SDF clarifies facts surrounding storming Al-Shehail Hospital, apologizes, confirms compensation

The Press Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces issued a statement regarding their forces came under attack by ISIS cells in Shehail and searching the hospital by their forces, and the statement read:

“At exactly 9 p.m. on Friday, March 5, our forces were subjected to a terrorist attack by elements affiliated with ISIS in the town of Al-Shehail, east of Deir ez-Zour, and at the same time one of our support patrols to transport the wounded and martyrs was ambushed near Al-Shehail Hospital, according to field information, which indicated the possibility of the attacking elements being killed and wounded inside the hospital.

One of our patrols headed the hospital to verify the news, since some bullets targeting the patrol came from the direction of the hospital, according to the testimonies of the military personnel.

We, in the SDF express our regret at the ill-treatment of the medical staff by our forces, as well as the material damage and we confirm opening investigation against the officers responsible, to hold them accountable.

We also confirm that we will provide the necessary compensation for the damage caused to the hospital.

We in the SDF are committed to the law of armed conflict (in particular the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977), customary international law, international human rights law and United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1998 (2011) and we affirm that all necessary measures are taken to ensure safe access of the health care and its delivery. "

(A)

ANHA