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Syria conflict: Air strike destroys MSF-supported hospital Syria conflict: Air strike destroys MSF-supported hospital
(about 3 hours later)
A hospital in north-west Syria backed by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has been destroyed in an air strike.A hospital in north-west Syria backed by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has been destroyed in an air strike.
The medical charity said eight members of staff were missing after the attack in Maarat al-Numan, but it did not identify who was responsible. The medical organisation said seven people were killed in the attack in Maarat al-Numan and that eight members of staff were missing, presumed dead.
One monitoring group reported that at least nine people were killed and that Russian aircraft had targeted the town. MSF did not say who was responsible, but one monitoring group said Russian aircraft had targeted the town.
The strike comes days after Russia and other world powers agreed to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria.The strike comes days after Russia and other world powers agreed to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria.
More than 250,000 people have died in almost five years of war in Syria.More than 250,000 people have died in almost five years of war in Syria.
Eleven million others have fled their homes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other, as well as jihadist militants from so-called Islamic State (IS).Eleven million others have fled their homes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other, as well as jihadist militants from so-called Islamic State (IS).
Separately on Monday, Turkey issued new threats to Kurdish forces who have made ground in northern Syria, saying it would not allow them to take the key border town of Azaz.
'Deliberate attack''Deliberate attack'
MSF said four rockets hit the hospital in Maarat al-Numan, a rebel-held town about 30km (20 miles) south of the city of Idlib, within minutes of each other on Monday morning. Four rockets hit the hospital in Maarat al-Numan, a rebel-held town about 30km (20 miles) south of the city of Idlib, within minutes of each other on Monday morning.
Eight members of staff at the hospital were currently missing, it added. MSF said five patients were killed, as well as a caretaker and a guard. In addition, eight members of staff are missing, presumed dead.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based group which relies on a network of sources on the ground, said nine people were killed, including a child. The raid also left dozens of others wounded, it added. Other patients were also missing, but their numbers were unknown, MSF added.
"This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms," said Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF's head of mission in Syria."This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms," said Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF's head of mission in Syria.
"The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict.""The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict."
The 30-bed hospital, which MSF had been supporting since September 2015, had 54 staff, two operating theatres, an outpatients department an emergency room.The 30-bed hospital, which MSF had been supporting since September 2015, had 54 staff, two operating theatres, an outpatients department an emergency room.
Syria's health facilities targetedSyria's health facilities targeted
On 5 February, three people were killed and six wounded when an MSF-supported hospital in the southern province of Deraa was hit in an air strike.On 5 February, three people were killed and six wounded when an MSF-supported hospital in the southern province of Deraa was hit in an air strike.
MSF, which operates medical facilities inside Syria and supports directly more than 150 others, said last week that such incidents were further depleting Syria's already exhausted healthcare system and preventing more people from accessing desperately needed medical care.MSF, which operates medical facilities inside Syria and supports directly more than 150 others, said last week that such incidents were further depleting Syria's already exhausted healthcare system and preventing more people from accessing desperately needed medical care.
Since the start of this year alone, 14 health facilities in Syria have been hit, which MSF said confirmed that hospitals and clinics were no longer places where patients could recover in safety.Since the start of this year alone, 14 health facilities in Syria have been hit, which MSF said confirmed that hospitals and clinics were no longer places where patients could recover in safety.
MSF also reiterated that the repeated attacks on medical facilities in the ongoing conflict constituted a flagrant violation of international laws.MSF also reiterated that the repeated attacks on medical facilities in the ongoing conflict constituted a flagrant violation of international laws.