Cairo, 27 November 2019 - Once again, health facilities are repeatedly targeted during hostilities in Syria, where an attack in the Ihsam suburb of Idlib countryside damaged two hospitals, one for surgery and one for gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics.

Dr. Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Regional Director for Arab States, reiterates his call for all parties to stop targeting health facilities and other civilian facilities and expresses deep regret at the recurrence of such attacks.

Dr. Shabaneh expresses his deep concern over the fate of the civilian population, who will no longer be able to benefit from the basic health services provided by these health facilities and urges everyone to facilitate the work of humanitarian organizations and other parties to restore all affected facilities to work.

Dr. Shabaneh reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and the need to protect the lives of civilians and humanitarian workers in the context of military operations and the neutralization of medical and civilian facilities.

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For more information, please contact:

• Samir Aldarabi, Regional Communication Adviser Arab States Regional Office (aldarabi@unfpa.org)