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

CS877

Incident date

May 28, 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

Six named civilians from the Ashram family – displaced from Deir ez-Zor – died in a casualty event in Raqqa, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether they were killed by Coalition airstrikes or shelling by the US or SDF.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Euphrates Post were among sources blaming Coalition raids. However, LCCSY, Sharqiya and Al Raqqa Truth attributed the event to shelling by the SDF.

Omandaily reported that a family of seven died, though it didn’t identify the culprit of the “bombing”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Iyad Tariq Ashram
Engineer killed
Soad Basil Ashram
killed
Tarek Iyad alashram
killed
Mohammadi Iyad ashram
killed
Imad Eyad Ashraf
killed
Hana Iyad alashram
killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 (15) [ 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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS878

Incident date

May 28, 2017

Location

الحمام, Al Hamam, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.88574, 38.77176 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including a woman and her child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamman village, according to local media. The victims included Hayat of Mustafa al-Saguri (daughter of Hayaof Sajur) and her unnamed child.

In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a suspected Daesh weapons cache. Regrettably, the strike on an associated target building unintentionally resulted in the deaths of three civilians.” The Coalition also provided Airwars with the coordinates for this event accurate to within a 100m box.

According to Baladi, “On Sunday, three civilians were killed by air raids by the International Coalition on the village of Hamam in the western Rif province. The Syrian forces of the Democratic Forces of Syria (SDF) took control of the village of Houret al-Ajil in the countryside.” RFS Media Office also put the death toll at three

Among the other sources blaming the Coalition were the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently.

In its 2019 annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon omitted this event from its list of US actions, with two officials later confirming to Airwars that all non-US Coalition events had been left out. In March 2020, Airwars, Liberation and De Morgen published a joint investigation indicating that Belgium and France were refusing to accept responsibility for civilian harm in this and other events – despite all other allies ruling themselves out.

Asked to say whether its aircraft were responsible for officially declared civilian harm in up to nine incidents, the Belgian Ministry of Defence told Airwars by email: “For the year 2017, BAF [Belgian Armed Forces] was certainly not involved in all events. With regard to the other data given, BAF was no longer present in theatre. BAF completed its role at the end of 2017. Our conclusion is that all ROEs [rules of engagement] were respected as confirmed by our federal court.”

After confirming receipt from Airwars in June 2019 of details of possible French civilian casualty events, the defence ministry then ceased communication – refusing to answer all subsequent emails.

In May 2020, the Pentagon retrospectively appeared to have added this event to its list of confirmed US civilian harm actions for 2017.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hayat of Mustafa al-Saguri
Adult female daughter of Hayaof Sajur killed
Child of Hayat of Mustafa al-Saguri
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • 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 Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.90036, 38.74763

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
    3
  • Stated location
    near Al Hamam, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV794713
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019

  • May 28, 2017, near Al Hamam, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a suspected Daesh weapons cache. Regrettably, the strike on an associated target building unintentionally resulted in the deaths of three civilians.

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
    3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS875

Incident date

May 28, 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

One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nima Abu Aboud
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Nima Abu Aboud, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah on May 28th, 2017 (via RBSS May 29th 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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 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

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS876

Incident date

May 28, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Ara Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.047659, 38.980279 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported that a drone strike killed a family of ten as their house in northern Raqqa was struck.

Reportedly, three IS fighters were present in the area in the morning, but when a suspected drone was heard the three fleed. The family also tried to flee but the airstrike hit their two-storey farmhouse and killed the 10 family members who were inside.

Meanwhile, other family members who were outside the house, survived unharmed, one of the surviving family members, Mahmoud, told Amnesty’s researchers.

However, on August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “May 28, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report. After a review of available information and strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars: 37SDV974852. The event could also possibly be related to incident S769, but this incident cannot be discounted due to insufficient information on the location.

In July 2019 the Coalition reassessed the allegation of civilian harm in this incident and again reached a conclusion that it was non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The incident occured at 13:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Ibrahim Mustafa al-Mashood
50 years old male brother of interviewee killed
Ahmad
13 years old male son of Ibrahim killed
Mahmood
21 years old male son of Ibrahim killed
Mohamed
24 years old male son of Ibrahim killed
Mustafa Mahmood Mashood
32 years old male son of interviewee killed
Ahmad Mahmood Mashood
24 years old male Mustafa's brother killed
Jaman Mahmood Mashood
20 years old male Mustafa's brother killed
Ibrahim Mahmood Mashood
15 years old male Mustafa's brother killed
Ahmad Mahmood Mashood
12 years old male interviewee’s nephew killed
Name unknown
30 years old male

The victims were named as:

Sami
30 years old male the farm guard, nickname Abu Jana killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3 children7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area, Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Stated location
    in Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV982892
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • May 28, 2017, in Raqqa, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3 children7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI736

Incident date

May 28, 2017

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34075, 43.126911 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources and eyewitnesses reported that 15 civilians were killed, including children and women, and more than 20 others were injured after airstrikes hit their homes in Farouk Street in Old Mosul. Most sources blamed the Coalition for the shelling.

Witnesses had told Al Jazeera that the civilians had died after raids hit popular areas in the Old Mosul area, in “Al-Farouk Street and the area of ​​Al-Sadah, which lies north of the old part of ​​Mosul”. Security sources had told the news agency that “Iraqi forces were continuing operations in the three neighborhoods north of the old city, in West Mosul, for a second day in a row to regain control of ISIL, backed by air support from Iraqi aviation and International Coalition aircraft. The sources added that the advance of troops is proceeding slowly due to the violent resistance shown by the ISIL combatants.”

Yaqein Agency and Adamyiah News said it was the work of the Coalition.

Local Facebook group Sawlf Ateka later said that a young boy called Mazen had died in West Mosul (see photo below).

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “On 28 May, an airstrike targeting an ISIL convoy hit a group of civilians while they were walking in al- Najafy Street in the ISIL-controlled Old Mosul city. The airstrike reportedly killed 15 civilians, including four women and two children, and wounded eight others, including a child and three women.”

The Guardian reported on several civilian casualties from the old Mosul Neighborhood. One testimony from Tareq Abid is most likely related to this event. Abid describes how his wife and two children, five-year-old Messara, and 18-month-old Mariam were killed in an offensive against Islamic State “at the end of May last year”. He had asked his brother to flee with his family so he could make sure his parents could also leave in safety. When Abid returned to his neighborhood he found his wife and one of his daughters: “My wife’s face couldn’t be identified but she was still wearing her wedding ring. There was a big hole in her back and chest. Her handbag with all her jewellery was gone. Mariam was lying dead beside her. I learnt that Isis fighters had taken my eldest daughter to hospital but she had died too. I never found her body.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Messara
5 years old male Daughter of Tareq Abid killed
Mariam
1 years old female Daughter of Tareq Abid killed

The victims were named as:

Mazen
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–20
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The young boy called Mazen, who reportedly died in West Mosul (via Sawlf Ateka)
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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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
Official source

For May 27th-28th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 17 fighting positions, six heavy machine guns, four rocket-propelled grenade systems, three mortar systems, three VBIED, a vehicle, a medium machine gun; damaged an ISIS staging area; suppressed two ISIS tactical units and two mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–20
  • 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

CS874

Incident date

May 27, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Multiple neighbourhoods, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.953861, 39.005409 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Thirteen named civilians including two children died in airstrikes and/or artillery shelling across multiple locations in Raqqa, according to local sources – though reports blamed both Coalition airstrikes and shelling by the SDF.

Al Raqqa Truth reported that 78 shells were dropped on the city while planes circled the skies. It added that Kurdish units positioned in the sugar factory targeted the area with artillery fire. The following locations were said to be have been struck.

Moua’wiya school

The automatic bakery area

Al Tousa’iya area west of the city

The barraks neighborhood

Rasheed Primary School

Al Diyafa Palace

Al Qouwatli road

Al-Moataz Street area next to Al-Hini Mosque

Area near the Directorate of Electricity

Area near the College of Education

Rumaila neighborhood,

February 23 Street

The Old Garage

The surroundings of the Faculty of Arts

The Silos roundabout

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently listed the following additional locations:

Engineers Syndicate

Al Karnak Tourist Hotel

Governor Palace

The Security quarter

House of police chief

Mohab Naser reported “air and artillery shelling by the coalition planes and SDF artillery targeting several neighbourhoods of the city”. He put the death toll at 10 with 20 more wounded. Masrawy also pointed to SDF artillery. According to the Smart News Network, “artillery of the US forces stationed in the north of the city, targeted neighborhoods with dozens of missiles and warplanes launched raids killing a civilian and wounding 17 others.”

Other sources, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights, attributed strikes to the Coalition – reporting five raids on different locations.

In its December 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition confirmed that “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters building it was assessed the three civilians were unintentionally killed.” However officials have refused to provide co-ordinates for the event, meaning that we cannot presently determine whether this was incident S763; S765; S766; S767; S768 or perhaps a new event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Faisal Nasser Al-Sheikh Issa Al Mabrouk
killed
Nidal Nasser Al-Sheikh Issa Al-Mabrouk
killed

Family members (2)

Ahmad Al-Tamash
killed
Daughter of Ahmed Al Tamash
female killed

Family members (2)

Hussein Obaid Al-Dandal
killed
Mohammed Ahmed Al-Dandal
killed

Family members (3)

Ismail Abrahima Al-Shaleel
killed
Khaled Ismail Al – Shaleel
killed
Mohamed Ismail All – Shaleel
killed

The victims were named as:

Mazen Khalil Al-Hassouni
8 years old killed
Muhannad Nasser Al-Hammadi
Age unknown killed
Mohamamd al Sabti
Adult Young man displaced from Palmyra killed
Abdo Al-Taki
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 13
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mazen Khalil al-Husuni, killed in a raid on Raqqa, May 27th (via RBSS)
  • Mohamamd al Sabti killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa on November 27th 2017 (via Palmyra media centre Facebook page, posted on November 28th, 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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven vehicles, five fighting positions, three tunnels, an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.“
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." For May 27th it added that "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
    12 – 13
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS873

Incident date

May 27, 2017

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least 17 civilians – reportedly displaced persons – were killed when buses transporting them were hit by Coalition airstrikes according to local reports.

The Syrian Observatory reported that 18 people were killed in Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of al-Kasrat, of whom at least 10 members of ISIS. The Observatory said that some attacks hit buses on the road between al Kasrat and Ratla village.

Smart News put the death toll at 17 and said the Coalition strikes hit public buses transporting civilians south of Raqqa city. Many other outlets cited the figure of 17 or 18, and gave similar accounts.

Baladi News had a higher death toll of 20, and said that others were injured when the buses were attacked. Masaida said there were women and children among the dead, and added that 20 were injured.

Unusually no victims were named.

In its December 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition confirmed that “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters building it was assessed the three civilians were unintentionally killed.” However officials have refused to provide co-ordinates for the event, meaning that we cannot presently determine whether this was incident S763; S765; S766; S767; S768 or perhaps a new event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (28) [ 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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0433771223
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 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
Official source

For May 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven vehicles, five fighting positions, three tunnels, an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.“
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."
For May 27th it added "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
    8 – 20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS872

Incident date

May 27, 2017

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83917, 38.74288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two detainees were reportedly killed in a suspected Coalition air raid.

Local reports said that a group of prisoners being held by ISIL in Mansoura were killed or injured by Coalition airstrikes on the prison. Several outlets, including Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered (RBSS) put the death toll at two. Al Araby said three died.

Tabaqa Media Centre and Alragga Truth identified one of the civilian detainees. The Violations Documentation Center named the other victim; Azouz Askar al Obaid al Ashour from Sukhna Homs. According to RBSS, he was arrested a not long before the airstrike on charges of photographing the house of a relative after it had been destroyed by an airstrike. No further details are currently available.

In its December 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition confirmed that “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters building it was assessed the three civilians were unintentionally killed.” However officials have refused to provide co-ordinates for the event, meaning that we cannot presently determine whether this was incident S763; S765; S766; S767; S768 or perhaps a new event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Hamoud Al-Shaheen
Adult male killed
Azouz Askar al Obaid al Ashour
Adult male from Sukhna Homs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hussein Hamoud Al-Shaheen, one of the detainees who was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on May 27th, 2017 (via Alraqqah Truth posted May 29th, 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 Al Mansoura, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV013787
    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 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven vehicles, five fighting positions, three tunnels, an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.“
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." For May 27th it added that "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 – 3
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]