US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

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Incident Code

CS1301

Incident date

July 30, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died in air and artillery or mortar shelling in Raqqa, according to local sources.

Alraqqa Ahlna  listed two civilians as killed by air and artillery strikes.

Mohammed Ali Swaid was named as dead “after being hit by a mortar shell from SDF militia on al Thakana”, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently.

Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa, however, the SDF are reportedly using mortars and rockets.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four civilians died in Raqqa as a result of a Coalition airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Jamal al-Abd
Adult male named by Alraqqa Ahlna killed
Wife of Jamal al-Abd
Adult female named by Alraqqa Ahlna killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Jihad Al-Marouh
Child male displaced from Palmyra, was named by multiple sources as killed “as a result of aerial and artillery bombardment” in Raqqa. killed
Mohammed Ali Swaid
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Jihad Al-Marouh, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 30th July 2017. (via Revolution Coordination Committee in Palmyra)
  • Ahmad Jihad Al-Marouh, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 30th July 2017. (via Hasan Murawah)
  • Mohammed Ali Swaid, killed in an alleged airstrike on Raqqa, 30th July 2017. (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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 July 30th-31st: “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, three supply caches, two ISIS-held buildings, a vehicle, a tunnel, and a command and control node; and suppressed a fighting position.”

It additionally reported that “On July 30, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units, destroyed four fighting positions, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On July 30, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 30 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair eliminated two terrorist snipers in Raqqa...On Sunday 30 July, a further mixed pair of aircraft conducted successful Paveway strikes when the SDF came under fire from two snipers as they continued to clear areas of Raqqa from Daesh control.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • RAF reporting on their continued airstrikes in Syria, 30th July 2017. (via Defence HQ)

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
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI817

Incident date

July 30, 2017

Location

راوة, Rawah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.473919, 41.915991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to residents and press, four civilians from the same family were killed in Rawa following an airstrike targeted their house.

The sources identified the victim family by name as Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid 

None of the sources identified who was responsible for the airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

The 1st member of Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid family
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
The 2nd member of Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid family
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
The 3rd member of Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid family
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
The 4th member of Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid family
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention residential areas in the town of Rawah (راوة). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available, Airwars was unable to verify the location of these areas. The generic coordinates for the town of Rawah (راوة) are: 34.473919, 41.915991.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position, a VBIED and a VBIED facility.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI818

Incident date

July 30, 2017

Location

الحويجة, Hawija, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local press sources said that 10 civilians from the same family were killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit their house in the Hawija district on Sunday 30th July.

Kawsar Agency and Team of Correspondents said that the family died as a result of US shelling on their home.

According to Team of Correspondents, the ten victims were mostly children, while Iraqi Spring Media Centre said most of the dead were women and children.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–6 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a residential building in the city of Hawija (الحويجه). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available, Airwars was unable to verify the location of this building. The generic coordinates of the city of Hawija (الحويجه) are: 35.325244, 43.767258.

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 Hawija, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE8832609514
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • 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
Official source

For July 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–6 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1298

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95538, 39.00887 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa.

Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike to suppress an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

Coalition officials told Airwars that this report referred to CS1298.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The coordinates indicate that the incident was near the Dar al Shifa hospital.

This incident may be related to CS1295, however there is not enough locational detail in that allegation to tell.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS of this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • July, 29, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report. During a Coalition strike to suppress an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 29th – 30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and three vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1299

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94637, 39.00776 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa.

Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

Coalition officials told Airwars that their report referred to this incident.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

This incident may be related to CS1295, however there is not enough locational detail in that allegation to tell.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV007780
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • July 29, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report. During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 29th – 30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and three vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1297

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were wounded in an airstrike on the main road to al Mayadin garage, local media reported, though it was unclear whether the Coalition or Russia were responsible.

Radio AlKul reported that “several civilians were injured by flying cluster bombs near the garage in Al Mayadin”.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes, whether Russian or affiliated with the International Coalition it is unknown, shelled places in the area extending from the public road to Al-Mayadin Garage, leaving several people injured”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 29th-30th: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters” and “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed five ISIS oil stills and four oil tanks.“

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1296

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.45622, 40.91166 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians died and 10 more were wounded in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, according to local sources. While the majority of reports blamed the US-led Coalition for the airstrikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the Coalition or Russia were responsible. The Coalition later confirmed having unintentionally killed three and injured nine in this strike.

Euphrates Post reported that an “air bombardment” (it didn’t say who was to blame) targeted the city of Abu Kamal, near the Abdullah bin Masood mosque. It also noted another raid on “the empty house of Jamul al-Dulaimi”.

According to the pro-regime agency Sana, “the US-led coalition bombed the Aisha hospital, the club and Al Shuhadaa [Martyrs] roundabout killing six civilians, including women and children and injuring 10 others and causing damage to infrastructure”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, also attributing the event to the Coalition, reported the death of a mother and her two children.

However, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SO4HR), who said that at least six non-combatants were killed, it was unclear whether Russian or Coalition warplanes were responsible for the strikes.

In October 2017, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS headquarters structure, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed and nine civilians were unintentionally injured.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this event accurate to within a 100m box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

The wife of Abu Aboud al-Deiri
Adult female killed
Son of Abu Aboud al-Deiri
Child male killed
Son of Abu Aboud al-Deiri
Child male killed
Daughter of Abu Aboud al-Deiri
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Mrs. Sana al Ash’ab
Adult female the wife of Abdel Halim Al Mardood killed
Sundus Mohammed al-Mardod
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of a contested airstrike on Abu Kamal, 29th July 2017. (via @ahmadhossein3)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 34.466049, 40.907593

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    3
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    9
  • Stated location
    near Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU756144
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • July 29, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report. During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS headquarters structure, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed and nine civilians were unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 29th-30th: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters” and “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed five ISIS oil stills and four oil tanks.”

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1295

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Euphrates Post, two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah.

Hasaka Marsad also named these two victims and blamed the Coalition for their deaths.

This event might or might not be related to the two events that the Coalition has admitted responsibility for — see S1138b and S1138c below.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hossam Rachid Jadaan Al Haj
Age unknown male killed
Souzan Rashid Jadaan Al-Haj
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • July 29, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3137/CS1295 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and suppressed a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units, destroyed an anti-air artillery system, and damaged seven fighting positions.”

For July 30th – 31st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, three supply caches, two ISIS-held buildings, a vehicle, a tunnel, and a command and control node; and suppressed a fighting position.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]