September was the deadliest month of 2017 for civilians in Syria due to daily air attacks, that killed and injured hundreds of people, UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis Panos Moumtzis said on Thursday.
“I am appalled by reports of high numbers of civilian casualties due to heavy air attacks in Syria. Hospitals, ambulances, schools and displaced people escaping violence have been targeted by direct air strikes resulting in deaths and injuries of innocent civilians,” Mr. Moumtzis said in a statement.
The official added that some 8,000 people remain trapped in the city of Raqqa that is the target of an ongoing operation against the Islamic State. He said civilian casualties were also reported in and near Damascus, Hama, Aleppo and Deir Ezzor.
The UN called on all participants of the Syrian conflict to take immediate measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure throughout the country.
“Targeting of civilians and facilities including hospitals and other medical facilities is simply unacceptable and constitute a grave violation of human rights and international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes,” Mr. Moumtzis said.