News|Syria's War

UN war crimes panel urges US to probe deadly Syria air raids

UN investigators call on Washington to ensure those responsible for violations are held accountable and to make findings public.

People are seen fleeing as heavy smoke rises above the Islamic State (IS) group's last remaining position in the village of Baghouz
People flee as heavy smoke rises above the ISIL group's last remaining position in the village of Baghouz during battles with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in the countryside of the eastern Syrian province of Deir Az Zor, March 2019 [File: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP]
Published On 9 Mar 2022

UN war crimes investigators have urged the United States to carry out thorough probes into civilian casualties caused by US air raids in Syria to ensure that those responsible for any violations are held to account.

The UN Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday reiterated a “recommendation to the United States and all parties to conduct credible, independent and impartial investigations into incidents entailing civilian casualties in which their forces are implicated”.

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The panel called on Washington to ensure those responsible for violations are held accountable and to make their findings public.

In November, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered a review of a 2019 attack in the Syrian town of Baghuz that caused civilian casualties, the Pentagon said at the time.

The New York Times had reported that the raid killed up to 64 women and children, a possible war crime, during the battle against the ISIL (ISIS) armed group.

The independent experts also called for easing Western sanctions on Syria to mitigate their impact on civilians who are grappling with shortages and “skyrocketing” inflation.

Source: Reuters