Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1415

Incident date

August 25, 2017

Location

Bedo, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.961778, 39.006083 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

More than one civilian was killed by suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Bedou neighbourhood, Raqqa.

Mohamad.othman.7503 posted photographs on Facebook of extensive material destruction on the “health, housing – Hawara School District”, whilst other sources published graphic photographs of civilians who were reported killed.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered later reported on 4th September “The death of Khalil Mustafa al-Jasim al-Ba’zij as a result of the bombing by coalition airforce al Badou neighbourhood last Saturday.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Mustafa al-Jasim al-Ba’zij
Adult male killed

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Bedou (حارة البدو) in the city of Raqqa (الرقة). The images above show destroyed residential buildings in the neighbourhoods of Al Bedou (حارة البدو) and Al Huni, which appear to still be intact on satellite imagery of August 13. The coordinates for destroyed buildings seen on satellite imagery in the neighbourhood of Al Huni are: 35.952789, 39.002935 and 35.952589, 39.003187. This incident might also correspond to the destroyed buildings seen on satellite imagery in Al Bedou (حارة البدو) (“health housing – Hawari school district”), for which the coordinates are: 35.963119, 39.003409

  • Structural damage seen in the neighbourhood of Al Huni, at 35.952789, 39.002935 and 35.952589, 39.003187 (left: 13 August, 2017; right: 25 August, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Structural damage seen in the neighbourhood of Al Bedou (حارة البدو), at: 35.963119,39.003409 (left: 13 August, 2017; right: 25 August, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilian casualties killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqah. 25th August 2017. (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilian casualties killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqah. 25th August 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The bodies of civilian casualties killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqah. 25th August 2017. (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilian casualties killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqah. 25th August 2017. (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilian casualties killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqah. 25th August 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqa, 25th August 2017. (via Mohamad.othman.7503)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqa, 25th August 2017. (via Mohamad.othman.7503)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqa, 25th August 2017. (via Mohamad.othman.7503)
  • Th aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqa, 25th August 2017. (via Mohamad.othman.7503)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqa, 25th August 2017 (via Mohamad.othman.7503). Geolocated to these coordinates: 35.952903, 39.003110
  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqa, 25th August 2017 (via Mohamad.othman.7503). Geolocated to these coordinates: 35.952903, 39.003110
  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqa, 25th August 2017 (via Mohamad.othman.7503). Geolocated to these coordinates: 35.952903, 39.003110
  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, Raqqa, 25th August 2017 (via Mohamad.othman.7503). Geolocated to these coordinates: 35.952903, 39.003110
  • Khalil Mustafa al-Jasim al-Ba’zij, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 25th August 2017. (via RBSS)

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
  • May 31, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 25th-26th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, two logistics nodes, two command and control nodes, a VBIED, an ISIS UAS, a vehicle, and an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It was additionally reported that “On Aug. 25, near Raqqah, Syria, 31 strikes engaged 18 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, two command and control nodes, five vehicles, and three heavy machine guns.” And that “On Aug. 25, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a command and control node and two fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 25 August – Typhoons and Tornados attacked three terrorist positions in Raqqa, and three in Tal Afar…A mixed Typhoon and Tornado pair delivered three further Paveway attacks in Tal Afar on Friday 25 August, hitting two mortar teams and a Daesh-held building. Over Raqqa, our aircraft continued to support the Syrian Democratic Forces, and used Paveway IVs against two sniper positions and another terrorist strongpoint. The focus for RAF missions remained on Raqqa over the weekend.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.(@EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]