US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS892

Incident date

May 30, 2017

Location

ابو قبيع, Abu Qubei, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Abu Qubei, according to local sources.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamid Al-Ahmad Al-Shaaban Al-Shamali
Age unknown killed
Aziza Abdullah Al Shaaban Al Shamali
Age unknown killed
Muayad Hamid Al-Ahmad Al-Shaaban Al-Shamali
Age unknown killed
Sadiq al-Abd al-Hajji
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Sadiq al-Abd al-Hajji, killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Abu Qubei, May 30th (via RBSS)
  • Moayed Hamid Al-Ahmad Al-Shaaban Al Shamali, one of the victims of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Abu Qubei, Raqqah, on May 30th 2017 (via Al Raqqa Truth Facebook page on June 10th 2017).
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 Abu Qubei, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed five vehicles, a tunnel, a mortar system, a weapons cache, a VBIED factory and a fighting position.” It was additionally reported for May 29th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed three ISIS-held buildings, two VBIEDs, and a weapons cache.”
For May 30th-31st, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position and a VBIED." For May 30th it added that "Near Raqqah, Syria, a strike destroyed an ISIS command and control node."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS893

Incident date

May 30, 2017

Location

السكرية, Sukariya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.471667, 40.911111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians including one child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Sukariya, according to local media.

Sources said that a Coalition raid hit a middle school on the outskirts of the town. According to Sharqiya Voice, a child was left with “minor injuries”. However, Aghiad_alkheder and @soundandpic – which also blamed the Coalition for the strike – reported that a child died.

Baladi made no mention of a strike on a school, but reported that the Coalition targeted a checkpoint, killing “two people and wounding several others”. It did not say whether the two victims were civilians or not

Free Syria Media Office reported that two members of IS were killed in a Coalition airstrike and a nearby child was also wounded.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (11) [ 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 Sukariya, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU755161
    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

For May 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four ISIS well heads, an ISIS oil storage tank, an ISIS oil tanker truck, and a vehicle.“
For May 30th-31st, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS well head."

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS891

Incident date

May 30, 2017

Location

معدان, Al Suweidiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.751769, 39.61639 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and five civilians including one woman and three or four children died – and ten other civilians were wounded – in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Suweidiya, east of Ma’adan according to local media.

All sources attributed the event to the Coalition. According to Alaraby, there were two strikes: the first hitting “the wall of the ‘Alia Bint al-Mahdi’ school” and a second striking the “house of the family of Al-Razaj.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death of “four people from one family including a woman, her child, a citizen and his brother.” It blamed the Coalition.

Syrianpc, @SRG_Syria, @Sour_News, @Q_Alenezy put the death toll at four children and one woman, attributing the event to Coalition warplanes.

Alaraby, Radar2, Sawarim put the death toll higher at five non-combatants with 10 more wounded, reporting that the deaths occurred in the “Al Suweidiya region east of Ma’dan”.

Some sources specifically blamed “US air strikes”.

Euphrates Post and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named four victims as:

 

 

 

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Rima Al – Enezan
killed
Jumah Khader al-Razaj
killed
Abdul Rahman Hussein Al-Razaj
killed
Aya Hussain Al-Razaj
killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The wall of Alia Bint al-Mahdi’ school that was targeted in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Suweidiya, Raqqah provice, on May 30th 2017 (via Sharqiya voice)
  • The remains of the Zarj family’s house (via RBSS May 30th 2017).
  • The destruction of Al Suweidiya after the alleged Coalition airstrike on May 30th 2017 (via RBSS posted May 30th 2017).
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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV5640257392
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 29th-30th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed five vehicles, a tunnel, a mortar system, a weapons cache, a VBIED factory and a fighting position.” It was additionally reported for May 29th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed three ISIS-held buildings, two VBIEDs, and a weapons cache.”
For May 30th-31st, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position and a VBIED." For May 30th it added that "Near Raqqah, Syria, a strike destroyed an ISIS command and control node".

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI737

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.354491, 43.108689 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, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of a self-reported civilian harm claim “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “94.May 29, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: 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.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars: 38SLF3029724928.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3029724928
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 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

For May 28th-29th the Coalition reported that: “Near Mosul, five strikes [1-2 British, 1-2 Australian] engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 49 vehicles, seven ISIS roadblocks, three fighting positions, two mortar systems, an ISIS checkpoint, an ISIS staging area, a carport, a command and control node, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a medium machine gun; damaged 14 ISIS supply routes and a VBIED; and suppressed seven fighting positions and two ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS890

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Shukri Buzan gas station, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Six civilians died and an unspecified number were injured by alleged Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling by either the US or the SDF, local media said.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed Coalition raids and “artillery of Kurdish militias”, as did @Raqqa_SL , @salal_mftah_ , Radioalkul and other sources.

According to Shaam and Sdusyria, “The International Air Force launched air raids on the city of Raqqa, accompanied by a rocket attack targeting the vicinity of Shukri Busan station”.

The media activist, Abu Mu’adh al-Raqqa, told Raqqa Post: “Missiles from coalition aircraft struck Shukri Buzan gas station. There were four missiles targeted the area, which completely destroyed the area and turning it into a ghost town. Firefighters rushed to extinguish the flames. Artillery shells also landed inside the houses of civilians in the surrounding area.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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 (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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Shukri Buzan
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 29th-30th: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed five vehicles, a tunnel, a mortar system, a weapons cache, a VBIED factory and a fighting position.” It was additionally reported for May 29th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed three ISIS-held buildings, two VBIEDs, and a weapons cache.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS888

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

حطين, Huteen, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.956389, 38.977778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two people were killed in Coalition raids on Huteen, according to local reports.

Shaam News Network reported Coalition raids claimed the lives of 6 civilians and wounded others in two locations: “Shukri Busan station, North Al-Sekka and Mazra’at Hittin”

Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered reported the death of a man named Yasser al-Kalu and another identified as Abu Aboud in Huteen.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yasser al-Kalu
Adult male killed
Abu Aboud
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Yasser al-Kalu
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 Huteen, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV978793
    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

For May 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, two VBIED factories, two VBIED facilities, and an ISIS mechanical facility..” It additionally reported for May 28th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed a weapons cache, an ISIS staging area, and three fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS889

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

جعيدين, Jaidin, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.6811377, 38.690645 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians were killed in Coalition strikes at Jaidin, according to local reports.

The Syrian Network reported the deaths of 3 civilians including a child in Coalition raids on the village of Jaidin. Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered reported 1 victim, who it identified as Sultan Hammad Al-Obeid Al-Alous. Orient News also reported one casualty.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sultan Hammad Al-Obeid Al-Alous
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ 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 Jaidin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV723490
    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

For May 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, two VBIED factories, two VBIED facilities, and an ISIS mechanical facility..” It additionally reported for May 28th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed a weapons cache, an ISIS staging area, and three fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS886

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

زملة, Zemla, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.479722, 38.889444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two people were killed by Coalition strikes, according to local reports.

Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered said that two people were killed in a Coalition attack in the town of Zemla, south of Mansoura in Raqqa governorate. It listed the victims as Faisal al-Assaf and an unidentified woman.

Other sources, including Tabaqa Media Centre, also reported Assaf as killed by Coalition raids. Raqqa Media Office said that nine airstrikes took place in Zemla, and that “many people” were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Faisal al-Assaf
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (9) [ 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 Zemla, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV895262
    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

For May 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, two VBIED factories, two VBIED facilities, and an ISIS mechanical facility..” It additionally reported for May 28th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed a weapons cache, an ISIS staging area, and three fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]