'Staggering' loss of civilian life from US-led airstrikes in Raqqa, says UN

[malaise]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/14/staggering-civilian-deaths-from-us-led-airstrikes-in-raqqa-says-un
<snip>
UN war crimes investigators have denounced a “staggering loss of civilian life” caused by the US-backed campaign to reclaim Raqqa, the de facto capital of Islamic State.

The independent commission of inquiry tasked with investigating violations of international law, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria said the intensification of airstrikes by the US-led coalition had led to the deaths of at least 300 civilians in the city.

The Raqqa operation began last week with a ground assault by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an umbrella group comprising Kurdish and Arab militiamen armed by the US and supported by coalition airstrikes.

They have already pushed into Raqqa from the east and west, reportedly approaching the old city walls. Citizens have reported intense combat in areas of the city.

[gratuitous]

1. Eggs, omelettes, rum go, that

We're the United States of Under God Trump, so by definition we can't commit war crimes.

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. This may not be big news here but I assure you it will be elsewhere. Our military doesnt deserve to

be turned into war criminals by Trump and Putin who are working together to kill all these brown people.

[gratuitous]

3. I don't routinely do this

But I'll kick this back to the top. It's understandable that with so much attention devoted today to the shooting in Alexandria, but we really shouldn't lose sight of this UN investigation too quickly. After all, the predictable sequelae will almost certainly visit us here in the States.