US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

CS896a

Incident date

May 30–31, 2017

Location

Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.952357, 39.024896 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty.

According to the report, “Firas Hsein al-Yasfo, 17, killed in his home while sleeping at 4am by an artillery shell.”

His mother, Umm Firas, gave a testimony of his death to Amnesty, “Shells were falling here and there. He was just sleeping.”

The incident occured at 04:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Firas Hsein al-Yasf
17 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Not yet assessed.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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

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
Official source

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

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
Official source

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

CS883

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

القورية, Qorya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.96, 40.55 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians including a woman and her two children died in an airstrike on Qorya, according to local media. While most sources attributed the incident to the Coalition, two reports alleged that Russia carried out strikes in the area, leading to the injury of several non-combatants.

Euphrates Post and other sources blamed the Coalition and named the victims as Mrs Zilal Beshir Mohammed Al-Satam, 21-years-old, and her two children, Fahd and Ahmad Halul Al Hussein.

According to @MojazAlanba, two children died but their mother was wounded – again the source blamed the Coalition.

However, Khabarmasr reported that “two civilians were wounded by a Russian air strike on residential areas in the town of Qouriya in the eastern village of Deir al-Zour. The raid also resulted in material damage in the town”.

RFS Media Office also reported Russian raids on Qorya, but made no mention of civilian casualties.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: “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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Zilal Beshir Mohammed Al-Satam
21 years old female Mother killed
Fahd Ahmad Halul Al Hussein
Child male Son killed
Ahmad Halul Al Hussein
Child male Son killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children0–1 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Fahd Ahmad Halul Al Hussein
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
    Other
  • Stated location
    near Quriyah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU021470
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • May 29, 2017, near Quriyah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 28th-29th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dawr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed nine ISIS fuel trucks, five ISIS well heads, an ISIS oil still, a VBIED facility; and damaged an ISIS-held building.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children0–1 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS884

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

طيبة, Tayba, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

35.08895, 38.91597 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported that Coalition warplanes “targeted two vehicles in the vicinity of the village of Taybeh (245 km east of the city of Homs), killing ten elements of the organization [IS], and three civilians who tried to extinguish the burning cars.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tayba, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDU923829
    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

The Coalition has not publicly repeorted any strikes in Homs between May 28th-30th 2017.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS885

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

الحسو, Hiso, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.18, 40.48167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight members of one family were killed by Coalition strikes in Hasaka province, according to local sources.

SRG, Aleppo Media Center and several other outlets reported the death of 8 people following what was described as a Coalition bombardment. Step News said the fatalities were all from the same family, and the pro-regime site Alkhabarts said that three of them were children.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (6) [ 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 Hiso, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFA332049
    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

No strikes were publicly reported in the area.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (6) [ 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
Official source

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]

Incident Code

CS887

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

الغراوي, Gharawi, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including a mother and her child were reportedly killed by Coalition strikes, according to local reports.

Several outlets, including Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered reported that four civilians were killed in Gharawi amid Coalition airstrikes and artillery fire from Kurdish forces. RBSS named the victims.

Tabaqa Media Center reported that a mother and child were among the dead, presumably Mazeh and Hameed.

The Syrian Network confirmed that 4 were killed in the village – among them 2 children and a woman.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adel Mahmoud al-Jassim al-Ghadeer
17 years old male killed
Mazeh Mohammed Saleh al-Ghadeer
26 years old male
Hameed Hajji Jassem Al-Ghadeer
2 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Ali al-Balikh
50 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman2 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 (13) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Gharawi, 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
Official source

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
    4
  • (2 children1 woman2 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 (13) [ collapse]