artillery fire and barrel bombs that have killed dozens in Idlib province in the past month.

"About 10 days ago, we started digging out, expanding, and equipping the cave in case there's new bombing," said Abdulmonem Sheikh Jassem, a 55-year-old former truck driver.

The cave opening, in the town of Kafr Ain, has saved his family before from Russian and regime air strikes.

Two years ago, Jassem and his family rushed to the very same cave to hide from an incoming regime helicopter.

"Our house was demolished but we were in the cave, thank God, so no one was wounded or hurt," he said.

"I'm the most scared for my children [....] fear is normal for those who have a family."

Medics in rural parts of Idlib have also moved underground. 

On 8 September, an underground hospital on the outskirts of Hass in the south of the province was damaged by an air strike, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

A recent wave of strikes near the town of Hobeit further south sent Abu Mohammad, his uncle and his young cousins into their homemade bomb shelter, he told AFP. 

The family dug out the large cellar during the early years of Syria's war. The floors and walls have been smoothed over with concrete and painted, and several fluorescent bulbs cast a blue-white light into the room. 

A shelf carved into one wall holds water and jars of pickles and other preserves.

"The bombing got worse on this area because it's close to regime territory in northern Hama province," just south of Idlib, says Abu Mohammad, 25. 

"We had to clean the shelter out again, bring preserves and everything we might need so that we won't have to go back up to the house."

For eight-year-old Omran, a cousin of Abu Mohammad, the most important thing is being able to go to school safely.

The threat of air attacks has prevented children from going to class for more than a week. 

"I have lots of friends who have been wounded and some of them died," said Omran. 

"I want to read, write, and go to school every day." 

The United Nations and non-governmental organisations have repeatedly warned that such an offensive would unleash a "bloodbath" and "humanitarian catastrophe" in Idlib.

The Syrian civil war erupted in 2011, when the Assad regime waged a vicious crackdown on pro-democracy protests that evolved into a complex conflict involving militants and world powers.

It has killed more than 400,000 people and forced millions to flee their homes.