Syrian government jets reportedly carried out further airstrikes that hit civilian targets, just hours after a UN official condemned an air raid that killed as many as 100 people on Sunday.
The UN's humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said attacks on civilians were "unlawful, unacceptable and must stop", stating he was "particularly appalled" by an air raid in Douma on Sunday.
However, Douma was reportedly struck by air strikes again on Monday.
Sunday’s attack also faced condemnation from the United States with State Department spokesman John Kirby saying they “demonstrate the regime’s disregard for human life”. “As we have said, Assad has no legitimacy to lead the Syrian people,” he said, adding the United States supported a “political transition away from Assad that brings an end to such attacks and leads to a future that fulfils Syrians’ aspirations for freedom and dignity”.
Recent government strikes on civilian targets have also been criticised by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), who reported air strikes in and around hospital sites earlier this month killing 31 people.
“These recent attacks are a clear violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits military attacks on hospitals,” said Sylvain Groulx, MSF’s head of mission for Syria. “Air strikes are capable of targeting specific buildings and these hospitals are known locations. They must be respected as neutral spaces where civilians can safely access their right to healthcare services.”
The UN's humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said attacks on civilians were "unlawful, unacceptable and must stop", stating he was "particularly appalled" by an air raid in Douma on Sunday.
However, Douma was reportedly struck by air strikes again on Monday.
Sunday’s attack also faced condemnation from the United States with State Department spokesman John Kirby saying they “demonstrate the regime’s disregard for human life”. “As we have said, Assad has no legitimacy to lead the Syrian people,” he said, adding the United States supported a “political transition away from Assad that brings an end to such attacks and leads to a future that fulfils Syrians’ aspirations for freedom and dignity”.
Recent government strikes on civilian targets have also been criticised by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), who reported air strikes in and around hospital sites earlier this month killing 31 people.
“These recent attacks are a clear violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits military attacks on hospitals,” said Sylvain Groulx, MSF’s head of mission for Syria. “Air strikes are capable of targeting specific buildings and these hospitals are known locations. They must be respected as neutral spaces where civilians can safely access their right to healthcare services.”