Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CI626

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336804, 43.083396 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported a major incident in Yarmouk neighbourhood, West Mosul, where airstrikes allegedly killed more than thirty civilians.

The local Facebook group Sawlf Ateka named the victims as: “Imad Abdul Ghani Al-Rashdi and his mother, his wife, four daughters, the daughter of his brother Iyad and five other families after they fled to their neighbor’s home.” According to the report, an ISIL member had been on the roof of their house, so they fled to the neighbour’s house. The ISIL combatant escaped, but the house where the families were hiding was then hit by airstrikes. According to Sawif Ateka “They are now under the rubble. We appeal to the counter-terrorist units to evacuate the bodies. The site of the incident is opposite the Yarmouk Bridge and the Maysaloun Preparatory School for Girls.”

MNN reported that A-10 aircraft carried out the bombings in Yarmouk. This type of aircraft is used only by the US in Iraq, so could point at Coalition involvement. However, none of the other sources indicated who was responsible.

Yarmouk Coordination spoke of a total of 73 dead, mostly children and more than 200 wounded in “American-Iraqi” bombings in Mosul over a period of three days.

Nineveh Media Centre later named Mohamed Abdel Wahab Ibrahim El Sayegh (see photo below) as also having died in the attack. Yarmouk neighbourhood was reportedly liberated by Iraqi forces that day.

In a later report. the Iraqi Observatory gave more details: “The monitoring network documented at the Iraqi Observatory on April 10 the killing of five families in the Yarmouk district of the right-hand side of the city of Mosul, after their house was targeted by air strikes. A displaced man from the city of Mosul reported that a bomb exploded near the Yarmouk Bridge, killing one of his cousins, his mother, his wife, four daughters, his nephew and five other families who were gathered in one house. He added that the house was bombed an hour after the escape of one of the elements of the organization that was on the roof of the house, likely to kill thirty civilians whose bodies are still under the rubble.”

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Imad Abdul Ghani Al-Rashdi Adult male killed
  • Mohamed Abdel Wahab Ibrahim El Sayegh Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    28 – 30
  • (7 women2 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mohamed Abdel Wahab Ibrahim El Sayegh was reportedly killed after a mortar hit his house in Yarmouk neighborhood (via Ninawa Media Center)
  • Imad Abdul Ghani Al-Rashdi

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 9th-10th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, five mortar systems, three medium machine guns, and a vehicle; damaged 22 supply routes; and suppressed four mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    28 – 30
  • (7 women2 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS365

Incident date

January 11, 2016

Location

عنجارة, Anjara, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2175486, 36.947279 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 15 and 30 civilians including six women and at least five children were killed – and dozens more people injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes targeting schools in Anjara, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that warplanes believed to be Russian struck the Mustafa Ruston elementary school in the morning, killing at least 17 non-combatants including nine children. But they later reported that 13 were killed, including 12 students and a teacher, while eight others were  injured.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights 15 were killed, including 12 children, one civilian woman and one female teacher. The source stated that the death toll was likely to rise because people were still missing and many were severely injured. Haaretz/Reuters also put the number of children killed at 12, plus a teacher.

The White Helmets referred to a “demented bombardment by warplanes targeting the western countryside of Aleppo with more than 14 raids targeting Kafrnaha, Khan Al A’ssal and the town of A’njara which led to the death of 19 children in addition to a man and a woman in an initial count,” but did not say who the warplanes belonged to.

However, the Shaam News Network said that three schools were targeted by Russian forces. They initially put the death toll at eight with dozens injured – mostly children – but it then rose to 30, again with dozens injured and most of these being children.

VDC has named 15 victims including three unidentified male children.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 30
  • (5–12 children5–6 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child being carried from the scene where her school was targeted by an alleged Russian raid. (via, Fouadhallak89)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More injured children being treated for their wounds at a medical facility following a targeted attack on a school by an alleged Russian raid. (via, Fouadhallak89)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More injured children following an alleged Russian raid on a school. (via, Fouadhallak89)
  • The inside of the classroom destroyed following a targeted attack on a school. (via, Fouadhallak89)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between January 11th-15th.

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 30
  • (5–12 children5–6 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS965

Incident date

July 1, 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

Heavy shelling by warplanes was reported on the commercial market of Tareeq al Bab. Sources blamed either Russian and Syrian Regime warplanes, or both. Strikes reportedly killed between 12 and 30 civilians with “dozens injured.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the use of missiles and blamed the regime for the destruction.

According to Ara News – which also blamed the regime – the strikes took place near Al-Halwaneya roundabout.

Smart news said that seven children were among the dead, while Syrian News and the White Helmets reported that the death toll was “likely to rise” due to the number of severe injuries. Multiple sources stressed that the injuries of civilians were serious with many people trapped under the rubble.

LCCSY named 12 victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Yaser Mouhammad Al Jasem 45 years old male killed
  • Mouhammad Yasrr Al Jasem 10 years old male killed
  • Ahmad Taleb Al Issa 60 years old male killed
  • Mahmoud Mohamad Dokmak 28 years old male killed
  • Hikmat Mahmoud Al Mohamad 17 years old killed
  • Omar Mohamad Allawi 30 years old male killed
  • Mouhammad Abdullah al-Mohamad 12 years old male killed
  • Ahmad Hasan al-Ali 60 years old male killed
  • Ayman Mahmoud Atrash 28 years old killed
  • Mouhamad Mouhamad Shamoqa 26 years old male killed
  • Abdulrahman Ahmad Dibo 44 years old male killed
  • Omer Mouhamad Allawi 30 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 30
  • (7 children5 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–33
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (36) [ collapse]

  • Victims are removed following heavy Russian or Assad regime strikes on Tareeq al Bab, July 1st 2016 (via Enabaladi)
  • Footage of the destruction at Tareeq al Bab following alleged raids (via Halab News Network)
  • Demolished buildings in Tareeq al Bab (Youtube via Aljazeera)
  • The aftermath of alleged regime raids on Tareeq Al Bab (Youtube via AMC)
  • Civilians and traffic in Tareeq Al Bab, extensive destruction and burnt out buildings (Youtube via Step News)
  • Al-Halwaneya roundabout in Tareek Al Bab following alleged aerial bombardment (via Shahed_news)
  • A civilian is carried out of the destruction following alleged strikes on Tareeq al Bab (via Syrianpc)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian child, killed by alleged aerial raids on Tareeq Al Bab (via Altihad press)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian child, killed by alleged aerial raids on Tareeq Al Bab (via Altihad press)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian male, killed or wounded following alleged aerial raids on Tareeq Al Bab (via Altihad press)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian male, killed or wounded following alleged aerial raids on Tareeq Al Bab (via Altihad press)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian child, killed following alleged aerial raids on Tareeq Al Bab (via Altihad press)
  • A building demolished following alleged "warplane shelling" on Tareeq al Bab (via Zamanalwasel)
  • Cars aflame and civilians in distress following alleged raids on Tareeq al Bab (via @Bodler_15)
  • Victims of alleged Russian warplane shelling (via @Alshaheda13)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Scenes of significant material and human destruction in Tareeq al Bab (via @Fouad_Hallak)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies pulled from destruction (via @thiqa)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians rescue victims following alleged airstrikes (via @ShehabAgency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian removed from destruction on a stretcher (via @Bredej24)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Scenes of material and human destruction at Tareeq al Bab (Youtube via HNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian treated by medics in Tareeq al Bab (via HNN)
  • Buildings destroyed in Tareeq al Bab (via HNN)
  • Further material destruction in Tareeq Al Bab (via HNN)
  • Three body bags with victims of alleged aerial bombardment on Tareeq al Bab (via HNN)
  • Civilians survey the aftermath of alleged strikes on Tareeq al bab (via HNN)
  • A civilian seen to by medics in Tareeq al Bab (via HNN)
  • Victims of alleged strikes in body bags (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Inside a medical vehicle at Tareeq al Bab (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of alleged airstrikes (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Buildings demolished in Tareeq al bab following alleged airstrikes (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Residential building destroyed following alleged airstrikes (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Civilians survey the rubble after suspected airstrikes on Tareeq al bab (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • The "martyrs" of Tareeq al Bab listed at 0’28” (Youtube by Halab TV Today)
  • A street in Tareeq al Bab (via White Helmets)
  • Rescue operation in process following alleged strikes on Tareeq al Bab (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets at the scene following alleged strikes on Tareeq al Bab (via The White Helmets)

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 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
    12 – 30
  • (7 children5 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–33
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS847

Incident date

June 4, 2016

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1995518, 37.1815538 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 30 civilians died in multiple airstrikes on Al Qaterji, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responisble.

Multiple reports by LCCSY attributed the incident to Russia, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed Moscow for firing missiles on “residential homes near a hardware warehouse”, killing 12 civilians.

However, other reports pointed to helicopters and “explosive barrels” though the culprits were not identified.

But a number of sources, including Orient news, directly blamed the Assad regime. According to Qasioun, “regime helicopters committed a massacre in Al-Qaterji killing ten people and wounding 15 more when they threw explosive barrels on residential buildings in the neighborhood.”

Al Jazeera blamed both Russia and regime for carrying out more than two dozen raids. Similarly, other sources  didn’t make it clear whether Russia or the regime was responsible.

Shaam News referred to “warplanes” and “barrel bombs” – but a later report mentioned “Assad regime raids”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–30
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • 'The correspondent of Aleppo Media Centre Bahaa al halabi with head wounds sustained while covering the raids on al Qaterji neighbourhood in Aleppo' (via SNN)
  • A child is rescued from under the rubble in Al-Qaterji (Youtube via Qasioun News Agency)
  • "Helicopters committed a massacre caused death of more than 15 martyrs and a large number of injuries as a result of targeting Al Qaterji neighborhood of Aleppo, four explosive barrels" (via Syria-reporter)
  • A video of destruction at Al Qaterji (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • "martyrs and wounded in al Qaterji and al Mayssar neighbourhoods in Aleppo following air raids and barrel bombs" (Video via SNN Facebook)
  • "the correspondent of Aleppo Media Centre Bahaa al halabi with head wounds sustained while covering the raids on al Qaterji neighbourhood in Aleppo" (via SNN Facebook)
  • The destruction of buildings in al Qaterji (via SNN Facebook)
  • The destruction of buildings in al Qaterji (via SNN Facebook)
  • The destruction of buildings in al Qaterji (via SNN Facebook)

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–30
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2248

Incident date

May 22, 2017

Location

العرضي, Al A'radi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3352757, 40.1499438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 30 civilians, including two to four women and two to five children, were killed and between 20 and 30 others, including women and children, were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the Al A’radi neighborhood of Deir Ezzor city, local media reported.

At the time of reporting seven civilian deaths, Deir Ezzor News acknowledged that the number of those dead was subject to increase due to many civilians in critical condition. Euphrates Post also reported that in addition to the eight civilians they stated were killed, 10 others among the wounded were in critical condition.

There were conflicting reports given as to who was responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. The majority of sources, including Syria News Desk and Violations Documentation Center, blamed regime planes for the casualties caused by the airstrikes. However, other sources, including Syrian-Mirror and @HalabTodayTV, identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes.

According to local sources, at least six airstrikes were carried out and struck five residential buildings on Hanano Street near the Harwil mosque in the center of the neighborhood. In addition to air fire from aviation, Smart News reported that artillery fire also struck the town. The raids resulted in the complete destruction of two floors of three buildings, damage to three other buildings, a few shops and their products, and a number of civilian cars.

The injured were transported to nearby medical facilities and civil defense teams were still removing victims from the rubble and clearing the streets well into the night. Included in those killed was the wife of Tha’er Al Fallah and two of her children and the husband, wife, and three of the daughters of the al Arwa family. At the time of the airstrikes, it was alleged that the area was under the control of ISIS and multiple local sources reported that members of ISIS were also killed in the airstrikes.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 30
  • (2–5 children2–4 women2–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 30
  • (2–5 children2–4 women2–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI628

Incident date

April 11, 2017

Location

سحاب, Mosul, al-Saha and al-Sham gate, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.349444, 43.100833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single local source reported that over thirty civilians, including women and children, were killed in Coalition airstrikes on al-Saha and al-Sham neighbourhoods in West Mosul.

Other sources reported that in total 73 civilians were killed and 200 wounded after three days of bombing by the international Coalition and Iraqi forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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.

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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 10th-11th: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a supply cache, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an anti-air artillery system, one VBIED; damaged a fighting position; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit and a mortar team.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2610

Incident date

October 7, 2017

Location

العشارة, Al-A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.92, 40.56 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three and as many as 30 civilians, including one child and woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on the town of Al-A’shara, Deir Ezzor, located media said.

Several sources reported the death of three named civilians, one child and two adult siblings, one man and one woman.

Multiple other sources reported that the airstrikes had hit an ISIS-controlled prison, consequently killing at least 30 of the detainees.

According to @AlSharqia24, the strikes hit residential areas “on the town of Al-Ashara near Al Raiss Cafe.”

Additionally, Step News Agency, who reported “heavy shelling by the Russian airplanes”, said that there were “no reports of damage.”

All the sources who reported about the shelling of the prison attributed blame to Russia. Meanwhile, the sources reporting about the death of the siblings and child, conflict as to whether Russia or the Syrian was behind. Most point to Russia while the Syrian Network for Human Rights blame the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 30
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage from the moment the contested airstrike hit Al-A'shara, Deir Ezzor, October 7th 2017 (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Elias Khader Al-Awad, one of the victims of the contested airstrikes in Al-A'shara, Deir Ezzor, October 7th 2017 (via Marsad Al Hasakat)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 30
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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

CS1380

Incident date

August 17, 2017

Location

Mu'awiya school/Mal'ab Al-Aswad area, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.960023, 39.003649 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Thirty civilians including up to 13 children and three women from three families died and dozens more were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling on Raqqa, according to local sources. Reports said that the entire Al-Sayer Al-Enezi family died in the strike – along with multiple members of other families.

There was, however, some confusion about the location of the event. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – which put the death toll at 30 – the Al-Sayer family died in the Mu’awiua school area. However, Ahmad Shbli reported that the family were killed in a strike on the Mal’ab Al-Aswad area, along with Idan al-Abo al-Issa and his wife.

Sharqiya Voice, also blaming the Coalition, said that the Al-Sayer family died in the Mu’awiya school district. And according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the family died in the al Tawase’eya neighbourhood.

Sky News, Masrawi and Qasioun said that Coalition raids on the Mu’awiya school area killed 23 civilians including thirteen children from the Al-Enezi family.

Sound and Picture provided the most detail on the event, reporting that “30 civilians were killed and dozens were injured in an air strike by the International Air Force aircraft targeting a residential building near the school of Muawiya bin Abi Sufian in the Al Wahda neighbourhood (Unity neighbourhood), in the city of Raqqa.

Three civilian families were killed in a coalition air strike targeting the building in which they live, totalling least 30 people, most of them women and children. The correspondent denied the existence of any IS headquarters in the building.”

The joint Amnesty and Airwars’s report from 2019 “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported in details about how the strikes killed members of the al-Sayer family.  Hafia, the wife of Mahmoud Lafi al-Sayer, told Amnesty that “at 2 am, an airstrike of the home of Haifa al-Sheikh killed 12 members of her family – five children, three women and four men. The carnage occurred only hours after she had lost her brother and nine other relatives in an air strike on her brother’s home.”

Haifa told Amnesty’s researcher that “I picked up the dead, the children; they were in pieces. This was a beautiful home, a happy home. Now nothing remains. I spend every moment of every day thinking about them. May God give me strength.”

In total, Hafnia lost her husband Mahmud Lafi al-Sayer, her sons Azzam and Husam, nieces Rawda Lafi al-Sayer and Amira lafi al-Sayer, nephew Muthanna Barakat al-Sayer, 34 and his wife Hanadi Khalaf al-Saba, pregnant, and their six children; Taima’, Hamza, Basma, Rahma and Azzam and their unborn fetus.

 

The incident occured at 02:00:00 local time.

  • Hajj Hussein Abdo al - Kurdi Adult male killed
  • Saeed Mohammed Al Mahmoud Age unknown male killed
  • Yasser Al - Humaidi Age unknown male killed
  • Hanadi Khalaf al-Shamailani al-Anzi Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • (4–13 children2–3 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–36
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Four children from the Al-Sayer family, who died in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, Aug 17th (via Sharqiya)
  • Idan al-Abo al-Issa (via RBSS)
  • Muthanna Barakat Lafi Al - Sayer (via RBSS)
  • Haj Fawaz Jassan al-Sayyid (via RBSS)
  • Basma al-Sayer, who died in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, Aug 17th (via Amnesty/Airwars)
  • Hamza al-Sayer, who died in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, Aug 17th (via Amnesty/Airwars)
  • Muthanna Barakat al-Sayer, who died in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, Aug 17th (via Amnesty/Airwars)
  • Rahma al-Sayer, who died in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, Aug 17th (via Amnesty/Airwars)
  • Taima Al sayer, who died in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, Aug 17th (via Amnesty/Airwars)
  • Via Amnesty International
  • Via Amnesty International
  • Via Amnesty International

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

  • The Muawiya school (مدرسة معاوية بن ابي سفيان), the stadium and Al Ansar mosque (مسجد الأنصار) in the Al Wahdah area (marked in red)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

  • Before the attack.

  • After the attack.

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 August 16th-17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 17 fighting positions, a logistics node, an IED, a command and control node, an ISIS UAS and a vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 16, near Raqqah, Syria, 23 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 18 fighting positions, eight command and control nodes, two tunnels, two heavy machine guns, an ISIS UAS, an anti-aircraft artillery system and an ISIS line of communication.” And that “On Aug. 16, near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two command and control nodes and a mortar system.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Thursday 17 August – Tornados and Typhoons attacked a mortar near Tall Afar, and two machine-gun teams and a sniper in Raqqa...With the Iraqi forces advancing on Tal Afar, a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair provided close air support on Thursday 17 August. A coalition surveillance aircraft spotted a terrorist mortar, and was able to guide our aircraft into a successful attack with a Paveway IV. A second mixed pair maintained operations over Raqqa, and used Paveways to destroy one sniper and two machine-gun teams.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the past week, (11th-18th) France conducted 27 sorties, including 22 armed reconnaissance and ground support (CAS), 1 refueling outlet and 4 intelligence gathering sorties by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrols. Two strikes were carried out in the Raqqah region of Syria. They helped support the Syrian democratic forces in their offensive to retake the city.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes se poursuit. Au sud de la ville, la manœuvre de tenaille, amorcée il y a 15 jours, s’est achevée en fin de semaine dernière. Elle a permis de réaliser la jonction des fronts est et ouest. Depuis, les forces démocratiques syriennes ont relancé une offensive vers le centre de la ville mais elles font face à une défense acharnée des combattants de Daech. En Irak, Les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations dans l’objectif de libérer, à terme, le nord de l’Irak. Actuellement, elles focalisent leur effort sur l’encerclement de la ville de Tall Afar. Les combattants de l’organisation terroriste réalisent un travail de valorisation de leurs positions défensives pour se préparer aux combats à venir alors que les populations tentent de fuir la ville. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Les soldats de l’opération Chammal poursuive leur mission d’appui au profit des unités irakiennes engagées contre Daech. Cette semaine, sur le théâtre, les aéronefs ont réalisé 27 sorties aériennes dont 22 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), 1 sortie de ravitaillement ainsi que 4 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Deux frappes ont été conduites dans la région de Raqqah en Syrie. Elles ont permis d’appuyer les forces démocratiques syriennes dans leur offensive pour reprendre la ville. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 13 missions de tir en appui de la 15e division à l’ouest de Mossoul vers Tal Afar. En particulier, les artilleurs ont fourni des feux de harcèlement et d’éclairement pour interdire aux combattants de Daech de mener des actions au sol ou de réaliser des tirs indirects contre les positions irakiennes. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1330 frappes, 2102 objectifs détruits et 6946 sorties. ‘

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions.

Summary

  • Strike target
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • (4–13 children2–3 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–36
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]