A fierce bombardment began this morning in civilian areas of eastern Ghouta with at least 72 airstrikes. At least 97 civilians have been killed and over 500 wounded in 24 hours and the number is set to climb, as many may still be buried under the rubble. Five hospitals were bombed and put out of service and all area hospitals are out of service due to the attacks. Dr. Asem from one of the area hospitals said, “The situation is catastrophic, people have nowhere to turn. They are trying to survive but their hunger from the siege has weakened them significantly.”

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A four day surge in violence has left 237 dead and 1250 injured in Eastern Ghouta. Seven medical facilities were also attacked throughout Syria, leaving thousands with scarce access to medical care where it is needed most. Please click here to read the full press release.  

Several medical facilities have been attacked and put out of service since Sunday, causing newborn babies to temporarily suffocate as their incubators lost power.The attacks left thousands with no access to medical care, as Idlib experienced fierce bombardment, including a reported chlorine gas attack. Please click here to read the full press release. 

A few hours ago, at 12:15 p.m. Damascus time, the Al Maghara (Dr. Hassan Al Araj) Cave Hospital in Kafr Zita, Hama was hit by five missiles from an airstrike. The hospital, built under 60 feet of rock, suffered extensive damage throughout the building. 

In addition, there was a reported chlorine gas attack in Douma in Ghouta at 5:30 a.m. Damascus time, injuring eleven including women and children, and one Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmet) emergency responder. The victims smelled like chlorine and were having difficulty breathing, indicative of chlorine gas. This was the third chemical attack in Ghouta in 2018.

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On January 29 at 11:30 a.m. Damascus time, The Owdai Hospital (also known as Al Ihsan Hospital) in Saraqeb, Idlib was hit by two airstrikes, killing five people, including one child and two women, and injuring six medical staff and several other patients. The hospital was severely damaged and put out of service. The 18-bed hospital was the only public hospital in the Saraqeb district. It served a population of 50,000 and performed 3,800 consultations month. The same hospital was attacked on January 20, and 21, causing moderate damage to the facility. Idlib Healthcare Authorities have declared that the city of Saraqeb is in a state of medical emergency. Please click here to read the full press release.

There was a suspected chemical attack today in eastern Ghouta. Five women and one child were injured in the attack. Please click here to read the full press release. 

The holiday season brought a new wave of attacks on medical facilities throughout Syria. There have been at least 11 separate attacks on medical facilities since December 26, 2017, targeting medical facilities in Idlib, Hama and Eastern Ghouta. In the past 10 days three paramedics have been killed in Eastern Ghouta and one nurse was killed in Northern Homs.

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