Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS078

Incident date

June 11, 2015

Location

سلوك, Slouk, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.59539, 39.128559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three alleged Coalition incidents were clustered together in most news reports: the killing of a family of five at Slouk; the death of a child near Ma’adan; and up to 15 further civilian deaths in other airstrikes in the vicinity.

According to SOHR, “international coalition aircraft last night carried out several strikes in the area of Sukair in the southern countryside of Tal Abiyad. Initial reports indicate deaths and injuries of civilian nationals in the bombing. We have confirmed reports of the death of a child following coalition bombing on the area of Ma’adan in the Raqqa countryside.”

The Shaam Network claimed that as many as 20 civilians died in attacks, a number also cited by Eldorar which stated: “Activists reported that five people from one family from the village of Slouk were killed yesterday morning following coalition air strikes on civilians fleeing from the hell of the battles in the countryside of Tal Abiyad. A further 15 were killed in aerial bombardments on the villages and towns in the areas areas that are seeing clashes with IS.”

Those killed at Slouk were reported to be trying to flee the fighting in two vehicles when they were struck. The head of the family was later named as Juma Al Jassim.

Islamic State also posted a video [now deleted] showing a rescue in progress at Ar Raqaa, which it said was the result of a “coalition airstrike.” However elsewhere Daesh attributed the attack to Assad regime aircraft.

 

The incident occured around midnight.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area near Suluk, in the vicinity of Tal Abiyad, Ar Raqqah. Halab Today TV alleged civilians were harmed when two vehicles that were fleeing the fighting where struck by a Coalition airstrike. Airwars was unable to establish the direction the vehicles were travelling in. The wider area was under the control of Daesh at the time. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the event happening during the night. The coordinates for the midpoint of Suluk town (سلوك) are: 36.59539, 39.128559

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 20
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Suluk, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA114499
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Despite claims of heavy coalition airstrikes in support of Kurdish forces in the retaking of Tel Abyaf, the coalition officially reported only a small number of events in Syria for the date in question.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 20
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]