Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1404

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Location

الحديقة البيضا,البدو , Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9605703, 38.9976883 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A whole family of eight people was reported killed in Raqqa as a result of alleged US-led Coalition strikes. The family were displaced persons from the city of Palmyra. Other civilians were suspected injured following the attack. All sources tracked held the US-led Coalition responsible for the incident.

Syrian Press Center said it was “a result of indiscriminate bombardment” by the “International Coalition and militia forces”. Names of victims were published by multiple local media sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Bassam Alawi Beiruti
Adult male killed
Manar Hassan Al-Khalaf, “Bassam’s Wife”
Adult female killed
Yassin Bassam Al-Aliwi
Age unknown killed
Ali Bassam Al-Aliwi
Age unknown male killed
Zahra Bassam Al-Aliwi
Child female killed
Hadeel Bassam Al-Aliwi
Child female killed
Khuloud Bassam Al-Aliwi
Child female killed
Hassan Khalaf Fateh-Allah “grandfather”
Adult male killed

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the White Garden (الحديقة البيضاء) neighbourhood of Raqqah, for which the coordinates are: 35.960640, 38.997624; and the Al Badou (البدو) neighbourhood, for which the coordinates are: 35.961778, 39.006083.

  • The White Garden (الحديقة البيضاء) and Al Badou (البدو) areas in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (5 children1–2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Eight members of the Al-Aliwi family were named as killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Raqqa, August 21st 2017. (via Sharqiya Voice)

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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 21st-22nd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, a vehicle, a logistics node and ISIS communications infrastructure.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, 24 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 33 fighting positions, a logistics node, a mortar system, and an anti-air artillery system.” And that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed five ISIS fighting positions.” Also that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions. (@EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (5 children1–2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]