China News Service, Beijing, March 10 (Xie Yanbing and Xing Chong) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian hosted a regular press conference on March 10.

　　A reporter asked: According to reports, the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria reiterated that it urges the United States and other parties to conduct credible, independent and impartial investigations into the civilian casualties caused by air strikes in Syria and hold them accountable.

What is the comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this?

　　Zhao Lijian: Five years ago, the U.S. military launched the so-called "most accurate airstrike in history" on Syria, killing more than 1,600 innocent civilians.

　　There have been repeated calls from the international community for an investigation into the indiscriminate killing of civilians by US military operations overseas.

As far as Syria is concerned, in September 2019 and February 2021, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria pointed out several times in its reports that the US airstrikes in Syria did not distinguish between military targets and civilians, and were a serious violation of international humanitarian law. constitute a war crime.

But the U.S. government has so far turned a deaf ear.

　　According to reports, in the past two decades, the United States has launched more than 90,000 air strikes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other countries, and the highest number of civilians killed in air strikes may reach 48,000.

However, the US has repeatedly concealed and covered up the relevant facts without apology, confession, or punishment of the perpetrator, and has tried every means to evade responsibility.

Regarding the U.S. military's drone strikes on civilians in Afghanistan, a U.S. Defense Department spokesman publicly admitted in December last year that no U.S. soldier would face disciplinary action.

U.S. media also disclosed at the end of last year that from 2014 to 2019, U.S. drones repeatedly attacked and killed farmers who were harvesting, children playing in the streets, families fleeing fighting, and villagers hiding in buildings.

But these calamitous crimes are deliberately covered up and whitewashed.

　　Last year, according to a confidential assessment of more than 1,300 civilian casualty reports by the U.S. military, the U.S. media found that the number of civilian casualties in U.S. airstrikes in many countries in the Middle East was "severely underestimated."

Lewis, head of the Center for Naval Analysis of the United States, believes that since the "9.11" incident, civilian injuries caused by the U.S. military have occurred almost every week, and the U.S. government has been dereliction of duty when it comes to civilian injuries.

The United States also blocked the International Criminal Court's investigation of war crimes in Afghanistan.

　　Every human life, regardless of nationality, race, religion, or values, is equal and precious.

The U.S. side should seriously respond to the strong voice of the international community, conduct credible, independent and impartial investigations into the civilian casualties caused by U.S. airstrikes, and earnestly hold relevant personnel accountable.

(over)