Incident Code
CS445
Incident Date
16 January 2017
Location
الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Geolocation
35.90953,
38.56999
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)
Geolocation
35.90953,
38.56999
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)
Airwars Assessment
Last Updated: December 15, 2024
(Previous Incident Code: S399a)
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa.
Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS compound, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian who was not observed near the target during the engagement was unintentionally killed.”
In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.
Key Information
Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
1
Geolocation Notes
Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148
Military Statements
U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
Unseen at time of engagement
Civilian deaths conceded
1
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Raqqah, Syria
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SDV612740
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For January 15th-16th the Coalition publicly stated: “ Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged six ISIL tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, a vehicle, and a bridge; suppressed a heavy machine gun; and damaged a supply route. Near Tabaqah Dam, four strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units, destroyed two fighting positions, and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.“
For January 16th-17th it noted: “Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, an artillery system, a supply cache, a VBIED, a front-end loader, a tactical vehicle, and an ISIL weapons storage facility; and damaged a supply route.“
French Military Strike Report
[In the past week, France reports carrying out 53 sorties, including 45 reconnaissance missions or planned strikes, 6 intelligence missions (ISR) and 2 refueling missions. There were 17 strikes destroying 21 targets. Of these, 14 strikes were carried out in support of the coalition operations around Mosul – 13 were conducted in support of troops on the ground against groups of ISIL fighters entrenched in buildings The other three strikes were carried out in Syria in the Raqqah and Hassakah areas. A planned strike was conducted on the outskirts of Mosul on January 16. Performed in conjunction with six other coalition fighter jets, the strike resulted in the destruction of Daech-occupied buildings housing artillery pieces, armored suicide bombs, explosives and a command post. Task Force Wagram led 16 support missions to Iraqi troops engaged in the takeover of Mosul.]
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-07-07
Original Source ↗
Jan. 16, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS compound, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian who was not observed near the target during the engagement was unintentionally killed.