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Syria crisis: Strikes on hospitals 'war crimes' | Syria crisis: Strikes on hospitals 'war crimes' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
France and Turkey have said that air strikes on hospitals in northern Syria constitute war crimes. | France and Turkey have said that air strikes on hospitals in northern Syria constitute war crimes. |
Up to 50 people have been killed in missile attacks on schools and hospitals in the region, the UN said. | Up to 50 people have been killed in missile attacks on schools and hospitals in the region, the UN said. |
Turkey's foreign ministry blamed Russia for the attacks. Moscow is yet to respond to the allegations. | Turkey's foreign ministry blamed Russia for the attacks. Moscow is yet to respond to the allegations. |
Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has cast doubt over plans to implement a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria. | Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has cast doubt over plans to implement a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria. |
Last week world powers agreed to work towards a selective truce in Syria, to begin later this week. | Last week world powers agreed to work towards a selective truce in Syria, to begin later this week. |
But in his first comments on the announcement, President Assad said such a ceasefire did not mean all the parties would put down their weapons. | But in his first comments on the announcement, President Assad said such a ceasefire did not mean all the parties would put down their weapons. |
"So far they say they want a ceasefire within a week," he said in televised comments. | "So far they say they want a ceasefire within a week," he said in televised comments. |
"Who is capable of gathering all these conditions and requirements within a week?" | "Who is capable of gathering all these conditions and requirements within a week?" |
The UN said the series of raids in northern Syria "cast a shadow" on the prospects for a cessation. | The UN said the series of raids in northern Syria "cast a shadow" on the prospects for a cessation. |
At least 12 people were killed in Azaz and the surrounding area, with two hospitals and two schools reportedly hit. | At least 12 people were killed in Azaz and the surrounding area, with two hospitals and two schools reportedly hit. |
In Maarat al-Numan, in Idlib province, a hospital run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF ) was reduced to rubble. | In Maarat al-Numan, in Idlib province, a hospital run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF ) was reduced to rubble. |
Seven people were killed and another eight are still missing the medical charity said, calling it a "deliberate" attack. | Seven people were killed and another eight are still missing the medical charity said, calling it a "deliberate" attack. |
What does the law say about bombing hospitals? | What does the law say about bombing hospitals? |
Mego Terzian, president of MSF France, told Reuters "either the [Syrian] government or Russia" was responsible. | Mego Terzian, president of MSF France, told Reuters "either the [Syrian] government or Russia" was responsible. |
But the Syrian ambassador to Moscow Riad Haddad, said the US was to blame, a claim the Pentagon dismissed as "patently false". | But the Syrian ambassador to Moscow Riad Haddad, said the US was to blame, a claim the Pentagon dismissed as "patently false". |
"We have no reason to strike in Idlib, as Isil (so-called Islamic State) is not active there," spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said. | "We have no reason to strike in Idlib, as Isil (so-called Islamic State) is not active there," spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said. |
A second hospital in Maarat al-Numan was also hit, killing three people, activists said. | A second hospital in Maarat al-Numan was also hit, killing three people, activists said. |
'Obvious war crimes' | 'Obvious war crimes' |
The US - like the UN - has not directly identified who was responsible for the air strikes - but was strongly critical of the latest violence. | |
"That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks... casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people," the State Department said. | |
France said it condemned the bombing of the MSF clinic in the strongest terms, with Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault saying such acts "constitute war crimes". | France said it condemned the bombing of the MSF clinic in the strongest terms, with Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault saying such acts "constitute war crimes". |
Turkey called the attacks "obvious" war crimes. Relations between Turkey and Russia are badly strained, with the pair on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict. | Turkey called the attacks "obvious" war crimes. Relations between Turkey and Russia are badly strained, with the pair on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict. |
Russia has been backing the Syrian government in its offensive against rebels but says it only targets what it calls "terrorists". | Russia has been backing the Syrian government in its offensive against rebels but says it only targets what it calls "terrorists". |
Meanwhile, Kurdish forces have captured the town of Tal Rifaat from Islamist rebels in northern Syria, the UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. | |
This was despite three days of shelling from Turkey, which views the YPG militia in Syria as allied to the outlawed PKK, which has carried out a decades-long campaign for autonomy in Turkey. | This was despite three days of shelling from Turkey, which views the YPG militia in Syria as allied to the outlawed PKK, which has carried out a decades-long campaign for autonomy in Turkey. |
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu promised the "harshest reaction" if Kurdish forces tried to take nearby Azaz. | Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu promised the "harshest reaction" if Kurdish forces tried to take nearby Azaz. |
The militia has taken advantage of the chaotic situation to extend its territory near the border, just as a Syrian government offensive threatens to surround Aleppo further south. | The militia has taken advantage of the chaotic situation to extend its territory near the border, just as a Syrian government offensive threatens to surround Aleppo further south. |
The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is in the Syrian capital Damascus as part of his effort to restart peace talks. | The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is in the Syrian capital Damascus as part of his effort to restart peace talks. |
Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. More than 11 million people have been displaced. | Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. More than 11 million people have been displaced. |