Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1165

Incident date

July 6, 2017

Location

مدرسة خالد بن وليد, Nr Khaled bin Waled school, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94457, 38.99667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A young civilian male was reportedly killed in artillery fire on Raqqa, according to local sources.

Sources reported that he was killed in artillery fire by “YPG militias” which struck his house near Khaled bin al-Walid School. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery therefore they must be responsible if reporting is correct.

In February 2019, the Coalition conceded civilian harm in this incident. They noted: “Coalition aircraft engaged armed ISIS fighters moving on a motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian on foot was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the blast.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the coordinates for this event accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghaith Mamo
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ghaith Mamo, allegedly killed by artillery in Raqqa, July 6th 2017. (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 35.944638, 38.994491

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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV997778
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • July 6, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged armed ISIS fighters moving on a motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian on foot was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the blast. That same day in Raqqa, Syria the Coalition engaged ISIS fighters and an unmanned aerial vehicle launch site. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the launch site location.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 6th-7th: Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, an ISIS headquarters, and a VBIED.”

It additionally reported that “On July 6, near Raqqah, Syria, eights strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions, a recoilless rifle, a weapons cache, and an ISIS-held building.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Thursday 6 July – Tornados and Typhoons struck two terrorist targets in Raqqa, and four in western Mosul…Two Royal Air Force Typhoons, armed with Paveway IV bombs, operated over Raqqa on Thursday 6 July. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) encountered a large building on the southern edge of the city, close to the bank of the Euphrates, which was heavily defended by Daesh extremists. Two Paveways struck the building and brought an end to the terrorists’ activity. A mixed pair of a Typhoon and a Tornado were also active over Raqqa, and these aircraft bombed a sniper position which had been firing persistently at the SDF.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

In the past week, France reports 21 sorties and 4 strikes, 2 in Raqqa and 2 in Iraq. Task Force Wagram conducted 15 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014, it reports 1311 strikes, 2076 targets destroyed and 6775 sorties.

‘Point de situation des opérations Armée française – Opérations militaires·Thursday, 13 July 2017 CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, la manœuvre d’encerclement menée au Sud de la ville pour couper les combattants de Daech de leurs soutiens est terminée. Dans la ville, la progression des Forces Démocratiques Syriennes se poursuit maison par maison, face à une défense de Daech faite d’actions permanentes de harcèlement, d’infiltrations et d’attaques suicides menées avec l’aide de boucliers humains. Les Forces armées syriennes se heurtent aux défense de Daech plus à l’Est et les positions se stabilisent. En Irak, Dimanche 9 juillet, le Premier ministre irakien a annoncé la libération de Mossoul. Cette victoire sur l’organisation terroriste marque le succès de forces irakiennes appuyées par les forces aériennes de la Coalition et un soutien artillerie, au cœur d’une stratégie qui aura permis d’affaiblir Daech avant de contre-attaquer en remontant le Tigre et de progresser ensemble jusqu’au cœur de la ville après l’avoir encerclée. Désormais, les forces de sécurité débutent une longue phase de sécurisation de Mossoul. La nécessité de nettoyer la ville des très nombreux pièges posés par Daech, la présence de combattants-suicides disséminés au sein de la population, la probable présence de cellules terroristes dormantes, va imposer aux Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes de poursuivre leurs efforts pendant de longues semaines. Les combats se concentrent désormais dans le secteur de Tall Afar où bon nombre de combattants terroristes ont trouvé refuge après avoir fui la zone de Mossoul. Daech poursuit de son côté ses actions terroristes dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah où l’organisation dispose encore de forces importantes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 21 sorties aériennes dont 19 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 2 missions de recueil de renseignement. 04 frappes ont été réalisées dont 02 dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 15 missions de tir dont 14 de harcèlement et 01 d’éclairement. Le bilan global depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1311 frappes, 2076 objectifs et 6775 sorties. ‘

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For July 5th-11th, France reports 4 strikes – 2 in Iraq and 2 in Syria (Raqqa) and 15 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]