Recently, there has been a significant increase in intense aerial and missile bombardment in northern Syria, particularly in the southern and western countryside of Idlib. What has worsened the situation is the deliberate targeting of medical, service, and educational facilities, depriving civilians of access to healthcare services. Since the beginning of this year, 40 medical centers and hospitals have been targeted, causing extensive damage and rendering most of them out of service. Documentation has confirmed the deaths of over 2,415 civilians, including 30 medical and civil defense personnel, since the beginning of 2019 until last September.
Amidst these tragedies and the international and regional silence regarding the crimes and violations committed against civilians in northern Syria, which amount to war crimes, there is a military escalation targeting service and healthcare facilities, residential areas, and densely populated markets that host 4.7 million people, including displaced individuals. The Syrian Expatriate Medical Association (SEMA) warns of the danger threatening security and stability in the region, and the consequent loss of lives or displacement of thousands of civilians, along with the lack of access to healthcare services.
SEMA condemns this inhumane and unjustifiable act that disregards the lives of innocent civilians, patients, and medical personnel. We appeal to international organizations and the United Nations to take action to halt these violations and crimes against humanity, which are condemned by all international laws and conventions, ensuring the protection of humanitarian and medical work, hospitals, facilities, and medical emergency teams. We call on the international community to intervene immediately to stop these crimes and violations and hold those responsible accountable.
SEMA will continue to provide humanitarian medical work, offering healthcare to civilians, children, women, and the elderly in all areas whenever possible.