Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS623

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

Hamrat, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.907881, 39.169956 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In July 2017 the Coalition reported that it had unintentionally injured one civilian in a strike previously unreported by Airwars: “March 25, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle carrying mortar rounds, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured by a secondary explosion.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV1533573744 which placed the event at Al Hamrat, a town 15 km from Raqqa city.

Although local sources confirmed the strike at the time of the event, reports did not make mention civilian casualties in al Hamrat (which is a collection of 5 villages: حمرة ناصر Hamrat Nasser, حمرة بويطية Hamrat Buweitiya, حمرة بلاسم Hamrat Blassem, حمرة غنام Hamrat Ghnam and حمرة جماسة Hamrat Jamassa).

Most sources, like RBSS, Raqqa RWB and Syrian PC, stated that the Coalition conducted three raids on “the village of Hamra Nasser and the brick factory east of the city.” Smart News Agency noted that these villages were “empty […] after a gradual displacement following instructions from the Islamic state to evacuate those who remained.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ 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
    Killed by secondary explosion(s)
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria [Hamrat]
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV1533573744
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • March 25, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle carrying mortar rounds, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured by a secondary explosion.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 25th-26th: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, and a mortar system; and damaged a supply rout” and “Near Tabqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, an improvised weapons facility, and a weapons factory; and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]