The ongoing war in Syria highlights the tragic humanitarian crisis, where civilians are paying the highest price due to the lack of commitment by the warring parties to international humanitarian law.
In recent days, the Syrian regime and its allies have escalated their shelling of areas in the north of the country, resulting in dozens of casualties and severe damage to civilian infrastructure.
Since November 27, 81 civilians have been killed and more than 304 others injured in shelling by Syrian regime and Russian aircraft in Aleppo and Idlib governorates, according to sources in the Syrian Civil Defence (White Helmets).
The attacks targeted Idlib Al-Watan Hospital and the surrounding medical centres, putting them out of service and exacerbating the healthcare crisis in the region.
The shelling also targeted other civilian areas, such as Jabal Shashabo and the town of Ziara in the Ghab Plain in Hama governorate.
The bombings indicate the continuation of serious violations against civilians in the Syrian conflict, while targeting medical facilities and civilian areas constitutes a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions and international laws that prohibit indiscriminate attacks on civilians and oblige parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of vital facilities.
These violations require an immediate and transparent investigation into these violations, while stressing the need for all parties to respect the principles of international humanitarian law, ensure the protection of civilians and provide urgent humanitarian support to the victims, and pressure for a permanent political solution that puts an end to this ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.