Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1392

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Location

Al Thakana, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9478905, 39.0067863 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was killed in alleged US-Coalition airstrikes, al Thakana neighbourhood, Raqqa city. Reports of his death arose only twenty days after the incident. Dchrs said he died due to “indiscriminate shelling of coalition forces”, whilst Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently accused the Coalition of “bombing…on the barracks neighbourhood”.

No additional details are available at present.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Takana (حي الثكنة) neighbourhood of Raqqah, for which the coordinates are: 35.9478905 39.0067863

  • The neighbourhood of Al Takana (حي الثكنة) in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Bassam Yousef Zunun, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Al Thakana, Raqqah, Aug 19th (via RBSS)
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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 18th-19th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 20 fighting positions, an anti-air artillery system, and a command and control node.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 20 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units, destroyed 14 fighting positions, and damaged a tunnel entrance.” And that “On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions.” Also that “On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Saturday 19 August – Typhoons bombed a truck on the move near Bayji, while Tornados attacked a terrorist position in Raqqa...A Typhoon flight faced a challenging target on Saturday 19 August – a fast-moving truck carrying a group of terrorists across the desert in Iraq, west of Bayji. Despite the vehicle’s speed, a Paveway IV was guided accurately onto the target, destroying it. Tornados continued to provide close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, destroying a terrorist strongpoint.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]