Germany’s involvement in the Anti-IS Coalition: the air strike on Al-Badhiya IDP-Shelter in Syria

Maike Awater, Airwars’ Netherland based Advocacy Officer and Conflict Researcher presents at a panel discussion commemorating the second anniversary of the Al-Badhiya air strike’s in Syria. The most worst known air strike of the Anti-IS Coalition with over 150 civilian casualties took place on 20 March 2017 when it targeted a shelter for internally displaced people. Germany, part of the coalition, has acknowledged its role in the strike by providing images of the target site to the coalition command, as well as battle damage assessment flights after the attack. Participants will aim to analyse how an estimated 150 civilian fatalities or more could have been prevented. They will also address the legal obligations of states to investigate right to life violations under human rights law; the need for public transparency; and the question of how to better protect civilians in armed conflict.