UN deplores deadly attacks on Syrian hospitals, schools

The United Nations (UN) on Monday lashed out at a spate of reported attacks on medical facilities and schools in Syria that killed nearly 50 civilians.

"The secretary-general is deeply concerned by reports of missile attacks on at least five medical facilities and two schools in Aleppo and in Idleb, which killed close to 50 civilians, including children, and injuring many," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, at a press briefing.

"Such attacks are a blatant violation of international laws," he said. "Among other consequences, they are further degrading an already devastated health-care system and preventing access to education in Syria."

Citing the progress achieved at the Feb. 11 meeting of the International Syria Support Group, he said these incidents "cast a shadow on the commitments" made at the conference.

"We must capitalize on the agreements reached and translate them into action if the credibility of, and confidence placed in the International Syria Support Group and the international community are to be justified," he said.

It is yet to be determined who carried out the attacks. The United States pointed finger at the Syrian government and the Russian aircraft supporting it, while Damascus blamed the United States. Endi