U.S. Urges War Crimes Probe of Aleppo Strikes

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday accused Russia and the Syrian regime of deliberately bombing hospitals in order to "terrorize" civilians and demanded a war crimes investigation.

"These are acts that beg for an appropriate investigation -- war crimes. And those that commit these will be and should be held accountable for these actions," Kerry told reporters.

Kerry spoke alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault ahead of discussions on a draft UN Security Council resolution that would call for an end to the Russian-backed assault on Aleppo.

"Last night, the regime attacked yet another hospital and 20 people were killed and 100 people were wounded," Kerry alleged.

"Russia and the regime owe the world more than an explanation about why they keep hitting hospitals and medical facilities, children and women," he said.

"They're beyond the accidental now, way beyond, years beyond the accidental," Kerry continued. 

"This is a targeted strategy to terrorize civilians and to kill anybody and everybody who is in the way of their military objectives."

Ayrault said the French motion would be put before the Security Council on Saturday after further consultations in New York, but could not say whether or not Moscow would impose its veto.

"Tomorrow will be a moment of truth, a moment of truth for all the members of the Security Council," Ayrault said.

"Do you want a ceasefire in Aleppo, yes or no? And the question is in particular for our Russian partner."

Ayrault addied: "We will not accept Aleppo being razed to the ground."

Russia, as a permanent member of the council, wields a veto and Ayrault admitted that there was work to do on the resolution and it was far from clear whether Moscow would accept it.