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On Wednesday evening, the school district in the town of Haas in Idlib province was hit by airstrikes. The airstrikes have been described as potentially the worst bombing on a school since the start of the civil war in Syria five and half years ago. Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides reacted to the attack and the death of more than 25 children.
"Deadly attacks on schools yesterday and today across Syria in Idlib, Western Aleppo and Douma which have left more than 25 children and several teachers dead are totally unacceptable.
At this sad time of mourning, my first thoughts and condolences are with those who lost their beloved sons and daughters, mothers and fathers.
The attack on a school in Syria's north-western province of Idlib yesterday was the deadliest since the beginning of this terrible conflict more than five year ago. But sadly, this week alone, attacks have hit already five different schools across the country.
There cannot be any justification or impunity for such acts. Those responsible should be brought to justice
Civilians and civilian infrastructure, like schools and hospitals are meant to be protected by International Humanitarian Law. Sadly, this crucial law is being violated repeatedly in Syria on an unprecedented scale.
I urge all parties to the conflict to ensure that the basic principles of humanity are respected and innocent lives are spared from the hostilities. This conflict has already brought enough suffering to the Syrian people.
The EU remains committed to supporting the Syrian people with lifesaving humanitarian assistance."
Background
The situation in and around Aleppo city and Idlib governorate is dramatic: heavy bombing and intense fighting has caused countless civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure, leaving more than 2 million people without water and electricity and in fear of besiegement. Aid delivery to the eastern part of Aleppo remains extremely difficult due to ongoing airstrikes which have also targeted hospitals and schools.
The Syrian population is highly vulnerable and 13.5 million of people are in need of humanitarian assistance: 6.6 million are internally displaced, 4.6 million people in hard-to-reach areas, including over 480 000 besieged. Civilians continue to be the primary victims of the conflict. Children, women and the elderly are most at risk.
