US bombing in Raqqa has hit civilian infrastructure -- including internet cafes and swimming pools, shops and mosques. There are reports of civilians being killed as they flee Raqqa. Lt. General Stephen Townsend, who derided Amnesty's allegations about war crimes in Mosul, told the New York Times' Michael Gordon a few days ago, "And we shoot every boat we find. If you want to get out of Raqqa right now, you've got to build a poncho raft." This is a violation of the UN's 1981 Protection of Asylum-Seekers in Situations of Large-Scale Influx.
Meanwhile, the de-escalation zones continue to be formed in Syria to the great relief of the population. It is the only glimmer of hope in the region. Most of these de-escalation zones are in western Syria, with the most recent declared along the Jordanian border, including the provinces of Dara'a, Quneitra and Sweida. The UN Refugee Agency -- UNHCR -- said that 440,000 internally displaced people have returned to their homes during the first six months of this year. Over 30,000 Syrians who had left the country have now returned home. Some of these ceasefires relied upon discussions between Iran and Qatar. It is clear that one of the reasons for Saudi Arabia's annoyance with Qatar is that it has participated actively in the creation of these de-escalation zones. Expansion of this zone is essential for the well-being of the people.
It would be valuable if this example of the de-escalation zones would set the ethical foundation for peace-making in Iraq as well as in northeastern Syria. Total warfare wins battles, but it can often prolong the war.
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