Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS918

Incident date

June 4, 2017

Location

north of Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.06537, 39.04331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians in an event north of Raqqa.

Their November 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that engaged a Daesh tactical unit, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.”

In July 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    4
  • Stated location
    north of Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV039912
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017
  • June 4, 2017 north of Raqqah, Syria, via self-report. During a Coalition strike that engaged a Daesh tactical unit, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 4th-5th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions and five vehicles.” In addition it reported for June 4th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 49 boats, five fighting positions, three anti-air artillery systems, two tactical vehicles and two ISIS staging areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]