Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS592

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Al Kanissa roundabout, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.829161, 38.534997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the first of three reported incidents at al Tabaqa on this date, eight civilians died in a fresh alleged Coalition raid on the city. ‘Dozens’ were also reported injured.

According to local reports, eight members of the family of Musa al-Habib died when their house near the al Kanissa roundaout was struck in an airstrike.

According to Sharqiya Voice, “The international coalition launched an air raid last night targeting al Sina’a street in the market of the town, the gas department and the home of Ibrahim al A’bd between the church and al Shia’a mosque. There is news of martyrs and wounded among civilians.” A further report said that eight members of the Musa al-Habib family died, including women and children. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also attributed the incident to the Coalition.

In its December 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition conceded killing one civilian at Tabqah on this date.

Coalition officials later confirmed to Airwars that their report was referring to this incident.

The report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS weapons facility and headquarters one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

In April 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Musa al-Habib family 1
Age unknown killed
Musa al-Habib family 2
Age unknown killed
Musa al-Habib family 3
Age unknown killed
Musa al-Habib family 4
Age unknown killed
Musa al-Habib family 5
Age unknown killed
Musa al-Habib family 6
Age unknown killed
Musa al-Habib family 7
Age unknown killed
Musa al-Habib family 8
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ 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 Al-Thawarah, Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV580651
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017
  • March 20, 2017 near Al-Thawarah, Tabqah, Syria via Airwars report. During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS weapons facility and headquarters one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 20th-21st the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed four petroleum oil lubricant equipment pieces, three barges, three fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, two VBIED facilities, two VBIEDs, a VBIED factory, a tunnel, a vehicle, a weapons storage facility, and a command and control node; and damaged two supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]