Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS933

Incident date

June 8, 2017

Location

مفرق الجزرة, Al Jazra junction, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.952778, 38.984722

Airwars assessment

Fourteen civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on an internet cafe al Al Jazra junction in Raqqa, according to local sources. Another four reportedly died nearby.

All reports pointed towards the Coalition and named the internet cafe as Al-Hason Net.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), on June 8th the Coalition carried out “nearly 20 raids using white phosphorous targeting the al Sabahiya and al Jazra neighbourhoods.” RBSS also noted that al-Sabhiyaa mosque was struck in one of the raids. It said that the strike on Al-Hason Net killed 14 non-combatants, a figure also given by other sources, including Raqqa Post, RaqqaSL, Q_Alenzy and the journalist Mohab Naser.

At least two more deaths were reported nearby, with RBSS noting that “one of the raids targeted the commercial Al-Jazra junction corner of the 16th Street and caused the occurrence of a number of martyrs and wounded, we have not been aware of the numbers or names so far and the destruction of more than eight shops in the region.”

Syrianpc also reported the use of white phosphorous, saying that “between Thursday evening until Friday dawn the Coalition carried out more than 25 air raids focused on the neighbourhoods of the eastern and western city using white phosphorus, which is banned internationally.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Photo of what is reported to be the use of white phosphorous in Mashleb neighbourhood, June 8th (via Raqqa Post)
  • Video reportedly showing the targeting of al-Raqqa with white phosphorous on June 8th, 2017 (via AlRaggaTruth Facebook)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the alleged Coalition strikes that targeted al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the alleged Coalition strikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Coalition strikes that targeted al-Raqqa (via RBSS)

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV9667577625
    Military Grid Reference System

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 7th-8th: “Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 fighting positions, three vehicles, two ISIS staging areas, an ISIS excavator, an ISIS weapons cache, and an ISIS training camp.” It also added that “On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed six fighting positions and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS minefield.”

For June 8th-9th: "Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles and a mortar system."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]