Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1353

Incident date

August 7, 2017

Location

Hurriyah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.961696, 39.004436 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 two civilians.

In January 2018, their monthly civilian casualty report noted “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently crossed into the area of the blast after the weapons were fired from a Coalition aircraft.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV004797 (Military grid reference with a 100 m accuracy) which placed the event at the Hurriyah neighbourhood.

Although Airwars researchers have not monitored local reports of civilian harm that mention the Hurriyah neighbourhood specifically for this date, there were multiple civilian casualty events in Raqqa on the day.

Those other, locally reported events might or might not relate to this Coalition-reported incident — most likely an event in the neighbouring Al Hadika al Bayda area or one that targeted the electricity directorate building.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

  • 37SEV004797, 100 m precision

    Date taken:
    October 21, 2017

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google Earth

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV004797
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • Aug. 7, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently crossed into the area of the blast after the weapons were fired from a Coalition aircraft.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 7th-8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 37 fighting positions, two command and control nodes, two weapons caches, two vehicles, and a weapons depot.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 7, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, an ISIS communications tower, and a mortar system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]