ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Human Rights Watch has emphasized the importance of avoiding civilian casualties in the liberation of Mosul from the Islamic State (ISIS) by coalition forces.
"ISIS and pro-government forces both have records of harming civilians during and after military operations," the international rights watchdog said in a statement Sunday.
"The United States, Iran, Germany, and other states providing military support to Iraq should condition their support on scrupulous respect for the laws of war, which prohibit attacks that disproportionately harm civilians or fail to distinguish between civilians and civilian objectives from military objectives," it added.
Human Rights Watch has been critical of the conduct of all actors in the current war.
"Training in the laws of war and orders to respect it are positive moves, but need to result in actual respect for laws during conflict," said the organization’s deputy Middle East director, Joe Stork.
"Given the record of abuses by armed actors on all sides, it is crucial for Iraq's international allies to press the government to discipline and hold accountable fighters and commanders who violate the laws of war," he said.
"ISIS and pro-government forces both have records of harming civilians during and after military operations," the international rights watchdog said in a statement Sunday.
"The United States, Iran, Germany, and other states providing military support to Iraq should condition their support on scrupulous respect for the laws of war, which prohibit attacks that disproportionately harm civilians or fail to distinguish between civilians and civilian objectives from military objectives," it added.
Human Rights Watch has been critical of the conduct of all actors in the current war.
"Training in the laws of war and orders to respect it are positive moves, but need to result in actual respect for laws during conflict," said the organization’s deputy Middle East director, Joe Stork.
"Given the record of abuses by armed actors on all sides, it is crucial for Iraq's international allies to press the government to discipline and hold accountable fighters and commanders who violate the laws of war," he said.
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