Children among dozens dead in missile attacks on schools and hositals medical facilities
Close to 50 civilians have been killed and many more wounded in missile attacks on at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.
UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said that victims of the attacks included children.
He quoted the secretary-general when he called the attacks "blatant violations of international laws" that "are further degrading an already devastated health care system and preventing access to education in Syria".
Mr Haq quoted Mr Ban as saying the attacks "cast a shadow on commitments" made by nations seeking to end the Syrian conflict at a conference in Munich on February 11, which included a cessation of hostilities within a week and an end to attacks on civilians.
According to Médecins Sans Frontières, at least seven people were killed, and at least eight are missing, presumed dead, after a MSF-supported hospital in Idlib province in northern Syria was destroyed in an attack this morning.
The charity stated that hospital in Ma’arat Al Numan was hit by four missiles in two attacks within a few minutes of each other, according to staff from the hospital.
Around 15 other houses and structures located in populated zones were struck in the area, including reports of another non-MSF-supported hospital during the morning.
“The destruction on the MSF supported facility appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure”, denounces Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF’s Head of Mission.
Five patients were killed, as well as one caretaker. In addition, a hospital guard was killed and eight members of staff are missing, presumed dead. Other patients are still missing, but their numbers are currently unknown.
“The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict,” Massimiliano said.
