The Syrian American Council condemns airstrikes by Russian and Assad forces on at least 4 different medical facilities in northern Syria on Tuesday, in flagrant violation of a “de-escalation zone.” The airstrikes included targeted attacks on a surgical hospital and civil defense center in Kafranbel town, the Rahma Hospital in Khan Sheikhoun town, and a maternity hospital in Tah town, with deaths reported among the maternity patients. All attacks were in flagrant violation of a Russian-declared “de-escalation zone” in Idlib and northern Hama meant to reduce civilian casualties.

SEE: 
Damage inside surgical hospital of Kafranbel townhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3zsuyum6QQ
Ruins of Rahma Hospital in Khan Sheikhoun townhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_GaDzoTnHs
Damage inside maternity hospital in Tah town https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25&v=1Jjim7_908c

Tuesday’s attacks are not the first time Russia or the regime have violated a de-escalation zone. The attacks come just days after Russian forces violated deconfliction agreements with the U.S. and nearly killed U.S. service members during air raids against the Syrian Democratic Forces. Assad regime forces have also carried out regular bombardments and ground offensives on Eastern Ghouta, a besieged area that is also a Russian-declared “de-escalation zone,” without facing any penalties from the international community.

“Bashar al-Assad and Russia have shown that they are not reliable partners in concluding international agreements or completing violence reduction measures,” said Mirna Barq, President of the Syrian American Council. “President Trump must begin imposing penalties on the Assad regime for violating ceasefires in order for Syria to have peace.”