Russian air strikes have reportedly damaged three medical facilities in Syria, following an “inexcusable” attack.
The facilities were over 30 miles from the nearest Isis-controlled territory, according to the New-York based Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), casting into doubt Russian claims that its attacks are largely aimed at Isis.
If it is proven that the airstrikes hit hospitals, Russia could face war crime charges.
Widney Brown, PHR’s director of programs, called the attacks “inexcusable” and said they will worsen the already dire state of the Syria’s health system.
He said: “Claiming that the fight is against terrorists does not give any government the right to tear up the laws of war, which specifically protect health workers and facilities.
“With these actions, Russia is damaging hospitals, putting patients and medical staff at risk, and depriving civilians of life-saving access to health care."
The PHR said it has confirmed airstrikes on 2 October at a field hospital in Latamneh - which injured staff members - in the north of Hama; and a facility in Benin, rural Idlib.
A day later, a Russian warplane launched an airstrike which damaged al-Burnas Hospital in northern Latakia, near the Turkish border, prompting staff to evacuate the building.
Russia confirmed that it was conducting air strikes in each of these locations when the attacks occurred, but did not acknowledge that they hit or damaged the medical facilities.
The alleged incident comes after the US bombed a hospital in Afghanistan, killing 22 people.
The MSF international aid agency has demanded an independent investigation into the events that led up to the attack on Kunduz hospital – the only trauma centre in north-east Afghanistan with a working operation theatre.
