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U.N. Human Rights Official Warns of “Pyrrhic Victory” In Raqqa, Syria

HeadlineSep 01, 2017

In Syria, up to 20,000 people remain trapped amid fierce fighting in the ISIS-controlled city of Raqqa, where U.S. airstrikes have left much of the city in ruins. The devastation drew criticism Thursday from Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Office.

Ravina Shamdasani: “What we are concerned about is that the battle to regain Raqqa is being waged at the expense of civilian lives. And the high commissioner for human rights of the United Nations is concerned that perhaps the coalition forces are losing sight of the reason for this battle.”

Reporter: Meaning?”

Ravina Shamdasani: “Meaning that if you’re going to pummel civilians, if you’re going to cause massive loss of civilian life and infrastructure, then what is the point? The point should be to liberate these civilians from ISIL’s murderous regime, not to pummel them so that in the end you have a Pyrrhic victory.”

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