SYRIA: MILITARY TARGETING CIVILIANS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06686908
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 28, 2018
• Case Number: F-2015-01087
• Publication Date: September 4, 2012

Approved for Release: 2018/08/22 C06686908
�Tep-secgr
WIRe
Published online on 4 September 2012
Syria: Military Targeting Civilians
OFFICE .OF MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA ANALYSIS
The regime has gradually relaxed its rules of engagement, progressing from its
initial avoidance of civilian casualties to now actively targeting civilians
During the past month, Damascus has used increasing firepower to combat
insurgents and has begun implementing collective punishment tactics against
civiliansairstrikes and artillery barrages�in insurgent hotspots throughout the
country.
Damascus is using these tactics in areas where regime
forces have struggled most to reverse insurgent gains�including in Aleppo, Dayr
az Zawr, and ldlib.
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
-TGP-&EeiteT
Approved for Release: 2018/08/22 C06686908
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2018/08/22 C06686908
WIRe
Syria: Military Targeting Civilians...
Continued (b)(3)
The regime's strategy of targeting civilians provides an
opportunity for oppositionists to channel antiregime sentiment into
support for the insurgency.
Collective punishment risks deepening antiregime sentiment among
the segments of the population being targeted. Previously neutral Syrians,
incensed by violence, have vowed to join the opposition,
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
Tor 3ECRET
Approved for Release: 2018/08/22 C06686908
(b)(3)