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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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CI503

Incident date

March 2, 2017

Location

المنصور, Mosul, Al Mansour, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.319488, 43.114521 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reported killed at al Mansour during heavy fighting, according to a single source. Their bodies were buried at Amel school.

According to Shafaaq, “Four civilians were killed in the Mansour district, southwest of Mosul during the battles between Iraqi forces and organize Daesh in the neighborhood, which is still under the control of the organization Daesh. Witnesses said that “the dead were buried in the Hope [Amel] School district.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Mansour, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 1st-March 2nd the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 19 fighting positions, four supply caches, four mortar systems, four VBIEDs, three tunnels, two recoilless rifles, two VBIED factories, an ISIS-held building, a command and control node; and a barge; damaged 10 supply routes and two tunnels; and suppressed 14 mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS608

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.882222, 39.048611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died and ten were reported injured in a claimed Coalition aerial attack on Ratla village, according to a single source.

Smart News reported that “A local source told Smart the bombing targeted the village of Ratla, killing four civilians and wounding ten others, without details of the cases of the wounded and the hospitals that were transferred to them.” Micro Syria repeated the same allegation.

The report coincided with a major aerial assault on the area around al Tabaqa Dam by SDF and Coalition forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • (via CJTFOIR)
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 Ratla village, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV043708
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 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 March 22nd-23rd: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two tactical vehicles, a fighting position, and a heavy transport equipment piece; and damaged four supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS758

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Al Rumaila and Al Idkhar, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Smart reported that “according to local sources, warplanes likely belonging to the International Alliance targeted the neighborhood of Rumaila, killing four civilians and wounding others and destroying a car belonging to ISIL.”

Al Araby also blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at four, though appeared to be citing from Smart.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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 Rumaila and Al Idkhar, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV027801
    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 April 30th-May 1st 2017, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed four ISIS barges and an ISIS weapons facility.”
For May 1st -2nd: “Near Raqqah; one strike destroyed a fighting position and suppressed a mortar team.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 30 April – Typhoons attacked a group of Daesh fighters west of Raqqa, while Tornados destroyed two Daesh buildings in Mosul…Sunday 30 April saw Typhoons once more flying in support of the SDF west of Raqqa, where they struck a group of Daesh fighters along the bank of the Euphrates. The Tornados then flew over Mosul, demolishing two Daesh-held buildings which the Iraqi ground forces had encountered.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS918

Incident date

June 4, 2017

Location

north of Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

36.06537, 39.04331 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 deaths of four civilians in an event north of Raqqa.

Their November 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that engaged a Daesh tactical unit, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    4
  • Stated location
    north of Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV039912
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017

  • June 4, 2017 north of Raqqah, Syria, via self-report. During a Coalition strike that engaged a Daesh tactical unit, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 4th-5th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions and five vehicles.” In addition it reported for June 4th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 49 boats, five fighting positions, three anti-air artillery systems, two tactical vehicles and two ISIS staging areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1476 RS2434

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Location

Khisham town, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local reports documented four civilians killed in airstrikes on Khisham town,13 kilometres east of Deir Ghaza, eastern Deir Ezzor.

Euphrates Post referred to “warplanes” and alleged that they targeted “the house of Awad al-Azar in the town of Khisham, opposite the divider, killing four people and wounding many civilians yesterday evening”, though they did not specify a culprit.

Russia was suspected responsible by Marsad al Hassaka and Qasioun News, both sources referring to Russia’s use of “cluster bombs” dropped in an extensive raid over the villages of Hatla, Mazloum, Khisham, Tabit, and Akeidat, “resulting in severe material damage and fires that are still burning”. Homes of civilians were reported destroyed.

Other sources alleged the US-led Coalition was to blame. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “believed the warplanes to be International Coalition”, as did Al Watan News.

Asharq Asouri also alleged that the Coalition hit a school that housed displaced persons.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khisham (خشام), for which the coordinates are: 35.3020098,40.2914143. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

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 Khisham, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV174073
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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 September 11th – 12th the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles, a tactical vehicle, a VBIED, and a fighting position.“ It later reported, "On Sept. 11, near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed four ISIS fighting positions"
For September 12th-13th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a VBIED facility and a logistics node.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Monday 11 September – Tornados destroyed two sniper positions in Raqqa, and attacked a Daesh-held compound and terrorists on a motorcycle near Dayr az Zawr…A flight of Royal Air Force Tornados supported the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting in Raqqa on Monday 11 September, when Paveway IV guided bombs were used to destroy two sniper positions. A second Tornado flight patrolled north-east of Dayr az Zawr, where they attacked a group of terrorists in a compound with a Paveway IV. Survivors of the attack then attempted to move to another position on a motorcycle, but were successfully engaged with a Brimstone missile.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Tuesday 12 September – a Reaper successfully guided a coalition airstrike onto a truck-bomb workshop near Dayr az Zawr…The following day [Sept 12th], a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft operated in the same area near Dayr az Zawr, and provided precision targeting that enabled a coalition air strike to destroy a truck-bomb workshop and a vehicle that was being prepared there.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1590

Incident date

October 5, 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

The entire family of Nour Mahmoud Al I’llo (pictured), reportedly died following aerial bombardment on the city of Raqqah, according to Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently. The report added that Nour was transferred from Raqqah to Tal Abiyad National Hospital, and was under the care of Dr Abdul Muttalib Suleiman.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the event on October 12th, saying that Nour Mahmoud Al I’llo was transferred to the hospital “almost a week ago”, indicating that the date of the event was around October 5th/6th. Airwars is, however, awaiting confirmation on this.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nour Mahmoud Al I’llo
Child female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Nour Mahmoud Al I’llo

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident only mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to the limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
  • Jun 28, 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 October 5th-6th, the Coalition reported that “Near Raqqah, 29 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed 23 fighting positions, two vehicles, a supply route, an IED, damaged a vehicle and suppressed three fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 5, near Raqqah, Syria, 10 strikes disrupted three ISIS supply routes, damaged five fighting positions, destroyed one fighting position, and suppressed one fighting position and one ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On Oct 5, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike damaged an ISIS fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1742

Incident date

April 13, 2018

Location

Damascus, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, four civilians were killed in US-led bombardments on Al Barzah Scientific Research Facility in Damascus.

The strikes – confirmed as carried out by US, British and French aircraft – were not mentioned in the Coalition strike report for the week, indicating that these may have been unilateral actions.

Al Sura tweeted photos that were said to show the destruction of the research centre after “#US, #UK and #French cruise missile strikes.” The tweet went on to say that nearby residential buildings were hit, leading to the death of 4 civilians.

The state-run news agency SANA stated that although “only a few rockets succeeded in reaching their targets”, that the bombardment still caused “great damage to the structure and facilities of the Institute.” Nevertheless SANA made no mention of civilian harm.

Airwars researchers did not identify any other public reporting of civilian casualties relating to the strikes in the Al Barzah neighborhood. A spokesperson of the Syrian defense ministry publicly stated that “only buildings were damaged.”

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Apr. 13, 2018, near Damascus, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Al Sura was the only source claiming civilian harm in this event.
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • An aerial photo of the damaged site published by Sky News, with no attribution.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known 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 Damascus, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018

  • Apr. 13, 2018, near Damascus, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 13th, General Joseph F. Dunford stated during a press conference that “At 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, French, British and U.S. forces struck targets in Syria in support of President Trump’s objective to deter the future use of chemical weapons. Our forces were integrated throughout the planning and execution of the operation. The first target was a scientific research center located in the greater Damascus area. This military facility was a Syrian center for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological warfare technology.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1376 CS320

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

الشحيل, Al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0865, 40.45232 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three children and an elderly woman died in an airstrike on a primary school at al Shaheel, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Syrian regime, Russia or the US-led Coalition.

Deir Ezzor 24, the Syrian Observatory and Euphrates Post reported only that unspecified warplanes had carried out the attack. The pro-regime site Al Ahed News instead said Assad’s forces had carried out the attack – as did Step News, Smart News, Syrian Press Center, and the Syrian Network (which said the attack was on a primary school.)

Masar Press and Deir Ezzor 24 instead blamed the Coalition.

In the most detailed report Syria News Desk – which blamed Russia – noted: “Media opposition activist Abu Wassim al-Dairi, quoting civilian sources said that ‘the air force targeted with two raids a secondary School in Al Shaheel which shelters displaced people from the village of Almrieih which is adjacent to the military airport at Deir Ezzor. The attack killed two children and an elderly woman and a man, and injured four others, all from one family. The bombing resulted in the destruction of the school building and extensive damage to nearby houses.”

In their May 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Franjiya Mhaissan al Nahar
Adult female the wife of the late Ali Al Ahmad Abu Hassan killed
Malak Barhan Adel al Mushref
Child female killed
Sulaf Mohammad Karbit
Child female The four victims were all internally displaced from nearby Deir Ezzor city. They were named by Euphrates Post. killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Malak Barhan Adel al Mushref, killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Image of the alleged location which was targeted by the Russian, Syrian regime and Coalition raid on Al Shaheel, 30th September 2016. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • A mother and her three children reported killed in alleged regime shelling on a primary school in Al Shaheel. [Via: SN4HR 30th September 2016]
  • Euphrates post names three of the victims killed in warplane shelling on al Shaheel. 30th September 2016
  • Four civilians reported killed following alleged coalition strikes on al Shaheel. [Via: Masar Press 30th September 2016]
  • DE24 reports that four civilians from a displaced family were killed in the air raids that targeted al Shaheel. 30th September 2016
  • DE24 tweets photos of the aftermath of the raids on al Shaheel. 30th September 2016

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.

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
    37SFU323836
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 30, 2016, in Al Shaheel, 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. 3056/CS320 37SFU323836

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Coalition strike reports mentions strike in the province of Deir Ezzor without mentioning the village in name.
"On Sept. 30, coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed six oil tanker trucks, two vehicles, and an oil pump jack and damaged a vehicle and another oil tanker truck. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed 24 oil tanker trucks and two oil well heads."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (33) [ collapse]