Syrian civilians fear taking their injured to hospital

In the second of a series of reports from inside Syria, FRANCE 24 journalists report on why civilians wounded in the crossfire are too terrified to go to hospital.

The fighting in Syria between government troops and opposition protesters backed by army deserters has intensified since the Arab League suspended its observer mission on Saturday.

And as the number of killed and injured mounts, the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire has been compounded by fear and suspicion of local hospitals, where regime spies suspect anyone coming in with injuries of being part of the insurrection.

Reporting from Idlib in the country's north-west, FRANCE 24 met residents of the town who said that going to hospital for treatment was every bit as risky as staying at home.

“I'm angry because I had to save him from the hospital,” Ahmed told FRANCE 24 after getting his wounded son safely home. “The regime looks for anyone who's injured. What crime has my son committed? We fled the hospital in order to save his life.”

In the report (above), Syrian doctors also tell of their worries – and of their determination to carry on treating the injured despite their fear of the regime.

Date created : 2012-01-30