Rights group criticizes use of white phosphorous against IS
Source: Associated Press
Updated 11:30 am, Wednesday, June 14, 2017
BEIRUT (AP) — The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria is endangering civilians by using artillery-delivered white phosphorous, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday, after reports that such weapons were used in the Syrian city of Raqqa.
HRW said it was not able to independently verify whether the use of the munitions resulted in any civilian casualties. The U.S. military says it uses white phosphorous in a lawful way.
White phosphorous burns at extremely high temperatures and can be used to illuminate conflict zones or obscure them with smoke. International law prohibits its use in civilian areas because of its indiscriminate effects, from starting fires to causing excruciating burns for bystanders, according to Human Rights Watch.
"No matter how white phosphorus is used, it poses a high risk of horrific and long-lasting harm in crowded cities like Raqqa and Mosul and any other areas with concentrations of civilians," said Steve Goose, arms director at Human Rights Watch. "U.S.-led forces should take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm when using white phosphorus in Iraq and Syria."
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Rights-group-criticizes-use-of-white-phosphorous-11218420.php
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