France 24, Dec. 5, 2016 – A Russian army medic was killed Monday and two others seriously injured in rebel shelling of a field hospital in Syria’s Aleppo, Russia’s defense ministry said, blaming Western nations who support rebel fighters.
“As a result of a shell directly hitting the reception area of the hospital, one Russian female military medic was killed,” Russian defense ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.
“Two medical workers were heavily wounded. Local residents who had come to visit the doctors were also injured.”
A photographer who supplies AFP with photos described seeing burned tents and charred boxes of medical supplies at the scene.
Konashenkov said the attack had “undoubtedly been carried out by ‘opposition’ fighters” and laid the blame at the door of Western nations – including the US, Britain and France – that have backed those fighting its ally, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
“We understand who gave the fighters the exact information and coordinates of the reception area of the Russian hospital as it was starting its work,” Konashenkov added.
Syrian rebels are battling forces loyal to Assad after sweeping advances saw the government seize back large chunks of territory in eastern Aleppo.