Geolocation
Airwars assessment
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian during an attack on ISIS heavy equipment. The location given is in the residential neighbourhood of Ar Rafiqah, in the old city of Raqqa.
Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted, “During a strike on an ISIS heavy equipment, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”
The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 1 metre box.
It is possible that this incident matches an event listed that day in Raqqa (CS1126), however the Coalition are yet to assess that incident and the precise location of it is unknown.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (1) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]
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Coalition airstrike with confirmed civilian casualties in central Raqqah, 30th June 2017. (via Satellite image: Google Maps)
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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June 30, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS heavy equipment, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.
Original strike reports
For June 25th-26th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles and a tunnel system.” It additionally reported that “On June 25, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters.”
For June 26th-27th: “Near Raqqah, 18 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 13 fighting positions, two vehicles, a VBIED, a home-made explosives factory, and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged two fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On June 26, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an IED belt.”
For June 25th-26th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed six ISIS oil tanks, three well heads and two oil trucks." Additionally, they reported that "Near Raqqah, 11 strikes [1 British] engaged 10 ISIS tactical units, three fighting positions, three vehicles, a tactical vehicle and a mortar system."
‘Friday 30 June – Tornados and Typhoons destroyed a truck-bomb and a Daesh-held building in Raqqa…The RAF is continuing to support Iraqi forces in their effort to liberate western Mosul. While the operating environment in the city is very challenging, particularly given the closely-packed buildings, very narrow streets, and the density of the urban population, our aircrew have continued to deliver precision strikes in close support of Iraqi troops on the ground. Daesh’s current tactics, including the illegal use of civilians as human shields, and fighting from sites such as schools, hospitals, religious sites and civilian neighbourhoods, increases the risk to innocent life. While no military operations come without risk, particularly in dense urban environments and against such inhuman Daesh tactics, the RAF continues to take all steps necessary to minimise civilian casualties. Royal Air Force Tornados and Typhoons provided close air support to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pushing into Raqqa on Friday 30 June. The Typhoons worked closely with a coalition surveillance aircraft which had spotted a large truck-bomb. A direct hit from a Paveway IV removed the threat. A Tornado pair meanwhile bombed a Daesh-held building in the south-east of the city.’