NPR: In Syria, Reports Of 19 Medical Facilities Bombed Since April 28
“…This spike in attacks on medical facilities is not a new tactic but represents a continuation of an ongoing strategy pursued by the Syrian government and its affiliates, says Rayan Koteiche, the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) researcher for the Middle East and North Africa. ‘The Syrian government and its allies are well aware of the value of medical services to populations in need and of the impact of denying these services,’ he says…” (Cole, 5/17).

Reuters: Western powers clash at U.N. with Russia, Syria, on Syrian hospital attacks
“…Acting U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Jonathan Cohen said Russia and Syria were responsible for the attacks on the health centers. He said it was ‘most alarming’ that several of the centers attacked were on a list created by Russia and the United Nations in an attempt to protect them…” (Nichols, 5/17).

U.N. News: Risk grows of ‘catastrophic humanitarian fallout’ in Syria’s Idlib, where 3 million are trapped: top U.N. officials urge unity in Security Council
“The U.N.’s Political and Humanitarian Affairs chiefs on Friday called on the Security Council to unite in support of an immediate de-escalation of fighting around Syria’s Idlib province, and work towards an enduring political solution on behalf of the Syrian people…” (5/17).

VOA News: U.N. Decries Surge in Attacks on Hospitals in Syria’s Idlib
“…More than 3 million Syrians live in Idlib, many of them displaced from other parts of the country, and the U.N. has warned for months that a full-scale military operation there against the terrorists risked triggering a humanitarian catastrophe…” (Besheer, 5/17).

Xinhua News: U.N. humanitarian chief warns of “deadly” conflict escalation in northwest Syria
“…According to [U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock], a total of 49 health facilities have partially or totally suspended activities. They have provided an average each month of at least 171,000 medical outpatient consultations and 2,760 major surgical operations, and now ‘they are not doing those things’…” (5/18).