Rights group criticizes use of white phosphorus against Islamic State

BEIRUT — The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq is endangering civilians by using artillery-delivered white phosphorus, Human Rights Watch says Wednesday, after reports that such weapons were used in the Syrian city of Raqqa last Thursday.

HRW says it is not able to independently verify whether the use of the munitions resulted in any civilian casualties. The northern Iraqi city of Mosul and the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, the extremist group’s de facto capital, have been under attack by different groups.

White phosphorus burns at extremely high temperatures and can be used to illuminate conflict zones or obscure them with smoke. International law prohibits its use in civilian areas because of its indiscriminate effects, from starting fires to causing excruciating burns for bystanders, according to Human Rights Watch.

The US military refused to comment on specific allegations after last week’s attack in Raqqa but says it uses white phosphorus rounds “in accordance with the law of armed conflict… in a way that fully considers the possible incidental effects on civilians and civilian structures.”

HRW says US-led forces in Mosul and Raqqa are using US-made M825-series 155mm artillery projectiles containing 116 felt wedges impregnated with white phosphorus, which ignites and continues to burn when exposed to the air.

“No matter how white phosphorus is used, it poses a high risk of horrific and long-lasting harm in crowded cities like Raqqa and Mosul and any other areas with concentrations of civilians,” says Steve Goose, arms director at Human Rights Watch.

— AP