OXFAM: 'Under intl. law, there is a duty to distinguish between military & civilian targets"

[Bluebear]

'US admits strikes in Somalia missed 3 key Al-Qaeda men. Locals say 100 civilians were killed. US air strike on Somalia three days ago killed up to 10 Al-Qaeda-affiliated "terrorists," but three of the most wanted suspects survived, a senior United States official said on Thursday.'

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=78465


===

Nairobi, 12th Jan. 2007: Oxfam is receiving reports from its partner organizations in Somalia that nomadic herdsmen have been hit in recent bombing raids. According to the reports from local organizations in Afmadow district, bombs have hit vital water sources as well as large groups of nomads and their animals who had gathered around large fires at night to ward off mosquitoes.

Further reports have also confirmed that bombings have claimed the lives of at least 70 people in the district.

"These reports must be taken seriously. Under international law, there is a duty to distinguish between military and civilian targets. We are deeply concerned that this principle is not being adhered to, and that innocent people in Somalia are paying the price. These communities are already struggling to survive after a severe drought last year was followed by widespread flooding," said Paul Smith-Lomas, Oxfam's Regional Director for Horn, East and Central Africa.

Today, Oxfam and its partners warned that the recent escalation in violence is making it extremely difficult for aid agencies to reach people in need.

Since late December, violence in Somalia has forced an estimated 70,000 people from their homes, and has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation. Last year, Somalia was hit first by severe drought and then the worst flooding in 50 years, leaving some 400,000 people homeless.

Oxfam partner organizations in the region have been providing communities with emergency medical supplies, essential household items, and water chlorination services, as well as distributing food in areas where food is not locally available.

Oxfam is calling on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.


http://www.oxfam.org/en/news/2007/pr070112_somali

[malaise]

1. Humanitarian law and George Bush?

Oh please.

[EFerrari]

2. Can't even comment, it's just too overwhelming to know what

our government is doing.

K&R

[rodeodance]

3. how horrible for these nomands---to be blown to bits out of the

blue---literally!!

[Robbien]

8. The ones blown to bits aren't the worst ones

The ones still alive after the bombs quit falling are the ones I feel sorry about. Image sitting around the campfire with your loved ones and your cattle. Everything is all right with the world if only you could just find a few more watering holes. Then whump ,,,

[rodeodance]

4. how horrible for these nomands---to be blown to bits out of the

blue---literally!!

[Kurovski]

5. K&R(nt)

[EFerrari]

6. kick

[magellan]

7. "We regret the deaths of civilians...

...but reserve the right to defend ourselves."

See late 20th and early 21st century USA/Israel defense policy for the standard non-apology apology.

We are the enemy.

[Warren Stupidity]

9. When did Congress authorize war against Somalia?

I seemed to have missed that.

[Bluebear]

10. Indeed. nt

[Bluebear]

12. .

[mmonk]

11. We kill civilians by the bucketful now.

I know of no humanitarian law we follow now. We're pretty much a rogue with no conscience.