US Coalition Efforts to Ensure Accountability for Civilian Deaths are a Welcome First Step, But More Clarity Necessary

The US-led coalition has today issued a press release accepting responsibility for all civilian deaths documented in Amnesty International's June 5th report into the aerial bombardment of Raqqa. Donatella Rovera, Amnesty International's Senior Crisis Response Adviser, said:

"After weeks of obfuscation and denials, the US-led coalition has finally admitted responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of civilians in Raqqa. Raqqa's residents have faced years of unimaginable suffering, first under the brutal rule of so-called Islamic State, and then under relentless bombardment from the coalition, whose operation to retake the city left it in ruins.

Daphne Eviatar, Amnesty International USA's Director of Security with Human Rights stated:

"The Coalition's response points to the importance of site visits and in-person interviews as part of any credible investigation. We will be urging the Coalition to systematically do their own more meaningful investigations in the future, ensure full accountability for violations, and provide compensation and assistance to the victims who have suffered so tremendously from the assault on their city."

For more information on Amnesty's work in Raqqa, see: https://www.amnestyusa.org/reports/syria-raqqa-in-ruins-and-civilians-devastated-after-us-led-war-of-annihilation/

This statement is available at: https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/us-coalition-efforts-to-ensure-accountability-for-civilian-deaths-are-a-welcome-first-step-but-more-clarity-necessary/