December 1, 2024
The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) is alarmed over the December 1 airstrike near the emergency entrance of the Aleppo University Hospital, causing many civilian deaths and injuries. During the deadly fighting in Aleppo this past weekend, the University Hospital was one of the main caregivers for the injured. On Sunday, one of SAMS’ ambulances was damaged and one staff member injured when it was attacked in the Aleppo area.
Since the escalation of violence in northwest Syria on November 30, including the shocking turn of events in Aleppo, violence caught thousands of civilians in the melee and caused large-scale civilian infrastructure damage.
SAMS suspended care at nine of its medical facilities to ensure safety of its staff and patients, depriving thousands of healthcare. Other medical agencies operating in the area followed suit. On November 9, one of SAMS clinics in Sarmin was attacked, causing structural damage and a temporary cessation of services.
“In these chaotic times, SAMS calls for all combatants to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and community infrastructure,” said SAMS’ President, Dr. Mufaddal Hamadeh. “The destruction will require civil institutions to fill the void from the collapse of public services. We are already seeing this begin.”
The wanton disregard of healthcare facilities and its staff is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Health facilities and ambulances are not a target and should be considered protected spaces to ensure life-saving support. All parties of this renewed escalation must uphold their obligations according to IHL and the Geneva Conventions.
During the 14-year conflict in Syria, there have been nearly 1,000 attacks on healthcare with 500 medical staff killed, including 62 from SAMS.
“We appeal for calm and a focus on immediate humanitarian relief to care for the most vulnerable,” Dr. Hamadeh said. “Hospitals, schools, and civilians are not targets of war. We all must stand up for common decency and prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable, regardless of which side of the frontline they find themselves.”
The United Nations said the recent escalation caused the displacement of 50,000 civilians. SAMS’ medical staff have already treated hundreds of civilian casualties. Many more civilians have not been able to seek care due to unsecured roads or the temporary closure of medical facilities.
Over the weekend, SAMS also sent a medical team to Aleppo to conduct a rapid health needs assessment and to help coordinate essential services with other healthcare actors on the ground. It also activated and sent its fleet of ambulances to conflict areas to rescue the wounded, and scrambled to procure life-saving medical supplies for an upsurge of trauma patients.
SAMS has 2,300 staff serving in nearly 40 medical facilities in northwest Syria, providing 9,000 medical services each day. SAMS also serves refugees and other vulnerable populations in Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza, Greece, Iraq, and Ukraine, and beyond.
For more information about SAMS, go to www.sams-usa.net.
