Assad & Russia’s Massacres against Civilians in Dara’a Are War Crimes

Press Release

Media Department

Syrian Coalition

May 1, 2017

Assad’s air force, backed by Russian forces, committed a brutal massacre when helicopters of the Assad regime dropped around 15 barrel bombs on residential neighborhoods in Dara’a city on Sunday. The bombing left dozens of civilian casualties, mostly children and women while medical sources indicated that the death toll is likely to rise.

The Syrian Coalition underscores that such massacres constitute war crimes for which Russia and Iran bear much of the responsibility. It is imperative that the international community and the UN Security Council take urgent action to put an end to these crimes and hold the perpetrator to account, most notably the targeting hospitals, medical facilities and populated areas.

This crime, which is part of the brutal escalation by the Assad regime backed by the Russian and Iranian occupation forces, came shortly ahead of the upcoming meetings due to be held in Astana and Geneva. The timing of such crimes raises serious questions about the true intentions of Russia which continues to cover up these crimes despite proclaiming itself a guarantor of the ceasefire agreement. Moreover, these atrocious crimes puts the whole political process at stake.