Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS323

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

غيطون, Ghaytun, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4858147, 37.3050857 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Islamic State’s media wing Al A’Amaq claimed that “nine people from one family were killed in an American raid on the village of Ghaitoun east of the town of Mare’ in the northern Aleppo countryside.” That assertion appeared to be the basis for most other media reports.

Syria Press Centre said the attack happened in the early hours of the morning. The Syrian Observatory added that “the number [of deaths] is likely to rise due to some serious injuries.”

However, in a December 2016 release the Coalition denied responsibility, noting that “(8.) Oct. 1, 2016, near Ghaytun, Syria: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ghaytun, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 1, 2016
  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 30th-October 1st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mar’a, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed a vehicle, a command and control node, a fighting position, and a heavy machine gun.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]