The 31-truck convoy that was targeted on Monday by either Syrian or Russian aircraft in rural Urem al-Kubra outside Aleppo has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people in Syria, including humanitarian workers. Following this, the UN has been forced to suspend aid convoys.
Today, another airstrike killed four doctors from the Union of Syrian Medical Relief Organisations (UOSSM) near Aleppo.
S&D MEP and vice-president Victor Boştinaru stated:
“These attacks are simply outrageous and unacceptable. If the humanitarian convoy and the medical professionals were deliberately targeted, as seems to be the case, this is a clear violation of international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime. We strongly condemn these despicable attacks, which also violate the ceasefire agreement of the 9th of September, and we urge a thorough investigation leading to the prosecution of the perpetrators.
“Today, failing to protect humanitarian workers, medical professionals and structures not only has serious repercussions on humanitarian work in Syria, but can also jeopardise the delivery of humanitarian aid elsewhere. The besieged Syrian population, having already suffered so much, are in desperate need of this aid. It is the primary duty of the international coalition to ensure that medical professionals and humanitarian workers are protected and that civilians have access to the humanitarian aid.
“Therefore, we urge for the imperative ending of all indiscriminate aerial bombardment of civilians and for the cessation of hostilities to be implemented, respected and prolonged in order to allow full access to all besieged areas.
“We would also like to extend our condolences to the SARC and the UOSSM and the families of all humanitarian workers, medical staff and civilians killed in these attacks.”
