Syrian Human Rights Network (SNHR) has noted in a report, “Ridding Raqqa of DAESH cost extraordinarily too much in lives and resources”, released on Thursday that no less than 2,371 civilians were lost their lives, including 562 children, while nearly 500,000 were displaced in light of the battles that took place in Raqqa governorate within a year time.

The report records the violations of the first battles of Raqqa, November 6, 2016 – October 19, 2017, by the parties to the conflict, as 2,323 civilians were killed in these battles, including 543 children and 346 women (adult female), while 99 massacres at least were recorded. International coalition forces were responsible for the killing of 1,321 civilians, including 383 children and 247 women, and had perpetrated 87 massacres, while PYD killed 309 civilians, including 51 children and 50 women, and were responsible for four massacres. DAESH, on the other hand, killed 639 civilians, including 109 children and 49 women, and was responsible for eight massacres.

The report notes that Raqqa governorate was clearly divided among the parties to the conflict, where certain areas went to certain parties, even if this wasn’t categorically announced, as international coalition forces and PYD focused their attacks on the northern, western, and southern suburbs, as well as the city of Raqqa, while the Syrian-Russian alliance forces’ attacks were concentrated in the eastern suburbs – particularly in the villages that are located to the south of Euphrates River (Called Shamiya villages).

In the same period of time, the report documents no less than 100 attacks on vital civilian facilities, including 81 at the hands of international coalition forces, while YPG were responsible for seven attacks, and DAESH was responsible for the remaining 12.

According to the report, no less than 1,896 individuals were arrested, including 28 children and 33 women in the same period of time. Out of those, 1,279 individuals were arrested by YPG, including 19 children and 22 women, while DAESH arrested 617 individuals, including nine children and 11 women.

ILKHA