Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS609

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.84633, 38.54376 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major casualty incident, between 44 and 56 named civilians reportedly died and up to 55 others were wounded in a Coalition airstrike on an automated bakery in the Al Thani neighbourhood of Tabaqa, according to local sources.

The US-led alliance later conceded seven deaths in the event. Their September 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, seven civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Step News reported that the Coalition carried out more than 25 airstrikes in Tabaqa since dawn, targeting “the first neighborhood and the second neighborhood and the automated oven and the city market”. Radio Akul, also blaming the Coalition, put the death toll at 27.

However, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, 37 civilians died with 52 more wounded.

Other sources said that a local market was hit as well as the bakery. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 13 were killed but that the number was likely to rise. According to Syrian News Desk, “The raids focused on the main market behind the bakery building, causing heavy damage to four residential buildings and the burning of cars and shops.”

A local source told the Smart news agency that the Coalition carried out “four raids on an automatic bakery in the city, killing the owner of the bakery, the employees and dozens of civilians who were nearby.” Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – also attributing the event to the Coalition – produced a number of reports naming victims as well as publishing graphic images of the strike’s aftermath. According to Euphrates Post, in addition to targeting the bakery, the Coalition “also targeted one of Daesh’s HQ near the Assyrian church in the city.”

Human Rights Watch published a major field investigation into the event in September, which concluded that a 5pm strike on GPS co-ordinates 35.845879, 38.540913 had killed at least 44 civilians. Multiple witnesses and survivors spoke with HRW, with some indicating that the aircraft responsible may have been a B-52 bomber. The international NGO published a casualty list featuring 44 victims.

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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ez al-Deen Sahari
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Abd al-Jabbar Sahari
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (6)

Wael Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Maher Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Abd al-Kareem Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Daughter of Ismaeil Ahmad al-Qobos
Child female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Wife of Ismaeil Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Ismaeil Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (2)

Abdulla Mohammad al-Mdakhar
14 years old male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Eisa Mohammad al-Madkher
13 years old male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (2)

Ali Hamid al-Bakri
Child male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Hamid al-Bakri
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (2)

Aboudi Dibo
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Ammar Dibo
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (2)

Shahade Al-Abed
Child killed
Ibrahim Al-Abed
Child male killed

Family members (3)

Salah Ahmad al Omar
Age unknown killed
Walid Ahmad al Omar
Age unknown killed
Hussein Ahmad al Omar
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Daed Mansour
42 years old female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Khadijeh al-Ibraheem al-Btoushi
40 years old female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mohannad Barko
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mohammad Elaiwi
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Khaled Ahmad al-Salal
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Fatima al-Hendi
Adult female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mahmoud Ahmad Mostafa or Ahmad Ali Al-Mustafa
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mahmoud Dahham al-Abdullah
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Hamoud Staif
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Hasan Kassab
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Yosra Fattah
Adult female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mostafa Mansour
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Haytham Khalouf
32 years old male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Ibrahim AleiwiIssa
Age unknown male killed
Mariam – the mother of Mohammad al Masri
50 years old female killed
Raed A’beid
Age unknown killed
Ahmad Al Abed
Age unknown male killed
Udai Hasan Khleif
10 years old killed
Fayez Mohammed Al-Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Ammar Kahat
Age unknown killed
Mayada Kashash
Age unknown female killed
Ahmad Abdul-Hay Al-juneidi
Age unknown male killed
Ismaeil Hussein Haj A’ref
Age unknown killed
Lina Hasan Hajja
Age unknown female killed
Mustafa Rajab Abdo
13 years old male killed
Peipers Al-Hasan
Child killed
Mohammed Alewi
Age unknown male killed
Khadija Ibrahim
Age unknown female killed
Faryal Dibo
Age unknown female killed
Mansour Al-Haji
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Jamil Asad
Age unknown male killed
Manar al-Hussein
Age unknown killed
Ahmad Faraj al Nazal
Age unknown killed
Abu Hamdo al Hajji
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Mahmoud Zahhab
Age unknown male killed
Su'ad Taje
12 years old female killed
Hadeel Rabih
16 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    44 – 56
  • (14 children9–10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (83) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (48) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via Alhiwarchannel)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via Syrian newsdesk)
  • Q-Alenzy documenting 20 initial names of civilian casualties. (via Q-Alenzy)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments before the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments before the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty found in the rubble after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Peipers Al-Hasan, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The child Udday Hasan Khalif, 10 years old, killed in an alleged coalition raid yesterday on al Thani neighbourhood bakery in al tabaqa.
  • Mohammad Aleiwi, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Muhannad Barko, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Ez al-Deen Sahari, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Ez al-Deen Sahari, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Abd al-Jabbar Sahari, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Ali Hamid al-Bakri, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Hamid al-Bakri, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Hasan Kassab, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Haytham Khalouf, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Ahmad al Abd, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Ahmad Mahmoud Zahhab, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Abu Hamdo al Hajji, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Ahmad Faraj al Nazal, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

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
    7
  • Stated location
    near al-Thani, Tabaqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV588670
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • March 22, 2017, near al-Thani, Tabaqa, Syria, via Airwars report. During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, seven civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 22nd-23rd: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two tactical vehicles, a fighting position, and a heavy transport equipment piece; and damaged four supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    44 – 56
  • (14 children9–10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (83) [ collapse]