Syrian Crisis: Airstrikes targeted hospital in Idlib, 10 died

Syrian Crisis: Airstrikes targeted hospital in Idlib, 10 died
A civil defence member runs near an ambulance after an airstrike on a hospital in the town of Meles, western Idlib city in rebel-held Idlib province, Syria August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah

At least 10 people, including three children and four women, have been killed in airstrikes on a hospital in northwestern Syria’s rebel-held Idlib province.

Activists said Saturday’s raids had also left many in critical condition.

“Destruction is everywhere. This hospital has been targeted with four consecutive air strikes,” he said, adding that rescue teams continued the search for survivors.

Humanitarian groups have repeatedly called for a halt to strikes on medical facilities.

Syrian opposition groups say Syrian and Russian forces deliberately target medical buildings.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) also reported the airstrikes, saying it was not yet clear whether Russians or Assad regime jets had targeted the hospital

“The hospital now is completely out of service. According to doctors working in it, the hospital used to serve 70,000 people in this area,” said an activist.

“This is not the only hospital targeted by regime and Russian airstrikes today.

“They also targeted a hospital in Sarmin [also in Idlib province] and it is now out of service. Other hospitals have been targeted in the last few days.”

Hospitals in Syrian, espicially in Idlib, have always been a target for Assad regime’s and its allies airstrikes.

Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), the medical charity, said that July was the worst month for attacks on medical centres since the beginning of Syria’s five-year-old conflict.

“There were 43 attacks on healthcare facilities in Syria in July – more than one attack every day,” a SAMS statement said.

Men inspect rubble after an airstrike on a hospital in the town of Meles, western Idlib city in rebel-held Idlib province, Syria August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah
Men inspect rubble after an airstrike on a hospital in the town of Meles, western Idlib city in rebel-held Idlib province, Syria August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah
Men and civil defence members look for survivors after an airstrike on a hospital in the town of Meles, western Idlib city in rebel-held Idlib province, Syria August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah
Men and civil defence members look for survivors after an airstrike on a hospital in the town of Meles, western Idlib city in rebel-held Idlib province, Syria August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah