Amnesty: Russian, Syrian regime forces target hospitals

Russian and Syrian government forces have been targeting hospitals as a strategy of war in Syria’s conflict, says a new report from human rights group Amnesty International.

Amnesty says it has “compelling evidence” of at least six deliberate attacks on medical facilities in the Aleppo governorate over the past twelve weeks, which killed at least three civilians, including a medical worker, and injured 44 more. It says the attacks amount to war crimes.

According to the group, the attacks on medical facilities aimed to pave the way for pro-government ground forces to advance on northern Aleppo.

Aleppo witnessed some of the country’s fiercest fighting in the buildup to the partial ceasefire that came into effect Friday, as government forces backed by Russian airstrikes cut off a rebel supply route from Turkey.

— AP