The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said it had documented 17 attacks on vital civilian centers in October, mostly by the international coalition forces and militia of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). Since March 2011, the Assad regime and Russian forces have systematically and deliberately targeted vital civilian centers in the liberated areas, committing more violations than any other party to the conflict.
In a report released on Sunday, the Network said that the majority of the targeted centers in October were located in the province of Deir Ezzor. It also recorded four attacks on civilian installations in Idlib by unknown parties, three other attacks in Hasakah by the PYD militia and “extremist organizations”, two attacks in Raqqa, and two others in Aleppo, including an attack by the Assad regime forces on a school in the town of Kafar Hamra.
The Network pointed out that the centers included six mosques, five schools, two bakeries, a public park, a IDPs camp, and two services centers. The Network recorded 46 attacks on vital civilian centers last April, 70 percent of which were committed by the Assad regime and Russia and forces.
The monitoring group reported a decrease in attacks on vital civilian centers in October compared to earlier months. Other parties to the conflict also committed similar violations, but to a lesser extent. The Network stressed that these attacks violated Article 52 of the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 stating that: “Attacks shall be limited strictly to military objectives. In so far as objects are concerned, military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose total or partial destruction, capture or neutralization, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military advantage.”
The Syrian Coalition condemned these crimes aimed at causing systematic sabotage and barbaric destruction. It urged the international community and UN Human Rights Council to protect civilians and vital civilian installations as well as to launch investigations into these violations constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
