NGO condemns Turkish airstrikes on healthcare centers in Syria’s Kobani
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Doctors of the World UK condemned on Monday Turkish indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure in north and northeast Syria, saying that these practices violate international humanitarian law. The organization called for the protection of healthcare infrastructure and health workers in this region.
Turkish drone attacks have rendered the health center in the city of Kobani, north Syria, unusable, “where Doctors of the World have been working since 2020, caring for over 110,000 people.” As a result of the attacks, significant damage has occurred to the infrastructure of the health center, according to Doctors of the World.
Doctors of the World UK is the UK chapter of the global Médecins du Monde network, an international human rights organization made up of 17 chapters around the world working on both domestic and international health projects.
Healthcare facilities in the areas held by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) are not exempt from Turkish strikes, the matter raises concerns for the population that nowhere in Northeast Syria is safe. Frequently, Turkey launches airstrikes and drone attacks against the AANES-held areas, targeting oil fields, power installations, and other facilities. This includes healthcare facilities that previously provided services for civilians.
In late 2023, Turkey targeted several vital healthcare facilities in north and northeast Syria, including kidney dialysis center and the USAID-supported oxygen tank factory in Qamishli. The Turkish strikes also hit Meshtanour clinic in the city of Kobani, and Covid-19 Hospital in the countryside of Derik (al-Malikiyah) in the far northeast Syria. Under the Geneva Convention, attacks on hospitals are strictly prohibited.
Drone attacks have also rendered the Meshtaneur health center in Kobanî unusable, where we have been operating since 2020, providing services to over 110,000 people. While there have been no injuries, significant damage to our infrastructure has occurred.
Healthcare, mental health and psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive health, including a delivery room, pharmacy, warehouse, and waiting room have been affected by the Turkish strikes.
“All medical equipment, medications, vaccines, consumables, hygiene materials, furniture, and tools, as well as mental health and psychosocial support equipment, including a children’s area, have been destroyed,” according to the organization.
Such attacks worsen the living conditions of the Syrian population and IDPs, impacting their access to fundamental human rights, especially the right to health, according to the source.
“Our organization’s teams on the ground witness the rapid spread of epidemics such as cholera, measles, leishmaniasis, unknown acute respiratory infections, among others, affecting thousands of people in Syria,” Nicolás Dotta, General Director of Doctors of the World Spain said.