Russia Bombs Three Hospitals in Rural Idlib, Bringing Total Number of Bombed Hospitals in April to 11

Press Release

Media Department

Syrian Coalition

April 27, 2017

The Russian air force on Thursday bombed three hospitals in rural Idlib and Rural Damascus with vacuum bombs on Thursday, killing and injuring members of the medical staff as well as patients and civilians. The attacks brought the number of bombed hospitals in April to 11.

According to preliminary information, Russian jets in the early morning hours of Thursday bombed two hospitals in the towns of Maarzeita and Aldair Alsharqi in rural Idlib, putting them out of service. The Russian jets also struck the only remaining field hospital in the town of Jisreen in Rural Damascus on Thursday.

Hospitals and medical facilities have been a constant target for the Assad regime and the Russian occupation forces which significantly intensified their attacks in April. The deliberate, systematic targeting of medical facilities is clearly aimed at killing any semblance of life in the liberated areas. In addition to constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity, these attacks blatantly violates the ceasefire agreement and UN Security Council resolutions 2268 and 2254.

Health and ambulance workers in Idlib province are working in extraordinarily difficult conditions, setting a shining example to the rest of us in dedication and sacrifice. They continue their work despite being fully aware that the world has abandoned them to their fate.

The Syrian Coalition holds both the Assad regime and the Russian and Iranian occupation forces fully responsible for the continuous targeting of hospitals and medical facilities in Syria. It also reminds the international community and humanitarian and legal organizations of their responsibility to put an end to these violations and crimes.

May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.

Long live Syria and the Syrian people, free and with honor.