Around 180 Children Killed in Iran as Escalating Hostilities Take Heavy Toll, Says UNICEF.
Amman:
The UNICEF has expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of the ongoing military escalation in Iran, reporting that nearly 180 children have been killed and many others injured amid intensifying hostilities across the country.
In a statement issued from Amman on Thursday, UNICEF said the rising number of child casualties highlights the severe human cost of the conflict and the disproportionate suffering endured by children during armed violence.
According to preliminary reports, 168 girls lost their lives when a strike hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls’ Elementary School on February 28 while classes were in progress. The school is located in Minab in southern Iran. Most of the victims were reportedly schoolchildren aged between seven and twelve.
In addition to the tragedy in Minab, another 12 children were killed in separate strikes on schools in five different locations across Iran. UNICEF noted that these incidents underscore the extreme vulnerability of children in conflict zones.
The agency stressed that children and educational institutions are protected under international humanitarian law and must always remain safe spaces. “These child casualties are a stark reminder of the brutality of war and violence on children, which impacts families and communities for generations,” the statement said.
UNICEF also reported significant damage to essential civilian infrastructure due to the ongoing military strikes. At least 20 schools and 10 hospitals have been damaged in various parts of Iran, severely disrupting children’s access to education and critical healthcare services.
The organisation warned that the continued destruction of educational and medical facilities poses a direct threat to the wellbeing and future of children in the affected areas.
Calling for urgent action, UNICEF appealed to all parties involved in the conflict to respect international law and ensure the protection of civilians, particularly children. The agency emphasized that under international humanitarian law, the lives and wellbeing of children must always be safeguarded.
UNICEF further stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and remains ready to support humanitarian efforts aimed at assisting children and families affected by the escalating violence.
