New UN Accusation Against Syria, Russia and Bashar Assad’s Opponents

UN inspectors have concluded that “very likely” the Syrian government and its backers were responsible for airstrikes on hospitals and primary schools in Idlib province. Rebels also likely attacked a Palestinian refugee settlement.

The UN Commission of Inquiry released a report examining airstrikes on civilian facilities in Idlib province, Syria.

The report states that “very likely” the bombing of hospitals and schools in the province during the months of April, May, and July of last year was carried out by Syrian government forces and their supporters.

The Commission of Inquiry particularly emphasized that “it is almost certain” that those responsible for the attack on a surgical clinic established underground in the Kafr Nabel area “were the Syrian state or its supporters or both jointly.” This attack occurred on July 4, 2019.

Kafr Nabel is located in Idlib province, which is considered the last major area under rebel control.

The Syrian army launched a major offensive against rebel positions in the province in late last year.

According to the Commission of Inquiry report, before the attacks on hospitals and schools, Russia received information from the United Nations about these facilities, including their precise geographical locations.

This action by the United Nations was actually intended to protect these facilities, not to attack them.

UN inspectors mentioned in their report attacks on three medical centers, one primary school, and one childcare center.

Accusations Against Rebels

The UN Commission of Inquiry also concluded in its investigations that rebels opposed to the Syrian government were responsible for an attack on a Palestinian refugee settlement in the country.

In the attack on this settlement, at least 11 people were killed and several others were wounded.

Human rights organizations criticized the bombing of civilian facilities and installations several times last year.

The Commission of Inquiry was formed at the request of several countries and by order of António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, and has been investigating seven military attacks on civilian facilities in Syria since late September of last year.

The Commission’s report has been sent to the UN Security Council.

Source: DW