Criticism of the 'Bombing' of Aleppo's Major Hospital: 'A War Crime'

Civil activists in rebel-held areas of Aleppo have accused the air force of Bashar al-Assad and his Russian allies of conducting airstrikes on one of the city's main hospitals. France and Germany have criticized these attacks and called for their cessation. The Secretary-General of the United Nations described such attacks as 'war crimes.' According to Reuters, citing several rebels in Aleppo, the M10 hospital in their controlled area has been 'hit by at least seven missiles.' This group of Bashar al-Assad's opponents claims that both Syrian army helicopters using barrel bombs and Russian fighter jets were involved in the attacks. Russia and the Assad government have not yet responded to the published reports. However, a Russian official had previously protested 'against the criticism of Damascus and Moscow for airstrikes on civilians without any investigations being conducted.' One of the staff members at this major hospital in Aleppo told Reuters that its operations have ceased, walls have collapsed, and equipment has been destroyed. An American relief organization also reported that two patients were killed and at least 13 others were injured. In recent weeks, concerns have grown over the depletion of medicine and medical supplies, attacks on medical facilities, and the dwindling number of doctors remaining in the rebel-controlled area, but the bombing of the M10 hospital has sparked a new wave of criticism. Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French Foreign Minister, stated that the airstrike on the hospital constitutes a war crime, and 'the perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions.' The Secretary-General of the United Nations stated that attacks on hospitals are indicative of committing war crimes. Rick Brennan, a spokesman for the World Health Organization, said the situation in Aleppo is 'truly unbelievable.' Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Minister, stated that the attacks in Aleppo must be stopped as soon as possible: 'Those who want to fight terrorists do not attack hospitals.' An official from the U.S. government also told Reuters that this attack shows 'complete disregard' for relief workers, doctors, and those in need of their assistance. Reports of the attack on the Aleppo hospital come as government forces have intensified their assault on other areas controlled by rebels, including the Suleiman al-Halabi area in northern Old Aleppo. On Friday, Aleppo was also the scene of extensive attacks by the Assad army and its allies, during which, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 20 civilians were killed. Mr. Brennan, the WHO spokesman, also told reporters that 'in the past few weeks,' local authorities have reported at least 338 deaths resulting from the bombing of Aleppo, with 106 of the victims being children.