ALEPPO, Syria, Nov. 17 (UPI) — At least 87 people, including several children, have died since Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime resumed airstrikes in Aleppo, one of which struck a children’s hospital, activists, and medical staff said.
After a three-week pause, airstrikes targeting besieged, rebel-held eastern Aleppo resumed Tuesday and at least 87 people have since been killed. The Syrian American Medical Association told CNN that the Al-Shaar neighborhood’s Children’s Hospital, Al-Bayan Hospital, and the Central Blood Bank were targeted with barrel bombs.
”A horrible day for the Children’s Hospital. I and my staff and all the patients are sitting in one room in the basement right now, trying to protect our patients,” Children’s Hospital Director Dr. Hatem previously said in a statement “Pray for us please.”
Hatem is one of three pediatricians who is still working at the hospital.
The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 24 people, including six children, were killed on Wednesday. The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, said 27 people were killed Wednesday, while an additional three bodies were recovered from bombings on Tuesday.
Russia and Assad’s regime have been accused of committing war crimes due to they’re at times indiscriminate bombing in civilian populations, particularly over their alleged bombing of hospitals and schools.
Russia, Assad’s key ally, paused airstrikes in mid-October to allow civilians and rebels to leave. The resumption of airstrikes in eastern Aleppo indicates Assad will move ahead with a final offensive to defeat rebels in Aleppo to seize full control of the city.
Prior to the resumption of airstrikes, Aleppo residents received a text message, most likely sent by the Syrian government, telling them to flee the city or die