2021-05-31-美国国防部-Annual_Report_on_Civilian_Casualties_In_Connection_With_United_States_Military_Operations_in_2020_21页_252kb

Summary of the Department of Defense Annual Report on Civilian Casualties in Connection With United States Military Operations in 2020

Core Content

The Department of Defense (DoD) submitted an Annual Report on Civilian Casualties In Connection With United States Military Operations in 2020, in compliance with Section 1057 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018, as amended. The report outlines the number of civilian casualties, the nature of military operations, and the procedures used by the DoD to investigate and assess civilian casualty claims.

Main Points

• Report Submission Requirements:

  • The Secretary of Defense is required to submit an annual report to the congressional defense committees by May 1 each year.
  • The report must include a list of military operations that resulted in civilian casualties, along with details such as date, location, operation type, and casualty numbers.
  • The report must also describe the process for investigating civilian casualty allegations, mitigation measures, ex gratia payments, and discrepancies with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• Report Availability:

  • The report is publicly available on Defense.gov.
  • It may include a classified annex, but the unclassified version is made available to the public simultaneously with submission to Congress, unless national security interests are at risk.

• Casualty Assessments:

  • DoD defines a "credible" report as one where it is more likely than not that civilian casualties occurred.
  • The report includes both confirmed and reasonably suspected civilian casualties.

• Legal and Policy Framework:

  • The report is consistent with the laws of armed conflict, including the principles of distinction and proportionality.
  • DoD is committed to minimizing civilian casualties as part of its ethical and strategic obligations.

Key Information

A. Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and Other U.S. Military Actions in Iraq and Syria

• Total Civilian Casualties: 23 killed, 10 injured.
• Credible Reports: 1 report from 2020 was assessed as credible, with 1 civilian killed.
• Additional Updates: 12 incidents from 2017 and 2018 were identified as previously unreported, resulting in 50 killed and 22 injured.
• Operation Type: Primarily air strikes.
• Location: Iraq and Syria.
• Note: DoD considers civilian casualties as a result of Coalition actions, not solely U.S. actions.

B. Operation FREEDOM'S SENTINEL in Afghanistan

• Total Civilian Casualties: 20 killed, 5 injured.
• Credible Reports: 7 reports from 2020 were assessed as credible.
• Operation Type: Air and ground strikes.
• Location: Afghanistan.
• Note: The report includes details of specific incidents, such as strikes in Kapisa, Parwan, Balkh, Logar, Paktiya, and Herat.

C. U.S. Military Actions in Yemen

• Total Civilian Casualties: 1 killed in 2019, 12 killed in 2017 (with uncertainty in the exact number).
• Credible Reports: One incident from 2019 was assessed as credible.
• Operation Type: Air strikes.
• Location: Al Bayda, Yemen.

D. U.S. Military Actions in Somalia

• Total Civilian Casualties: 1 killed, 5 injured.
• Credible Reports: 11 reports from 2020 were assessed as credible.
• Operation Type: Air strikes.
• Location: Jilib, Somalia.
• Note: USAFRICOM began issuing quarterly reports and created an electronic form for submitting civilian casualty reports.

E. U.S. Military Actions in Nigeria

• Casualties: No reports of civilian casualties were identified.
• Operation: A successful hostage rescue mission was conducted.
• Note: No civilian casualties were reported or identified.

Process for Assessing Civilian Casualties

• Investigation Process:

  • DoD considers information from multiple sources, including military units, NGOs, media, and survivors.
  • The process involves reviewing available data and may involve seeking additional information when necessary.

• Mitigation Measures:

  • DoD takes steps to reduce harm to civilians, including taking feasible precautions during planning and execution of military operations.

• Ex Gratia Payments:

  • In the case of civilian casualties, DoD may provide ex gratia payments or other forms of assistance.

• Discrepancies:

  • Discrepancies between DoD assessments and NGO reports are noted, often due to lack of information, incorrect timing or location, or misclassification of casualties.

Definitions

• Combatant: Individuals who are directly participating in hostilities.
• Noncombatant: Civilians who are not directly participating in hostilities and are therefore protected under the laws of armed conflict.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the DoD's commitment to minimizing civilian casualties and aligns with international law and ethical standards. It provides detailed assessments of civilian casualties in various regions and outlines the processes and policies in place to address such incidents.