Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS383

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.38324, 40.09991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A dawn Coalition airstrike on the village of al Salhiyeh killed at least nine civilians – most from one family. The Coalition has since admitted two civilian deaths in the attack.

ISIL’s media wing said the target of the raid was a cotton factory in the village, where three workers also died. Ara News cited a local activist as saying that “the raids came after false information came to the Coalition that the factory is used for the manufacture of weapons and belongs to Islamic State.” Syria News Desk said there were six raids in total – which also injured 13 civilians.

In a statement issued January 2nd 2017, the Coalition reported: “Nov. 21, 2016, near Al-Salahiyah, Syria: During a strike on ISIL-held buildings it is assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male Or Abd al Rahman Al Abd al Karim al Zagheer killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (2–3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Translation: the young man abd al Rahman Al abd al Karim al Zagheer martyred in international coalition raids on al Salhyie village. He is from al Assadiya village.
  • Mustapha al Farwa (via RBSS)
  • Mohammad Mustapha al Farwa (via RBSS)
  • Ahmad al Hreiwal (via RBSS)

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
    2
  • Stated location
    Al-Salahiyah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV999161
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • Nov. 21, 2016, near Al-Salahiyah, Syria: During a strike on ISIL-held buildings it is assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 21st 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed 2 VBIEDs, an IED factory, two oil well heads and two oil tanker trucks.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (2–3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (22) [ collapse]