The photo (too graphic to show) shows the gravity of the situation, as the once bustling area in Aleppo, with more than 2,000,000 citizens, is almost completely shut off to the entire world with the remaining 300,000 civilians caught in the relentless crossfire of barrel and cluster bomb missiles, and almost a complete standstill of medical and humanitarian aid; the death toll is rising every day.
Targeting of medical facilities is on the rise, many targeted and hit numerous times to inflict the highest amount of damage possible. Yesterday an autopsy lab was bombed and damaged injuring one doctor. On Tuesday July 19, the M10 Hospital, which handled 25% of patients in Aleppo was bombed and shut down due to the extent of damage, an ambulance was also completely destroyed. On Thursday July 14, another major hospital, the M2 was also bombed and put out of service.
Dr. Aziz, an UOSSM General Surgeon in Aleppo said, “Doctors in Aleppo are overwhelmed and depressed. They are trapped in the hospitals and work 18 hour days, with the closing of M2 the medical system is near its breaking point.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) says there have been repeated attacks on over 80 medical facilities and 81 medical staff were killed in the first half of 2016.
“The constant targeting of medical facilities and civilian areas is an irrefutable crime against humanitarian law, as stated in UNSC 2139 that indicates protection of civil objects, like hospitals,” said Dr. Khaula Sawah, CEO of UOSSM USA. Dr. Sawah added, “The grasp is getting tighter on Aleppo, we are already experiencing terrible difficulty and hardship trying to provide medical care and supplies to the almost besieged city of Aleppo, we are calling on all international authorities to put an end to this bloodshed and to allow humanitarians to do their job and provide medical supplies, care and relief.”
