The Humanitarian Action Coordination Office (HAC) in northwestern Syria has issued a strongly worded statement to the United Nations and the UN Security Council, condemning the Assad regime and its Russian allies for escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure and medical facilities in the region. The statement highlights recent airstrikes that targeted the Idlib University Hospital and the Ibn Sina Children’s Hospital, resulting in numerous casualties and disabling critical health services for thousands of civilians.
The statement, released on Tuesday, described the attacks as part of a systematic campaign that violates international law, including Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which mandates the protection of hospitals and health workers during armed conflict. HAC also cited UN Security Council Resolution 2286 (2016), which explicitly condemns attacks on medical facilities and emphasizes the necessity of safeguarding healthcare personnel in conflict zones.
“These attacks, which have been systematically repeated against medical and civilian facilities in northwestern Syria, constitute a clear violation of international law,” the statement read. “The silence surrounding these violations encourages the perpetrators to persist in their actions, pushing civilians into further suffering and displacement.”
The HAC emphasized the increasing severity of the humanitarian crisis in northern Syria, where ongoing airstrikes by Russian-backed Syrian forces have exacerbated civilian suffering. With medical facilities now rendered inoperable, thousands of displaced Syrians are left without access to critical healthcare, compounding the region’s already dire conditions.
The statement concluded with an urgent plea to the international community and the UN Security Council to take immediate and decisive action to protect civilians and prevent further violations. “The protection of civilians and the provision of essential services are a collective responsibility that requires urgent action from the international community,” HAC urged.
This latest appeal comes amid intensified fighting in northern Syria, where revolutionary forces have made significant gains in recent days against the Assad regime. Despite growing international concern, HAC warned that the absence of accountability has emboldened those responsible for targeting civilians, further threatening peace and stability in the region. The HAC’s statement underscores the urgent need for global attention and response to mitigate the devastating impact of the ongoing violence on Syria’s most vulnerable populations.
