DHAKA: Syria’s electricity network is down across the whole of the country for unknown reasons.

Syria state media say, reports the BBC.

They cited sources as saying power had been cut in all provinces and teams were trying to determine the cause.

In most parts of war-torn Syria, electricity is already available only two to four hours a day, if at all.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International says Russian and Syrian government forces appear to have deliberately targeted hospitals ahead of a ceasefire.

The human rights group reported that it had gathered ‘compelling evidence’ of at least six deliberate attacks on hospitals, medical centers and clinics in northern Aleppo province in the past 12 weeks.

The attacks killed three civilians, including one medical worker, and injured 44.

Amnesty said the attacks aimed to pave the way for government ground forces to advance in the weeks before the cessation of hostilities took effect on Saturday.

The partial truce brokered by the US and Russia has largely held, although both the government and rebels have accused each other of violations.

The agreement does not include the jihadist groups Islamic State (IS) and al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate that is part of a major rebel alliance.

The US said on Tuesday that it had seen a reduction in air strikes against rebel fighters and civilians in recent days, but that it was concerned by some reported tank and artillery attacks.

It also said it was aware of an allegation by Israel that Syrian government forces had been dropping barrel bombs filled with chlorine on civilians in recent days.

BDST: 2000 HRS, MAR 03, 2016
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