The Guardian | Simon Tisdall: With husbands, sons and fathers dead or missing, women have been unwittingly thrust into the spotlight. Their resilience and innovation could point a way forward

The plight of approximately three million civilians�encircled by hostile forces in Syria�s north-western Idlib province�is growing worse by the day, according to UN officials, aid agencies and advocacy groups who fear a looming humanitarian catastrophe.

For many Syrian families, Idlib is the refuge of last resort, after their forced displacement from homes in other parts of the country. But it also risks becoming a sanctuary without exits � what activists have termed a �kill-box� from which there is no escape. The Syrian army, backed by Russian and Iranian forces, is entrenched to the south and east.

The route north is blocked by Turkish forces occupying Syria�s Afrin region. Along with Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels, they have seized a crescent-shaped area around Idlib. The Turks last week set up �observation posts� ringing the province. For this reason, many refugees from the Damascus area have instead fled south to the rebel enclave in Dara�a. But a fresh government offensive is also feared there.

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