The Syrian Coalition called for an immediate halt to airstrikes by the international anti-ISIS coalition targeting civilian areas in rural Deir Ezzor. It said that the airstrikes killed at least 18 civilians, including 10 children, in the town of Soussa on Thursday.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the Coalition called for the launch of an immediate investigation into these “crimes and all crimes against civilians as well as for holding those responsible to account so as to ensure that such crimes are not repeated.”
Thursday’s massacre came after a series of massacres that have taken place in the province in recent weeks in utter disregard for the lives of civilians, the Coalition said. It added that earlier airstrikes by the international coalition caused a massacre claiming the lives of more than 30 civilians in the town of Hajeen. An airstrike also targeted a prison near the town, killing and injuring inmates inside.
The Coalition went on to say that the information from Deir Ezzor province, which is under internal and external blockade, is coming late amid lack of basic services, including most importantly healthcare. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)