Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS870a

Incident date

May 27, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.94907, 39.00665 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unreported incident, in the US-led Coalition’s December 2017 report, it conceded it had killed three civilians in near Raqqa.

Without a more accurate location, Airwars cannot determine if the Coalition’s assessment matches any of the five locally reported civilian events which occurred in the area on that day, including incident CS870.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.953861, 39.005409

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    3
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006783
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017
  • May 27, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via media report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters building it was assessed the three civilians were unintentionally killed. (497)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, an ISIS staging area and a VBIED.

Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed a six fighting positions, an ISIS-held building and a weapons cache.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]