Human Rights Watch: Dozens of Kurdish Civilians Missing in Aleppo

Human Rights Watch: Dozens of Kurdish Civilians Missing in Aleppo
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Human Rights Watch has accused both parties to the fighting—the Syrian government security forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—of committing war crimes, reporting that dozens of Kurdish civilians in Aleppo are missing.

In a report released by the organization, Human Rights Watch said it had verified a video showing armed men affiliated with the Syrian government throwing the body of a female fighter from a building balcony in the streets of Aleppo. The organization stated that the act constitutes an abuse of a corpse and amounts to a war crime under international law.

The report also said Syrian government security forces launched an arrest campaign in Aleppo, detaining dozens of Kurdish civilians whose fate and whereabouts remain unknown. Human Rights Watch accused both sides of the conflict of committing war crimes in northern Syria, also known as Syrian Kurdistan.

The organization further reported that after Syrian government forces took control of the Tishreen Dam, they deliberately cut water and electricity supplies to the city of Kobani and parts of Aleppo.

Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said that using essential services as weapons against civilians is a clear violation of the laws of war and puts the lives of thousands at risk.

The organization also cited eyewitnesses who said that so-called “humanitarian corridors” have become dangerous areas, with snipers from both sides firing at civilians attempting to flee. Witnesses added that, at times, both government forces and the SDF have prevented people from leaving combat zones.