CJTF-OIR condemns attacks resulting civilian casualties in NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) condemned on Friday a drone strike that claimed the lives of four girls in the countryside of Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria.
On Friday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) said that a Turkish drone targeted an educational center for girls under the UN auspice in the village of Shmouka near a base of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, on Tel Tamr-Hasakah road, northeastern Syria.
The attack claimed the lives of four girls and wounding 11 others, all of them are females, the AANES statement read.
CJTF-OIR Commander Maj. Gen. John Brennan said in statement, “On the evening of Aug. 18, an armed unmanned aerial system struck a group of teenaged girls playing volleyball who were active in a United Nations educational outreach program in Hasakah. Initial reports indicate that the strike killed four and wounded several others.”
“On behalf of CJTF-OIR, I condemn this attack and any others that kill and injure civilians,” Brennan added.
He pointed out that such attacks are contrary to the laws of armed conflict, which require the protection of civilians.
“We extend our condolences to the families of those killed and sympathies to those injured.”
The CJTF-OIR commander indicated that the increase in “military hostilities in northern Syria is creating chaos in a fragile region where the threat of ISIS remains present,” adding, “We call for immediate de-escalation from all parties and an end to activities that put at risk the significant battlefield gains the Coalition has made against ISIS.”