UNITED NATIONS, Feb 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) – UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, yesterday expressed concern over civilian casualties, in a U.S. raid that led to the death of Daesh leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi.
Asked for the secretary-general’s comment on the U.S. operation in Syria, against al-Qurayshi, Farhan Haq, Guterres’ deputy spokesman, said, “We’ve taken note of the announcement by the U.S. president of the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi, the leader of the Daesh. We note with concern reports of civilian casualties.”
“We continue to call on all the parties to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law,” said Haq.
In the case of trying to determine responsibility for casualties from attack, it would be important to have an investigation, he said.
“Daesh has committed heinous crimes and brought tragedy and death to thousands of men, women, and children. And we want to take this moment to remember the victims and families of victims of terrorism everywhere in the world. And, of course, as you know, the UN system as a whole has been very united, in efforts to act against the Daesh. So any successes against them are to be welcomed,” he said.
Al-Qurayshi reportedly detonated a bomb that killed himself and members of his family, during the overnight raid by U.S. special operations forces, in the town of Atmeh in the north-western Idlib governorate of Syria. Thirteen people were reportedly killed, including six children and four women.– NNN-AGENCIES
