Geolocation
Airwars assessment
Four civilians were reported injured in fresh coalition airstrikes on the outskirts of Raqaa. Images distributed by Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently featured an injured boy, among other victims, receiving treatment after the event.
These photographs were subsequently removed, though are archived by Airwars.
In July 2017 the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible based on available information: “July 25, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”
Based on reports at the time Airwars continues to assess this event as likely – though has requested additional Coalition clarifications.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
Summary
Sources (3) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]
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This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.
A child being treated in the local hospital following an alleged Coalition strike July 25th 2015 (via ISIL-affiliated media published on Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently) -
Treatment at the local hospital following an alleged Coalition strike July 25th 2015 (via ISIL-affiliated media published on Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
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Injured at the local hospital following an alleged Coalition strike July 25th 2015 (via ISIL-affiliated media published on Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
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Injured at the local hospital following an alleged Coalition strike July 25th 2015 (via ISIL-affiliated media published on Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
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.
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.
Original strike reports
Strikes in the vicinity were confirmed for July 24th-25th 2015: “Near Ar Raqqah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL excavator and an ISIL bridge.”