Hospital shelled in Afrin - 18 or more killed

[Anthea]

Artillery shelling in Afrin

At least 18 people were killed and 23 were wounded in artillery shelling in the Syrian city of Afrin, which is under the control of factions loyal to Ankara, and a hospital was hit, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday

A doctor, three hospital employees, three women and a child were among 14 civilians who died in the attack.

"Most of the victims fell in the bombing of the hospital," the observatory reported in a statement, noting that the death toll is likely to rise due to the large number of wounded.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) denied any involvement in the bombing, AFP reported.

The Kurdish region of Afrin, located in Aleppo Province, was captured by Turkish forces and their allies from the opposition factions in March 2018.

Similar to the areas controlled by factions loyal to Ankara, the area regularly witnesses assassinations, attacks and explosions.

According to the Syrian Observatory, the ongoing conflict in Syria since 2011 has resulted in about half a million deaths, and has led to the displacement of millions.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/12062021