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

CS846

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

مزارع الروضة, Mazare al Rawda, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958611, 39.02 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian man was reportedly killed and a number of others injured by alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa city.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Al Raqqa Truth named the victim who was from the Rumaila neighbourhood, and have provided a photo of him.

Both sources, alongside the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, alleged that the Coalition was responsible for the airstrike.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jassem al Hamdoush al Moh
Adult male from the Rumaila neighbourhood killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Jassem al Hamdoush al Moh who was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa on May 21st, 2017 (via RBSS post on May 22nd, 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 Mazare al Rawada, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV019793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.” It also later reported that additionally on May 20th “Near Raqqah, Syria, one strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.”
For May 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [1 British?] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS847

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah OR Deir Ezzor, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A husband, wife and two daughters were killed and another daughter was critically wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources.

All sources but one pointed towards the Coalition – however, Palmyra Media Center was alone in blaming the regime and reported that the event occurred in Deir Ezzor.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria and Palmyra Coordination Committee said that the family were struck in Raqqa city and attributed the event to the Coalition.

According to the Palmyra Media Center, the orphaned daughter remains in intensive care and her condition remained critical.

Four victims from Palmyra were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Samir al-Amoura
Adult male killed
Wife of Samir al-Amoura
Adult female killed
Daughter of Samir al-Amoura 1
Child female killed
Daughter of Samir al-Amoura 2
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient 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

For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.” It also later reported that additionally on May 20th “Near Raqqah, Syria, one strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.”
For May 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [1 British?] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

CI727

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.346741, 43.118997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that seventy civilians were killed or injured as a result of artillery and missile shelling on several neighborhoods in West Mosul. While two sources said it was the work of the Iraqi government, @Sonawa1 mentioned ‘shelling’ in general.

Presently no further details are known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ 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 west Mosul, Iraq
    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

For May 20th-21st: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 12 fighting positions, eight medium machine guns, four rocket-propelled grenade systems, an ISIS fuel truck, a vehicle, an ISIS trailer, an ISIS staging area, and an artillery system; and damaged 18 ISIS supply routes and a fighting position.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS848

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

Kadiran, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.878089, 38.722216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Raqqa, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “108. May 22, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media 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.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as Kadiran in the vicinity of Raqqa.

The strike was assessed as non credible based on the claim that “no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.” However, the Coalition reported multiple strikes in Raqqa that day.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported that: "Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.
For May 21st-22nd the Coalition reported that: “Near Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS842

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

كديران, Kdeiran, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.877525, 38.721936 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Coalition airstrike on Kdeiran village, local media reported.

In January 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged with what was positively identified as an ISIS Headquarters. Coalition munitions destroyed the building. Regrettably, nine civilian bystanders in the streets around the house were unintentionally killed by the effects of the strike.” 

In April 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least five non-combatants including two children died in the Coalition strikes.

However, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Al Ragga Truth and Mohab Nasser were among other sources putting the death tool as high as 15 – with dozens more wounded.

@1’15” in a video published by the IS medi agency Aa’maq, a teary eyed man with cap in hospital says: “the crusader came and bombed a grocery shop, a place selling petrol, an ice cream shop, a fishmonger, a motorbike mechanic shop and a vegetable shop.”

Raqqa Post referred specifically to “US airstrikes”.

Among the victims were also two refugees in al Hamad village.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamdoun Abu Hashim
Age unknown killed
Ali Abu Hakkam
Age unknown killed
Abdel Sheikh Taher
Age unknown killed
Abdel Mu’in al Aweed
Age unknown killed
Mohammad Ghanam
Age unknown killed
Hamada al A’kmash
Age unknown killed
One of the sons of Hamada al A’kmash
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad al Juma’a
Age unknown male killed
Son of Ahmad al Juma’a (1)
Age unknown male killed
Son of Ahmad al Juma’a (2)
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (2–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tweet by Ahmad Alshibli posted on May 22nd 2017. Caption: "# Al-Raqqa No photographs of the destruction of the massacre carried out by the international coalition aircraft on the village of Kediran in the western Raqqa countryside, killing eighteen martyrs"
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tweet by Mohab Naser posted on May 22nd 2017. Caption: "# Raqqa Pictures showing some of the martyrs and the wounded and part of the destruction caused by the bombing of the coalition aircraft on the village of Kediran countryside east of Raqqa yesterday night."
  • Photo of the civilian "Hamdoun Abu Hashim," who was alleged killed following an aerial bombing by the coalition on Kdeiran in rural West Raqqa (via Sharqia Voice, May 23rd 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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    9
  • Stated location
    near Kdeiran, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV749704
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 31, 2019
  • May 21, 2017, near Kdeiran, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged with what was positively identified as an ISIS Headquarters. Coalition munitions destroyed the building. Regrettably, nine civilian bystanders in the streets around the house were unintentionally killed by the effects of the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.” It also later reported that additionally on May 20th “Near Raqqah, Syria, one strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.”
For May 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [1 British?] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

Australian Military
  • English
    /
    Original

"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (2–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS843

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

السلحبية الشرقية, Al Sallhabiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.953611, 38.786389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was reported killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Al Salhabiya Al Sharqiya village in western Raqqa.

Although all three said the victim was killed as a result of air raids, only Sharqiya Voice alleged the Coalition was responsible.

It reported that Coalition airplanes provided aerial cover to the YPG Kurdish militia units as they fought ISIL fighters in the area.

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “May 21, 2017, near al Salhabiya, Syria, via Airwars 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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan al Oud al Idris
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (5) [ 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 al Salhabiya, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV805785
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018
  • May 21, 2017, near al Salhabiya, Syria, via Airwars 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.” It also later reported that additionally on May 20th “Near Raqqah, Syria, one strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.”
For May 21st -22nd, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [1 British?] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS844

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

علي الغانم, Ali Al Ghanem, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.773056, 39.4025 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and four were injured – in addition to two members of ISIL – in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Ali Al Ghanem village, 50km east of Raqqa, according to local reports.

Two sources, Draas News Agency and Smart News Agency, reported that the Coalition was responsible. Meanwhile, the remainder of the sources reported that the deaths were a result of airstrikes, but did not make any assertions about who was responsible.

Smart News Agency reported that four people were injured in addition to two members of ISIL.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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 Ali Al Ghanem, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV364591
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.” It also later reported that additionally on May 20th “Near Raqqah, Syria, one strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.”
For May 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported:" Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [1 British?] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS845

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

الرويح, Al Ruweih, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94987, 40.90735 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians, including two women, were killed and at least three more were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Al Ruweih village, which lies in the countryside near Al Shadadi city, local media said.

A number of local sources named three victims of the Al Alewi al Abd Family. A fourth member of the al Alewi al Abd family was not identified.

All sources that reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Barak al Alewi al Abd
Adult male killed
Wadha al Jaban
Adult female Barak’s wife killed
Samira al Alewi al Abd
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Sabbouha al Alewi
Age unknown injured
Nawja al Mohammed
Age unknown injured
wife of Hneidi al Alewi
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ 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 al Ruwieh, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV720800
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported that: “Near al Hawl, one strike destroyed seven fighting positions and a mortar site.”
For May 21st-22nd, the Coalition did not report any airstrikes near Hassakah.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]