The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

SOHR: Syrian Airstrikes Kill Almost 400 Civilians

A news report reveals U.S. allies have significantly decreased their participation in airstrikes against Islamic State group. The U.S. has launched 1,100 airstrikes.

While U.S. allies appear to be increasingly opting out of airstrikes in Syria, Washington continues to pummel the Islamic State group, as civilian deaths rise, and according to the British-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights reported that in November alone, airstrikes by Syrian airforce killed at least 396 civilians in November alone.  

Despite having announced a collaboration with Arab allies, nearly 97 percent of the airstrikes in Syria are being carried out by the United States alone, Reuters reported.  Coalition partners have only carried out two airstrikes since Dec. 1.

Airstrikes have been falling under U.S. purview since September, when Washington’s allies were carrying out the initial 38 percent of strikes, decreasing to 8 percent in October and 9 percent by November, according to Reuters.

The Pentagon acknowledges that there is “continued risk inherent in these strikes” for civilian casualties, and that the U.S. is not obligated to compensate the victims’ families, Foreign Policy reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported last month that at least 396 civilians were killed, up from at least 52 reported by the same agency the previous month.

Washington denies that a single civilian has been killed in the more than 1,100 airstrikes carried out against Islamic State targets.

Of the 15 airstrikes  that allegedly caused civilian casualties examined in the Foreign Policy report, seven noncombatants were killed on operations led solely or claimed by U.S. forces. Reports from non-military monitors indicate that 49 or more civilians may have died in such attacks in these past 17 weeks.

 

http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/SOHR-Syrian-Airstrikes-Kill-Almost-400-Civilians-20141217-0067.html