Dozens Of Civilians Reported Dead Following U.S. Air Strikes In Syria, Including 11 Children

At least 60 civilians, including a reported 11 children, were killed after a U.S.-backed air strike reportedly mistook them for ISIS fighters near Manbij, Syria. Government officials are looking into the claims of civilian deaths, but several independent groups are updating and reporting on the latest claims, according to the New York Times:

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead included 11 children, and that dozens more people were wounded.

The so-called Syria Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters backed by the coalition, started an offensive at the end of May to seize Manbij. The area is among the last major territory held by Islamic State militants on Syria’s frontier with Turkey.

The Observatory said at least 104 civilians had died in airstrikes since the start of the Manbij offensive in late May.

The Times notes that these numbers contradict those released by the U.S. government claiming strikes from September 2015 through February 2016 “probably killed 20 civilians and injured 11 others.” U.S. forces are preaching a need to be careful, both in reporting the figures and within their operations. According to the New York Times, U.S. coalition spokesman Col. Chris Garver paints a picture of how difficult their operation has been:

[The military] was being “extraordinarily careful to make sure” that airstrikes were selectively hitting fighters for the militant group. The coalition said it had conducted more than 450 strikes in the vicinity of Manbij.

The United States High Commissioner for Human Rights recently voiced concern for the roughly 70,000 civilians believed to be trapped between warring parties in Manbij. In a statement, the commissioner, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said civilians were reportedly being “killed if they leave their homes or attempt to flee.”

Other reports indicate that residents in Manbij are unable to bury their dead, face constant threats from ISIS forces in the area, and lack basics like electricity and water due to the conflict. The reported deaths are just the latest fuel on the fire for what should be done about the conflict in Syria, including the extent of U.S. involvement.

(Via New York Times / Telegraph)