The Assad regime and Russian forces continue to deploy a policy of systematic and deliberate bombing of hospitals, public markets, and schools in the liberated areas in order to force civilians to agree to evacuation deals whereby they are moved to Idlib province, a rights group said on Wednesday.
In a new report released on Wednesday, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said that “the systematic targeting of medical facilities and staff members by the Assad regime and Russian forces is unparalleled in modern times.” The Network said that Russian jets bombed Aliman Hospital in the town of Sarja last week, putting it out of service and injuring five members of the medical staff.
The SNHR report said the bombed hospital was the only remaining one in the area and used to provide services in internal, general, and orthopedic surgeries to at least 80,000 people in Jabal Alzawiya area of Idlib province.
Director of the hospital, local activists, and journalists confirmed there were not any rebel military positions near the hospital whether before or during the attack.
The Network said that the international community continues to stand idly by as the Assad regime and its allies carry on with the forced mass displacement and demographic change operations in Syria. It stressed that the Assad regime and its Iranian ally see this inaction as a green light to carry on with these policies.
SNHR director Fadel Abdul Ghani said that “there is not the slightest doubt that the Russian forces, with the help of agents of the ground, are deliberately singling out hospitals for bombing. Russia goes further in its war crimes in Syria as it feels assured it will not be held accountable. Moreover, Russia shields the Assad regime against any kind of accountability and encourages it to commit more crimes.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)
