Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1325

Incident date

August 3, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.95088, 39.0122 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition self-reported a civilian harm event in July 2018, noting that it had unintentionally killed a civilian on a motorbike in the city centre of Raqqa.

According to the report, “August 3, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a motorcycle entered the impact area moments before the strike.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

This post was updated on Sept. 5th 2018 to reflect a correction to the location made by the Coalition. The initial location given in error was 37SEV011185.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV011785
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • August 3, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a motorcycle entered the impact area moments before the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 3rd-4th, the Coalition publicly reported at the time that: “For August 3rd-4th: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, a mortar system, a vehicle, a VBIED and a supply route.“

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]