Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS299

Incident date

August 23, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The United States self-reported that one of its airstrikes in the vicinity of Raqqa may have killed civilians.

The incident appears to correlate with a number of reported attacks on the city that day.

In a press release issued August 24th, CENTCOM noted: “A strike yesterday on an ISIL weapons facility near Ar Raqqah, Syria, may have resulted in civilian casualties, according to U.S. Central Command’s own post-strike assessment.

CENTCOM’s internal assessment of possible civilian casualties in this incident has been deemed credible. The incident will be reviewed, next, at the joint task force level at which point officials will decide whether an investigation is needed.

Reports indicate that what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft. The vehicle’s occupants may have perished as a result of the strike.

CENTCOM has extensive processes and techniques in place to avoid or minimize civilian casualties. Every report of civilian casualties, from either internal or external sources, is scrutinized regarding possible casualties and collateral damage. Assessments that are determined to be credible are reviewed as to whether the actions comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict.”

Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered reported five airstrikes on the city on the night of August 23rd, including Fayez Mansour Street in downtown; a water reservoir in the south of the city; and a school.

At around midnight the Coalition reportedly hit Ramilyeh. According to the Syrian Network, “International Coalition warplanes fired missiles on Munir Habib High School in Al Ramliyeh neighborhood in Raqqa city, destroying it almost completely and rendering it inoperable.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on August 23rd which may be linked to civilian casualties (Via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on August 23rd which may be linked to civilian casualties (Via Qadimon Ila Al-Raqqa)
  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa (Via Mohammed Abbosh)
  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa (Via Mohammed Abbosh)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL improvised weapons assembly area.“

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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]