Forces hit bread line, hospitals; US threatens to cut Russia ties

Government shelling and airstrikes in Syria’s Aleppo landed near a bread distribution center and two hospitals Wednesday, killing seven people and putting at least one of the medical facilities completely out of service, activists and medics said.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon described the conditions in eastern, rebel-held Aleppo as worse than a “slaughterhouse” at a Security Council meeting.

“Those using ever more destructive weapons know exactly what they are doing — they know they are committing war crimes,” Ban said, without naming any countries. Syria’s government is waging a major offensive in Aleppo and both Syria and Russia are carrying out airstrikes on the city.

Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday threatened to end all cooperation between the United States and Russia to stop Syria’s civil war unless Russian and attacks by Syria on Aleppo end. More than 250 people are believed to have been killed in the besieged city in the past week.