Russia rejects claims it bombed hospitals in Syria on 15 Feb. "We categorically reject such claims, even more so because each time those who make such claims prove unable somehow to corroborate their unsubstantiated accusations," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to CBC News.
In the border town of Azaz two hospitals, including one for mothers and babies and a school sheltering internally displaced people were bombed killing 34. In Maarat al-Numan, two hospitals, including one supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) were bombed killing at least 12 people. The MSF said its hospital was struck by four missiles through "direct targeting" for over 90 minutes, reports the BBC.
France, Turkey and several other countries have called the strikes war crimes; the Turkish foreign ministry is accusing Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime."
"If Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organisation and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response," said Ahmet Davutoğlu, Turkish Prime Minister, according to The Guardian.
The attacks "could constitute war crimes. Attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately," said Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French foreign minister, reports The Guardian.
"It is certainly a war crime. The Russian air force have now hit 30 hospitals in Syria, of which only one is in an Isil [Islamic State] area. MSF is careful to make clear where their people are on the ground to all the combatants. Everyone knew this is an MSF hospital and undoubtedly this is a breach of international law and the Russians are guilty of that," said Andrew Mitchell, former development secretary of the United Kingdom, to an interview to BBC Radio 4, reports The Guardian.
