Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS400

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Location

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.08, 39.05917 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reported killed and between 8 and 12 injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Rahiat.

In a detailed report, Syria News said that “two children and their parents were killed and 12 other civilians were injured after midnight, due to international coalition targeting of al Rahiat village under the control of Islamic State in Raqqa with two raids. The media opposition activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from the village, told Syria News Desk that ,’the said Coalition aircraft targeted with vacuum missiles houses in the centre of Rahiat and another on the outskirts, confirming that there 4 injured who are in a critical situation and were transported by the residents to the National Hospital in Raqqa, while the others were taken to various medical points of the city. Osman added that the raids also resulted in the deaths of a number of livestock and the destruction of two houses completely and burning civilian vehicle and other physical damage to property.”

Others also reported the event – often using identical language.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • 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 (5) [ 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 Al Rahiat, 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 28th-29th, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed three oil well heads, two oil pump jacks, two oil refinement equipment pieces, an oil tank, and construction equipment.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–12
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]