Geolocation
Airwars assessment
Between seven and 13 civilians including three children and one woman from the same family died in airstrikes and/or rocket strikes on different locations in Raqqa, local media reported. While reports blame the Coalition, many also pointed towards artillery shelling by both US forces and Kurdish units.
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published “photos showing the destruction in National Bank of Credit and the Civil Engineering College area following Coalition raids”. It later posted images “of the signs of destruction caused by the air raids on the University road, al Bustan restaurant and al National Bank of Credit”, which were taken from a video by the IS media agency A’Amaq, published by Al Ragga Truth.
Among the sources blaming the Coalition, were the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
However, some sources noted that Coalition airstrikes coincided with artillery strikes. According to Qasioun, for example, while the Coalition “intensified its airstrikes”, the city also came under from “artillery and missile attacks by Kurdish units”.
Sound and Picture noted that “six rockets were fired from the Kharab_Ashk base, controlled by US forces, towards the city of Raqqa”, while Al Raqqa Truth published footage depicting the aftermath of “American air and artillery shelling on al Mansour and al Nour street”.
Overall, local reports of strikes cite the following locations:
- Al Baraka station on Saif al-Dawla Street
- The Building for Immigration and Passports in Al Thakana neighbourhood
- Mashbal neighbourhood
- Muraba’ Amni, “Security Box” area
- National (Popular) Bank of Credit area
- University Road
- Al Bustan restaurant
- Civil Engineering College area
- Hussein Mosque, next to the Faculty of Education
- The train station
- Hijra and Jawazat neighbourhoods
The local time of the incident is unknown.
The victims were named as:
Family members (5)
The victims were named as:
Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]
Overall, local reports of strikes cite the following locations: The coordinates for Saif al Dawla Street (شارع سیف الدولة) are: 35.940417, 39.019056. We were unable to geolocate the building for immigration and passports in Al Thakana. However, the generic coordinates for Al Thakana (الثكنة) neighbourhood are: 35.946881, 39.006154. The coordinates for the train station (محطة القطار) are: 35.965806, 39.010167. The coordinates for Mashbal (حي المشلب) neighbourhood are: 35.944944, 39.047472. The coordinates for the Muraba’ Amni, “Security Box” area (المربع الامني) are: 35.949369, 39.007444. The coordinates for the National Bank of Credit (مصرف التسليف الشعبي) are: 35.945077, 39.015770. The coordinates for Hussein Mosque (مسجد الحسین), next to the Faculty of Education are: 35.963859, 39.017052. Note, damage is visible in satellite imagery in the vicinity of Faculty of Education (كلیة التربیة) and Mosque of Hussein at: 35.9633492, 39.0190762.
Summary
Sources (26) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]
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Destruction on the University Road, al Bustan restaurant and al Tasslif Al Sha’abi bank following suspected Coalition attacks, June 6th (via RBSS) [Stills from A'maq Video]
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The aftermath of alleged Coalition strikes on the University Road, al Bustan restaurant and al Tasslif Al Sha’abi bank June 6th (via RBSS) [Stills from A'maq Video]
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Material destruction on the University Road in Raqqah, the impact of alleged Coalition raids, June 6th (via RBSS) [Stills from A'maq Video]
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Mahmoud Khalaf al Abboud and his three children killed in alleged Coalition strikes in Raqqa, June 6th (via RBSS)
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Mahmoud Khalaf al Abboud killed with his wife and three children following a suspected Coalition raid on their home in Raqqa. He was originally from al Mayadeen town in eastern Deir Ezzor (via Asharqiya Voice)
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Khaldoun Ahmad al Awad was reported killed in Coalition strikes in Raqqah, June 6th (via SN4HR)
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
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The report contains insufficient information of the time location and details to assess its credibility.
Original strike reports
For June 5th-6th: “Near Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged 18 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 19 boats, 12 fighting positions, eight vehicles, a house rigged with explosives, and a weapons storage facility; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionaly noted for June 5th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS staging areas, two fighting positions, a VBIED factory, an ISIS tunnel, an ISIS sentry post, a vehicle, and a command and control node.” And that “On June 5, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed an IED factory, an ISIS headquarters, an ISIS financial center, and an ISIS staging area.”
June 6th - 7th: "Near Raqqah, 17 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, two ISIS bridges, two vehicles, an ISIS boat, and an ISIS communications tower" Later reported, "Additionally, eight strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 5-7 that closed within the last 24 hours. On June 5, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed an IED factory, an ISIS headquarters, an ISIS financial center, and an ISIS staging area. On June 6, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS headquarters, a fighting position and a tunnel entrance. On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed six fighting positions and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit"
2459/5000 'CHAMMAL ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION In Syria, on June 4, under pressure from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the terrorist organization abandoned the Baath Dam on the Euphrates (between Tabqah and Raqqah). Subsequently, the SDS announced June 6 the start of the offensive for the recovery of Raqqah. The coalition supports forces engaged in this battle, which can be long and difficult. This week, with the support of the coalition, the ground forces made significant first steps on the north, west and southwest fronts of the city. Leaving ground, Daech organizes its withdrawal along the Euphrates towards the city, and traps massively the ground. In Iraq, Daesh continues to lose ground in the north of the country, but continues its asymmetric actions in the capital. In the battle for the recovery of the historic center of Mosul, the terrorist organization is still fiercely opposed to the Iraqi offensives. Heavy fighting took place in the last days in the area of the Jamhuri hospital complex, which until now remained in the hands of the terrorist fighters. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAMMAL FORCE Air support to the Levant This week, the aircraft of Operation Chammal made 36 sorties, including 32 for armed reconnaissance or ground support (CAS) and 4 for intelligence gathering. 8 strikes were carried out by French planes in Iraq and Syria. They were all conducted in support of ground operations as part of the Daesh operations in Mosul and Raqqah. Support is becoming increasingly complex in Mosul, given the fighting in highly urbanized areas and narrow, narrow streets. Fire support - TF Wagram The Task Force (TF) Wagram continued this week its missions in support of the 15th Iraqi Division in charge of securing the northwest of the city of Mosul and in particular the Badush sector. It has carried out 58 firing missions in support of Iraqi units. The activity was particularly marked by the defense of the rear areas of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) because of the harassing actions of Daesh. For example, on 1 June, the force fired counter-battery fire to prevent mortars from attacking Iraqi units before destroying a defensive position of the terrorist fighters and then a command post.
‘CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION En Syrie, le 4 juin, sous la pression des Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS), l’organisation terroriste a abandonné le barrage de Baath sur l’Euphrate (entre Tabqah et Raqqah). Par la suite, les FDS ont annoncé le 6 juin le début de l’offensive pour la reprise de Raqqah. La coalition soutient les forces engagées dans cette bataille qui peut être longue et difficile. Cette semaine, avec l’appui de la coalition, les forces au sol ont réalisé de premières avancées importantes sur les fronts nord, ouest et sud-ouest de la ville. Cédant du terrain, Daech organise son repli le long de l’Euphrate en direction de la ville, et piège massivement le terrain. En Irak, Daech continue à perdre du terrain dans le nord du pays, mais poursuit ses actions asymétriques dans la capitale. Dans la bataille pour la reprise du centre historique de Mossoul, l’organisation terroriste oppose toujours une vive résistance aux offensives irakiennes. De rudes combats se sont déroulés les jours derniers dans le secteur du complexe hospitalier de Jamhuri qui reste jusqu’alors dans les mains des combattants terroristes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 36 sorties aériennes dont 32 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 4 de recueil de renseignements. 8 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. Elles ont toutes été conduites en appui des opérations au sol dans le cadre des opérations contre Daech à Mossoul et Raqqah Les appuis deviennent de plus en plus complexes à réaliser dans Mossoul compte tenu des combats qui se déroulent dans des zones fortement urbanisées et aux ruelles étroites et resserrées. Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a poursuivi cette semaine ses missions en appui de la 15e division irakienne en charge la sécurisation des abords Nord-Ouest de la ville de Mossoul et notamment du secteur de Badush. Elle a réalisé 58 missions de tir en appui des unités irakiennes. L’activité a été plus particulièrement marquée par la défense des zones arrière des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) en raison des actions de harcèlement de Daech. Ainsi, le 1er juin, la force a effectué des tirs de contre-batterie pour empêcher des mortiers de prendre à partie les unités irakiennes avant de détruire une position défensive des combattants terroristes puis un poste de commandement.’
‘Monday 5 June – Typhoons struck a Daesh-held building in eastern Raqqa, whilst Tornados hit two terrorist firing points in a building in Mosul…On Monday 5 June, two Typhoons, supporting Syrian Democratic Forces close to Raqqa, used a Paveway IV to strike a Daesh-held building in the east of the city itself. Tornados meanwhile continued operations over Mosul, and employed a pair of Brimstone missiles to deliver pinpoint attacks on two firing positions located in a large multi-storey building, where the terrorists had stationed a recoilless anti-tank gun and a machine-gun.’