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

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]

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

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

CS881

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

جامع الفواز, Fawwaz Mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95268, 39.01331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Al Araby, “a civilian was killed as a result of renewed artillery shelling of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units on al-Fawaz mosque area, in conjunction with battles.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named the victim as Muhammad al-Taqi but didn’t say who was responsible for his death.

In July 2018 the US-led alliance accepted responsibility for the death, stating that “During a strike on [a] Daesh VBIED factory, one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this event accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad al-Taqi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Muhammad al-Taqi, killed when a shell hit him at al-Fawaz Mosque, May 29th (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.95268, 39.01331

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
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV012787
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • May 29, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. During a strike on Daesh VBIED factory, one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 28th-29th the Coalition reported: “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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS882

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

SSE of Ratla, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.86441, 39.10828 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event near Raqqa.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS vehicle, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when he entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the event on the road SSE of Ratla.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Location of a Coalition strike which injured an unidentified civilian on May 29th 2017

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0977668915
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017

  • May 29, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when he entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 28th-29th the Coalition reported: “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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS880

Incident date

May 28, 2017

Location

حارة البدو, Al Badou, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958889, 39.008889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians died and one named civilian was injured in airstrikes and/or an artillery bombardment on Raqqa’s Bado neighbourhood, according to local sources.

Mohammed Amiro was named as injured when an artillery shell fell behind the Directorate of Water in the Bado neighbourhood – though sources didn’t identify the culprit.

RFS reported that Raqqa was under ” heavy shelling from the international coalition aircraft and the artillery of the Syrian Democratic Forces”.

It reported that “the city was exposed to a large number of missiles targeting different areas in the city, including (Faculty of Science – Haraamiya neighborhood – the Euphrates basin garage – Al-Taamir garage – Al-Sakia Street), killing a number of civilians and injuring others, while also causing extensive damage to buildings and public facilities.”

The source went on to add that “some activists and residents of al-Raqqa reported the deaths of at least 70 people during the first three days of Ramadan.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Amiro
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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]

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 May 27th-28th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, an ISIS staging area and a VBIED.” The Coalition additionally reported that on May 27th “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed a six fighting positions, an ISIS-held building and a weapons cache.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

CS879

Incident date

May 28, 2017

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8388, 38.74311 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilian men died as a result of a Coalition airstrike on Mansoura, local media said.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on May 30th, “two men died following injuries they had sustained in shelling by the International Coalition’s warplanes on areas in al-Mansoura town in the western countryside of al-Raqqa”.

In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh fighting position. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.”

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

In May 2020 in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Wahab Al-Hussein Al-Aliwi
Adult male known as Abboud al-Alu killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Wahab al - Hussein Al - Alawi, killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Mansoura, May 28th (via Al Ragga Truth)
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the release of the MGRS, Airwars geolocated this incident to the nearest village at 35.83917, 38.74288. In June 2019 the Coalition released the MGRS as 37SDV768661.

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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mansoura, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV768661
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2019

  • May 28, 2017, near Mansoura, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh fighting position. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 27th-28th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, an ISIS staging area and a VBIED.” The Coalition additionally reported that on May 27th “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed a six fighting positions, an ISIS-held building and a weapons cache.”
For May 28th-29th, the Coalition reported: "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." For May 28th it added "Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed a weapons cache, an ISIS staging area, and three fighting positions".

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]