US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS863

Incident date

May 25, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.01979, 40.45123 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 15 and 40 civilians including two to five children and one to three women died, and up to 15 more were injured, in airstrikes on multiple locations in Al Mayadeen. Local sources were initially conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, Iraqi warplanes or Russia.

However, in April 2018 the Coalition claimed responsibility for the event:  “It was assessed that during a strike on an ISIS media center and headquarters 15 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

In an interview with ITV News in summer 2019, British ISIS fighter Alexanda Kotey claimed that up to 40 people died when a single apartment block [presumably the al-Dahmoush building, see below] was bombed that day – including a notorious British ISIS supporter Sally Jones, known as the ‘White Widow’, and her 12-year-old son Jojo.

Many sources, including Euphrates Post, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Smart News Network, initially reported the death of four non-combatants on May 25th. Other sources, however, put the death toll higher, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting that up to 35 civilians died, including many family members of IS.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “Reliable sources confirmed to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that the strikes on the Dahmoush building have killed 26 other people at least, most of them are from the families of the organization’s members, others were injured and went missing due to these airstrikes. The Syrian Observatory learned that those who were killed, injured and missing belonged to 7 families of members of the ‘Islamic State’ organization”.

On May 30th Euphrates Post also reported “The death of the mother of Saddam, the wife of Hussein al-Hamad al-Arrouk, who was injured by the raids that targeted the city of Al-Mayadeen a few days ago. She joins her husband, her sons, her daughter and her grandson.”

The Observatory documented a number of strikes by Coalition jets: “At 7:25 pm two warplanes accompanied by two drones hovered in the sky of Al-Mayadin city, coinciding with citizens’ entry to the city’s mosques. Both warplanes carried out 4 strikes using 4 consecutive rockets, the first two rockets targeted the 4-storey al-Dahmoush building, which housed family members of the ‘Islamic State’ organization of Syrian and Moroccan nationalities. It was destroyed completely, and the raid killed a man and 2 women and a baby from Al-Mayadin. A second raid targeted the market of the city, which killed a woman, her 2 children and 2 other children. The number of Syrian people who were killed has become 9, including 5 children and 3 citizen women.”

Arabic.rt also put the death toll at 35 and blamed the Coalition.

However, Zamanalwsl pointed towards Iraqi warplanes.

Two other sources – Alaraby and @abojannarawi201 said that Russia was responsible.

According to Alaraby, Russian warplanes carried out three strikes, and “one of the raids targeted the market of the Office of the vicar in the city centre, and civilian homes resulted in the deaths and injuries.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights later reported: “The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights received information from reliable sources about the presence of Ryan Meshaal in al-Dahmoush building 3 hours before it was targeted by the International Coalition; at 7:25 in the evening of Thursday the 25th of May 2017, while the Syrian Observatory can’t confirm whether Ryan Meshaal [one of the founders of IS media agency A’amaq] is among those who were killed by the airstrikes that targeted the building and killed 26 persons of the organization’s families, also the airstrikes caused injuries and some people gone missing, where the Syrian Observatory learned that those who were killed, injured and lost belong to 7 families of the Islamic State organization’s members.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100-metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Abdul-Wahab Al-Aziz
Adult male killed
Wife of Martyr Mohammed Abdul Aziz
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Wife of Muhannad Rahbi
Adult female killed
Mohamad Muhanad Waka’ al Rahbi
Child male Baby son of Muhannad Rahbi killed

The victims were named as:

the mother of Saddam
Adult female wife of Hussein al-Hamad al-Arrouk killed
Jojo Jones
12 years old male Son of Sally Jones, aka the 'White Widow' killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 40
  • (2–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The child Mohamad Muhanad Waka’ al Rahbi alleged killed with his mother in shelling by the Coalition forces on al Mayadeen city in Deir Ez-Zour, May 25, 2017 (via SN4HR May 25th 2017).
  • The child Mohammad Muhannad al Rahbi who was killed with his mother in shelling by the Coalition forces on al Mayadeen city in Deir Ez-Zour, May 25, 2017 (via Euphrates post on November 26th 2018).

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

  • 37SFU324762

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
    15
  • Stated location
    near Al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018
  • May 25, 2017 near Al Mayadin, Syria via Airwars report. It was assessed that during a strike on an ISIS media center and headquarters 15 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS barge.“
For May 25th-26th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed seven ISIS oil trucks, four ISIS barges, an ISIS well head, a command and control node, and an ISIS headquarters."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 40
  • (2–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1368

Incident date

August 13, 2017

Location

فردوس, Ar Raqqah: Fardous neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.953582, 39.004436 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twelve civilians died and six more were wounded in Coalition air or artillery strikes on Raqqa, according to local media. The action was later confirmed to be a British airstrike.

In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters utilizing a mortar system in a building used as a defensive fighting position. Regrettably, 12 civilians were unintentionally killed and six were unintentionally injured as a result of the blast.”

Multiple sources blamed Coalition air and/or artillery strikes for the death of ten civilians and injury of more. Raqqa Truth said that six were wounded in addition to ten killed.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Coalition struck the “Ferdus Furnace area and other areas in the city”. It put the death toll at 12.

Zakaria has been removed from this incident as the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported that he died on October 11th with his nephew while riding a motorbike.

The February 2019 assessment appears to be a reassessment of a March 2018 decision in which the Coalition originally confirmed one death – though we currently cannot be sure that this was referring to this incident.

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

In March 2020, Airwars and the BBC published an investigation revealing that the UK was refusing to accept responsibility for civilian harm in this and two other events – despite confirming that the RAF had conducted the strikes.

Senior MoD officials revealed that they were insisting upon ‘hard facts’ when determining casualties – an almost impossible bar to surmount, and at odds with the US-led Coalition’s own ‘balance of probabilities’ approach.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • # Raqqa: 10 martyrs and a number of wounded by aerial bombardment and artillery by the coalition aircraft on the neighborhoods of Al-Rigga city.

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
    12–13
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    6
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV004788
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • August 13, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters utilizing a mortar system in a building used as a defensive fighting position. Regrettably, 12 civilians were unintentionally killed and six were unintentionally injured as a result of the blast.

  • Aug. 13, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a Coalition strike to engage an ISIS-controlled building a civilian entered the area of the strike and it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 12th-13th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and destroyed three command and control nodes, two ISIS headquarters, an ISIS UAS launch site and a vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 12, near Raqqah, Syria, 21 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position, an anti-aircraft artillery system, and a mortar system.” And that “On Aug. 12, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Aug 9-15th, France report 2 strikes in Raqqah, Syria – and 13 artillery missions in Mosul.

#Chammal : 2 frappes et 13 missions d’artillerie en Irak et en Syrie cette semaine.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

In the past week, (11th-18th) France conducted 27 sorties, including 22 armed reconnaissance and ground support (CAS), 1 refueling outlet and 4 intelligence gathering sorties by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrols. Two strikes were carried out in the Raqqah region of Syria. They helped support the Syrian democratic forces in their offensive to retake the city.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes se poursuit. Au sud de la ville, la manœuvre de tenaille, amorcée il y a 15 jours, s’est achevée en fin de semaine dernière. Elle a permis de réaliser la jonction des fronts est et ouest. Depuis, les forces démocratiques syriennes ont relancé une offensive vers le centre de la ville mais elles font face à une défense acharnée des combattants de Daech. En Irak, Les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations dans l’objectif de libérer, à terme, le nord de l’Irak. Actuellement, elles focalisent leur effort sur l’encerclement de la ville de Tall Afar. Les combattants de l’organisation terroriste réalisent un travail de valorisation de leurs positions défensives pour se préparer aux combats à venir alors que les populations tentent de fuir la ville. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Les soldats de l’opération Chammal poursuive leur mission d’appui au profit des unités irakiennes engagées contre Daech. Cette semaine, sur le théâtre, les aéronefs ont réalisé 27 sorties aériennes dont 22 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), 1 sortie de ravitaillement ainsi que 4 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Deux frappes ont été conduites dans la région de Raqqah en Syrie. Elles ont permis d’appuyer les forces démocratiques syriennes dans leur offensive pour reprendre la ville. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 13 missions de tir en appui de la 15e division à l’ouest de Mossoul vers Tal Afar. En particulier, les artilleurs ont fourni des feux de harcèlement et d’éclairement pour interdire aux combattants de Daech de mener des actions au sol ou de réaliser des tirs indirects contre les positions irakiennes. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1330 frappes, 2102 objectifs détruits et 6946 sorties. ‘

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Saturday 12 August – Typhoons destroyed a Daesh headquarters in Raqqa… Typhoons maintained a presence over Raqqa over the weekend, destroying a Daesh headquarters building on Saturday 12 August…’

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1208

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

البدو, Ar Raqqah: Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95178, 39.00111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that 13 civilians, including two children, died and eight were wounded in Raqqa’s Al Badou neighbourhood.

According to Smart, “13 civilians were killed, including two children, and eight others were wounded in the past 24 hours by an aerial bombardment that is likely to be the international coalition and SDF artillery on the Nahdha and Bedouins neighborhoods and next to the Andalusia oven and behind the Modern Medicine Hospital.”

Alaraby and Qasioun also blamed the Coalition.

In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged four Daesh defensive fighting positions near the Hospital of Modern Medicine. Regrettably, 13 civilians were unintentionally killed and eight civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the target location.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 35.961778, 39.006083

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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    13
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near al Badou, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV001786
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019
  • July 15, 2017, near al Badou, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged four Daesh defensive fighting positions near the Hospital of Modern Medicine. Regrettably, 13 civilians were unintentionally killed and eight civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the target location.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 15th-16th: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, two anti-air artillery systems and a VBIED.” It was additionally reported that “On July 15, near Raqqah, Syria, 12 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, three mortar team positions, a mortar system, a fighting position and a vehicle.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

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.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Saturday 15 July – Tornados hit a sniper in Mosul, Typhoons and Tornados attacked mortar positions in Raqqa… The following day [July 15th], Tornados and Typhoons utilised eleven Paveway IV bombs against mortar positions in Raqqa, whilst a pair of Tornados used a Brimstone missile against a sniper holding out in western Mosul.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1087

Incident date

June 25, 2017

Location

قريب من الميادين, near Al Mayadin, Deir Ez-Zour, Syria

Geolocation

35.01979, 40.45123 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of twelve civilians in an event near Al Mayadin.

Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed one ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 12 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    12
  • Stated location
    near Al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017
  • June 25, 2017, near Al Mayadin, Syria, via media report. During a Coalition strike that destroyed one ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 12 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS-held buildings, two command and control nodes, an ISIS staging area, a mortar system, a tactical vehicle, and an ISIS oil refinery.”

For June 25th-26th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed six ISIS oil storage tanks, four ISIS pump jacks and two ISIS facilities.” It additionally reported that “On June 25, near Dayr az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS-held building.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS740

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Location

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9653, 39.02994 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven civilians were killed in Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa in the northern district of Rumaila, a number of local sources reported.

According to Al Araby and the Revolutionary Forces of Syria’s media office, the strikes took place “near the headquarters of al-Hesba” – the base of ISIL’s religious police.

The same two sources said a “drone” or an “unmanned aircraft” carried out the strikes.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also reported a drone strike but didn’t identify the culprit.

According to Raqqa Truth, Mr al-Hussein had been arrested and was being held by ISIL’s religious police. He was from the al-Mashlab district.

A later report by Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently put the death toll at 11, stating that the prisoners “were arrested for dress code violations and other violations of Daesh’s rules. In the raid several members of ISIS were also killed.

In its April 26th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition conceded that it had killed 11 civilians in this strike: ”During a Coalition strike on an ISIS headquarters building 11 civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salal Shawakh Al-Muftah
Age unknown male killed
Ayham Abd al-Hamid al-Hussein
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Salal Shawakh Al-Muftah, killed in an allegd Coalition airstrike on Rumalia, April 27th (via Raqqa Truth)
  • Ayham Abd al Hamid al Husseiin al Ibrahim killed in a Coalition airstrike on Rumalia, April 27th (via AL Ragga Truth)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 35.959444, 39.0325

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
    11
  • Stated location
    near Rumaila, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV027801
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018
  • April 27, 2017 near Rumaila, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. During a coalition strike on an ISIS headquarters building 11 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a front-end loader, a fighting position, and a mortar team.”
For April 27th-28th: “Near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed a command and control node and a front-end loader.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1233

Incident date

July 18, 2017

Location

نزلة شحادة, Nazlat Shahada, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.93988, 38.99818 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 13 civilians including between 1 and 5 children from two families died in Coalition airstrikes on Nzalat Shahada, according to local media. 11 of the victims were reportedly from the same family. A year later the US-led alliance accepted responsibility for the deaths.

According to the joint Amnesty/Airwars report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” the incident contained three airstrikes, one striking a house and two others striking a car.

Al Araby reportedCoalition against Terrorism struck in the area of Nazlah Shehadeh and Saif al-Dawahah district in the south of the city of Al-Rigga in northern Syria. The sources said that among the dead were two families, including at least five children, and two women, while others were injured, as well as large destruction of buildings.”

Baladi, blaming the Coalition, put the death toll at eight, as did the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Besides from the 11 family members, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of two additional victims, identified by their first names, one child and one adult man.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, raids by “warplanes” killed at least 11 civilians. It said,” they are 3 children (brothers) and 8 citizens of one family (and they are 3 brothers and one of them is with his son and another man with 2 of his children and a young boy)”.

The journalist, Mohab Naser, published a very graphic A’amaq video showing the aftermath of a strike with seriously injured victims, including children. We do not know whether the footage is of this specific strike. However, it says that there were several Coalition strikes on July 18th.

In June 2018, Amnesty International published a major report into this event and others during the battle for Raqqa. “On 18 July 2017, with the fighting intensifying in the area, the family took their chance to flee. The Badrans had access to two cars in which they made several frantic trips, moving the women and children first. During one of these journeys, one of the cars was struck, reportedly by an air strike, killing four male family members inside. At the same time another air strike destroyed the house where the men had been staying, just as they were waiting for a car to collect them. That strike killed five family members, along with two other men, relatives’ friends whose names the survivors did not know. Amnesty International visited the destroyed house and spoke to members of the extended family, who had witnessed the strike and later helped to recover the bodies from the rubble.”

While the US-led alliance initially attacked Amnesty’s report, it later conceded killing 11 civilians and injuring a 12th: “July 18, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. One civilian was injured and 11 civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition gave the coordinates of the event (within 100m) as 35°56.34936′, 038°59.86696′.

As the newest addition to the incident, the joint Amnesty/Airwars from April 2019 reported how different airstrikes had killed first “seven members of the Badran family”, hereof one child and six men, and two strikes had killed another “four members of the Badran family”, hereof two-three children and one-two women. The report identified nine out of the 11 victims by name.

In total, the report said that four airstrikes had killed a total of 39 family members and 10 neighbours “as they fled from neighbourhood to neighbourhood in search of safety.” Those remaining victims are, however, not included in this incident.

Amnesty’s researchers spoke to Hussein, a relative and witness, who told that “I visited them [the Badran family] that morning to ask if they needed anything. They were waiting for the car which had taken the women and children to come back to pick them up. I wished them a safe journey and left. Shortly after the house was bombed.”

Hussein added that “shortly after the house was bombed, a few streets away, we saw the car which had taken the women and children earlier on. It had been struck …and it was burning. The 4 men inside the car were killed” – a testimony which corresponds with Amnesty’s June 2018 research, also reporting about the death of four men in a car.

According to the Amnesty/Airwars research the coordinates of the house: 35.93988, 38.99818, while the coordinates of the street that also was struck were 35.939944, 38.998272.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Khalid Ibrahim Al-Badran
52 years old male Ismael's and Shamsa's son killed
Daham al Badran Ibn Ahmed
50 years old male Ismail Hawija’s son and brother of Mohammed Ahmed Badran Ibn Mohamed killed
Mohammed Ahmed Badran Ibn Mohamed
40 years old male Ismail Hawija’s son and Shamsa’s husband killed
Mustafa Mohammed Ahmed Badran
14 years old male Shamsa’s son killed
Mohamed Hussein al Shammari
24 years old male Khud's son (also from Badran family) killed
Hassan al-Dandoush Ibn Hsein
Age unknown male son of Zarifa al Sahu (also from Badran family) killed
Ismael al Said
55 years old male Sadeeqa’s husband injured
Khaled Ibn Ismail Hweijah Al – Saeed
17 years old male injured
Ibrahim al Said Ibn Ismael
15 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Shahad
28 years old female http://archive.is/iXXHZ killed
Majid
6 years old http://archive.is/iXXHZ killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 13
  • (2–5 children1 woman6–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Mohamed Ahmed al Badran Ibn Mohamed, was reportedly among the victims of the Coalition strikes in Nzalat Shahada, Raqqa, July 18th, 2017 (via Amnesty/Airwars)
  • Ismael al Said was reportedly among the victims of the Coalition strikes in Nzalat Shahada, Raqqa, July 18th, 2017 (via Amnesty/Airwars)
  • Ibrahim al Said Ibn Ismael was reportedly among the victims of the Coalition strikes in Nzalat Shahada, Raqqa, July 18th, 2017 (via Amnesty/Airwars)
  • Mustafa Mohamed al Badran was reportedly among the victims of the Coalition strikes in Nzalat Shahada, Raqqa, on July 18th, 2017 (via Amnesty/Airwars)
  • Khaled Ibn Ismail Hweijah Al – Saeed was reportedly among the victims of the Coalition strikes in Nzalat Shahada, Raqqa, on July 18th, 2017 (via Amnesty/Airwars)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • al-Badran's house before the strike.

  • al-Badran's house before the strike.

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:

  • 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
    11
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV998772
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • July 18, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. One civilian was injured and 11 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 18th-19th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two vehicles and a tactical vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On July 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 18 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 18 fighting positions, an anti-aircraft artillery system, a weapons cache, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a supply route.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

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
    11 – 13
  • (2–5 children1 woman6–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1621a

Incident date

October 12, 2017

Location

البدو, Baidou, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958649, 39.007077 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that between 25 and 35 or more civilians died in US-led Coalition airstrikes carried out at midday which struck two residential buildings in Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa. Despite this, Amnesty field research has since been conducted which only reported the deaths of 16 civilians, spread over two strikes.

The Coalition initially confirmed having unintentionally killed three civilians in this strike – later updating this assessment to 16 killed. The majority of other sources placed the death toll at 35 and all sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

This assessment documents the victims of the second strike which killed ten civilians. The second can be found under CS1621.

Jisr TV reported, “The agency A’maq [IS propaganda] said the American raids targeted the Bedouin neighborhood, which resulted in the death toll”. It added that this came “after the resumption of military operations yesterday, following the failure of negotiations to exit ISIS out of Raqqa in return for not targeting them”. This account was reiterated in a later report by Step News Agency.

SDU Syria said “the planes also raided other areas of the city”, whilst Raqqa 24 noted an unknown number of civilians were wounded following the attacks.

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, stated that “Fayad Mohammed, a man in his 80s known as Abu Saif, and 15 members of his family and neighbours were among those killed in a double Coalition air strikes which destroyed the Fayyad family home and a neighbour’s house across the road. He had refused to leave the home where he had lived for 50 years when the Raqqa military campaign began.”

A relative of the victim told Amnesty in a testimony that “He insisted that he had lived here for 50 years and would not be evicted by these people (IS) who had taken control of the city and who he considered illiterate, ignorant and extremists.”

Ali Habib, one of the survivors of the attack, stated “I felt the roof of the house collapse on me… I called my wife, my mother, my daughter, but nobody answered… I realised that everybody was dead. I realised that everybody was dead. Then my boy, Mohammed, called out and that gave me the strength to free myself from the rubble and go to him. He had been thrown some 10m away by the explosion. We were both injured. I fainted and when I regained consciousness I heard voices on the other side of the rubble which was all around me and my boy and I called for help and eventually people removed some of the rubble and pulled us out.”

Ammar Amero, a neighbour who was in the area and helped recover the bodies from the rubble, told Amnesty International: “It must have been the last house they hit before the bombardments stopped at 5am. I found the bottom half of Abu Saif in the rubble. Um Abdalla was also visible in the rubble but her legs were trapped under it. She was dead.”

Raqqa RWB later reported that workmen were “rebuilding the Fayad family home, which was destroyed in a Coalition air strike”. The local source agreed that 16 civilians had been killed in the attack.

In March 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “(4.) Oct. 12, 2017 near Al Badu, Raqqah, Syria via social media report. During a Coalition strike to engage an ISIS-defensive fighting position it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV005796 (Military grid reference with 100 m accuracy).

In July 2018, following the publication of the Amnesty report, the Coalition again assessed the event, this time noting that “October 12, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Sixteen civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The coordinates, within 100m, were this time given as 37SEV006793 – or 35° 57.485′ N 39° 0.399′ E. Officials confirmed to Airwars that this related to event S1432.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Hsein al-Hamad al-Fares ibn Mousa
60 years old male Fayad's brother in law killed
Ammar al-Hamad al-Fares ibn Husein
32 years old male Hsein's son killed
Reem al-Maddad Bint As’ad
32 years old female killed
Razqiya Al-Habib bint Ali
1 year 6 months years old female Reem's baby daughter killed
Yousra Abd-al-Aziz bint Ismail
54 years old female Reem's mother in law killed
Abu Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Yassin
Age unknown male killed
Abu Abdallah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • "A’maq: more than 25 from Raqqa people were killed due to American airstrikes in Bedou neighbourhood." 12th october 2017. (via Photo of the A’maq)
  • Amnesty report on the confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty International)

  • Civilian casualties of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • The aftermath of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Satellite imagery of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Ammar Hsein Mousa al-Fares, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Hussein Fares, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Reem Asaad al Maddad, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Rizqiya Ali Habib, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Yousra Aziz bint Ismail, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو), for which the coordinates are: 35.95809, 39.00665.

  • Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected 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
    10
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Sixteen civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 12th – 13th the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units, suppressed one fighting position, destroyed two communications nodes, 10 fighting positions, one vehicle and one ISIS supply road.” And additionally that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed three ISIS lines of communication and one fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Thursday 12 October – Tornados struck two Daesh-held buildings in Raqqah, and bombed a terrorist camp in the western Iraqi desert…On Thursday 12 October, over western Iraq, another Tornado flight dropped four Paveways on a Daesh camp in the desert, some 60 miles south-west of Ramadi….This included two Tornado GR4s providing close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqah on Thursday 12 October. A Paveway IV guided bomb was deployed to target the upper storeys of a building from which a Daesh sniper was firing, and a second weapon struck another building from which terrorists were engaged in a combat with the SDF.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS596

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83462, 38.54714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of ten civilians near Al Tabqah, Syria.

Their October 2017 report noted: “During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

This confirmed strike might relate to the strikes reported by Airwars that day (S522; S523 or S523a).

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    10
  • Stated location
    near Al Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV591657
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017
  • During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 20th-21st the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed four petroleum oil lubricant equipment pieces, three barges, three fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, two VBIED facilities, two VBIEDs, a VBIED factory, a tunnel, a vehicle, a weapons storage facility, and a command and control node; and damaged two supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]