Airwars assessment
At least two civilians died when the Coalition allegedly struck their vehicle as they attempted to escape from Raqqa towards Hitteen Farms, according to local media.
According to Syrian Mirror, “The aircraft of the International Alliance launched air raids on the neighborhoods of the city of Raqqa, which is under the control of the state organisation [IS], one of which targeted a car carrying the civilian family of Bassam Al-Khattab out of the city, resulting in the deaths of all of them.”
The Smart News Agency said “activists reported that a whole family was killed by a possible coalition raid on their car while attempting to flee the city.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights was alone in reporting that the incident occurred on June 4th.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Family members (2)
- Bassam al Khattab Adult male killed
- Wife of Bassam al Khattab Adult female killed
Summary
Sources (9) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]
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
-
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
For June 4th-5th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions and five vehicles.” In addition it reported for June 4th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 49 boats, five fighting positions, three anti-air artillery systems, two tactical vehicles and two ISIS staging areas.”