Buildings in the Syrian village of Ahzano have been reduced to rubble, and smoke blackens the sky.

Amateur video footage obtained by Reuters shows the aftermath of an attack on the village by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Ahzano is around 13 kilometres from the northwestern city of Idlib, and is home to some 5-6000 people.

Residents here are digging graves for the four people killed in the attack.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement strongly condemning the latest escalation of violence in Syria and demanding that President Assad abide by his agreement to halt military operations.

Nick Rowlands, Reuters.