Entire city destroyed, homes reduced to rubble
Recently, the US-led coalition has publicly accepted responsibility for all civilian deaths documented in our latest report into the aerial bombardment of Raqqa, but more clarity is necessary.
“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.” Daphne Eviatar, Amnesty International USA’s Director of Security with Human Rights.
Last year, the US-led Coalition killed entire families in Raqqa, a city in the North East of Syria. Urge the US Minister of Defence to properly investigate and provide justice for the victims.
In June 2017, the Coalition - including the US, France and UK - launched a military operation to oust the armed group calling itself the Islamic State from Raqqa.
But instead of just targeting 'Islamic State' fighters, they caused the deaths of hundreds and injury of thousands of civilians, and destroyed much of the city.
Our researchers visited Raqqa, and reported a level of destruction beyond anything they have seen in decades of covering the impact of wars. Homes, private and public buildings and infrastructure were reduced to rubble, or damaged beyond repair.