Russian attacks on civilians 'obvious war crime'

ANKARA

Turkey on Monday "strongly" condemned Russian attacks on civilians in Syria and called them war crime.

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement and recalled the cessation of hostilities agreed in German city of Munich on Feb. 11.

"It is deplorably observed that instead of halting their airstrikes, Russians especially have escalated these attacks in Syria and targeted civilians, hospitals, schools," said the statement.

In the last 24 hours, Russian warplanes targeted two schools and one hospital in Azaz and another hospital in Idlib managed by Geneva-based medical charity Doctors Without Border Idlib.

The ministry said more than 30 people including women and children were killed, adding: "Over 100 others are estimated to have been wounded."

'War crime'

"These attacks that we strongly condemn are unconscionable and obvious war crime under international law," read the statement.

"With such crimes, Russian Federation is causing the Syrian civil war to get deepened and a dangerous escalation in the region."

"If Russian Federation does not end those attacks immediately - which remove peace and stability - it is inevitable that Russia will face bigger and more serious results," the statement added.