Dallas, Texas- At 11:30 am Damascus time today, August 21, the Telmnes Hospital in Maarat Al Nouman in Idlib, Syria, was targeted by four airstrikes causing significant damage to the facility and killing one patient. This marks the 47th medical facility to be bombed since April 28.
Since April 28, 2019:
- More than 811 civilians have been killed including at least 218 children and 179 women.
- Over 1800 civilians have have been injured.
- Over 540,000 people have been internally displaced in North Western Syria.
- At least 47 medical facilities have been bombed and 30 aid workers have been killed.
- Five ambulances were hit by different airstrikes while serving patients, killing eight staff.
In the strongest terms, UOSSM condemns the continuous bombing of civilian areas, schools, hospitals and other medical infrastructure. UOSSM calls for the immediate investigation into these attacks and for perpetrators to be held accountable for war crimes. Today also marks the anniversary of the Ghouta chemical weapons attack on August 21, 2013, that killed over 1,000 people.
Dr. Khaula Sawah, Vice President of UOSSM USA said, "It is terrifying to think what could happen if the world continues to allow these war crimes to go unpunished. With over 3.5 million innocent lives at stake, the international community must come together to prevent a genocide. The world has failed the Syrian people as they have been bombed, gased, mutilated and maimed for over eight years with nothing more than condemnations. They are human beings and deserve the right to live and deserve the world to take a stand for them. We are calling out, pleading, to anyone with a heart and conscience to stand up for these people and stop the atrocities before it is too late."
*Numbers are constantly changing due to situation on the ground.
