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Russia rejects Syria war crimes claim over hospital attacks Russia rejects Syria war crimes claim over hospital attacks
(35 minutes later)
Russia says it "categorically rejects" accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria.Russia says it "categorically rejects" accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "those who make such statements are not capable of backing them up with proof".Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "those who make such statements are not capable of backing them up with proof".
Up to 50 people were killed in missile attacks on schools and at least four hospitals in the region on Monday. Up to 50 people were killed in missile attacks on at least four hospitals and two schools in rebel-held areas of northern Syria on Monday.
The UN said the "deliberate" targeting of such facilities "could amount to war crimes", the Reuters news agency reported. The UN said the "deliberate" targeting of such facilities "could amount to war crimes", according to Reuters.
Turkey's foreign ministry has blamed Russia for the attacks.Turkey's foreign ministry has blamed Russia for the attacks.
A Turkish official on Tuesday said it would back a ground operation in Syria but only "with our international allies.A Turkish official on Tuesday said it would back a ground operation in Syria but only "with our international allies.
"There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," the unnamed official told reporters in Istanbul."There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," the unnamed official told reporters in Istanbul.
Ceasefire doubtsCeasefire doubts
Monday's strikes struck two hospitals and two schools in Azaz, near the border with Turkey, and at least two hospitals in Maarat al-Numan, further south.Monday's strikes struck two hospitals and two schools in Azaz, near the border with Turkey, and at least two hospitals in Maarat al-Numan, further south.
One of the hospitals in Maarat al-Numan was run by Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which called the attack a "deliberate" strike.One of the hospitals in Maarat al-Numan was run by Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which called the attack a "deliberate" strike.
The strikes came days after world powers - including Russia - agreed to work towards a selective truce in Syria, due to begin later this week.The strikes came days after world powers - including Russia - agreed to work towards a selective truce in Syria, due to begin later this week.
The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is in the capital, Damascus, to discuss the implementation of the "cessation of hostilities" - which could include the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged areas. The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met Syria's foreign minister on Tuesday to discuss one of the key priorities of the truce - "unhindered humanitarian access to all besieged areas".
But Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has cast doubt over the plan, saying it did not mean all the parties would put down their weapons. However, there was no word on when aid convoys might reach besieged areas.
Earlier, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad cast doubt over the "cessation of hostilities" plan, saying it 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 his first comments of Friday's agreement. "Who is capable of gathering all these conditions and requirements within a week?""So far they say they want a ceasefire within a week," he said in his first comments of Friday's agreement. "Who is capable of gathering all these conditions and requirements within a week?"
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.
What does the law say about bombing hospitals?What does the law say about bombing hospitals?