Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1446

Incident date

September 5, 2017

Location

Al Naim roundabout, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95447, 39.009392 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 12 and 14 people, including women and children, reportedly died in suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City’s Naim roundabout area.

According to local reports, the Coalition targeted downtown Raqqa close to the al Naim roundabout where civilians were present, reportedly injuring “dozens” in addition those killed. Wagea news said “International Alliance aircraft” was responsible, and asserted that the US-led Coalition “allegedly targeted terrorist groups” in the area, consequently killing civilians.

It should be noted that on September 2nd we tracked another event (S1260/CS1438) at al Naim roundabout in which 14 civilians were also reported killed, and therefore it is not possible to be completely certain that this is a separate event, and that it was not reported a few days late.

It is important to note discrepancies in the reports: whilst Shariqa Voice cited al Naim roundabout specifically, other sources said that the 12-14 killed were located in various neighbourhoods of Raqqa City, namely, “Al-Jumaili, Al Amassi, Al-Muroor, Al-Banshah, Al-Baidah, Al-Baida, Dawar Al-Naim and Dawar Al-Dalla”. A report by RFS media office then totalled the number killed at 23 in a 48 hour period, in the neighbourhoods listed by other sources who reported 14 civilians killed.

A local source speaking to Wagea pointed out that the raids caused “the deaths of at least 14 martyrs, all of them civilians, including children and women, in addition to significant damage to other homes and infrastructure in the city.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, noted that “several displaced people from outside Syria” were killed and further civilians suspected missing.

Both “air raids” from Coalition planes and “artillery shelling” contributed to the attack, local media said. All sources said the US-led Coalition was the culprit.

In April 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible, noting: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 14
  • (2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area around the Al Naim roundabout (دوار النعيم), for which the coordinates are: 35.95447, 39.009392. On satellite imagery multiple buildings are visibly damaged between August 25 and September 6

  • Structural damage seen around Al Naim roundabout (left: August 25, 2017; right: September 9, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
    Other
  • Stated location
    near Al Naim (Dawar al Naim), Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV009790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019
  • Sept. 5, 2017, near Al Naim (Dawar al Naim), Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 4th – 5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, four oil stills, three oil trucks, two logistics nodes, and a command and control node; and suppressed two fighting positions.” It additionally stated that “On Sept. 4, near Raqqah, one strike destroyed five fighting positions.” And that “On Sept. 4, near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions and a vehicle.” Also that “On Sept. 4, near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed four fighting positions.”

For September 5th - 6th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah , 25 strikes for an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 22 fighting positions, three ISIS communications infrastructure items, and a logistics node; damaged three fighting positions; and suppressed four fighting positions."

Additional press release CJTFOIR on September 5th:

'CJTF-OIR transitions commanders in the mission to destroy ISIS

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, III Armored Corps Commanding General of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) from Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, XVIII Airborne Corps Commanding General, during a Sept. 5 ceremony here, which hosted an audience of hundreds of US and Coalition Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.

Presiding over the transfer of authority of the Commanding General for US Central Command, Gen. Joseph L. Votel.

Veiled confidence that the III Corps team from Fort Hood, Texas will be ready to continue the fight to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

"When III Corps was here last, they were instrumental in increasing the pressure on ISIS and setting conditions by Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian opposition groups," Votel said. "Their hard work to the recapturing of Fallujah and the airfield at Qayyarah-posturing ISF to begin clearing Mosul, the ISIS stronghold in Iraq."

The III Armored Corps previously led the CJTF-OIR Coalition from Sept. 2015 to Aug. 2016.

Since redeploying just over a year ago, the Soldiers of the Armed Corps have gone to the forefront of the task of preparing for the mission.

"ISIS" brutality forces us to look deep into the heart of darkness. They condone the systematic murder of women and children, the enslavement of religious minorities, and the torture and execution of prisoners, "Funk said. "As a result of the magnificent work of this strong Coalition, real change is happening. ISIS is on the run. "

Airborne Corps' support to its partners in the achievement of major milestones in the campaign to ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Security Forces defeated ISIS in their capital of Mosul in Iraq, while Syria's Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Arab Coalition steadily made progress against ISIS's global capital in Raqqah, Syria.

Townsend Lauded Coalition Partners' Efforts in Iraq and Syria over the past year. Our Iraqi partners have liberated Mosul. Our Syrian partners are more than half of Raqqah. And the Iraqis have regained control of Tal Afar and the rest of Ninewah for good measure, "said Townsend. "I think it's all about you, we're able to partner with you."

Since its establishment in June 2014, CJTF-OIR - a global Coalition of more than 72 nations and organizations - has increased the capabilities of partner forces, and significantly degraded the ability of ISIS to plan, resource and execute attacks worldwide. Their collective accomplishments include:

* Trained and equipped nearly 115,000 Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and over 11,000 vetted-Syrian counter-ISIS forces.
* Recaptured over 82,000 square kilometers of territory previously held by ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
* Set free over 5.5 million men, women and children in Iraq and Syria.
Conducted over 26,000 strikes against ISIS in support of partner forces in Iraq and Syria.

Funk shared his vision for the CJTF-OIR mission ahead.

"The very existence of ISIS poses a threat to the civilized world and our way of life. We must defeat them, and our collective effort WILL defeat them, "Funk said."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Monday 4th September: Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa , striking six Daesh positions including a heavy machine-gun and two sniper ... for the Syrian Democratic Forces in Daesh inside Raqqa . Our aircraft delivered six attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs against Daesh positions, often having to strike targets very close to the Syrian Democratic Forces, including a heavy machine-gun and two sniper teams.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Wednesday 6th September: 'Wednesday 6 September - Typhoons struck a further two Daesh positions in Raqqa ... Typhoons continued operations over Raqqa on Wednesday 6 September, eliminating a further machine-gun position and a sniper.'

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

[In the past week, France reports carrying out 36 outings, including 27 Army Reconnaissance and Ground Support (CAS), 6 refueling sorties and 3 intelligence gathering sorties by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrol. It carried out 8 strikes destroying 8 targets. Most of the strikes were carried out in Raqqah and security operations in the Tal Afar region. The Task Force (TF) Wagram supported Iraqi Security Forces in the Tall Afar region. The CAESAR guns fired out 6 of neutralization / destruction and 2 of enlightenment.] ' OPERATION CHAMMAL Situation In Iraq The week was marked by the pursuit of Tal Afar security operations and its region. It was also marked by a start of re-articulation of the Iraqi Security Forces in northern Iraq, with a view to continuing the fight against Daesh in Iraq. The terrorist group remains very active in Iraq and with strong positions in the Hawijah and Anbar regions, where its fighters continue their asymmetric actions against the security forces and the people. In Syria In Raqqah, the Syrian Democratic Forces seized the entire old city and continued their offensive to seize areas still in the hands of Daesh. Elsewhere in Syria, Daesh continues to lose ground against the Syrian Armed Forces, which are continuing to advance, particularly in the Deir ez Zor and Palmyra regions. New leader of the Coalition On September 5, the command of the operation OIR was taken by the American general Paul FUNK in replacement of the American general Stephen TOWNSEND. FORCE ACTIVITIES The soldiers of Operation Chammal continue their support missions for the benefit of Iraqi units engaged against Daesh. They also carry out daily training to help build the security pillar of the Iraqi forces. Action of the air component: This week, the aircraft of the operation Chammal realized 36 aerial exits including 27 of armed reconnaissance and of support on the ground (CAS), 6 exits of supply as well as 3 outputs of collection of intelligence by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrol. These sorties resulted in 7 strikes and the destruction of 8 targets. Most of the strikes were carried out in support of fighting in Raqqah and security operations in the Tal Afar region. Fire Support - TF WAGRAM: Task Force (TF) Wagram supported this week the security operations conducted by the Iraqi Security Forces in the Tall Afar region. The CAESAR guns carried out 6 firing missions (4 of neutralization / destruction and 2 of illumination). Air activity: The overall balance of the air activity since 19 September 2014 amounts to 1363 strikes, 2138 objectives destroyed and 7058 sorties.

OPERATION CHAMMAL Situation En Irak La semaine a été marquée par la poursuite des opérations de sécurité de Tal Afar et de sa région. Elle a également été marquée par le début de la réarticulation des forces de sécurité irakiennes dans le nord de l’Irak, en vue de poursuivre la lutte contre Daech en Irak. Le groupe terroriste reste très actif en Irak et avec des positions fortes dans les régions de Hawijah et d'Anbar, où ses combattants continuent leurs actions asymétriques contre les forces de sécurité et le peuple. En Syrie À Raqqah, les forces démocratiques syriennes ont saisi toute la vieille ville et ont poursuivi leur offensive afin de s'emparer de zones encore aux mains de Daesh. Ailleurs en Syrie, Daesh continue de perdre du terrain face aux forces armées syriennes, qui continuent de progresser, notamment dans les régions de Deir ez Zor et de Palmyra. Nouveau chef de la coalition Le 5 septembre, le général américain Paul FUNK a pris le commandement de l'opération OIR en remplacement du général américain Stephen TOWNSEND. ACTIVITES DE LA FORCE Les soldats de l'opération Chammal poursuivent leurs missions d'appui au profit des unités irakiennes engagées contre Daesh. Ils suivent également un entraînement quotidien pour aider à construire le pilier de sécurité des forces irakiennes. Action de la composante air: Cette semaine, l'avion de l'opération Chammal a réalisé 36 sorties aériennes dont 27 de reconnaissance armée et d'appui au sol (CAS), 6 sorties de ravitaillement ainsi que 3 sorties de collecte de renseignements par patrouille Atlantic 2 ou Rafale. Ces sorties ont entraîné 7 frappes et la destruction de 8 cibles. La plupart des frappes ont été menées pour soutenir les combats à Raqqah et les opérations de sécurité dans la région de Tal Afar. Soutien au feu - TF WAGRAM: La force opérationnelle (GT) Wagram a soutenu cette semaine les opérations de sécurité menées par les forces de sécurité irakiennes dans la région de Tall Afar. Les canons CAESAR ont effectué 6 missions de tir (4 de neutralisation / destruction et 2 d'éclairage). Activité aérienne: Le solde global de l'activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s'élève à 1363 frappes, à 2138 objectifs détruits et à 7058 sorties. About Google TranslateCommunityMobileAbout GooglePrivacy & TermsHelpSend feedback

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 14
  • (2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]