Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS822

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Location

شنينة, Shanina, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.0089089, 39.0964794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and nine civilians, including two women and up to seven children, were killed – and up to 45 others were wounded – in alleged Coalition airstrikes in the Shaneina refugee camp to the north of Raqqa city.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported that 14-year-old Abdullah Mohammed al Fayad, Abu Zuhri, his wife and his child were among the dead.

Euphrates Post reported that Hassan al Madawar, his wife and his child were also killed in the alleged airstrikes.

Both sources also reported that one civilian had to have his legs amputated as a result of being injured in the airstrikes.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that a 14-year-old boy was killed in the alleged airstrikes, but did not name the victim. It is not clear whether that victim was Abdullah Mohammed al Fayad as named by RBSS or another child. RBSS also reported that al Fayad’s entire family and “the whole family of Hanzal” were injured in the strikes.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at five including three children and one woman.

Qasioun, who also blamed the Coalition, put the death toll at nine with 23 more wounded.

However, AlJazeera, pointed towards “an aerial bombardment and US artillery”, reporting the death of nine children and injury of 45 more civilians – “mostly children and women”.

A further victim was named as Hiyam Mohammad al Fayyad by Al Raqqa Truth, which reported that he died from injuries sustained in the event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Mohammed al Fayad
14 years old male killed
Abu Zuhri
Adult male killed
Hassan al Madawar
Adult male killed
Hiyam Mohammad al Fayyad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–7 children1–2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–45
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Shanina, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV086849
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 12th-13th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a front-end loader, an ISIS crane, and a house-born improvised explosive device.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–7 children1–2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–45
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]