Accessibility links

Breaking News

Syrian Groups: Russia Involved In 'War Crimes' In Syria


Syrian pro-government forces patrol a district of Aleppo earlier this week.
Syrian pro-government forces patrol a district of Aleppo earlier this week.

Four Syrian organizations have accused Russia of committing or being complicit in war crimes in Syria, saying Russian air strikes in the Aleppo area had killed 1,207 civilians, including 380 children.

In a letter to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria the groups listed 304 alleged attacks carried out in Aleppo primarily between July and December.

The letter -- obtained by news agencies on December 15 -- says "evidence clearly indicates that Russia has committed or been complicit in war crimes in Syria."

The letter is signed by the Syrian Civil Defense search-and-rescue group, also known as the White Helmets, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the Independent Doctors Association, and the Violations Documentation Center.

In the letter, the groups offered to provide the UN commission with evidence and other information to assist its investigations "and help the identification of suspected perpetrators."

There were no immediate reactions from the Russian UN mission. Moscow has said it stopped air strikes in Aleppo in mid-October.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG