Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS791

Incident date

May 9, 2017

Location

الحي الثاني, Tabaqah, al Thani, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.846667, 38.543889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported that a likely Coalition airstrike killed “a family of five people and wounded three others on Tuesday evening following raids on the consumer association in the Second [al Thani] district.”

The VDC later named one adult civilian male “as a victim of international coalition raids on Tabaqa.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (2) [ 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 Al Thani, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV588670
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions.” It later added: “Additionally, four strikes were conducted in Syria on May 8 that closed within the last 24 hours: Near Tabqah, Syria, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed a fighting position and a mortar system; and damaged an ISIS supply route.”

For May 9th - 10th, the Coalition reported: "Near Tabqah, seven strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles; damaged a fighting position; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit" and "Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven vehicles, three fighting positions, an ISIS barge, a VBIED factory, a weapons storage facility; and damaged two ISIS supply routes" It later added, "Additionally, 10 strikes were conducted in Syria on May 9th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Raqqah, Syria, 10 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, a VBIED factory, an ISIS headquarters; damaged a bridge, a road; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit"

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]