Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1511

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Location

Al Nahda neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9560544, 38.9925385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah’s Al Nahda neighbourhood, according to local media.

The victims were named by multiple sources.

Palmyra Media Centre reported the rest of the family were presently unaccounted for.

In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible, noting “After a 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.

The victims were named as:

Najah Abdo Al Talib
Adult female killed
Amal Abdo Al Talib
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Nahda (النهضة), in the city of Raqqa. The generic coordinates for that neighbourhood are: 35.9560544, 38.9925385.

  • The neighbourhood of Al Nahda (النهضة) in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2019 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 Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV993791
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 27, 2019
  • Sep. 19, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. After a 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 18th-19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, six strikes destroyed 25 ISIS vehicles, five fighting positions, a command and control node and a logistics node.” It additionally reported that “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 that “On Sept. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position.”

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. Additionally, 16 strikes consisting of 20 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 19 that closed within the last 24 hours. 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
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]