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

CS903

Incident date

June 2, 2017

Location

حي الرميلة, Rumayla, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.959444, 39.0325 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians died and six others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Rumayla, according to the Smart News Agency.

The local news group reported that “warplanes likely to be from the International alliance launched two raids on the Romaniya and Rumayla neighborhoods in the city, killing three civilians and wounding six others in Rumaila, who were working on a nearby tractor.”

No further details are currently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

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 June 1st-June 2nd, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed five vehicles, three fighting positions, a front end loader and an ISIS crane.” It also later added that on June 1st “Near Raqqah, Syria, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed 17 fighting positions, an ISIS headquarters, an ISIS-held building, and an IED.”
For June 2nd and June 3rd, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 10 strikes [1 British] engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 vehicles, five fighting positions, four tactical vehicles, two VBIEDs and an ammunition cache." For June 2nd the Coalition added "Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions".

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

"Friday 2 June – Tornados and Typhoons destroyed an armoured truck near Raqqa, and attacked eight targets in Mosul…A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair used a Brimstone to destroy an armoured truck moving along a main road on the outskirts of Raqqa on Friday 2 June. Two other flights operated over Mosul, where attacks were delivered in very close support to the Iraqi forces, hitting eight Daesh positions with a mix of Brimstones and Paveway IVs. The targets included three machine-gun teams and three groups of terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades. In addition, a truck-bomb, concealed close to one of the positions, was also fortuitously detonated by one of the attacks."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS983

Incident date

June 14, 2017

Location

العجيلي/السبع دربات, Ar Raqqah: A'jili/Sabi Darbat neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9425747, 39.0252399 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of three civilians, including one woman, were killed and several more were injured in artillery fire allegedly carried out by the US-backed, Kurdish-led SDF militia in the Al A’jili neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources. However, only the Coalition was using artillery in the city in this period.

The Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office said that it expects the death toll to be higher reporting that “a number of civilians were killed” after “dozens of shells” fell on Al A’jili neighbourhood, Al Mansour Street, the area surrounding the Cultural Centre, the Grand Mosque, the police station and the Pullman garage.

The majority of sources reported that the SDF militia or that the Coalition was responsible.

Additional possible casualties were reported at al Mathaf and al Jazra by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, though it has not been possible to determine numbers.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel,
Adult male killed
Rami Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel
Age unknown male son of Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel, killed
Wife of Maher Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel.
Age unknown female wife of Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel's son Maher killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Latif Saleh al Balibel (image likely taken from Al Amaq propaganda video)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged Coalition strikes have caused several civilian casualties and wounded in the neighbourhoods of al Jazra, al Mathaf, al A’jili in Raqqa. The source does not specify which area of the above this picture is from (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged Coalition strikes have caused several civilian casualties and wounded in the neighborhoods of al Jazra, al Mathaf, al A’jili in Raqqa. The source does not specify which area of the above this picture is from (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged Coalition strikes have caused several civilian casualties and wounded in the neighborhoods of al Jazra, al Mathaf, al A’jili in Raqqa. The source does not specify which area of the above this picture is from (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged Coalition strikes have caused several civilian casualties and wounded in the neighborhoods of al Jazra, al Mathaf, al A’jili in Raqqa. The source does not specify which area of the above this picture is from (via RBSS)
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 A’jli, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 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 June 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 12 fighting positions, five vehicles, five ISIS boats, two VBIEDs, a recoilless rifle, a command and control node, and a tunnel; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 13, near Raqqah, Syria, 10 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and a sniper and destroyed a fighting position, a tunnel, an ISIS headquarters, a weapons cache, a vehicle, and a VBIED.”

For June 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, three ISIS boats, and a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

June 15th 2017, the French MoD reported "in the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1425

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Location

الأنصار, Ar Raqqah: Ansar mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.959724, 39.001615 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The death of between one and three people was reported by local media sources, following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on the city of Raqqa.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “documented the death of three people after the bombing of downtown Raqqa by International Coalition aircraft”, though did not provide details of the civilians reported killed.

Two other sources identified one victim of the strikes, a young man who was located near the Mosque Al Ansar when he was killed. All sources said the US-led Coalition was responsible for the attacks.

While most reports of the casualties emerged on September 1st, the Facebook site Documentary of Victims of Ar Raqqa said Mr al Saeed died on August 27th.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Mohammed Al-Saeed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

  • Ahmed Mohammed Al-Saeed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 27th August 2017. (via Raqqa24)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Ansar Mosque (الأنصار) in Wahda (الوحد) neighbourhood. The coordinates for Al Ansar Mosque (الأنصار) are: 35.959724, 39.001615.

  • Al Ansar Mosque (الأنصار)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
  • May 31, 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 August 27th-28th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 29 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 19 fighting positions, five logistics nodes, three vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, two VBIEDs, and two command and control nodes.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 27 near Raqqah, Syria, 24 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 22 fighting positions, two anti-aircraft artillery systems, and two logistics nodes.” And that “On Aug. 27, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Sunday 27 August – Typhoons and Tornados bombed ten Daesh positions in Raqqa.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.(@EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • 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

CS026

Incident date

November 11, 2014

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

According to some sources, a civilian man was killed alongside two militants in an alleged coalition airstrike on Islamic State’s headquarters town of Ar Raqqah. The slain civilian was identified as a resident of Ma’ar Shoureen in Idlib. Two ‘Daesh militants’ were reportedly killed with him, one named as Mohammad Said Al Kaddour Nasser.

In contrast, Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently and VDC said all three men were civilians, though said their deaths were the result of an Assad regime airstrike. The site described the third unnamed man as “a driver from the town of Jarjanaz in Al Raqqa.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 men)
  • 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 Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of one of the alleged victims (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of one of the alleged victims (via RBSS)

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
  • Jul 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

No coalition airstrikes were officially reported at Ar Raqqah between November 10th-12th 2014.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 men)
  • 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 Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS046

Incident date

January 19, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An internal CENTCOM review cited reports from the ‘pro-opposition’ Step News Agency that three civilians had died when Coalition missiles struck homes in al-Shaddadi. According to the news site, “two civilian houses were targeted leading to the martyrdom of three from one family and several wounded including women and children.”

The Coalition concluded that its aircraft were not responsible, with no strikes on the day at the reported location: “J2 [military intelligence] conducted a review of recent strikes in and around Al Hassakah. 2 engagements found.

#1894 JAN15, ISIL personnel targeted 66KM NE of Al Hassakah. Not IVO [in vicinity of] city or structures. #1918 JAN15 covered Revetment, 25KM SE Al Hassakah. Occurred after reported time.”

As a result the Coalition decided the claims were “Not credible. No further action required.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Shaddadi village, Al Hasakah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015
  • Pro-opposition FB page Step News AgeNy alleges coalition airstrike targeted 3 houses in Al Shaddadi killing 3 civilians and wounding several others. / 2 engagements found. Not credible.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS412

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

الكور, Al Kour, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1971183, 38.6234665 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reports emerged on December 15th of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Kour which killed three civilians. However the original source for the claim suggested that the event took place two days earlier.

According to Abd al Basset Ahmad al Khalaf, head of the political committee for local Syrian tribes, Habib al Mourabi and two of his family died when Coalition aircraft struck at al Kour, north west of Raqqa.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials requested additional information concerning the alleged event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Habib al Mourabi
Age unknown male And two members of his family killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 12th-13th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units, destroyed a command and control node and damaged five supply routes.“

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS771

Incident date

May 5, 2017

Location

هنيدة, Hunaida, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83234, 38.69938 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported that “aircraft likely belonging to the coalition launched three raids on the town of Huneida (36 km west of the city of Raqqa), killing three civilians, and four members of IS, in addition to wounding 11 others.”

The Step News Agency reported that there had been a Coalition strike on Hunaida but made no mention of civilian casualties.

According to Sahafa, “the warplanes of the International Coalition carried out three air strikes in the town of Hnideh rural West Raqqa, targeting the mosque Al-Urwa Al-Wuthqaand the house of ‘Ibrahim Zaiter’. According to activists, the mosque and house were completely destroyed, though there were no reports of civilian casualties”.

Other sources reported that four members of IS died but didn’t mention civilian casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ 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
    Hunaida, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV728653
    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 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, three strikes destroyed a front-end loader and an ISIS well head. Near Tabqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positons and a vehicle.”
For May 5th-6th: “Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed two front-end loaders and damaged a dam. Near Tabqah, seven strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed two ISIS boats, two vehicles, two fighting positions and a VBIED.” It later added that “Near Tabqah, Syria, May 5th, two strikes destroyed a fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI706

Incident date

May 11, 2017

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Tammuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3667014, 43.0854607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A local report said that a family was killed in shelling in the Tammuz neighborhood of western Mosul.

Ninawa Media Center reported that a father, son and the son’s daughter were all killed by shelling in Tammuz. As the report noted, “My dear brother, a random bombardment of July near the Mufti Mosque claimed the death of a father, son and daughter of his son. The people of the region buried them in the garden of his house. God let you stop the indiscriminate shelling.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF282263
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020
  • May 11, 2017, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 3094/CI706 38SLF282263

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 8th-9th: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 12 fighting positions, seven rocket-propelled grenade systems, four medium machine guns, three mortar systems, two VBIED facilitation areas, two front-end loaders, a sniper position, a weapons cache, an IED facility, a roadblock, a VBIED; damaged 13 ISIS supply routes, three fighting positions; and suppressed a mortar position.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]