Once again, Russian warplanes have targeted medical facilities in Syria, striking the National and Ibn Sina hospitals in the city of Idleb on Monday.
At least 23 people were killed and 35 were injured as the result of the Russian raids against different parts of Idleb province, including the two hospitals.
Russian air strikes have targeted hospitals in opposition-controlled areas like Aleppo, Idleb, Lattakia and Daraa since the start of their eight-month aerial campaign. Since entering the Syrian war on September 30, 2015, Russia’s warplanes have targeted 24 hospitals, completely destroying 11 of them.
Strikes included the targeting of two Doctors Without Borders (MSF) field hospitals, in Maarat al-Numan and northeast Lattakia, and the al-Watan and Orient hospitals in Jisr al-Shughur, as well as the Saida and al-Gharia hospitals in the eastern countryside of Daraa.
The MSF-backed Al-Quds Hospital in Aleppo that was bombed on April 27 was also targeted by Russia. The hospital was completely destroyed, killing 30 people and injuring 62 others.
Russia’s increased overflights have forced seven hospitals in Daraa to close their doors for security reasons.
The targeting of hospitals and medical centers in Syria has placed great pressure on field hospitals as they face large admittance numbers and occasional air strikes themselves.
Local sources said that many doctors and volunteers have been killed during the raids, yet some continue to offer services in field hospitals in spite of the dangers.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
