Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS948

Incident date

June 9, 2017

Location

سيف الدولة, 23rd February road junction / Saif al Dawla, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.949944, 39.021124 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources named Hassan Aliya aka Abou Ammar as dying from wounds sustained in “artillery shelling” at the junction of 23rd February Street and Saif al Dawla Street. Sources did not identify who was responsible for the shelling, however, the Coalition has informed Airwars that the SDF is not using artillery (only heavy mortars).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Aliya
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hassan Aliya - Abou Ammar, killed by artillery in Raqqa, June 9th (via Sharqiya Voice)
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 Saif Al Dawla neighborhood, Raqqah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV019783
    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 June 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles and a mortar system.” It additionally added that “On June 8, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed four fighting positions and a VBIED.” And that “On June 8, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”

For June 9th-10th: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, a VBIED, and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.“ It additionally added that “On June 9, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two VBIEDs, two weapons caches, and an ISIS staging area.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Friday 9 June – Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa… On Friday 9 June, Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]