Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1038

Incident date

June 19, 2017

Location

الجسر الجديد, Al Jisr al Jadid, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9320812, 38.9918947 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of civilians – including two women and a child – were killed after alleged Coalition airstrikes struck their house near Al Jisr al Jadeed (the New Bridge), to the south of Raqqa. Several local sources identified the victims by name.

According to RFS, the family were trying to escape the city when they were killed.

One source, @NPress9, claimed that Salem al Hassan al Hamoud and his son were ‘terrorists’ wanted by the Coalition, but that information could not be verified. All other sources reported that they were civilians.

Twelve of the 14 sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible, whereas the remaining two did not apportion blame.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Salem al Hassan al Hamoud
Age unknown male killed
Hassan Salem al Hamoud
Age unknown male killed
Hala Salem al Hamoud
Age unknown female killed
Fahad Salem al Hamoud
Age unknown male killed
Wife of Faisal Maha Mustafa Darwish
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Salem al-Hassan al-Hamoud, killed with members of his family in an alleged Coalition raid on al Jisr al Jadid, June 19th (via Al Ragga Truth)
  • Salem al-Hassan al-Hamoud and his son were reportedly killed by Coalition airstrikes on June 19th 2017 (via Noon Press)
  • Salem al-Hassan al-Hamoud was reportedly killed by Coalition airstrikes on June 19th 2017 (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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Jisr al Jadid, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 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 18th-19th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed four vehicles, two fighting positions, two mortar systems, a VBIED, a tactical vehicle, and a heavy machine gun.” It additionally reported that “On June 18, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroyed eight fighting positions and a mortar system, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On June 18, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions; damaged eight fighting positions; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

For June 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions and a vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On June 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position and a UAS launch site.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For June 14th-20th, 19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria. Most of them were carried out during the Battle of Mosul, in support of the Iraqi fighters engaged in the fighting to drive ISIL out of its positions in the North of the Medina. The other strikes were carried out in support of the fighting for the capture of Raqqah, and against flows of arms and fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 34 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elle ont été réalisées dans le cadre de la bataille de Mossoul, en appui des combattants irakiens engagés dans les combats pour chasser Daech de ses positions au Nord de la Médina. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en appui des combats pour la prise de Raqqah, et contre des flux d’armes et de combattants en Irak et en Syrie.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]