A US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces fighter looks through the scope of
his weapon in Tal Samin village, north of Raqqa, Syria. (photo: Reuters)
UN Criticizes Civilian Deaths After Deadly US-Led Raqqa Assault
By teleSUR
23 August 17
According to reports from Syrian local media, at least 78 civilians have
died in the past day in Raqqa city during U.S:-coalition led airstrike
assaults
As reports mount of heavy civilian deaths at the hands of the United States
coalition in Raqqa, the United Nations has expressed "deep concern" over the
reports and has said that they condemn any attack directed against civilians
or civilian infrastructure.
"In recent days and weeks scores of civilians have reportedly been killed
and injured in Raqqa due to airstrikes and shelling and up to 25 thousand
people remain trapped in the city," Stephane Dujarric, U.N. Secretary
General spokesperson said on Tuesday.
"Our humanitarian collegues tell us they are deeply concerned by unconfirmed
reports of a high number of civilians killed by airstrikes in Raqqa city
over the last 24 hours," Dujarric said.
According to reports coming out of Syrian local media, at least 78 civilians
have died in the past day in Raqqa city during U.S:-coalition led airstrike
assaults, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on Tuesday.
"The U.N. condemns any attack that is directed against civilians or civilian
infrastructure. We urge all parties fighting in Raqqa and across Syria to
take every possible measure to spare and protect civilians and civilian
infrastructure as in line with obligations under international humanitarian
law," the spokesperson continued.
The U.S.-backed coalition, including forces from the so-called Kurdish
Syrian Democratic Forces, has been launching an operation to push out the
Islamic State group from Raqqa for over a month. Tuesdays death toll is the
highest civilian toll reported so far during the offensive.
The U.S. has been conducting airstrikes in Syria since September of 2014,
claiming to be targeting the so-called Islamic State group. The U.S. does
not however, have any authorization from the Syrian government or the United
Nations to be carrying out such attacks. U.S. airstrikes in Syria and Iraq
have been subject to widespread criticism by various human rights groups for
allegedly not taking proper precaution to save civilian life and
infrastructure.
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