Violence Returns as Medical and Civil Centers Targeted; Three Killed and Several Wounded

Washington DC- Violence returned in the areas of southern Idlib and northern Hama as several medical/civil facilities were attacked. Two paramedics and a female custodian were killed and several others were wounded.
At 11 a.m. Damascus time, the Hand in Hand Hospital (formerly Orient Hospital) in Kafr Nabl was attacked and put out of service. The hospital sustained major damage and people near the hospital were wounded.
At around the same time, the Al-Rahma Hospital in Khan Sheikhoun was hit by airstrikes and put out of service. Several staff and patients were wounded, three ambulances and a diesel generator were destroyed.
At approximately noon Damascus time, Al-Tuh Maternity Hospital, southeast of Maarat al Nouman, was attacked and put out of service. The pediatric and women’s departments were hit resulting in one female custodian killed and several others were wounded.
Two paramedics from Shamuna Ambulance Systems were killed in attacks on three ambulance systems, while caring for the wounded; A primary healthcare center was also attacked wounding several people. In addition, three civil defense centers were attacked, as the White Helmets were working to rescue and save victims.
Dr. Khaula Sawah, co-founder of UOSSM USA said, “It is unacceptable to attack hospitals and civilian areas, we again must call on the international community to ensure international laws are observed and all medical staff and facilities are protected. For any peace agreements to maintain credibility, the attacks on civilians and aid workers must stop and perpetrators must be held accountable for these crimes.”
The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations strongly condemns attacks on medical facilities, medical staff, and civilians. UOSSM calls on the international community to put an immediate end to these attacks.