Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS778

Incident date

May 7, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five civilians, including two women, were reportedly killed and 11 more were injured in Tabaqa in what appears to be shelling by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by airstrikes carried out by the Coalition.

One member of ISIL was also reportedly killed and several more were injured, according to Smart News Agency. Mohab Nasser of the Tabaqa Media Center made no mention of casualties in his report, but claimed that the Coalition was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 6th-7th the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed four fighting positions, two tactical vehicles, a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It later added that “Additionally, three strikes were conducted in Syria on May 6th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a supply cache.”

For May 7th -8th the Coalition reported: "Near Tabqah, 15 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed eight fighting positions and a vehicle" It later added "Additionally, three strikes were conducted in Syria on May 6th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a supply cache."

It later added "Additionally, two strikes were conducted in Syria on May 7th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position."

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]