Activists in Raqqa said the international anti-ISIS Coalition is using white phosphorus, an internationally banned weapon, in the bombardment of the city of Raqqa a few days after the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces launched an offensive to capture the city from the ISIS extremist group.
The “Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently” media campaign which is run by local journalists published what appeared to be appalling photos of the bombing carried out by jets of the international anti-ISIS coalition on Raqqa on Thursday night. According to the activists, the jets bombed the city with white phosphorus without giving details of casualties.
White phosphorus is an internationally banned indiscriminate weapon. Activists said that the airstrikes were concentrated on the neighborhoods of Mushalab in eastern Raqqa and Jazara on its western side.
The city of Raqqa was also subjected to violent, indiscriminate shelling with heavy artillery, targeting most of the city’s neighborhoods. The city was also subjected to rocket shelling from Jalbiya base north of Raqqa where a number of American military advisers are based.
The city is suffering a complete electricity and water outages as well as severe shortages of fuel and food supplies. Observers expressed concern that the battle for Raqqa will result in a large number of civilian casualties.
The heavy bombardment and intense fighting have prompted an exodus of civilians from Raqqa to the relatively safer areas in its countryside. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department + Agencies)
