Four members of the U.S. Congress: Turkey’s use of white phosphorous against civilians in Syria is a war crime
WASHINGTON, (ST)_Several members of the US Congress have affirmed that the use of the internationally banned white phosphorous by Turkish regime forces during their ongoing attack on the Syrian territories is a war crime and a crime against humanity.
According to a letter led today by Rep. Ilham Omar to Jim Jeffrey, the Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIL, the Members requested accountability for the perpetrators, including a potential Security Council resolution and International Criminal Court Investigation.
“International organizations and observers on the ground in Northern Syria allege that on October 16th, Turkish forces used white phosphorous. If these allegations are true, this is a war crime and a crime against humanity. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has said it is monitoring the situation, but has declined to open a full investigation. Members are asking for a full briefing, classified if necessary, to address what the U.S. has learned about the alleged chemical attack—and calling on the Department of State to commit to a full, impartial, multilateral investigation into the allegations. If the attack is found to violate domestic or international law,” the letter said.
The letter is led by Rep. Omar, along with Reps. Karen Bass, Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, Juan Vargas, and Sheila Jackson Lee.
You can read the full letter on the following link :
Basma Qaddour