A/HRC/39/65 markets and schools, as well as densely populated civilian areas. On 29 January, at approximately 7.30 a.m., pro-government forces launched an airstrike that hit the Saraqeb potato market, killing at least 12 men and a boy, and injuring another six men. A venue frequented predominantly by men, most of the victims were merchants and workers from nearby areas. 54. Later, at approximately 10.30 a.m., pro-government forces launched an airstrike in Saraqeb using concrete-piercing (“bunker buster”) munitions that hit the eastern part of Oday (also known as Al-Ishan) Hospital, where victims of the attack on the potato market were being treated. Six men, including three medical staff, were injured, and the hospital was rendered out of service. According to victims and medical staff, there were no military installations inside or near Oday Hospital, and no warnings had been issued prior to the attack.17 55. Further bouts of increased hostilities were documented after 3 February, when a Russian Sukhoi-25 ground-attack aircraft operating in Maasran was shot down by members of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (see para. 6 above), who claimed responsibility for murdering the pilot. The following day, pro-government forces intensified aerial operations in north-west Idlib. On 4 February, at approximately 9 p.m., Government helicopters dropped at least two barrels carrying chlorine payloads in the Taleel area of Saraqeb. Victims described symptoms consistent with the use of chlorine, including shortness of breath, a burning throat, coughing, dilated pupils and chest pain, and also recalled a smell similar to household detergents. The attack led to the injury of at least 11 men, including three first responders. Documentary and material evidence analysed by the Commission confirmed the presence of helicopters in the area and the use of two yellow gas cylinders. 18 56. On 5 February, at approximately 4.50 p.m., pro-government forces launched another airstrike in Saraqeb, which hit a building that housed a thalassemia centre and blood bank, the latter which serviced hospitals in Idlib, southern Aleppo and northern Hama. The attack resulted in the wounding of one man and the destruction of vital equipment, thereby depriving hundreds of patients of life-saving medicine and blood transfusions. No warnings were issued prior to the attack. 57. Further peak levels of violence were documented in late March. On 21 March, at approximately 10 a.m., pro-government forces launched several airstrikes on Kafir Bateek village. The first airstrike hit an open area some 300 metres from an elementary school for girls, which led terrified staff to evacuate immediately. Approximately 10 minutes later, a second airstrike hit an area 30 metres from the school, by which time children and staff had already evacuated. Twelve schoolgirls took refuge in a nearby shelter alongside a 52-yearold man and his family of three daughters and four grandchildren. A third strike hit the shelter, killing all 20 civilians inside. Rescuers retrieving the bodies described how most of those killed were schoolgirls who were still wearing their backpacks. 58. The following day, on 22 March, at approximately 4.10 and 4.20 p.m., progovernment forces launched a “double-tap” attack 19 against a popular market in a residential area of Harem city. More than 50 people, including 18 children, were killed in the attacks, and at least 70 others injured. The attacks were carried out at the end of a school day, which partly explains the large number of casualties. 59. Between April and May, pro-government forces primarily focused military operations on recapturing Yarmouk camp (see paras. 41–46 above), returning to Idlib in early June. On 7 June, for example, at approximately 9.10 p.m., during evening prayers, pro-government forces carried out an airstrike on a residential area near the Saad bin 17 18 19 Since 2013, the Commission has documented how pro-government forces systematically target health-care infrastructure to deprive both civilians and belligerents of medical treatment. See the report of the fact-finding mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of 15 May 2018 on an alleged incident in Saraqeb on 4 February 2018, available at www.opcw.org/fileadmin/OPCW/S_series/2018/en/s-1626-2018_e_.pdf. A “double-tap” attack is one in which a second attack on a target/area follows shortly after the first, with the effect of killing and injuring those who arrive to provide aid to, mourn or remove bodies of victims of the first attack. 11