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

CS1445

Incident date

September 4, 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

Local media reported on the death of on civilian following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City. All sources blamed the Coalition for the attack and loss of life.

Eldorar news reported “69 air raids launched by the international coalition aircraft” in a 48 hour period, resulting in the death of 20 civilians and the wounding of over thirty. It is possible that Saleh al-Abdullah al Ali was included within the Eldorar civilian casualty count, in addition to the the civilians reported killed at the National Hospital in entry S1264/CS1443.

Presently there is limited information on the incident. Airwars will update the entry if new details arise.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saleh al-Abdullah al-Ali
Age unknown killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city Raqqa (الرقة‎), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to 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
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

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

For September 3rd – 4th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 21 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed 13 fighting positions, two pieces of ISIS communications infrastructure, two vehicles, a VBIED, a command and control node, and a logistics node.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed a VBIED and a fighting position and suppressed two fighting positions.” And that “On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions.” And also that “On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions.” Plus “On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed two command and control nodes, a logistics node, a fighting position and suppressed a fighting position.”

For September 4th - 5th the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah , 23 strikes [2-3 British] seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, four oil stills, three oil trucks, two logistics nodes, and a command and control node; and suppressed two fighting positions" Plus "On Sept. 4, near Raqqah , one strike destroyed five fighting positions"

Additional Press Release for September 5th : Additional press release CJTFOIR on September 5th:

'CJTF-OIR transitions commanders in the mission to destroy ISIS

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, III Armored Corps Commanding General of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) from Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, XVIII Airborne Corps Commanding General, during a Sept. 5 ceremony here, which hosted an audience of hundreds of US and Coalition Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.

Presiding over the transfer of authority of the Commanding General for US Central Command, Gen. Joseph L. Votel.

Veiled confidence that the III Corps team from Fort Hood, Texas will be ready to continue the fight to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

"When III Corps was here last, they were instrumental in increasing the pressure on ISIS and setting conditions by Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian opposition groups," Votel said. "Their hard work to the recapturing of Fallujah and the airfield at Qayyarah-posturing ISF to begin clearing Mosul, the ISIS stronghold in Iraq."

The III Armored Corps previously led the CJTF-OIR Coalition from Sept. 2015 to Aug. 2016.

Since redeploying just over a year ago, the Soldiers of the Armed Corps have gone to the forefront of the task of preparing for the mission.

"ISIS" brutality forces us to look deep into the heart of darkness. They condone the systematic murder of women and children, the enslavement of religious minorities, and the torture and execution of prisoners, "Funk said. "As a result of the magnificent work of this strong Coalition, real change is happening. ISIS is on the run. "

Airborne Corps' support to its partners in the achievement of major milestones in the campaign to ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Security Forces defeated ISIS in their capital of Mosul in Iraq, while Syria's Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Arab Coalition steadily made progress against ISIS's global capital in Raqqah, Syria.

Townsend Lauded Coalition Partners' Efforts in Iraq and Syria over the past year. Our Iraqi partners have liberated Mosul. Our Syrian partners are more than half of Raqqah. And the Iraqis have regained control of Tal Afar and the rest of Ninewah for good measure, "said Townsend. "I think it's all about you, we're able to partner with you."

Since its establishment in June 2014, CJTF-OIR - a global Coalition of more than 72 nations and organizations - has increased the capabilities of partner forces, and significantly degraded the ability of ISIS to plan, resource and execute attacks worldwide. Their collective accomplishments include:

* Trained and equipped nearly 115,000 Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and over 11,000 vetted-Syrian counter-ISIS forces.
* Recaptured over 82,000 square kilometers of territory previously held by ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
* Set free over 5.5 million men, women and children in Iraq and Syria.
Conducted over 26,000 strikes against ISIS in support of partner forces in Iraq and Syria.

Funk shared his vision for the CJTF-OIR mission ahead.

"The very existence of ISIS poses a threat to the civilized world and our way of life. We must defeat them, and our collective effort WILL defeat them, "Funk said."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa , striking six Daesh positions including a heavy machine-gun and two sniper ... for the Syrian Democratic Forces in Daesh inside Raqqa . Our aircraft delivered six attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs against Daesh positions, often having to strike targets very close to the Syrian Democratic Forces, including a heavy machine-gun and two sniper teams.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI847

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

عنه, Anah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.372699, 41.986442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported on the death of a family following an aerial bombardment on the residential areas of Anah, west of Anbar province.

The source said a woman and a girl died. However, the exact number of the family member was unclear. The US-led Coalition was not identified as a possible culprit, nor was any other actor. Airwars will add to this entry should any new pieces of information arise.

Al Rafidain also reported Anah Council as reporting the killing and wounding of 13 civilians, including children and women, with unidentified shelling.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 11
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–11
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video captures the bloody aftermath of an aerial bombardment on the residential areas of Anah, west of Anbar province (Via Alrafidain Channel)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Anah (عنه), for which the coordinates are: 34.372699, 41.986442. 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 Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGU746075
    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

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an ISIS staging area. Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an IED facility.“

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 11
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–11
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1509

Incident date

September 18, 2017

Location

قریة السیال, Al Sayyal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.5713889, 40.9066667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Sayyal village, according to local media – though there was uncertainty regarding two of the victims’ combatant status.

According to Jalaa, on man “of the village of Sayyal died after leaving Abu Kamal for Damascus. His family lost contact with him five days previously”. The source did not say how the victim died.

Two of the named civilians were allegedly killed  “by a raid targeting their vehicle near Sayyal”. However, published images of these men holding guns suggested that they may not have been civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haj Hamid Ahmed al-Hattroush
Adult male killed
Mohammed Rajab al-Hanashul – aka Abu Zeid
Adult male killed
Khalaf al Dawas
Adult male reportedly Mohammed Rajab al-Hanashul’s “guard” killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Haj Hamid Ahmed al-Hattroush died in alleged Coalition strikes on Al Sayyal, September 18th (via Jalaa)
  • Mohammed al-Rajab al-Hanashul, aka Abu Zeid and his guard Khalaf Ahmed al-Dawas, nicknamed Abu Abdullah, were killed by suspected Coalition airstrikes which hit their vehicle near Al Sayyal, September 18th (via Lawhat Bukmalna)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sayyal (قریة السیال), Al Boukamal countryside, Deir ez-Zor governorate. The coordinates for this village are: 34.5713889, 40.9066667.

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 Sayyal, Syria
    Nearest population center

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

For September 17th - 18th, the Coalition reported: "Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a logistics node and an ISIS headquarters" and "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a VBIED and an ISIS headquarters"

For September 18th - 19th the Coalition reported: "On Sept. 18, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and damaged three supply routes"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Sunday 17 September – a Reaper eliminated a truck-bomb near Dayr az Zawr, while Tornados bombed a weapons store near Abu Kamal in eastern Syria…The next day, a Reaper conducted yet another successful attack north-east of Dayr az Zawr, eliminating a truck-bomb with a Hellfire, whilst to the south-east, close to the border with Iraq, two Tornados bombed a weapons store near Abu Kamal.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1535

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilian males died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah, according to local sources.

Few additional details are presently known, though Mr Habal was said to have died in his home.

Ismail Akkush was, according to extensive Amnesty field research, killed alongside three other men, as reported in Airwars incident CS1536. We have therefore removed him from this incident despite sources reporting he died in this raid.

According to the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” (https://raqqa.amnesty.org/), “An air strike killed four men who were burying their neighbour, Mohammed al-Wadi (47), who had been killed by Islamic State fighters the previous day, in another neighbour’s garden. During the war the dead were buried in parks and gardens, as it was impossible to reach the cemetery, which was outside Raqqa.” The garden belonged to Abdul Rahman al-Qantar. Ismail Akkush was one of those four men, according to a victims relative.

The relative (father) of Abdallah al-Wadi gave a testimony to Amnesty International stating that, “My son was shot dead by Daesh (IS) fighters and the following morning four neighbours were burying him in the garden of a nearby house when an air strike killed all four of them.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Osama Mar'i Juha
Adult male Known as Hamwi killed
Mohammed Walid Habal
Adult male Also known as Abu Alaa killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Osama Merai Juha (right), killed in a strike on Raqqah, Sept 27th (via Waleed Matar)
  • Mohammed Walid Habal
  • Osama Mar'i Juha

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incidents mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to 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

For September 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 35 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 26 fighting positions, four vehicles, four ISIS supply routes, a heavy machine gun and suppressed five ISIS tactical units.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 26, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 16 VBIEDs, three vehicles, two ISIS supply routes, a fighting position and suppressed two fighting positions.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1563 RS2588

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.090833, 40.398056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 12 civilians, including an entire family, died in an airstrike on Bokros Foqani, local media reported. The culprit is currently unclear, though Airwars understands that the Coalition was not bombing in this territory at the time, while Russia reportedly was. Some sources also attributed the blame to the Syrian regime. 

According to Yasser Al-Zatra, “12 civilians, mostly children and women, died as a result of bombing by the American air force to the village of Buqrs Foqani”.

Euphrates Post put the death toll at 10 but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. In addition to those listed below said that Zuhair al-Ayed’s entire family had died.

However, Step News Agency attributed the event to Russia, putting the death count at 10, “mostly women and children”.

One source reported that the raids struck “Hussein al-Ghandour house, Khader al-Rahil house, Samir al-Karim house, Al-Farabi secondary school, Post office centre, mosque (Issa al Mulla)” as well as some other unknown civilian homes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zuhair al-Ayed
Adult male killed
Mahran Al-Shatti
Age unknown male killed
Wife of Ammar Al Asmar
Adult female daughter of Mohammed Al Hamdan killed
Mrs. Malikah Al-Ali Al-Thiab
Adult female killed
Hussein Al-Hassan Al-Mallah
Adult male killed
Son of Khaled Al-Hassan Al-Mallah
Age unknown male killed
Asaad Al-Hussein Al-Mallah
Age unknown male killed
Saad Hussein Al-Mallah
Adult male
Daughter of Khaled Hussein Hasan al-Mallah
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (3 children1–4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Bokros Foqani, 2nd October 2017. (via Al Habiba Bokros Abu Almais)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Bokros Foqani, 2nd October 2017. (via @MousaAlomar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Buqrus Fawqani (بقرص فوقاني), eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, for which the coordinates are: 35.090833,40.398056. Note that Buqrus Fawqani (فوقاني بقرص, upper Bokros) and Buqrus, or Buqrus Tahtani (تحتاني بقرص, lower Buqrus) are neighbouring towns

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 1st-2nd the Coalition reporetd: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed two ISIS well heads and a fighting position.Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two headquarters.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (3 children1–4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1595

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Location

حديقة المرورية, الجميلي, Ar Raqqah: Between Hadika Al Mororia (Traffic Park) and Jumaili neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958993, 39.001561 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four to five civilians were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the area between Al Hadika Al Mororia and Al Jumaili, Raqqah city.

According to Syrian Press Center, the “the International Coalition targeted more than 10 air strikes in the northern neighbourhoods of Raqqah” during this time.

Later reports from Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently referred to the area near Mosque al-Ansar as the location of the incident.

All sources alleged the US-led Coalition responsible.

Further field research done by Amnesty International reported that “Yasser Yusef al-Bakkur, Hsein Abdallah, 55, Khaled al-Hussein and Subhi Hamsho were killed with several others while fetching water from a water well.”

In addition to this, a cousin “Walid” of a victim reported in a testimony that “Wells were the only source of drinking water because the Coalition’s bombardments had destroyed the water network pipes. But the Coalition often bombed residents assembled at wells to get water. Many residents were killed in such strikes.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

50 years old male owner of the Furat Tun lounge, a judge killed
Ahmed Al Hussein
Adult male not on the Amnesty dataset killed
33 years old killed
55 years old male killed
60 years old male father-in-law of Ousama al-Khabour killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Building seen on satellite imagery before the strike (September 29, 2017)

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • Building seen on satellite imagery after the strike (October 10, 2017)

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

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

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
    4 – 5
  • (4–5 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI870

Incident date

October 16, 2017

Location

Al Qaim, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, different areas of Al Qaim were targeted, resulting in possible civilian harm. The vague report noted Victims of aerial bombing of the international coalition aircraft in various areas of Qaim, west of Anbar.

At the moment there is limited information on the incident, Airwars will amend the entry when any new information arises.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention subdistricts being struck in the city of Al Qaim (القائم). Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of these areas. The generic coordinates for the city of Al Qaim (القائم) are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684.

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-Qaem, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • fter 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 October 15th – 16th the Coalition reported that “Near Al Qaim, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five supply routes, two VBIED factories and an ISIS-held building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1655

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

سويعية, Al Suwei'iya village, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4338889, 40.9333333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians died in an airstrike on al Suwei’yia village, according to local media. A number of parties were blamed.

Euphrates Post didn’t say who was responsible for the airstrike, though Al Araby and Syrian Press Center blamed shelling by Iraqi forces.

According to Alaraby, “three civilians, including two women, were killed and three others were killed by an Iraqi air strike”. 7al added that 12 were also wounded in the incident.

Eldorar said that it was unknown whether the warplanes belonged to the Iraqi army or to the Coalition. It also put the death toll at three. Baladi News along with 7al said that Russian/ Assad regime aircraft may instead have been responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Suwayyah (سويعية) just South of Abu Kamal, for which the coordinates are: 34.4338889, 40.9333333

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 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 November 1st-2nd: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle. Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroying a fighting position and damaging a line of communication.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]