Texas- On March 13, attacks in the Idlib City region, in Syria killed at least 14 civilians. On March 9, at 7:50 pm, a hospital in Saraqeb, Idlib was directly hit by an airstrike resulting in significant damage to the east wing. The hospital provides an average of 5,800 outpatient consultations, 500 inpatient admissions and 225 child births per month. The hospital was evacuated before the strike and no casualties were reported. A blood bank and the Saraqeb Ambulance System (supported by UOSSM) were also hit by an airstrike causing structural damage.
UOSSM denounces attacks on medical facilities, ambulances, schools and all civilian infrastructure in Idlib. These attacks constitute a direct violation of International Law and the resolutions set out by the UN Security Council on Syria. The attacks are occurring in the demilitarized zone which is densely populated with civilians and many IDPs (internally displaced persons). UOSSM demands all actors in the conflict respect international law and value the lives of the families, women and children in the region.
Dr. Khaula Sawah, Vice President of UOSSM USA said, “It is deeply disturbing to hear of the rising number of deaths of civilians and an increased number of attacks on medical facilities once again. Civilians are being attacked; if hospitals are put out of service there will be nowhere for them to turn. How many more lives have to be lost for responsible parties to finally take action and put an end to the violence? Attacking a hospital is a war crime plain and simple. This must be stopped now.”
