UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is concerned about the impact of fighting on civilians in northwestern Syria, said a spokesman of the world body on Friday.
"We continue to receive disturbing reports of ongoing fighting and airstrikes affecting the civilian population in northwest Syria," Farhan Haq told reporters.
On Wednesday, airstrikes reportedly struck a village in Idleb's southern countryside, killing five people. Also on Wednesday, airstrikes reportedly killed five people in a town, and rendered the a maternity and pediatric hospital out of service. This was the third time in less than a week the hospital had been damaged by an airstrike, said Haq.
"Such actions cause unnecessary suffering to civilians already living in dire humanitarian need. We would like to remind all parties of their obligation to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, as required by international humanitarian law and human rights law," said Haq.
