Texas- On May 15 at 2 pm Damascus time, the Tarmala Maternity and Children’s Hospital in South Idlib, Syria was hit by an airstrike and completely destroyed. Due to heavy targeting of medical facilities in the region, the hospital was evacuated ahead of time. No injuries or casualties were reported. This marks the 19 th medical facility bombed in 20 days. The hospital housed many incubators in addition to a dialysis department. The hospital served approximately 6,000 beneficiaries monthly, and its loss is catastrophic for an already crippled medical infrastructure.
Dr. Khaula Sawah, Vice President of UOSSM USA said, “It is bad enough that medical facilities are being targeted but to target a children’s hospital is beyond comprehension. The situation is getting worse by the day, we have reports from the field saying there are well over 350,000 civilians that have been displaced by the recent bombardment. When will the international community finally take a stand and stop turning a blind eye to the atrocities? Targeting medical facilities is a war crime. Targeting innocent civilians is a war crime. This must stop now, over 3 million lives are at stake.”
In the strongest terms, UOSSM condemns the attacks on civilians and medical facilities. UOSSM urges all parties to the conflict to find a peaceful resolution. UOSSM urges the UN Security Council and the international community to implement UNSC Resolution 2286 for the protection of medical facilities and aid workers. We urge the international community to release emergency humanitarian funding for medical aid, shelter, food, water and sanitation.
*Casualty and displacement numbers fluctuate frequently as the conditions change on the ground.
Medical Facilities Attacked:
