UN Seeks Russia’s Clarification over Targeting Hospitals in Syria
North-Press Agency
The United Nations Humanitarian Affairs official said on Tuesday that he had acquired Russia’s clarification on how it used the related documents on Syrian clinics and hospitals in Idlib.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock informed the Security Council that he was “not sure” that the hospitals which share location coordinates within the UN “deconfliction” system would be protected.
According to the United Nations, more than 23 hospitals have been bombed since the Syrian government forces have launched their offensive on Syrian opposition-held Idlib, in late April.
“I’ve written to the Russian Federation to request information on how the provided details through the deconfliction mechanism are used.” Lowcock briefed to the Security Council.
However, Russia has strongly denied that the bombing campaign targeted hospitals in Idlib region, insisting that the military operation is aimed at expelling “terrorists” from the region, which is included in the agreement of the de-escalation zones, that was reached last year between Russia, Iran, and Turkey.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham HTS, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, which is designated on the United Nations’ list of terrorism, controls most of Idlib governorate, as well as parts of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia governorates.