Geolocation
Airwars assessment
In a previously unknown allegation, the Coalition denied involvement in an incident that they said was reported on social media. In their July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition wrote: “May 1, 2017, near Tabqah, Syria, via social media report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”
Our researchers were unable to identify any reported event this might relate to.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the town of Tabaqah (الثورة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.8295049, 38.5360909. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
Summary
Sources (1) [ collapse]
Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.
The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included 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
-
The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.
Original strike reports
For April 30th-May 1st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, Syria; on April 29, two strikes destroyed an ISIS-held building, an ISIS staging area” and ” Near Tabqah, Syria; on April 28-29, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed four vehicles, two VBIEDs, and three fighting positions; damaged three fighting positions and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”
For May 1st - May 2nd, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah; one strike destroyed a fighting position and suppressed a mortar team" and "Near Tabqah; four strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.