Statement attributable to Hanaa Singer, UNICEF Syria Representative, on attacks in Qamishli and Idlib
Damascus, 28 July 2016 – UNICEF deplores yesterday’s shocking attack which reportedly killed more than 50 people, including many children, in the northern Syrian city of Qamishli. Local hospitals are overwhelmed treating more than 150 injured people. UNICEF is informed that 32 children are being treated at the main hospital in Qamishli city, many with serious injuries.
Over 15 residences and 20 shops were reportedly destroyed, and injured civilians remain trapped under the rubble as rescuers continue to work to save lives and recover bodies.
UNICEF teams in Qamishli are coordinating with local partners to provide support for the urgent medical treatment of the injured.
Children continue to be killed and injured in many parts of Syria by attacks in civilian populated areas and against civilian infrastructure. On 20 July, a schoolgirl in Idlib was reportedly killed, along with eight other civilians, when airstrikes hit the school where she was taking her exams. Continued fighting in densely populated areas such as Aleppo, eastern Ghouta and other areas near Damascus, as well as in Manbij in northern Syria, is putting tens of thousands of children at grave risk of harm.
Every day in Syria, children face the deadly threat of violence while at school, in hospitals, in their homes, in playgrounds and in markets. Children have nowhere safe to go. UNICEF again urges all parties to the conflict in Syria to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect children and all civilians.
ENDS
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For more information, please contact:
Kieran Dwyer, UNICEF Syria Chief of Communication, kdwyer@unicef.org, +963992 89 28 47
Farah Dakhlallah, UNICEF MENA Regional Communication Specialist, fdakhlallah@unicef.org +962797609270
