Airwars assessment
Two children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a school in Hunayda, according to local sources.
According to Syrian Mirror, “Field activists said a coalition combat aircraft launched air raids on Hindah town in the western Ar Raqqah countryside, targeting one of the village’s rural schools, killing two children and injuring others.”
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (15) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the village of Hunayda (هنيدة), Raqqa governorate, for which the coordinates are: 35.833402, 38.710328.
Attached to this civilian harm incident is the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, 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.
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties. (1332)
Original strike reports
For April 15th – 16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed an ISIS bridge, and damaged an ISIS supply route. Near Tabqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units, destroyed seven fighting positions and an ISIS vehicle.“
For April 16th – 17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions and a mortar system. Near Tabqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and suppressed three ISIS tactical units.“
‘Saturday 15 April – Typhoons attacked a Daesh-held building west of Raqqa, while Tornados assisted Iraqi forces inside western Mosul…On Saturday, a further Tornado patrol supported Iraqi forces engaged in a firefight with Daesh positioned in a large building in western Mosul. Two Paveway IVs silenced the terrorist fire. Meanwhile, Typhoons continued their support for the SDF as they pushed east from Tabqah towards Raqqa, bombing a terrorist-held building.’