Geolocation
Airwars assessment
Three civilians from the same family were reported killed following alleged US-led Coaltion airstrikes on Raqqa.
All sources blamed the Coalition for the strike which targeted “the remaining neighbourhoods” of “besieged Raqqa”.
There is limited information available at present.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Family members (3)
Summary
Sources (5) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.
The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.
Original strike reports
For September 13th – 14th , the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 29 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 21 fighting positions, a VBIED, and an ISIS UAS; and suppressed four ISIS tactical units.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 13, near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes destroyed four vehicles, three fighting positions, and two logistics nodes.”
For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three vehicles, and a command and control node; and suppressed two fighting positions" The Coalition later reported: "On Sept. 14, near Raqqah, Syria, 31 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed 25 fighting positions, 25 vehicles, three ISIS supply routes, two logistics nodes, ISIS engineering equipment, and an IED"
[In the past week, France carried out 6 strikes destroying 6 targets. The strikes were carried out mainly in Raqqah. The total number of strikes, 2144 targets destroyed and 7095 sorties.] CHAMMAL OPERATION SITUATION In Iraq, Security operations in the Tall Afar region are coming to an end. Ground military operations remained limited this week, with the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) pursuing redeployment in the two main areas still in the hands of Daesh, Hawijah and Anbar. In Syria, In Raqqah, the progress of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continues in a slow but methodical way, facing Daesh fighters few but particularly well entrenched in areas that they saturated with FDI. At the same time the FDS launched this week, with the support of the Coalition, a new offensive in the East of the Country from Shaddadi towards the Euphrates. FORCE ACTIVITIES The soldiers of Operation Chammal continue their missions of support and training for the benefit of the Iraqi units engaged against Daesh. Air Action This week, the aircraft of Operation Chammal have made 37 sorties, including 26 armed reconnaissance and ground support (CAS), 6 sorties and 5 outlets intelligence gathering by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrol. These sorties resulted in 6 strikes and the destruction of 6 targets. Most of the strikes were carried out in support of the fighting in Raqqah. The global balance of the air activity since 19 September 2014 amounts to 1369 strikes, 2144 objectives destroyed and 7095 sorties. Fire support - TF WAGRAM With the end of security operations in the Tal Afar region, the Task Force (TF) Wagram is redeployed to Q-West and Erbil. Since Q-West this week she shot several shots to neutralize jihadist fighters carrying out harassing actions since Hawijah. The CAESAR guns conducted 6 firing missions (6 neutralization).
[In the past week, France carried out 6 strikes destroying 6 targets. The strikes were carried out mainly in support of the fighting in Raqqah. The overall record of air activity since 19 September 2014 amounts to 1369 strikes, 2144 targets destroyed and 7095 sorties.] ‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Irak, Les opérations de sécurisation de la région de Tall Afar s’achèvent. Les opérations militaires au sol sont restées limitées cette semaine, les Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) poursuivant le redéploiement dans les deux principales régions encore aux mains de Daech, Hawijah et l’Anbar. En Syrie, A Raqqah, la progression des Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) se poursuit de façon lente mais méthodique, face à des combattants de Daech peu nombreux mais particulièrement bien retranchés dans des quartiers qu’ils ont saturés d’IED. Dans le même temps les FDS ont lancé cette semaine, avec l’appui de la Coalition, une nouvelle offensive dans l’Est du Pays depuis Shaddadi en direction de l’Euphrate. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Les soldats de l’opération Chammal poursuivent leurs missions d’appui et de formation au profit des unités irakiennes engagées contre Daech. Action du volet aérien Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 26 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), 6 sorties de ravitaillement ainsi que 5 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Ces sorties ont donné lieu à la réalisation de 6 frappes et à la destruction de 6 objectifs. Les frappes réalisées ont majoritairement été conduites en appui des combats à Raqqah. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1369 frappes, 2144 objectifs détruits et 7095 sorties. Appui feu – TF WAGRAM Avec la fin des opérations de sécurisation dans la région de Tal Afar, la Task Force (TF) Wagram est redéployée sur Q-West et Erbil. Depuis Q-West elle a réalisé cette semaine plusieurs tirs pour neutraliser des combattants Djihadistes menant des actions de harcèlement depuis d’Hawijah. Les canons CAESAR ont mené 6 missions de tir (6 de neutralisation).