Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS536

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Location

Desert road SW of Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.180051, 37.967398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition reported that one civilian died near Raqqa.

In its June 2017 casualty report it said: “During a strike on ISIS oil tankers, after warning shots were fired to dislodged drivers from the vehicles, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDU0597893498
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • Feb. 25, 2017, near Raqqah Syria, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS oil tanker trucks, after warning shots were fired to dislodge drivers from the vehicles, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a
tactical vehicle and a mortar system.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]