Geolocation
Airwars assessment
Between 6 and 12 civilians died and up to 17 were wounded in a Coalition airstrikes on three locations in Raqqa, according to local media. The Coalition later confirmed to have killed four and injured seven civilians in this strike.
According to Alitihad Press, “local sources in Al Raqqa confirmed that several international air strikes targeted the postal and car park areas in the center of the city, which led to the death of a number of civilians killed. It was not known whether any elements of Da’ash were killed. ”
Syria News Desk provided more details on the locations which were struck, reporting: “The opposition media activist Mohammed Osman from al-Raqqa countryside told the Syrian News desk that five civilians were killed and at least 10 were wounded by two raids targeting a residential building near the post office in the city center. Four others were killed and seven were hit behind the “Pullman Garages [coach station] west of the city, while three were killed by a raid on a residential site in Panorama district in the city center.”
Syria News Desk also attributed the raids to the Coalition, putting the death toll at 12 with 15 more wounded.
In its January 25 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition confirmed responsibility for civilian harm in this event. It stated: “During a Coalition strike which destroyed a building being used as ISIS headquarters and lethal aid supply building for nearly two years it was assessed four civilians were unintentionally killed and seven civilians were unintentionally injured.”
Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV009774 (Military grid reference with 100 m accuracy). This confirmed the event took place in the the post office and “Pullman” coach station (موقف باصات كراج البولمان).
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Geolocation notes
Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148
Summary
Sources (15) [ collapse]
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
-
May 4, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed a building being used as ISIS headquarters and lethal aid supply building for nearly two years it was assessed four civilians were unintentionally killed and seven civilians were unintentionally injured.
Original strike reports
For May 3rd-4th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed a command and control node,” later adding that “Near Raqqah, May 3rd, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a mortar system.”
For May 4th-5th: “Near Raqqah, three strikes destroyed a front-end loader and an ISIS well head.”
CHAMMAL OPERATION ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION In Syria the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue their progress against Daesh. In the region of Raqqah they have proceeded this week to secure territorial gains made the previous week in the north of the city, neutralizing several pockets of resistance still occupied by terrorist fighters. Further west, the SDS continue to expand their controlled areas, gradually tightening those held by Daesh on the town of Tabqah and its dam. In Iraq, Daesh is still trying to maintain an atmosphere of insecurity in the Anbar and the Tiger Valley in order to divert the Iraqi military effort from Mosul. In the region of Mosul, the situation has changed little this week with the exception of a breakthrough in the south-west of the city. With unfavorable weather conditions, the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) marked an operational pause to regenerate their potential, while maintaining pressure on the Medina neighborhood. To the north-west, on the outskirts of the city, the 9th Division is still engaged in security actions of its control zone centered around Badush, and is still under attack by terrorist groups. Further south, in the city of Mosul, the ICTS and the FEDPOL maintained their position in and around the medina by repelling several attempts by Daesh fighters. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAMMAL FORCE Fire support - TF Wagram The Task Force (TF) Wagram continued this week its shooting missions in support of the 9th Iraqi Division engaged in the Badush region. The 29 illumination and interdiction missions carried out in support of Iraqi units contributed to the security of the Iraqi zone control system in the face of harassing actions by Daesh groups seeking to infiltrate. Air support to the Levant This week, the aircraft of Operation Chammal made 40 sorties, including 30 for armed reconnaissance or ground support (CAS), 2 for air command and control, 5 for refueling, and 3 for intelligence gathering. 3 strikes were carried out by French planes in Iraq and Syria, in support of ongoing operations in Mosul and Tabqah, as well as in the Anbar Valley. '
‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION En Syrie les Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) poursuivent leurs avancées contre Daech. Dans la région de Raqqah elles ont procédé cette semaine à la sécurisation des gains territoriaux réalisés la semaine précédente au Nord de la ville, en neutralisant plusieurs poches de résistances encore occupées par les combattants terroristes. Plus à l’Ouest les FDS continuent d’étendre leurs zones contrôlées, resserrant progressivement celles tenues par Daech sur la ville de Tabqah et son barrage. En Irak, Daech cherche toujours à entretenir une atmosphère d’insécurité dans l’Anbar et dans la vallée du Tigre afin de détourner l’effort militaire irakien de Mossoul. Dans la région de Mossoul, la situation a peu évolué cette semaine à l’exception d’une avancée dans le sud-ouest de la ville. Avec une météo peu favorable aux opérations, les Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) ont marqué une pause opérationnelle pour régénérer leur potentiel, tout en maintenant la pression sur le quartier de la Médina. Au nord-ouest, sur les abords de la ville, la 9e division est toujours engagée dans des actions de sécurisation de sa zone de contrôle centrée autour de Badush, et qui fait toujours l’objet de tentative d’infiltrations de groupes terroristes. Plus au sud, dans la ville de Mossoul, l’ICTS et les FEDPOL ont maintenu leur position dans et autour de la médina en repoussant plusieurs tentatives de sorties des combattants de Daech. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a poursuivi cette semaine ses missions de tir en appui de la 9e division irakienne engagée dans la région de Badush. Les 29 missions d’éclairement et d’interdiction réalisées en appui des unités irakiennes ont contribué à la sûreté du dispositif de contrôle de zone irakien face à des actions de harcèlement menées par des groupes de Daech cherchant à s’infiltrer. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 40 sorties aériennes dont 30 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), 2 de commandement et de contrôle aérien, 5 de ravitaillement, et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 3 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, en appui des opérations en cours à Mossoul et Tabqah, ainsi que dans la vallée de l’Anbar.’