32 People Killed in New Wave of Syrian and Russian Airstrikes on Eastern Aleppo

A new wave of airstrikes by the Syrian and Russian armies on Eastern Aleppo, targeting a children's hospital and a blood bank, has left at least 32 dead so far. According to Reuters, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in London, reported that 21 people were killed in airstrikes on Wednesday alone, including five children and one aid worker. This marks the second day that Eastern Aleppo has been targeted by Russian aircraft and the Syrian army after weeks of calm. Meanwhile, Moscow has denied reports of its fighter jets' involvement in the recent attacks on Eastern Aleppo, claiming adherence to legal deadlines. The bombardment of Eastern Aleppo, which began on Tuesday, ended a several-week halt in Russian airstrikes in this area that had been largely respected by the Syrian army since October 18. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and residents of Aleppo have stated that the eastern part of the city was targeted by missiles fired from fighter jets, while helicopters dropped barrel bombs and Syrian government forces shelled the area. A Civil Defense worker in Eastern Aleppo, which is under rebel control, told Reuters that 'the helicopters do not stop bombing for a moment.' The 'Civil Defense' is an organization composed of volunteer forces or White Helmets operating in rebel-controlled areas, including Aleppo. Reuters adds that Wednesday's bombardment targeted a hospital and a blood bank in the 'Sha'ar' neighborhood and near a school in the Salah al-Din neighborhood. Two ambulances were also set ablaze in these attacks. On Monday and early Tuesday, hospitals in three rebel-controlled cities in Western Aleppo were bombed, halting their operations. The Syrian and Russian armies deny targeting hospitals. The World Health Organization has stated that since Sunday, attacks on five hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib province have been heavy, limiting access to health services in northern Syria. Syrian state television reported on Tuesday that the air force conducted attacks against what it called terrorist-controlled areas in the old part of Aleppo. In this context, the bombardment of rebel positions in Eastern Aleppo resumed after several weeks, and the United Nations condemned the Syrian government's attacks on civilians.