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

CS438

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Location

مزرعة الرشيد, Al Rashid farms, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.0459067, 38.7257767 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition airstrike on an ‘ISIL car’ was said to have missed its target, possibly causing civilian casualties.

According to al Natek, “the air raid that targeted al Rashid Farm targeted an IS car but it didn’t hit it. Step News reported that “International coalition planes targeted with several raids Abu Kubra village and al Rashid farm in the northern Raqqa countryside, and there is news of casualties including some civilians.”

SY_reporter, Q_Alenzy and Alnateq2 also blamed the Coalition, but provided no further details.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Rashid (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV7529989075
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 10th-11th 2017, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed a front-end loader, a VBIED, a fighting position, and a tunnel entrance. Near Ayn Isa, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed a vehicle, five fighting positions, a command and control node, a VBIED, and a heavy machine gun.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS476

Incident date

February 6, 2017

Location

جبل منحار, Minhar Mountain, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9268687, 39.2716599

Airwars assessment

A number of people were reported killed – combatant status unknown – as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes at Minhar mountain.

Smart News reported “dead and wounded in international coalition raids on Minhar mountain in eastern Raqqa countryside.” However, like other sources it did not offer any additional details.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: militant sources - a number of dead and wounded in raids by the international coalition on Minhar mountain in eastern raqqa countryside.
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 Minkhar Mountain (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV2450775871
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 5th-6th 2017 the Coalition reported that “Near Raqqah, six strikes destroyed three tunnels, an artillery system, a VBIED, and an ISIL headquarters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS543

Incident date

February 28, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Tabaqa, according to local reports.

Step news agency and Ka’aka al A’nzi reported that the Coalition had carried out raids “near the workers’ residences in Tabaqa leading to a number of civilians being wounded”.

According to Raqqa’s Rebels Brigade, “Coalition planes targeted the area near the Euphrates dam in al Tabaqa with machine gun fire.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Step and Sharqiya Voice reported that the Coalition targeted a petrol station belonging to ISIL behind the coach station, but didn’t mention any casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ 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 Thawrah (Al Tabaqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV5968066806
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

February 27th-28th: “Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two well heads, two fighting positions, an oil storage tank, an ISIS-held building, an ISIS headquarters, a tunnel, a vehicle and a VBIED.” For February 28th-March 1st: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed six watercraft, an ISIS training camp, and an ISIS maintenance facility.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

France reports carrying out 34 sorties in the last week – and 11 strikes destroying 19 ISIL targets. In Iraq, the six strikes were concentrated in the Mosul region. They targeted mortar positions, combatant groups, a logistics depot and a command center. In Syria, two ground troop support missions were carried out in the Raqqah and Deir Ezzor areas against artillery pieces and an armored vehicle, loaded with an explosive device (SVBIED). The intervention of a Rafale patrol, after detection and guidance of the ATL2, led to the destruction of 2 clandestine oil wells in the south-east of Raqqah. In the region of Palmyra, two planned strikes were carried out and enabled the neutralization of a military storage site and a vehicle-bomb manufacturing site (VBIED).Task Force Wagram carried out 28 missions

CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION Point de situation sur les opérations au 02 mars 2017 En Syrie, à Al Bab, les forces d’opposition soutenues par la Turquie ont pu saisir la ville après le retrait de Daech de la ville. En périphérie, les forces armées syriennes et les FDS tentent d’accentuer ce repli progressif des combattants de Daech vers l’Est. Si ce repli dessine un renforcement probable de Raqqah par les combattants exfiltrés, la menace d’actions asymétriques reste présente. En Irak, Daech poursuit ses actions de harcèlement, notamment dans l’Anbar, par l’intermédiaire d’embuscades, de tirs de mortiers ou d’attaques par drones. Dans la région de Mossoul, l’encerclement progressif de l’agglomération perturbe le ravitaillement de Daech même si l’étendue de la zone ne permet pas de garantir l’étanchéité du dispositif. Dans la partie occidentale de la ville, le recul de Daech se poursuit. Près du Tigre, après la reprise de l’aéroport, les forces de police fédérale et l’ICTS continuent leur progression coordonnée vers le nord. Dans la périphérie ouest de Mossoul, les forces irakiennes avancent vers la prison de Badush et la crête d’Astanah. La résistance se durcit à mesure que le cercle se resserre et que les forces irakiennes s’approchent des zones urbanisées. A l’Est de la ville, Daech maintient ses actions de harcèlement par tirs indirects. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui aérien au Levant Point de situation sur les opérations au 02 mars 2017 Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 34 sorties aériennes dont 32 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 2 de recueil de renseignement. 11 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français, elles ont permis la destruction de 19 objectifs. En Irak, les 6 frappes se sont concentrées dans la région de Mossoul. Elles s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’appui des troupes irakiennes engagées dans l’offensive visant à reprendre la partie ouest de Mossoul. Elles ont ciblé des positions de mortier, des groupes de combattants, un dépôt logistique ainsi qu’un centre de commandement. En Syrie, 2 missions d’appui des troupes au sol ont été conduites dans la région de Raqqah et de Der Er Zawr contre des pièces d’artillerie, un véhicule suicide, blindé, chargé d’engin explosif (SVBIED). L’intervention d’une patrouille de Rafale, après détection et guidage de l’ATL2, a par ailleurs permis la destruction de 2 puits de pétrole clandestins dans le sud-est de Raqqah. Dans la région de Palmyre, 2 frappes planifiées ont été réalisées et ont permis la neutralisation d’un site de stockage de matériel militaire et d’un site de fabrication de véhicules piégés (VBIED). Appui feu – TF Wagram Cette semaine, le détachement de la Task Force (TF) Wagram déployé au nord de Mossoul a fourni un appui important aux troupes engagées au sol, avec un effort marqué à l’ouest de la ville. Les 28 missions réalisées comprennent 21 de neutralisation, destruction ou harcèlement contre des positions de combattants, des pièces de mortier ou contre des tentatives d’infiltrations en bordure du Tigre. 7 missions d’éclairement ont également été effectuées pour interdire l’utilisation du terrain par Daech. La reprise de l’offensive sur Mossoul-Ouest a marqué un tournant dans la physionomie de l’activité de la TF. Au cours des 3 dernières semaines, l’intensification des missions confiées à la TF et la proportion croissante de missions de neutralisation ou de destruction sont significatives. Cette évolution de l’activité est couplée aux progressions sur le terrain des forces de sécurité irakiennes, elle souligne l’importance et l’efficacité des appuis fournis par la partie française.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS576

Incident date

March 15, 2017

Location

جديدة خابور, Jadida Khabour, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.855278, 39.419167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Jadida Khabour village in eastern Raqqa, according to local sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “a man and a woman were killed and there was information about another woman who was killed in bombing by Coalition planes on areas in Jadida Khabour”.

The victims were named as Khabour Al-Mohammed Al-Khabour and his wife, and another woman: Houriya Al-Abdullah Al-Teef Al-Habbal. However a local tweeter claimed that Mr al-Khabour was only wounded.

Al Raqqa Truth named two further victims of a Coalition strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khabour Al-Mohammed Al-Khabour
Adult male
Houriya Al-Abdullah Al-Teef Al-Habbal
Adult female killed
Hamad al Zoueikh
Adult killed
Ahmad al Hanoush
Adult killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Tweet from @saad_alsabr claiming that Khabour Mohammed Al-Khabour was wounded and his wife Houriya Abdullah Al-buhabbal was killed due to coalition warplanes shellings in Al-Durwasha east of Raqqa.
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 Jadida Khabour, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 14th-15th: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two mortar systems, an ammunition cache, an ISIS-held building, and a weapons cache.”
For March 15th-16th: "Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a vehicle, an ISIS-held building, and an oil refinement still."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS608

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died and ten were reported injured in a claimed Coalition aerial attack on Ratla village, according to a single source.

Smart News reported that “A local source told Smart the bombing targeted the village of Ratla, killing four civilians and wounding ten others, without details of the cases of the wounded and the hospitals that were transferred to them.” Micro Syria repeated the same allegation.

The report coincided with a major aerial assault on the area around al Tabaqa Dam by SDF and Coalition forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • (via CJTFOIR)
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 Ratla village, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV043708
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 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 March 22nd-23rd: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two tactical vehicles, a fighting position, and a heavy transport equipment piece; and damaged four supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS643

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A family of six including four children and their mother and father died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mansoura.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Euphrates Post and the Shaam News Network reported that the strike hit the home of Abd al Aziz Barakat al Ahmad Al Faraj, killing his four children and his wife. Mr al Faraj also later reportedly died of his injuries.

Smart News Agency put the death toll higher, at seven, including the family of five, adding that three others were wounded.

In its April report the Syrian Network noted: “fixed wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a number of missiles at a residential house in al mansoura town in the western suburbs of al raqqa governorate which resulted in the killing of six civilians [four children and their parents] the town is under the control of ISIS.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently names the victims.

In September 2017, Human Rights Watch published the results of a field study relating to the event. This concluded that six family members died: “Relatives living nearby told Human Rights Watch that on March 30 at around 11:15 p.m. an airstrike hit the house of Abdel Aziz al-Faraj, killing him and his family. The relatives said that the family was not affiliated with ISIS and that ISIS was not present in the immediate vicinity of the house. They said that ISIS was, however, digging tunnels nearby.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Anwar Abd al Aziz al Faraj
Child killed
Alaa Abd al Aziz al Faraj
Child killed
Maria Abd al Aziz al Faraj
Child killed
Ammar Abd al Aziz al Faraj
Child killed
Lina Hamoud al Faraj al Ahmad
Child female killed
Abd al Aziz Barakat al Ahmad Al Faraj
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    GRAPHIC: the children of Abd al Aziz al Barakat al Ahmad al Faraj who were killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Mansoura, March 30th (via RBSS)
  • Rubble of a residential house that local residents said was attacked in a coalition airstrike on March 30, 2017, killing six civilians. © 2017 Ole Solvang/Human Rights Watch
  • Aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike that targeted a home in the town of Mansoura (image from Zaman Al Wasl, posted on March 30th, 2017).
  • Children that were alleged killed by Coalition shelling on a home in Mansoura (image from tweet by @Omar_Madaniah on March 30th, 2017).

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 29th-30th the Coalition noted: “Near Ar Raqqah, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; and destroyed five oil tanker trucks, three vehicles, two tractors, an oil trailer, and a tactical vehicle. Near Tabqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; and destroyed two fighting positions, a vehicle, and a tactical vehicle.“
For March 30th-31st, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a front-end loader."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS676

Incident date

April 9, 2017

Location

كسرة الفرج, Kasrat Faraj, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9096301, 38.9961433 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two people – possibly civilians – died in an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit the car they were traveling in at Kasrat Faraj, according to local media.

Step News noted “a dawn raid by Coalition forces today which targeted a car carrying two people in the village of Kasrat Faraj south of the city, which led to their deaths immediately.”

The combatant status of the victims remains unclear.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties. (1305)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 9th-10th: the Coalition did not report any strikes near Raqqa. It noted that “Near Tabqah, 14 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed five vehicles, two fighting positions, and a VBIED; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • April 9, #CJTFOIR conducted 27 strikes consisting of 89 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria & Iraq (via CJTFOIR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS709

Incident date

April 19, 2017

Location

حي الاسكندرية, Al Iskanderia, Al Tabaqa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.813889, 38.547222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and five civilians died and up to seven more were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqa, local media reported.

According to Syria Mirror, “field activists said that the Coalition aircraft launched several air raids on the residential communities in the city of Al Tabaqa, killing seven people, including two members of IS and wounding others”.

The Smart News Network also pointed towards the Coalition, reporting that it carried out five raids which killed four non-combatants and wounded seven more.

TunisiaTV and Moheet also said that “Syrian opposition sources reported the killing of two people and wounding others in the bombing of the Daheyat Alexandria, south of the city of Tabaqa in rural Raqqa”, though the sources didn’t identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Iskanderia neighbourhood (حي الاسكندرية) of the city of Al Tabaqa ( الطبقة‎, also known as Al Thawra, الثورة‎), for which the coordinates are: 35.8295049, 38.5360909. The coordinates for the Al Iskanderia neighbourhood are: 35.813889, 38.547222.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV592635
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 18th-19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

For April 19th-20th: “Near Tabqah, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed five ISIS oil tankers, two command and control nodes, two fighting positions, one tunnel, one ISIS-held building, and one VBIED facility; and damaged a fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]