Forces battling Da'esh 'lose sight of ultimate aim' to free civilians

Forces fighting Da'esh terrorist group in Syria are losing sight of the obligation to protect civilians as the battle to retake Raqqa is being waged at the cost of their lives, the top United Nations human rights official warned today.

"Surely the purpose of defeating Da'esh should be to protect and assist civilians who have been suffering under their murderous regime," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a news release.

"Given the extremely high number of reports of civilian casualties this month and the intensity of the airstrikes on Raqqa, coupled with Da'esh's use of civilians as human shields, I am deeply concerned that civilians – who should be protected at all times - are paying an unacceptable price and that forces involved in battling Da'esh are losing sight of the ultimate goal of this battle," he added.

Airstrikes and ground-based strikes on Raqqa have resulted in a large number of civilians casualties. While it is difficult to get a full picture, the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has managed to verify 151 civilian deaths in six incidents since 1 August 2017, in each of which more than 20 civilians were reportedly killed.

"So as airstrikes bombard Raqqa, some 20,000 civilians are either trapped, or risk their lives to flee and end up confined in makeshift camps in areas with no oversight on how they are treated and screened," Mr. Zeid said.

The High Commissioner called on all those with involvement or influence in the conflict to facilitate the rapid, safe departure of civilians wishing to leave Raqqa, and to ensure the protection of those who remain.