Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS373

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Location

أبو وحل, Abu Wahil, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.03892, 39.28914 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians reportedly died in a Coalition airstrike on Abu Wahil village, according to sources.

Syria News Desk reported the following: “The media opposition activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from Abu Wahil, said Coalition aircraft targeted with severe rocket explosion the homes of civilians in both villages, which led to the deaths of three civilians in Abu Wahil and one in Mazra’at al Qadisiyah, as well as confirming the presence of six wounded in a critical condition who were transferred to the National Hospital in Raqqa under the control of ISIL. The source said the raids also resulted in the deaths of a number of livestock in Abu Wahil and the destruction of five houses completely and partially destroyed in six other houses, in addition to physical damage to other property.”

Syria Press tweeted that Coalition strikes were taking place in the vicinity, while Smart News reported “Casualties due to coalition airstrikes in Mazra’at Al Qadissiya and Abu Wahil in Raqqa.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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 Abu Wahil, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 14th-15th, the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle. Near Ayn Isa, five strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]