Syrian activists accused the regime of targeting the Al-Lataminah Hospital, located northeast of Hama, in a series of March 25 airstrikes. Opposition sources claim chlorine gas was used, which led to the death of local surgeon Ali Darwish.

Darwish, from the nearby town of Kafr Zita, was said to have died from the inhalation of toxic gas after having been transported to the Bab al-Hawa Hospital near the Turkish border. Syrian Civil Defense volunteers from Hama indicated as many as three people died, while more than 30 patients inside the hospital suffered from chlorine gas inhalation. The organization said, “Most of the injured suffered from fainting, red eyes and shortness of breath.” Additional activists claimed other chlorine attacks occurred in Al-Lataminah on March 26.

In response to the claims, pro-regime media reports said the Al-Lataminah airstrikes on March 25 targeted both Islamic State and Nusra Front, and “killed a large number of terrorists and military vehicles during the air raids.”

At the time of writing, the Al-Lataminah remains out of service. Activist reports say that the building itself has not been significantly damaged. However, most of the medical staff reportedly has been injured in some capacity.