Syrian Conflict Escalates Despite Promised Ceasefire
It's only been a few days since global leaders and diplomats agreed on a ceasefire in Syria, but the conflict is intensifying and showing no signs of stopping soon. Violent strikes have resulted in civilian deaths and more are expected in the coming days.
According to a report from USA Today, the United States and Russia made a deal on a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria that was expected to take effect within this week. However, the arrival of Saudi military forces in Syria threatens the treacherous peace as the jets are set to join the U.S.-backed coalition against Islamic State militants.
Other countries such as Turkey and Qatar are also considering engaging on the ground. In fact, Syria's foreign ministry has already accused Turkey of having a military presence in their country with a hundred troops and a supply haul on hand. The Turkish troops have also allegedly initiated gunfire against Syrian forces in the north.
In a report from Andalu News Agency, Turkey's Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz denied the accusations point blank.
"It is not true," he said in a parliamentary budget meeting last weekend, adding that there are no plans of the country's troops going to the war-torn Syria.
Russia's role in the escalating tensions in the region has also come under fire after they were accused of conducting airstrikes in hospitals and schools, killing up to 50 civilians in the attacks that included children victims. According to a report from CBC, the northern region of Syria was bombed, including two schools and five medical centers, during the Russian-backed advance towards Aleppo.
Mego Terzian, French president of the Doctors Without Borders charity that supported the hospital in the Marat Numan town, spoke out about the attacks.
"The author of the strike is clearly ... either the government or Russia," Terzian stated.
The destruction of the medical facilities has left a majority of the local population without access to hospital care amid the daily conflict.
It's unknown if the ceasefire will push through in light of the recent attacks. However, the United Nations has released an official statement on the reports of attacks on civilian centers in the country, according to a report from Reuters.
"The secretary-general is deeply concerned by reports of missile attacks on at least five medical facilities and two schools in Aleppo and in Idlib, which killed close to 50 civilians, including children, and injuring many," U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said.
"Such attacks are a blatant violation of international laws," he added. "These incidents cast a shadow on the commitments made at the ISSG (International Syria Support Group) meeting in Munich on Feb. 11."
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