The Socialists call for transparency and independent monitoring for air strikes

The Socialists call for transparency and independent monitoring for air strikes

Federal MP Alain Top wants members of a mixed Foreign Affairs and Defence commission to be informed about eventual civilian casualties during air strikes on Mosul (Iraq). Belgian F-16s may be involved in the strikes. The MP wants as much transparency as possible. “If we don’t get that, we give ISIS the possibility of using propaganda against the international coalition”, he said.

Air strikes on the Aj jadida district of Mosul on the 17th of March injured 200 civilians. The Guardian journalist Martin Chulov said that a Pentagon report confirmed the American, British, French and Belgian armies were involved in those strikes in a tweet.

Green MP Wouter De Vriendt called for the Special Commission for Foreign Missions to meet as soon as possible. Alain Top said a mixed Foreign Affairs and Defence Commission would be better, as their meetings are not kept classified and there would be more transparency.

The Flemish Socialist also called for an independent organisation, similar to Airwars, to confirm the existence of civilian casualties during this type of operation. It would be possible if the coordinates of these missions were released.

(Source: Belga)


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