Russia & Assad Intensify Airstrikes on Idlib, Hit Exam Center

Press Statement

Abdul Ilah Alfahd

Syrian Coalition Secretary General

July 23, 2016

The Assad regime and Russian forces have committed a series of massacres in Idlib city and its countryside over the past three days. Dozens of civilians, including children and women, have been killed in brutal airstrikes launched by the Assad regime and Russian forces that hit the secondary students exams department in Idlib city. Three missiles fired by Assad regime Russian jets landed near an exam center, causing panic amongst students as well as severe damage to the center. Secondary and preparatory education exams were subsequently postponed as a result of the airstrikes that led to the closure of the exams center.

The Syrian Coalition condemns these crimes, especially the ongoing bombardment of residential areas in Idlib which prompted an exodus of civilians to outside the city. The Coalition also condemns the bombing of schools, the building of the Directorate of Education and educational facilities in Idlib.

This campaign of terror is clearly aimed at disrupting every attempt designed to provide education thereby saving the future of Syrian children and offer basic services to civilians in liberated areas.

These barbaric attacks represent a war crime and a violation of the Geneva Convention, especially as they have been perpetrated systematically by the Assad regime in all parts of Syria since the start of the revolution. As part of this policy, the Assad regime deliberately targeted schools, mosques, hospitals, health facilities, warehouses of relief aid, and residential buildings.

This callous disregard for the blood of the Syrian people and the utter silence over the criminal behavior of the Assad regime as well as that of the Russian and Iranian invaders is a shameful stain on humanity and the international community. Failure to unequivocally and openly condemn these crimes is tantamount to explicit support and direct complicity in the shedding of the blood of the Syrian people.