Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS626a

Incident date

March 27, 2017

Location

Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.18221, 36.70481 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians and the injury of another in an incident near Idlib, Syria.

In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike against a Daesh vehicle. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed and one civilian was injured due to their proximity to the strike.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. The location given placed the event near Sarmada.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected 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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    3
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Idlib, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBA936066
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019
  • Mar. 27, 2017, near Idlib, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike against a Daesh vehicle. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed and one civilian was injured due to their proximity to the strike. (Not previously reported)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Mar. 27, Coalition military forces conducted 30 strikes consisting of 72 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes consisting of 32 engagements against ISIS targets.
• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two ISIS well heads.
• Near Al Shadaddi, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; and destroyed three tactical vehicles, three vehicles, two bulldozers, two front-end loaders, a VBIED, and a tank.
• Near Ar Raqqa, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; and destroyed eight barges, a vehicle, a front-end loader, and a truck and trailer.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed 15 ISIS barges and three well heads.
• Near Tabqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; and destroyed a front-end loader and a vehicle.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]