US-Led Coalition Used White Phosphorus in Attacks on Syria's Baghouz - Reports

DAMASCUS (Sputnik) - The US-led coalition has used shells with white phosphorus in its bombing attacks on the southwestern Syrian town of Baghouz, which remains the last stronghold of the Daesh terror group in the country, local media reported on Saturday, citing sources.

This came soon after the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that it had resumed operations against Daesh militants in Baghouz, following a break for citizens evacuation. According to SDF claims, only Daesh militants currently remain in the town.

However, the battle for Baghuz is currently going slowly in order to protect hostages held by the Daesh terrorists, according to co-chair of the US mission of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), Bassam Ishak.

READ MORE: US-Led Coalition Reportedly Strikes Syrian Town Using Banned Phosphorus Bombs

Over the recent months, the Kurdish-led SDF has been carrying out operations against Daesh militants in Syria, with support from the US-led coalition.

Numerous reports have been emerging in Syrian media about civilian casualties and use of white phosphorus, which is prohibited under international conventions.

The Syrian authorities, in particular, have repeatedly urged the United Nations to take measures targeting the perpetrators of the attacks and put an end to the coalition's unauthorized presence in Syria.

The United States, in the meantime, denies using white phosphorus in its airstrikes.

READ MORE: Pentagon Refutes Damascus Claims of Phosphorus Bombs' Use by Coalition

The US-led coalition, which consists of over 70 countries, is conducting military operations against the Daesh in Syria and Iraq. The coalition's operations in Syria are not authorized by the Syrian government or the UN Security Council.

*Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/Islamic State) is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.