Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS367

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Location

تل السمن, Tall al Samin, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.2282119, 38.9726257 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and four injured following an alleged Coaliiton strike on Tal al Samin.

According to Qasioun, “Coalition planes also raided the village of Tal Samin in the northern city of Raqqa, killing a civilian and wounding four others.” While no other sources alleged civilian deaths, heavy fighting in the vicinity between ISIL and SDF forces was reported.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Title: the campaign of the wrath of the Euphrates approaches Tal al Samin Blurb: SDF liberates several villages in the raqqa countryside from the clutches of daesh
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 Tal Al Samin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 8th-9th it reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed two ISIL oil well heads and an oil pump. Near Ayn Isa, seven strikes engaged six ISIL tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a vehicle, and a VBIED facility.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]