The Syrian government is being accused of continuing to drop cluster bombs on civilian areas in recent attacks on rebel strongholds. In a new report, Human Rights Watch says the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used military planes and helicopters to drop the cluster munitions, further endangering civilians with the unexploded bomblets left on the ground. Human Rights Watch U.N. Director Philippe Bolopion condemned the bombings.

Philippe Bolopion: “If we needed any further proof of the Syrian government’s complete disregard for the lives of its own citizens and its own children, well, here it is, because we know now that the government is using cluster munitions in populated areas. And, of course, these weapons are extremely dangerous for the civilian population and the children, because most of the bomblets that are left on the ground do not detonate on impact and they remain active for weeks, months and sometimes years.”