Amnesty UK letter to The Times on the use of barrel bombs by the Syrian government

Letters to the editor
The Times
letters@thetimes.co.uk

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Sir,

Growing numbers of reports of the use of “barrel bombs” by Syrian government forces in attacks on Aleppo and elsewhere are absolutely reprehensible and should become a key focus of the talks in Geneva when they resume (150 dead after barrage of barrel bombs, 4 Feb).

By their very nature - large explosives-laden steel containers which are simply rolled out of planes or helicopters - these weapons are highly indiscriminate. In Sudan, for example, we documented their use in government bombing campaigns in the Darfur region that wreaked havoc on the local civilian population. 

The Syrian air force’s use of barrel bombs is very likely to constitute a war crime and should be added to a lengthening charge sheet against members of the Syrian authorities. 

Meanwhile, the long-suffering people of Aleppo and other Syrian cities need to see immediate action being taken to stop the barrel bombing as an absolute minimum.

Yours faithfully, 

Kate Allen
Director
Amnesty International UK
17-25 New Inn Yard
London EC2A 3EA