Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS1003

Incident date

July 14, 2016

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207438, 37.1990204 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shuhada’a Al-Aqsa Mosque was struck in east Aleppo and destroyed following an airstrike carried about by both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, local media reported. The raid occurred in the morning of July 14th, according to the White Helmets. Between seven and ten civilians including an entire family were reportedly killed.

Smart News and Shahba News both blamed Russia for the targeted raid. Whereas, Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed towards the regime.

Smart News and Syrian Press Centre put the death toll at 10 civilians, with Syrian Press Centre commenting that “dozens” were wounded.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the numbers slightly higher at 13, and also commented that seven of those killed included women and children.

According to Al Jazeera, nine members of the same family were killed, including the Imam of the mosque.

According to several sources including Orient News, Tareeq al Bab was not the only area attacked by Russian warplanes on July 14th. They reported that Salheen was also raided with several deaths which brought the total up to 14 between both neighbourhoods. Shahba tweeted that “The number of the martyrs in Salheen has risen to six and number of martyrs in Tareek al Bab has risen to 10 due to Russian warplanes shelling in both neighbourhoods.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahmad Shatat Bin Mohammad
Adult male killed
Rania Nai’imi
Adult female killed
Ahmad and Rania's daughter
30 years old female killed

Family members (3)

Huda
32 years old male killed
Daughter of Huda, Fatima Shatat
female killed
A second daughted of Huda
15 years old female killed

Family members (3)

Hiba Mohammad Shatat
26 years old killed
Mostapha Mohammad Shatat
12 years old killed
Ammar Mohamamd Shatat
3 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • The remains of a mosque which was targeted and destroyed in an airstrike by Russian and the Assad regime in east Aleppo. The Imam and his entire family were killed. 14th July 2016, Tareeq al Bab. (via. LCCSY).
  • The Civil Defence (White Helmets) pulling wounded and dead civilians out of the rubble in Tareeq al Bab. 14th July 2016. (via White Helmets).
  • A correspondent reports on destruction in Tareek Al Bab due to alleged Russian warplanes shelling (Youtube Shahba)
  • The White Helmets work through the rubble and provide aid following an alleged Russian and Regime attack on the Shuhada'a Mosque (Youtube via The White Helmets)
  • Local people carry a civilian on a stretcher out of the destruction in Tareek al Bab (via Syrianpc)
  • Residential buildings destroyed by alleged warplane shelling in Tareek al Bab (via Syriahr)
  • A man raises his hands in the air in distress as The White Helmets uncover civilians in the rubble (via Milad Fadel)
  • Munitions allegedly fired by Russian and Regime warplanes discovered in Tareek al Bab after a suspected attack (via Milad Fadel)
  • A man carries a pile of books through the rubble in Tareek al Bab after suspected warplanes struck (via Milad Fadel)
  • Extensive destruction in Tareek al Bab, the impact of alleged Russian airstrikes (via Midal Fidel)
  • Impact of alleged warplane shelling on a treet in Tareek al Bab (via Sin)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The Imam of the Shuhada'a Mosque killed in suspected airstrikes (Tweet via @islammemo_cc)
  • The White Helmets and locals carry a body away from the site of destruction in Tareek al Bab (Tweet by @SN4HR)
  • Photographs of the impact of alleged airstikes in Tareek al Bab (Tweet via @Step_Agency)
  • A blaze in Tareek al Bab caused by suspected airstrikes (Tweet by @bathn_allah)
  • The Civil Defense team work through the rubble in Tareek al Bab (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • Two White Helmets provide assistance in Tareek al Bab (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • The White Helmets use a digger to move the material destruction in Tareek al Bab following alleged warplane strikes (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • Described as a "massacre" in Tareek al Bab - the White Helmets provide aid (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian offensive on the Tareek al Bab neighbourhood (via LCCSY)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A very distressing image of the Iman alleged killed in the Russian warplane attacks on his Mosque - Ahmad Shatat Bin Mohammad, born 1976. (via HNN Facebook)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1208

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Location

Mouhimidah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.44294, 40.08619 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 10 civilians including five children died in airstrikes on Muhimidah in Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The majority of sources, including Alamawi, Mohamaed202054, Alsharqia24 and Euphrates Post, blamed Russia, with death counts varying between seven and ten non-combatants. “Many” additional people were reportedly wounded in the attacks.

However, Eldorara and the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the regime. SN4HR said that three children were include in the seven civilians killed.

Zaman Masdar blamed both “Russian and Syrian warplanes”.

Three victims following a strike on the house of Ahmad Al-Khalaf.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Iman Mohammed Al-Zobe
Child killed
Bilsan Al-Zobe
Child killed

Family members (3)

Hani Hamdi Khabour
killed
Rami Khabour
killed
The sister of Hani Hamdi Khabour
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS403

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Location

الجرنية, Al Jarnia, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.16054, 38.23337 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition airstrike on the local water company killed at least five workers, according to sources.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered reported that “three people working at the water company in al Jarnia – one of them the water manager – were killed in international coalition raids targeting the company today.” Baladi News placed the death toll at seven, while Syria Post reported ten deaths. Pro-regime website JP News reported that “Coalition warplanes killed the workers in the water company thought those workers are not ISIS member, and they had been working there even before ISIS was found 3 years ago.”

Syria News Desk cited local activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from the village: “The wounded were taken by villagers to the National Hospital in Raqqa, after raids resulted in the destruction of a large civic building institution, in addition to the destruction of an apartment building nearby and other property.”

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials requested additional information concerning the alleged event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Issa Al Hassan
Adult male director of the water company killed
Mohammed Hmeed Al-Hussein
Adult male killed
Ahmad Hammoud Al-Hilal
Adult male killed
Mohammed Al-Isa Al-Hussein
Adult male killed
Khaled Al Haj Abed
Adult male killed
Hussein Al-lous
Adult male killed
Umar Al Ahmad
Adult male killed
Abdur-Rahman Mohammed Al-Tis’an
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Omar al Ahmad al Omar (via RBSS)
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 Jarniyah (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA3112002021
    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 December 4th-5th 2016 the Coalition reported that ” Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes [1 British with others] engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a weapons production facility, a vehicle, and a bulldozer.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2496

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Location

بلدة تل مرديخ جنوب سراقب, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81117, 36.79093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian airstrikes on the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham in Mardikh town, south Saraqeb, killed at least two civilians and possibly injured dozens more, local media reported. Most of the sources reported the death toll among fighters of Faylaq Al Sham, but at least five civilians including four women were named as killed in the strikes, which also reportedly struck and wounded members of the  White Helmets as they attended the scene.

According to Edlib Media Center, the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham Corps was hit by the airstrikes. The Violations Documentation Centre listed the names of 33 “non-civilians” killed – alongside the names of five civilians. Sharif Sarmada noted “dozens of martyrs and wounded among Faylaq al Sham fighters who were killed when Russian aviation targeted their headquarters in the town”. Aksalser, meanwhile, put the number of “fighters” killed at 45.

Step reported that “more than thirty-five Russian air raids targeted the village of “Tel Mardikh” Saturday, September 23, and focused on the headquarters of the faction “Failaq al Sham “of the opposition forces, killing seven fighters “.

Syrianoor reported that there had been “dozens of martyrs and wounded, most of them civilians, who were killed in an air strike by Russian airliners this morning [Sept 23rd] on the village of Tal Mardikh”.

Zaiton said that  “a number of civilians were killed” and went on to add that a young man died and two members of the White Helmets were wounded while they tried to inspect the site.

Citing activists on the ground, Syrianoor added that “10 martyrs have so far have been killed by the Russian airstrikes that targeted the village of Tal Mardikh”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dharar Muhammad al-Shabib
Adult male Combat status unclear. He is named by Edlib EMC who do not give his combat status. VDC list a "Dirar Mohammad al-Mokhtar" as a non-civilians, so they could be the same man. killed
Moeawia Ibraheem al-Shbeeb
Adult male killed
Najat Mohammad al-Derwan
Adult female killed
Shagila Yousef al-Darwan
Adult female killed
Um Mohammad Yousef al-Darwan
Adult female killed
Majida Abd al-Rahman al-Othman
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians being pulled out the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes on Mardikh. (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Image of an injured civilian being carried by a White Helmet following airstrikes against Mardikh on September 23rd, 2017 (via Edlib EMC)
  • The White Helmets are reportedly targeted when attending the scene of a strike in Mardikh, Sept 23rd.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of a strike on Mardikh, Sept 23rd are pulled from the ground.
  • Translation: "10 martyrs and dozens wounded, including 5 of the civil defense, as a result of the bombing of the Russian air force targeted the village of Tal Mardikh countryside # Idlib."
  • Translation: "Martyrs from # Darya killed today in # Idlib in the Russian bombing on the # Tel-Mardikh". Note: the combat status of these men is unclear.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS781

Incident date

May 8, 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

Between seven and ten civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a vehicle carrying displaced civilians at the outskirts of Raqqa, according to local media.

The Step News Agency reported: “On Monday, May 8, the International coalition committed a new massacre in Raqqa province after it targeted a convoy transporting displaced civilians from the countryside of Homs and eastern Hama. The convoy had left Raqqa city and was heading towards Akeirbat in eastern Hama, killing 10 people in an initial toll. Th victims decided to flee from Raqqa after the situation worsened.” The victims were also named by Al Latamna Youth Union.

Other sources also blamed the Coalition, reporting that a bus carrying displaced people was hit. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at at least seven

One source, Tayyal91aa, claimed that the incident was fake, reporting that “The missile hit next to the bus and no casualties were reported and that the bus continued its way and arrived safely in Akrabbat with passengers all safe.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Allawi al-Khalaf
Age unknown male killed
Allawi al-Khalaf's Daughter in Law
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Hassan al-Hamdan
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ 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 Homs, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBU957899
    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
Official source

For May 7th-8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 13 ISIS barges and two excavators.”
For May 8th-9th: “Near Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed five weapons storage caches and an ISIS barge.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1198

Incident date

July 13, 2017

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Dari'ya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.947222, 38.991389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 10 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed and a “large” number of people wounded following alleged Coalition airstrikes in the Al Dariya neighbourhood of Raqqa, local sources reported.

Among the 19 sources who reported the incident, 17 alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Baladi News said that SDF artillery strikes contributed to the deaths. However Airwars understands only the Coalition has access to artillery therefore they would still be responsible. Ara News instead claimed that the civilians were killed as a result of ISIL mines, but no other report validates this claim.

Amnesty International later reported generally on the situation in the neighbourhood, citing ‘Mahmouda’, who escaped on July 21st: “They were fighting on both sides when we left. They [the SDF/coalition] had been shelling for two months. IS slaughtered people like birds. Many people were killed in the shelling. There were bodies all over the streets. The killing was from both sides but the worst was from IS. Families and families died.

The planes couldn’t distinguish between IS and civilians as IS made us all wear the same clothes. If the religious police caught my 12 year old son they’d make him cut his trousers [between the knee and the ankle – Kandahari style] so they couldn’t distinguish.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Member of the Ba’anat family 1
Age unknown killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 2
Age unknown killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 3
Age unknown killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 4
Age unknown killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 5
Age unknown killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 6
Age unknown killed
Member of the Ba’anat family 7
Age unknown killed

Family members (2)

Ahmed al Zuhu
Adult male killed
Wife of Ahmed al Zuhu
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ 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 Al Dariya, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 13th-14th: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed three ISIS communication towers, three fighting positions, a command and control node, a front-end loader, and an artillery system; and damaged three supply routes.“ It additionally reported that “On July 13, near Raqqah, Syria, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed five ISIS communication towers.” And that On July 13, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes damaged nine fighting positions and suppressed five mortar teams.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the past week, France reports 21 sorties and 4 strikes, 2 in Raqqa and 2 in Iraq. Task Force Wagram conducted 15 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014, it reports 1311 strikes, 2076 targets destroyed and 6775 sorties.

‘Point de situation des opérations Armée française – Opérations militaires·Thursday, 13 July 2017 CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, la manœuvre d’encerclement menée au Sud de la ville pour couper les combattants de Daech de leurs soutiens est terminée. Dans la ville, la progression des Forces Démocratiques Syriennes se poursuit maison par maison, face à une défense de Daech faite d’actions permanentes de harcèlement, d’infiltrations et d’attaques suicides menées avec l’aide de boucliers humains. Les Forces armées syriennes se heurtent aux défense de Daech plus à l’Est et les positions se stabilisent. En Irak, Dimanche 9 juillet, le Premier ministre irakien a annoncé la libération de Mossoul. Cette victoire sur l’organisation terroriste marque le succès de forces irakiennes appuyées par les forces aériennes de la Coalition et un soutien artillerie, au cœur d’une stratégie qui aura permis d’affaiblir Daech avant de contre-attaquer en remontant le Tigre et de progresser ensemble jusqu’au cœur de la ville après l’avoir encerclée. Désormais, les forces de sécurité débutent une longue phase de sécurisation de Mossoul. La nécessité de nettoyer la ville des très nombreux pièges posés par Daech, la présence de combattants-suicides disséminés au sein de la population, la probable présence de cellules terroristes dormantes, va imposer aux Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes de poursuivre leurs efforts pendant de longues semaines. Les combats se concentrent désormais dans le secteur de Tall Afar où bon nombre de combattants terroristes ont trouvé refuge après avoir fui la zone de Mossoul. Daech poursuit de son côté ses actions terroristes dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah où l’organisation dispose encore de forces importantes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 21 sorties aériennes dont 19 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 2 missions de recueil de renseignement. 04 frappes ont été réalisées dont 02 dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 15 missions de tir dont 14 de harcèlement et 01 d’éclairement. Le bilan global depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1311 frappes, 2076 objectifs et 6775 sorties. ‘

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1621a

Incident date

October 12, 2017

Location

البدو, Baidou, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958649, 39.007077 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that between 25 and 35 or more civilians died in US-led Coalition airstrikes carried out at midday which struck two residential buildings in Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa. Despite this, Amnesty field research has since been conducted which only reported the deaths of 16 civilians, spread over two strikes.

The Coalition initially confirmed having unintentionally killed three civilians in this strike – later updating this assessment to 16 killed. The majority of other sources placed the death toll at 35 and all sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

This assessment documents the victims of the second strike which killed ten civilians. The second can be found under CS1621.

Jisr TV reported, “The agency A’maq [IS propaganda] said the American raids targeted the Bedouin neighborhood, which resulted in the death toll”. It added that this came “after the resumption of military operations yesterday, following the failure of negotiations to exit ISIS out of Raqqa in return for not targeting them”. This account was reiterated in a later report by Step News Agency.

SDU Syria said “the planes also raided other areas of the city”, whilst Raqqa 24 noted an unknown number of civilians were wounded following the attacks.

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, stated that “Fayad Mohammed, a man in his 80s known as Abu Saif, and 15 members of his family and neighbours were among those killed in a double Coalition air strikes which destroyed the Fayyad family home and a neighbour’s house across the road. He had refused to leave the home where he had lived for 50 years when the Raqqa military campaign began.”

A relative of the victim told Amnesty in a testimony that “He insisted that he had lived here for 50 years and would not be evicted by these people (IS) who had taken control of the city and who he considered illiterate, ignorant and extremists.”

Ali Habib, one of the survivors of the attack, stated “I felt the roof of the house collapse on me… I called my wife, my mother, my daughter, but nobody answered… I realised that everybody was dead. I realised that everybody was dead. Then my boy, Mohammed, called out and that gave me the strength to free myself from the rubble and go to him. He had been thrown some 10m away by the explosion. We were both injured. I fainted and when I regained consciousness I heard voices on the other side of the rubble which was all around me and my boy and I called for help and eventually people removed some of the rubble and pulled us out.”

Ammar Amero, a neighbour who was in the area and helped recover the bodies from the rubble, told Amnesty International: “It must have been the last house they hit before the bombardments stopped at 5am. I found the bottom half of Abu Saif in the rubble. Um Abdalla was also visible in the rubble but her legs were trapped under it. She was dead.”

Raqqa RWB later reported that workmen were “rebuilding the Fayad family home, which was destroyed in a Coalition air strike”. The local source agreed that 16 civilians had been killed in the attack.

In March 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “(4.) Oct. 12, 2017 near Al Badu, Raqqah, Syria via social media report. During a Coalition strike to engage an ISIS-defensive fighting position it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV005796 (Military grid reference with 100 m accuracy).

In July 2018, following the publication of the Amnesty report, the Coalition again assessed the event, this time noting that “October 12, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Sixteen civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The coordinates, within 100m, were this time given as 37SEV006793 – or 35° 57.485′ N 39° 0.399′ E. Officials confirmed to Airwars that this related to event S1432.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Hsein al-Hamad al-Fares ibn Mousa
60 years old male Fayad's brother in law killed
Ammar al-Hamad al-Fares ibn Husein
32 years old male Hsein's son killed
Reem al-Maddad Bint As’ad
32 years old female killed
Razqiya Al-Habib bint Ali
1 year 6 months years old female Reem's baby daughter killed
Yousra Abd-al-Aziz bint Ismail
54 years old female Reem's mother in law killed
Abu Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Yassin
Age unknown male killed
Abu Abdallah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • "A’maq: more than 25 from Raqqa people were killed due to American airstrikes in Bedou neighbourhood." 12th october 2017. (via Photo of the A’maq)
  • “WAR-OF-ANNIHILATION“.-DEVASTATING-TOLL-ON-CIVILIANS-RAQQA-SYRIA

    Amnesty report on the confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty International)

  • Civilian casualties of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • The aftermath of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Satellite imagery of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Ammar Hsein Mousa al-Fares, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Hussein Fares, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Reem Asaad al Maddad, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Rizqiya Ali Habib, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Yousra Aziz bint Ismail, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو), for which the coordinates are: 35.95809, 39.00665.

  • Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected 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
    10
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Sixteen civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 12th – 13th the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units, suppressed one fighting position, destroyed two communications nodes, 10 fighting positions, one vehicle and one ISIS supply road.” And additionally that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed three ISIS lines of communication and one fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Thursday 12 October – Tornados struck two Daesh-held buildings in Raqqah, and bombed a terrorist camp in the western Iraqi desert…On Thursday 12 October, over western Iraq, another Tornado flight dropped four Paveways on a Daesh camp in the desert, some 60 miles south-west of Ramadi….This included two Tornado GR4s providing close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqah on Thursday 12 October. A Paveway IV guided bomb was deployed to target the upper storeys of a building from which a Daesh sniper was firing, and a second weapon struck another building from which terrorists were engaged in a combat with the SDF.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1750

Incident date

May 12, 2018

Location

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.03078, 41.05519 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to ten civilians were killed, including five women and four children, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hadaj.

A tweet by @NDhoms1 was the only source stating that “10 civilians, including 8 women and children” died. All other sources specifically mentioned the death of “five women and four children” as a result of a Coalition raid. A report by Eldorar made mention of “several others” injured in the attack.

Both Alikhbaria.Sy – a pro-regime news organisation – and RT Arabic mentioned the strike on Hadaj and the above-mentioned incident in al Hammadi, CS1749, in the same report.

However, the US-led Coalition publicly reported no air or artillery strikes in Hassakah governorate for this date.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The incident was first reported on May 12, 2018 at 5:00 am by .

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (4 children5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'Washington-based international coalition planes are committing a massacre in the village of Hadaj in the southern countryside of province, killing 10 civilians, including 8 women and children'

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hadaj (هداج), for which the coordinates are: 36.030780, 41.055190

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
    37SFV851893
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • May 12, 2018, in Hadaj, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3168/CS1750 37SFV851893

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 12th, the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in the Hasaka governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (4 children5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (6) [ collapse]