U.N. Report: U.S. Led Air Strikes Are Causing Staggering Civilian Deaths At Raqqa

Smoke rises from the al-Mishlab district at Raqqa's southeastern outskirts, Syria June 7, 2017. REUTERS/Rodi Said

Reuters: "Staggering" civilian deaths from U.S.-led air strikes in Raqqa - U.N.

Intensified coalition air strikes supporting an assault by U.S.-backed forces on Islamic State's stronghold of Raqqa in Syria are causing a "staggering loss of civilian life", United Nations war crimes investigators said on Wednesday.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a group of Kurdish and Arab militias supported by a U.S.-led coalition, began to attack Raqqa a week ago to take it from the jihadists. The SDF, supported by heavy coalition air strikes, have taken territory to the west, east and north of the city.

"We note in particular that the intensification of air strikes, which have paved the ground for an SDF advance in Raqqa, has resulted not only in staggering loss of civilian life, but has also led to 160,000 civilians fleeing their homes and becoming internally displaced," Paulo Pinheiro, chairman of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry told the Human Rights Council.

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More News On The U.N. Claiming That U.S. Led Air Strikes Are Causing Staggering Civilian Deaths At Raqqa

UN decries 'staggering loss of civilian life' in Raqa -- AFP
Raqqa battle: 'Staggering' civilian toll in strikes on IS -- BBC
UN: 'Staggering' civilian deaths from US-led air strikes in Raqqa Syria -- The Jerusalem Post
‘Staggering loss of civilian life’ during US-backed siege of Raqqa – UN -- RT