Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS378

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.1320519, 38.9661026 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and seven civilians were reported killed along with a number of ISIL fighters following alleged Coalition airstrikes.

Raqqa Post reported that “civilians were killed along with IS members after raids on the village of Hazima. The operation of pulling out victims from under the rubble has been delayed due to continuing Coalition flights over the village.” And Syria News Desk cited ‘media opposition activist’ Mohamed Osman, as saying “the international coalition yesterday evening launched six raids on the town of Hazima which is under the control of IS in the countryside of north Raqqa – killing three civilians and four IS and wounding seven civilians and three militants, in addition to the destruction of a number of houses, shops and other property.” Step News placed the civilian death toll at five,

Al A’Amaq initially reported that shops were destroyed in what it said were Coalition airstrikes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Hazimah (الهزيمة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.1320519, 38.9661026. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hazima (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 16th-17th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed an artillery system, a mortar system, and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]