US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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
text search
2984 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

CS1526

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

Al Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961778, 39.006083 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Raqqa24 and the Shaam News Netowork, a number of civilians were killed and wounded when they were hit with artillery shells as they gathered to collect water in Raqqah’s al Badou neighbourhood.

Athr Press attributed the event to ground forces, saying that “four civilians were killed and others were injured when the SDF targeted the Bedou quarter with a number of rocket-propelled grenades.”

However, Shamnatv blamed ISIS, reporting that “a mortar shell from ISIS landed near a water well in Al-Badu neighborhood in the center of Al-Raqqa, killing a number of martyrs and injuring others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area near a water well in the neighbourhood of Badou (البدو) in the city of Raqqa. Airwars was unable to verify the location of the water well, however, the generic coordinates for the neighbourhood of Badou (البدو) are: 35.961778, 39.006083.

  • The neighbourhood of Al Badou (البد) in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 al Badou, 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
Official source

For September 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 27 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions, three vehicles; and suppressed a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 24, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed an IED, an ISIS fighting position and 11 vehicles.” And that “On Sept. 24, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position.”

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

ISIS Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1676

Incident date

November 18, 2017

Location

ابو حمام, Abu Haman, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.827222, 40.665278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Euphrates Post, the Syrian Democratic Forces carried out an artillery bombardment on Abu Hamam. It said that there had been civilian casualties but didn’t specify a number.

Al Qouriya Media Center provided some more detail. It reported that “artillery shelling targeted a family from al-Qouriya, the family of Hussein al-Ali al-Sayer al-Hamad. There were initial reports of a number of casualties, including the death of Yasser Hussin al-Ali al-Sayer al Hamad, and injury to other family members”. The source didn’t say who carried out the shelling.

Activists told the Smart News Agency that the “SDF used artillery shells on residential neighborhoods in the town (75 km east of Deir al-Azur), east of the Euphrates River on Saturday, killing a civilian and wounding his family”.

The SDF is not known to have had access to its own artillery – indicating that this was a Coalition action. However, a report by Sada said that one civilian was killed and others wounded as a result of the SDF using “rocket-propelled grenades”.

 

The incident was first reported on November 18, 2017 at 9:00 am by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

the family of Hussein al-Ali al-Sayer al-Hamad
killed

The victims were named as:

Yasser Hussin al-Ali al-Sayer al Hamad
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–13
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Yasser al-Husayn al-Ali al-Sayer, killed in an alleged artillery bombardment by thee SDF on Abu Hamam, Nov 18th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abu Hamam (ابو حمام), for which the coordinates are: 34.827222, 40.665278

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
Official source

For November 17th-18th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a VBIED, a tactical vehicle and an ISIS construction vehicle. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–13
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1769

Incident date

June 13, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, up to four civilians, including women and children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghouz Foqani.

Step News Agency reported that two women and one girl were killed and another person injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights however stated that in fact two children and one woman had perished.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the airstrikes had targeted the house of an ISIS member, which killed his daughter and granddaughter and injured others. Euphrates Post added that “two daughters of Jamal al-Ali’s and one of Ra’ad Al-Jamal’s sons” were killed “and a large number of wounded among civilians”. In correspondence with Airwars, Deir Ezzor 24 said that three children died – a son and two daughters of Jamal Ali al Sharida. 

Al Soussa Youth reported in a Facebook post that Ra’ad al Jamal himself was transferred to the hospital in a “critical condition”. However, in a comment to the post, an individual stated that “Ra’ad is ok, his leg was broken and had other injuries in his body.”

Both Deir Ezzor Now and Baladi reported that four civilians, a woman and three girls, were killed. While Al Haall mentioned the death a woman and only one child, the report identified that thirteen civilians were injured in the attack.

On August 30th 2018 the Coalition possibly confirmed responsibility for the event. “(3.) June 13, 2018, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh supply route, one civilian was unintentionally injured.” While Airwars reported a maximum of 4 civilian deaths the Coalition only conceded the injury of one civilian.

The Coalition later supplied Airwars the military grid reference for the strike: 37SFU795166 (accurate to 100 m).

The date, location and description of the Coalition report are consistent with the الباغوز Al Baghouz incident, however we cannot rule out the possibility that this was a separate event.

The incident was first reported on June 13, 2018 at 11:00 am by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Daughter of Jamal al-Ali (1)
Child female killed
Daughters of Jamal al-Ali (2)
Child female killed

Family members (2)

Ra’ad Al-Jamal
Adult male Broken leg injured
Son of Ra’ad Al-Jamal
Child male Also listed by one source as son of Jamal Ali al Sharida killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–13
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Baghuz Fawqani (الباغوز فوقاني), for which the coordinates are: 34.4641667, 40.9452778. The alleged Coalition airstrike possibly targeted the house of an ISIS member

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
  • Stated location
    near al-Bagouz, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 25, 2018

  • June 13, 2018, near al-Bagouz, Syria, via Airwars. 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 June 13th, the Coalition reported that “On June 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of seven engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, four strikes destroyed two Daesh vehicles, one Daesh supply route and damaged one Daesh vehicle.”

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For June 13th – 19th, France’s Task Force Wagram reports five shooting missions in the Euphrates Valley. Since the launch of the offensive on May 1st there have been 148 missions. Over the past week, There were 22 air sorties in support of the local forces on the ground, but no strikes.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THÉÂTRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie En Syrie, l’offensive contre les dernières emprises territoriales de Daech se poursuit. Menée par les forces démocratiques syriennes, coordonnée avec les forces de sécurité irakiennes et appuyée par la coalition, l’offensive a déjà permis de reprendre plus de 150 km2 de territoire à Daech. Actuellement, les opérations en cours se concentrent sur la libération de la ville Dashisha. La résistance opposée par Daech demeure relativement faible. La principale menace reste celle liée aux engins explosifs improvisés. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation se poursuivent à un rythme soutenu, donnant lieu à des destructions régulières de caches, de munitions et d’engins explosifs improvisés. Un climat sécuritaire qui s’améliore en Irak Le bon déroulement de l’ensemble des manifestations d’envergure récentes, notamment plusieurs pèlerinages et fêtes régionales ainsi que les élections, tend à montrer une amélioration notable du climat sécuritaire en Irak. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes La Task Force Narvik a débuté cette semaine cinq nouveaux stages au profit de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Ils couvrent les domaines de formation suivants : la lutte contre les engins explosifs, le maniement et entretien d’armements lourds, le déplacement tactique en convoi, le secourisme au combat et le tir de précision. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate Les artilleurs de la Task Force Wagram demeurent engagés en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Le nombre de canons de la Task Force a été ajusté, passant dans un souci d’ajustement des moyens au besoin opérationnel de quatre à trois canons. L’évolution de la situation du théâtre avec la reprise de plus de 98% de l’emprise territoriale initiale de Daech, couplée à l’autonomie croissante des forces de sécurité irakienne, permet cet ajustement. Depuis le lancement de l’offensive le 1er mai, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 148 missions de tirs, dont 5 sur la semaine écoulée (bilan du 13 au 19 juin inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1807 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Sur la semaine écoulée, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 22 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 13 au 19 juin inclus). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8159 sorties / 1450 frappes / 2241 objectifs neutralisés.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–13
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1821

Incident date

October 30, 2018

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported on “two new massacres” resulting from alleged Coalition airstrikes targeting the towns of Al Sha’afa and al-Kushma in Deir al-Zour.  Media reported said that four civilians died in this particular event in Sha’fa, when a civilian’s home was allegedly struck by the Coalition.

According to The Al Sha’afa Facebook page on October 30th, “in the last three days, more than a dozen air strikes by Coalition aircraft were recorded on the city of Al-Sha’afa. Most of these raids targeted civilian homes and properties. More than seven houses and 20 people were killed, including children and women.”

Of the raids listed, it was unclear which one was specific to this event, though it could have been the following: “A raid on the house of Khalaf al-Homoud al-Furaiji at the Al-Farajat al-Juwani al-Muwaji hostel, where four members of the same family were killed and a child and a woman were rescued from under the rubble.”

According to the Step News Agency, “17 people killed in the town of al-Kushma and four were killed in the town of Sha’afa, including women and children of Iraqi nationality”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • According to the Al Shafaa Facebook page, the image shows the location of Coalition strikes on the town of Al Shaafa on October 30th 2018

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Hajin, eight strikes engaged 10 tactical units, and destroyed two weapons caches, one vehicle borne IED, one vehicle, one command and control center, and one fighting position.”
For October 30th-31st: “Near Hajin, six strikes engaged six tactical units, and destroyed nine vehicles, seven supply routes, and one vehicle borne IED.”

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For October 24th – 31st, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in four: near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria and near Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq. Targets were ISIS warehouses and vehicles.

‘In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 4 zijn wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 24 tot 31 oktober 2018. Dat gebeurde in de provincies Deir al Zour en Ninawa, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal (Oost-Syrië) en Mosul (Irak). Doelwit waren opslagplaatsen en voertuigen van ISIS.‘

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Oct 24th-30th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram have conducted 6 firing missions from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and four strikes north of Abu Kamal, Syria.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Daech a profité des mauvaises conditions météorologiques pour mener des contre-attaques cette semaine et reprendre du terrain aux forces démocratiques syriennes. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 6 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1998 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus) et conduit 4 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8600 sorties / 1476 frappes / 2275 objectifs neutralisés.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1645a RS2643

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

الغبرة, Al-Ghabra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.537778, 40.9125 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes struck a residential neighbourhood and popular market in Al-Ghabra – according to local media. As many as four civilians were killed and others were injured.

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the airstrikes, some attributing blame to Russian warplanes while others blamed the Syrian regime.  Some sources attributed blame to “military aircraft” or “warplanes”, therefore not stating a belligerent.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – who blamed the Coalition – one person was killed and two people were wounded including a child with several injuries.

Smart News reported a higher death toll and specified that that the raids killed two women, one man and one child and wounded others. Four victims were identified.

The strikes reportedly occurred after afternoon prayers.

Boukamalna, reported that “Hawija al-Ghabra junction” was also struck in the raids and a car transporting two civilians was hit.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

The wife of Faisal Al - Hardan
Adult female killed
The daughter of Hamoud al-Mujbil
Adult female killed
Hashim Abdul Hakim Al Hamdawi
Age unknown male
Ayham Hammoud Majabal al-Hilal
14 years old male died from wounds killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a market struck by airstrikes in Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of a market struck by airstrikes in Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of a market struck by airstrikes in Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Hashim Abdul Hakim Al Hamdawi from the city of Albukamal , killed in an airstrike on Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU755234
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Al-Ghabra, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3162/CS1645a 37SFU755234

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1226

Incident date

July 17, 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

Accoridng to RFS, three members of the Awwad family died in artillery shelling on Raqqa.

Raqqa rwb and Q_Alenzy named an adult male as a killed and it was reported that his wife was injured. The sources blamed the Coalition.

According to Ahmad Shibli, there were more than 25 cases of leg and hand amputation in Raqqa during the previous two days as a result of Coalition airstrikes. He added that many cases were children.

Mohab Naser and Q_Alenzy added that more than 20 civilians had been killed and wounded in Coalition air and artillery shelling over the previous 48 hours

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Member of the Awwad family 1
Age unknown killed
Member of the Awwad family 2
Age unknown killed
Member of the Awwad family 3
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Hassan Mohammed al-Yusuf
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hassan Mohammed al-Yusuf, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, July 17th 2017. (via Q_Alenzy)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 17th-18th: “Near Raqqah, 16 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 13 fighting positions, two ISIS-held buildings, a tactical vehicle and an UAS.”It additionally reported that “On July 17, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position and an ISIS command and control node.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1536

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

Imam al Nawawi mosque, al Nahda neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.957219, 38.99924 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to family members and local reports, four civilians including, Fawaz Yousef Sulaiman Al-Zureiqat aka Abu Yusuf, died in a Coalition strike on the al Nahda neighbourhood, near the al Imam al Nawawi mosque.

Mr al Zureiqat’s death was also reported by his nephew, who noted that “We note the death of my uncle Fawaz Yousef Sulaiman Al-Zureiqat (Abu Yusuf) today in Raqqah. I am with God and I am returning to Him. We will accept the duty of consolation on Thursday and Friday in my home.”

According to the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, “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.

The 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.”

Amnesty International field notes claim that a “small impact radius missile” was fired on the vicinity.

Ismail Akkush was named in Airwars incident CS1535, with two other victims. However due to the extensive Amnesty research discovering he was killed with three other named men, we have removed him from that incident and assessed his death occurred at this location.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

In their subsequent monthly civilian casualty reports, however, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of Amnesty’s civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The incident occured at 06:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Fawaz Yousef Sulaiman Al-Zureiqat
50 years old male also known as Abu Yusuf, father of Jihad Yousef Zreikat killed
Mohammed Ramadhan Sheikh Mohammed
60 years old male killed
Abu Jawdat
45 years old male killed
Ismail Akkush
50 years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Fawaz Yousef Sulaiman Al-Zureiqat aka Abu Yusuf, killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, 27th September 2017. (via RBBS)
  • Ismail Akkoush, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah, Sept 27th (via RBSS)
  • Mohammed Ramadhan Sheikh Mohammed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 27th Septmber 2017. The pictire shows him alongside his children, who were found with his body, but it is unclear when or where they died.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ismail Ibrahim Akkush, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 27th September 2017. (via Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Imam Al Nawawi Mosque (الإمام النووي) in the Al Nahda neighbourhood (النهضة) in the city of Raqqa. The coordinates for the Imam Al Nawawi mosque (الإمام النووي) are: 35.956328, 38.999282. Amnesty research reported the precise location of the building: 35.957219, 38.99924.

  • The Imam Al Nawawi mosque (الإمام النووي) in the Al Nahda neighbourhood (النهضة) in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV999792
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • Sept.27, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

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
    4
  • (4 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1753a

Incident date

May 23, 2018

Location

هجين, Near Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.69067, 40.85154 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Self-reporting by the US-led Coalition identified four civilians killed in a strike in the vicinity of Hajin in Deir Ezzor. Local reports at the time made no reference to civilian harm.

According to a Coalition report issued September 27th 2018, “May 23, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via self-report. During a strike four civilians were unintentionally killed.” The co-ordinates for the event to within 100m were given as 34°41’26.4″N 40°51’05.5″E.

This incident was not tracked by Airwars researchers at the time. A subsequent search has identified a number of reports relating to heavy fighting in the village that day – though with no specific claims of civilian harm.

Shaam Media noted for example “The launch of six rockets from al Omar the oil field in the direction of the city of Hajin a few hours ago.” The Syrian Observatory reported “the International Coalition fired 12 missiles at least believed to be ground-to-ground, from Al-Omar Oilfield in the first round of shelling, while in the second round, they fired 8 missiles at east of the same kind, which caused material damage, without information about casualties.” It also reported clashes at Hajin and said 4 ISIS fighters had been killed in a strike.

On May 24th, Xeber News reported that “French and US troops have deployed alongside Syria’s democratic forces in the hills overlooking the town of Hajin and the headquarters of Radio Daesh in the countryside of Deir al-Zour, liberated by Syria’s democratic forces with the support and cooperation of French, US and British forces earlier.

“The correspondent of the site Xeber 24 reported  a military source from the countryside of Deir al-Zour saying that the preparation for the liberation of the town of Hijn from the hands of ISIS is underway after besieging from all sides by French and US forces along with the Syrian Democratic Forces overlooking the town. He pointed out that the level of coordination is very high between the French and US forces and Syria’s democratic forces and that coalition aircraft do not leave the skies of the region.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Shaam Media and other sources reported heavy Coalition shelling in the Hajin area for May 23rd

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
    4
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Near Hajin
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU696403
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • “May 23, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via self-report. During a strike four civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 23rd 2018, the Coalition reported at the time that
“On May 23 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against Daesh targets.
Near Abu Kamal, 15 strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed four Daesh-held buildings, four Daesh fighting positions, one Daesh vehicle and two Daesh command and control centers.
Near Al Shadaddi, two strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed one Daesh anti-aircraft weapon, two Daesh fighting positions and two Daesh IED belts.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

France reported that between May 23rd and 29th, its Task Force Wagram conducted 11 artillery firing missions on the Euphrates Valley.

“La Task Force Wagram demeure engagée en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Depuis le lancement de l’offensive le 1er mai, 95 missions de tirs ont été réalisées, dont 11 sur la semaine écoulée (bilan du 23 au 29 mai).”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition