Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS155

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.94907, 39.00222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike against a high value target in Raqqah.

According to the official release, “On Dec. 10, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during strikes against Siful Sujan, an ISIL external operations planner, it was assessed that one civilian was killed.”

Our researchers have been unable to identify any additional reports relating to this incident.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV002783
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016
  • On Dec. 10, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during strikes against Siful Sujan, an ISIL external operations planner, it was assessed that one civilian was killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and wounded ISIL fighters.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (2) [ collapse]