Syrian UN ambassador laughs when asked if Assad bombed Aleppo hospitals

A video showing Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations laughing when asked if his government had bombed two of Aleppo’s biggest hospitals has sparked outrage.

Diplomatic editor for Al Jazeera English, James Bays, asked Syrian diplomat Bashar Al-Jaafari if his government had bombed two hospitals in Aleppo yesterday. This prompted Al-Jaafari to break out in laughter before simply walking away.

Social media users have described Al-Jaafari’s reaction as “despicable” and “disgusting.” Samantha Powers, the US ambassador to the UN, described the video as “chilling.”

“This is the face of the Syrian regime and Russia’s actions in Aleppo – absolutely no regard for the thousands being slaughtered. Chilling,” she said in a tweet.

This is the face of the Syrian regime and Russia’s actions in #Aleppo – absolutely no regard for the thousands being slaughtered. Chilling. https://t.co/DZAkN7mhpa

— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) September 28, 2016

The hospitals, which serve 250,000 Syrians besieged in eastern Aleppo, were put out of service after being hit by airstrikes and artillery fire within minutes of each other.

International organisations have warned of an impending humanitarian disaster, warning that only 30 doctors remain in the besieged eastern districts of Aleppo.