US condemns attack on refugee camp by Syrian military

Washington, Oct 30 (IANS/EFE) The US has condemned an attack by Syrian armed forces on a camp for displaced people in the northeastern region of Idlib in which 10 people died and dozens were injured.

The attack was carried out by helicopters which dropped barrel bombs on a camp for refugees who had fled from the neighbouring Hama region, according to Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.

Barrel bombs are oil drums stuffed with explosives and shrapnel designed to cause casualties and horrific injuries.

"We are horrified by the reports that the Assad regime barrel bombed the Abedin displaced persons camp in Idlib and the images we saw of the carnage against innocent civilians," US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.

She said that though the US could not confirm the details, "once more we condemn the Assad regime's callous disregard for human life, particularly its violence directed against civilians".

"The attack on the Abedin camp was nothing short of barbaric. Unfortunately, if it is confirmed to be the work of the (Assad) regime, it is only the latest act of brutality by the regime against its own people," she added.

"The Assad regime must be held responsible for its brutality and atrocities against the Syrian people."

Psaki said that the UN had reported murders, forced disappearances, kidnappings, torture, rapes and bombings against civilians in Syria.

On Tuesday, the Syrian air force attacked the residents of Kansafra, which fell under the control of the Nusra Front, an offshoot of the Al Qaeda in Syria, following clashes with the Free Syrian Army opposition force.

In a similar bombing carried out by the regime in Al Rastan, in Homs, at least two people were killed and 13 others were injured, including a woman.

Over 200,000 people have died in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, according to the UN.

--IANS/EFE

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