DHAKA: Russia says it ‘categorically rejects’ accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ‘those who make such statements are not capable of backing them up with proof’, reports Al Jazeera.

Up to 50 people were killed in missile attacks on schools and at least four hospitals in the region on Monday.

The UN said the ‘deliberate’ targeting of such facilities ‘could amount to war crimes’, the media reported.

Turkey’s foreign ministry has blamed Russia for the attacks.

A Turkish official on Tuesday said it would back a ground operation in Syria but only ‘with our international allies’.

‘There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria,’ the unnamed official told reporters in Istanbul.

Monday’s strikes struck two hospitals and two schools in Azaz, near the border with Turkey, and at least two hospitals in Maarat al-Numan, further south.

One of the hospitals in Maarat al-Numan was run by Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which called the attack a ‘deliberate’ strike.

BDST: 1651 HRS, FEB 16, 2016
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** Syria hospitals attacks war crimes