SYRIA: MILITARY TARGETING CIVILIANS

Document Type:

FOIA [1]

Collection:

FOIA Collection [2]

Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):

06686908

Release Decision:

RIPPUB

Original Classification:

Document Page Count:

Document Creation Date:

December 28, 2022

Document Release Date:

August 28, 2018

Sequence Number:

Case Number:

F-2015-01087

Publication Date:

September 4, 2012

File:

Attachment	Size
syria military targeting[15489312].pdf [3]	36.29 KB

Body:

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)