Rights group condemns attacks on Syrian hospitals

A human rights group accused Russia and the Syrian government of mounting the "worst string of attacks" on hospitals in Syria since April despite an agreement on "de-escalation" zones.

New York-based Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said on Wednesday it believes either Russian or Syrian government jets were behind at least five air strikes on three hospitals in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province.

Three facilities came under fire on the same day, September 19, and two of the hospitals were bombarded again separately days later, PHR reported.

"These are the most dramatic, sustained attacks on Syria's healthcare system since the spring de-escalation agreement in Idlib went into effect," said the group's Syria research associate Racha Mouawieh.

An agreement by Russia, Turkey, and Iran to set up de-escalation zones in Syria was signed in May during talks in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana.

But the plan was sharply criticised by the Syrian opposition who rejected Iran's role as guarantor in any deal.

UCJ, UNILORIN.