Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1507

Incident date

September 18, 2017

Location

Jamaa al Shamati, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported on the death of a civilian male following alleged US-led Coalition strikes in the Jamaa al Shamati area of Raqqah.

Reports of his death came amidst reports of the destruction of Al Shamati mosque in Raqqa city, though only one source connected the death of Ahmed Taher al-Khatib with the destruction of the mosque. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered later published a photo of the victim, and said he died at Jamaa al Shamati.

All sources blamed the US-led Coalition for loss of civilian life and the material destruction.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Taher al-Khatib
Age unknown male killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Shamati mosque (الشمطي), in the city of Raqqa. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of this mosque. The generic coordinates for the city of Raqqa are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148.

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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Taher al-Khatib (via Raqqa is Being Slaughrered Silently)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

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 September 17th – 18th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units, destroyed 44 vehicles and 13 fighting positions, damaged 13 supply routes and a VBIED, and suppressed two fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 17, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes destroyed six ISIS fighting positions and a logistics node.” And that “On Sept. 17, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed seven fighting positions.”

For September 19th - 20th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed 28 fighting positions, three vehicles, two ISIS communications infrastructure items and an ISIS headquarters" It later added "On Sept. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 42 strikes engaged 23 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 23 fighting positions, eight vehicles, three VBIEDs, two ISIS UAS systems, and a command and control node; and suppressed four fighting positions" and "On Sept. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 15 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed 17 vehicles, 13 fighting positions, and suppressed a fighting position"

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 (6) [ collapse]