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U.S. Airstrikes and Raids Killed 120 Civilians in 2018, Pentagon Says U.S. Airstrikes and Raids Killed 120 Civilians in 2018, Pentagon Says
(about 5 hours later)
WASHINGTON — The American military killed 120 civilians in strikes, raids and firefights across two continents in 2018, the Pentagon said Thursday — a far lower number than what watchdog groups previously have reported. WASHINGTON — The American military killed 120 civilians in strikes, raids and firefights across two continents in 2018, the Pentagon said Thursday — a far lower number than what watchdog groups have reported.
The Defense Department’s annual report to Congress said 42 civilians were killed in Iraq and Syria during military operations against the Islamic State, and 76 in Afghanistan as American troops fought extremist groups and resurgent Taliban militants.The Defense Department’s annual report to Congress said 42 civilians were killed in Iraq and Syria during military operations against the Islamic State, and 76 in Afghanistan as American troops fought extremist groups and resurgent Taliban militants.
The Pentagon also acknowledged that two civilians were killed in Somalia; last month, officials first acknowledged the casualties after being confronted with evidence compiled by Amnesty International.The Pentagon also acknowledged that two civilians were killed in Somalia; last month, officials first acknowledged the casualties after being confronted with evidence compiled by Amnesty International.
Thursday’s report concluded there were no civilians killed in Yemen during American airstrikes against Al Qaeda and the Islamic State affiliates there.Thursday’s report concluded there were no civilians killed in Yemen during American airstrikes against Al Qaeda and the Islamic State affiliates there.
The report highlighted the enduring expanse of American combat operations since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the increasing tally of civilians killed as the United States continues to combat Islamic extremism.The report highlighted the enduring expanse of American combat operations since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the increasing tally of civilians killed as the United States continues to combat Islamic extremism.
In March, President Trump weakened a rule that requires the government to release the annual number of civilians killed in American airstrikes outside of war zones, nearly all of which would have been carried out by the C.I.A. or other intelligence agencies.In March, President Trump weakened a rule that requires the government to release the annual number of civilians killed in American airstrikes outside of war zones, nearly all of which would have been carried out by the C.I.A. or other intelligence agencies.
Daphne Eviatar, director of security at Amnesty International, called Thursday’s report “ a welcome step” but said more accountability is needed. Daphne Eviatar, director of security at Amnesty International, called Thursday’s report “a welcome step” but said more accountability was needed.
“The Department of Defense unfortunately still significantly undercounts civilian casualties caused by U.S.-led operations,” Ms. Eviatar said.“The Department of Defense unfortunately still significantly undercounts civilian casualties caused by U.S.-led operations,” Ms. Eviatar said.
Airwars, a nonprofit group that tracks reports of civilian deaths in conflict zones, said that the American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State had killed between 800 and 1,700 civilians in Iraq and Syria in 2018.Airwars, a nonprofit group that tracks reports of civilian deaths in conflict zones, said that the American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State had killed between 800 and 1,700 civilians in Iraq and Syria in 2018.
In Afghanistan, the United Nations found American-led airstrikes had killed more than 500 civilians last year.In Afghanistan, the United Nations found American-led airstrikes had killed more than 500 civilians last year.
And in Somalia, Amnesty International reported that 14 civilians were killed in counterterrorism strikes and raids since 2017.And in Somalia, Amnesty International reported that 14 civilians were killed in counterterrorism strikes and raids since 2017.
The Pentagon has long touted its commitment to avoiding civilian casualties but has been criticized for an opaque reporting process and steps to ensure accountability.The Pentagon has long touted its commitment to avoiding civilian casualties but has been criticized for an opaque reporting process and steps to ensure accountability.
Groups like Airwars and Amnesty International use social media and on-the-ground reporting to verify civilian deaths, while the Defense Department often relies on drone feeds and other intelligence to corroborate the results of its strikes.Groups like Airwars and Amnesty International use social media and on-the-ground reporting to verify civilian deaths, while the Defense Department often relies on drone feeds and other intelligence to corroborate the results of its strikes.
The number of civilians killed in 2018, as compiled by the Pentagon, is far lower than its account for 2017. That year, the military said it had killed 499 civilians and injured 169 in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen.The number of civilians killed in 2018, as compiled by the Pentagon, is far lower than its account for 2017. That year, the military said it had killed 499 civilians and injured 169 in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen.
But Thursday’s report included a new casualty estimate for 2017 to account for what it said was a backlog of incidents that had not been confirmed earlier. The new tally found that 793 civilians were killed in Iraq and Syria in 2017. It did not give a total count, across all war zones, for that year.But Thursday’s report included a new casualty estimate for 2017 to account for what it said was a backlog of incidents that had not been confirmed earlier. The new tally found that 793 civilians were killed in Iraq and Syria in 2017. It did not give a total count, across all war zones, for that year.
The discrepancy was partially the result of difficulties in verifying civilian deaths in the violent urban battles of Raqqa, Syria, and Mosul, Iraq. Both cities were Islamic State strongholds that endured months of violent fighting and thousands of airstrikes.The discrepancy was partially the result of difficulties in verifying civilian deaths in the violent urban battles of Raqqa, Syria, and Mosul, Iraq. Both cities were Islamic State strongholds that endured months of violent fighting and thousands of airstrikes.