Understanding civilian harm in Raqqa and its implications for future conflicts / Michael J. McNerney, Gabrielle Tarini, Nate Rosenblatt, Karen M. Sudkamp, Pauline Moore, Michelle Grisé, Benjamin J. Sacks, Larry Lewis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McNerney, Michael J. (Michael Joseph), author.

Tarini, Gabrielle, author.

Rosenblatt, Nate, author.

Sudkamp, Karen M., author.

Moore, Pauline L., author.

Grisé, Michelle, author.

Sacks, Benjamin J., author.

Lewis, Larry, author.

Contributor:

International Security and Defense Policy Center.

Rosengarten Family Fund.

Rand Corporation.

United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Syria--History--Civil War, 2011---Casualties.

Syria.

Raqqah (Syria)--History.

Raqqah (Syria).

Civilians in war--Syria--Raqqah.

Civilians in war.

Responsibility to protect (International law).

War--Protection of civilians--International cooperation--Case studies.

War.

Combined operations (Military science).

Civilian war casualties--Prevention.

Civilian war casualties.

Harm reduction--Government policy--United States.

Harm reduction.

United States--Armed Forces--Risk management.

United States.

United States--Military policy.

Physical Description:

xvii, 119 pages : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, Calif. : RAND, [2022]

Summary:

The battle for Raqqa, Syria, seemed like a perfect storm of strategic and operational challenges. When the city was finally liberated from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in October 2017, 60 to 80 percent of it was estimated to be uninhabitable. In fact, the battle for Raqqa is a cautionary tale about civilian harm in 21st-century conflicts. The purpose of this report is to discuss how the U.S. military-which is the best-trained and most technologically advanced military in the world, is supported in Operation Inherent Resolve by an international coalition of more than 80 countries, and was partnered in Raqqa with a well-respected militia force on the ground-could cause significant civilian harm despite a deeply ingrained commitment to the law of war. In this report, RAND researchers study the causes of civilian harm in Raqqa and provide insights into how the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) can reduce civilian harm in future operations.

Contents:

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: DoD Policies and Procedures for Mitigating Civilian Harm

Chapter Three: The Battle for Raqqa: Overview and Operational Approach

Chapter Four: Civilian Harm in the Battle for Raqqa

Chapter Five: The Contribution of ISIS Defensive Tactics to Civilian Harm in Raqqa

Chapter Six: Civilian-Harm Mitigation Challenges for Air Forces

Chapter Seven: Civilian-Harm Mitigation Challenges for Ground Forces

Chapter Eight: Civilian-Harm Mitigation Challenges Working by, with, and Through Partners

Chapter Nine: Civilian-Harm Mitigation Challenges for Intelligence Efforts

Chapter Ten: Challenges Identifying, Reporting, and Investigating Civilian Harm in Raqqa

Chapter Eleven: Findings and Recommendations.

Notes:

"Prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense".

Includes bibliographical references (pages 111-119)

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Rosengarten Family Fund.

ISBN:

1977406947

9781977406941

OCLC:

1309056487