PRESS RELEASE




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


The Syrian American Council, a grassroots Syrian-American organization, is profoundly alarmed over the recent uptick in US strikes on civilians, following Friday’s missile strike that killed over 40 civilians south of Aleppo and Tuesday's airstrike that left dozens of civilians dead in Raqqah. The Friday attack struck a mosque in al-Jineh village, south of Aleppo, killing at least 42 civilians at prayer. Tuesday's airstrike targeted a school that had been converted into housing for 50 displaced families.

While SAC recognizes U.S. Central Command’s admission that it was behind the al-Jineh strike and its promise to investigate the matter, Tuesday's airstrike highlights the imperative need for additional measures to ensure that Anti-ISIS Coalition airstrikes do not put civilians in the crossfire. SAC reiterates its support for operations against al-Qaeda and ISIS and reiterates that all operations must comply with international humanitarian law.

“We ask that the U.S. military publicly declare what steps it will take to avoid such tragedies in the future." said Mirna Barq, President of SAC. "We agree with the humanitarian organizations operating on the ground in Syria that any attacks on civilians or civilian infrastructure must be investigated and condemned. In all operations against terrorism in Syria, international humanitarian law must be adhered to" she added.

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Bassam Rifai
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