Archived: Attacks against the Syrian Civil Defense Station in Al-Atareb, Syria

Attacks against the Syrian Civil Defense Station in Al-Atareb, Syria

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner: “The United States is appalled by Monday’s multiple aerial strikes, reportedly by the Asad regime, on a Syrian Civil Defense station in the town of Al-Atareb in Aleppo province, where at least five members of the Civil Defense are believed to have been killed and many more innocent people were injured.

This attack fits with the Asad regime’s abhorrent pattern of striking first responders, over 100 of whom have been killed in action. Many are killed in so-called double-tap strikes, where war planes return to a strike zone after first responders have gathered to assist victims. And the Syrian Civil Defense station in Al-Atareb was reportedly hit five times on Monday.

We condemn in the strongest terms any such attacks, and we urge Russia to use its influence and press the Asad regime to fulfill its commitments under UNSCR 2254 and immediately stop any further attacks of this nature.

We also commend the heroic members of the Syrian Civil Defense, who have saved more than 40,000 people by serving as impartial emergency responders on the front lines, performing search and rescue missions following brutal attacks, often perpetrated by the Asad regime and its allies. And the United States will continue to support this group and their courageous and tireless efforts to protect the Syrian people.”