The high civilian death toll from US-led airstrikes in Syria despite strict warnings from the United Nations is rooted in Washington’s lack of respect for international and humanitarian law, a London-based expert says.
Catherine Shakdam told Press TV that the manipulative approach is meant to cover up the atrocities committed by the US army so that it will not be held accountable for its war crimes.
“Washington has never really abided by international law. Not caring how many people will die no matter [whether] it’s in Iraq or Syria” or anywhere else, the US continues to target “what it wants whenever it gets to.”
She said "manipulation of numbers and truth" is a way of life for the US Army, adding Washington does all it can to portray its actions as justifiable and therefore holding it accountable for its atrocities can be problematic.
The US-led coalition has acknowledged that its air raids against purported Daesh positions inside Syria and Iraq have killed at least 600 civilians since June 2014. The figure, however, is much lower than the death toll documented by independent groups.
The military alliance has repeatedly been accused of targeting and killing civilians. It has also been largely incapable of fulfilling its declared aim of destroying Daesh.