Syrian government troops are responsible for killing more than 600 doctors and medical workers during the four-year civil war, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said Wednesday.
The New York-based rights group accused President Bashar al-Assad's forces of "systematically" targeting hospitals, clinics and medical personnel in what the group described as a "crime against humanity."
Since 2011, a total of 610 medical personnel were killed, 139 of whom were also either tortured or executed, according to the report.
"The Syrian government has resorted to every tactic: emergency-room arrests, hospital bombings - including barrel bombs - and even the torture and execution of doctors who attempt to treat the wounded and sick," said Erin Gallagher, director of investigations for PHR.