Jets of the international anti-ISIS coalition committed a new massacre in Deir Ezzor on Sunday when they bombed a mosque in the eastern countryside of the province, killing and injuring dozens of civilians. Recent weeks have seen a rise in attacks on civilian targets in the province, prompting international organizations to describe them as unjustifiable.
Local activist said that more than 17 civilians were killed and dozens more were injured when jets of the international coalition bombed a mosque in the village of Al-Boukhater near the town of Hajin in eastern rural Deir Ezzor.
In a statement, the international anti-ISIS coalition said that its aircraft on Saturday targeted a mosque in the town of Hajin, claiming that ISIS used the building for military purposes, which made those buildings targets for the international coalition forces.
On December 5, jets of the international coalition committed a massacre in eastern Deir Ezzor claiming the lives of 25 civilians and wounding dozens more when they launched several airstrikes on the town of Hajin.
Civilians trapped in the town of Hajin and surrounding villages are suffering extremely dire humanitarian situation due to the intensification of fighting in the area between the PYD militias and ISIS. Their suffering has further worsened because of the intensifying aerial bombardment which is causing dozens of civilian casualties on almost daily basis.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights earlier said that eight massacres took place in Syria in November, mostly by forces of the international coalition. It said that the Assad regime bears part of the responsibility.
The Syrian Coalition earlier called for an immediate halt to airstrikes by the international coalition forces targeting populated areas in the countryside of Deir Ezzor. It stressed the need for a serious investigation into the “crimes” against the civilian population as well as all crimes affecting civilians. It also stressed the need to hold those responsible to account and ensure that these crimes are not repeated. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
