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incubators, and drugs were destroyed. The hospital, notably its emergency room, paediatric
unit and laboratory, sustained such damage that the hospital was forced to close.
49.
Less than a week after the attack on Al-Quds hospital, the Security Council
unanimously adopted its resolution 2286 (2016), in which it called for an end to attacks on
health-care workers and facilities and affirmed the principle, codified in the Geneva
Conventions of 1949, that medical personnel and infrastructure are not to be targeted during
warfare.
50.
Resolution 2286 (2016) had little impact on the battlefield, where attacks on medical
workers and facilities continued with impunity. On 8 June, government jets dropped two
barrel bombs near the Al-Bayan trauma hospital and the adjacent Al-Hakim paediatric
hospital in Aleppo city. Two points, both within 20 metres of the hospitals, were hit, killing
civilians in the area and destroying several buildings. The barrel bombs started a large fire
and many of those killed, including a 12-year-old boy, were burned to death. Several walls
of the Al-Bayan hospital collapsed and the medical store was set ablaze. Attempts to
extinguish the fire damaged the remaining medicines.
51.
On 20 July, government forces bombarded a forensic hospital in Aleppo city,
injuring five medical workers and damaging the building. The following day, the hospital
was destroyed by two barrel bombs.
52.
With the opposition-controlled areas of Aleppo city and Aleppo governorate under
heavy bombardment by government forces, the loss of every doctor and every clinic leaves
civilians without the services that they need in order to survive. As life is made increasingly
impossible, those who are able flee. Left behind are those physically unable to flee,
including the elderly, the injured and the disabled. The most impoverished members of the
community also stay, unwilling to leave what property they own and without sufficient
funds to travel and live with dignity elsewhere. Men and boys over the age of 13 years also
stay, afraid they will be killed, beaten or disappeared at government checkpoints.
53.
As the Government attacks the only supply route into the areas of Aleppo city under
the control of armed groups, the attack on medical facilities appears to form part of the
already documented siege campaign, which is designed to force the fall of the city, and to
pave the way for the advance of ground forces in northern Aleppo governorate.
54.
Recent attacks on medical workers and facilities were also documented in Idlib,
Damascus and Latakia governorates. On 15 February, the same day as the attack on the
maternity hospital in Azaz, government planes twice bombed an medical centre run by
Médecins sans frontières in Maarat al-Numan, killing approximately nine people and
injuring many more. The second attack occurred 15 minutes later, and appeared to target
first responders. The hospital was entirely destroyed, with approximately 25 killed,
including 9 members of the medical team and 16 patients. Dozens were trapped in the
rubble for up to 48 hours before being rescued.
55.
On 30 May, shortly after the adoption of resolution 2286 (2016), pro-Government
planes heavily bombarded Idlib city. One strike hit the area directly outside of the Idlib
National Hospital. There were no casualties of the attack affecting the hospital, although
casualties were documented in other areas of the city.
56.
On 20 July, government forces intensely bombarded Idlib city. Al-Watani hospital
was hit, killing four civilians. Seventeen people were reported injured. The hospital was put
out of service. Later on the same day, the health directorate was heavily damaged in a
government air strike. Later, the health services in Idlib released a public message,
indicating that the health-care infrastructure had been badly damaged and that it would be
difficult to resume operations.
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