Helen Hayes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Hayes on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government has access to radar data covering Aleppo city and Aleppo governorate from 18 September 2016 onwards that might identify the type, the origin and identity of aircraft present during (a) the attack on 18 September 2016 on populated areas in east Aleppo city, (b) the attack on 19 September 2016 on Syrian Arab Red Crescent trucks and warehouses in Urum al-Kubra in Aleppo governorate, (c) the attacks on 27 September 2016 on UOSSM supported hospitals M2 and M10 in Aleppo at approximately 4am local time and (d) other attacks on civilian targets and populated areas since that date.

Mike Penning

I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

However, indiscriminate attacks which fail to distinguish between civilians and legitimate military targets would be a violation of International Humanitarian Law and we welcome the UN’s recent decision to establish an Internal Board of Inquiry into the attack on a UN aid convoy on 19 September.