US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CS193

Incident date

March 24, 2016

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

One civilian was reported killed in the Al Dar’iya area of central Raqaa, in an alleged Coalition strike.

According to Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered, “International coalition planes yesterday targeted a weapons depot belonging to Daesh near Hod al Furat garage in Al Dar’iya area in the city centre of Raqqa which led to its total destruction and the martyrdom of one person from Ain Issa, along with the injury of Mohammad Al Shalash by shrapnel in his waist.“

However in a tweet the next day showing destruction at the site, the group simply reported “an airstrike.” No Coalition strikes have publicly been reported in the vicinity in this period, suggesting that either Russia or the Assad regime may instead have been responsible.

In their February 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Translation: coalition aggression carries out three raids targeting the outskirts of Raqqa until now. (via Zeynisajda)
  • Translation: American planes today openly worked with Russian and regime planes in bombing Palmyra and Al Raqqa. (via Zeynisajda)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • March 24, 2016, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2927/CS193 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No Coalition strikes have publicly been reported for Raqqa governorate between March 23rd-25th 2016.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Update from UK MoD for Thursday 24 March: ‘Thursday 24 March – Tornados destroyed a mortar team that was firing on Kurdish forces in northern Iraq, while a Reaper destroyed a vehicle in eastern Syria…The following day [Thursday 24 March], Tornados were again active over Qayyarah; working in close cooperation with a coalition surveillance aircraft, they were able to successfully engage with a Paveway a Daesh mortar team that had opened fire on Kurdish forces. Across the border in eastern Syria, a Reaper used a Hellfire missile in a successful attack on a Daesh vehicle.’

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS192

Incident date

March 19, 2016

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

In a second day of airstrikes on Raqqa, 43 civilians were reported killed and 60 injured – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one report suggesting this may be a Coalition incident.

The Daesh agency Al A’maq said there had been nine raids by Russia on various “crowded” neighborhoods in the city, killing 43 and wounding 60. They published graphic footage of the event. Al Jazeera also blamed Russia, reporting that warplanes had carried out nine raids, killing more thna 40 and injuring dozens more.

An initial report by Shaam News Network spoke of a “terrible massacre against unarmed civilians conducted by air raids thought to be Russian“. However, a second report said this was either a Russian or Coalition incident: “…the city came under dozens of air raids from aircraft believed to be a Russian or an international coalition.” A subsequent report by SNN also referred to the incident in Raqqa on March 18th, adding: “Activists said the air raids targeted civilian areas and public squares directly away from the headquarters of the organization, resulting in 20 martyrs yesterday [March 18th], but today more than 20 have been killed and dozens more wounded, packing the hospitals in the city.” It said that the focus of the airstrikes was “on Karnak Square in Tel Abiyad Street and Al Ferdous neighbourhood, Al Mourour street and Al Sina’iya area and al Thakana“.

Initial reports by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently did not say who who carried out the raids, though further reports alleged Russia was responsible for nine strikes – killing 43 civilians and wounding 60 more – which targeted the following areas:

1.Alkarnak Square in Tel Abyad Street – targeted with three missiles, one of them behind behind Alandalus bakery, another on the square and a third on Alkarnak mall.

2. Alssinaea area

3. The area next to Alnnawawi mosque.

4. The park of 4th of April, Alsleby building

5. Neighborhood of althukna – Hospitality Palace Road

6. Alfirdaws neighborhood – the Chamber of Commerce – the corner of the children’s park

9. National Hospital

10. Panorama area

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the regime was to blame:”The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has accused the Assad regime of targeting civilian areas in IS-controlled areas. It said that the regime carried out airstrikes against Raqqa, an IS stronghold, on March 18 and 19, killing 32 civilians, including six children. The targets were civilian areas, with no military or weapons facilities in the vicinity.”

Sky News – citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – reported: “At least 39 people, including five children and seven women, were killed in an air strike which targeted several areas in the Syrian city of Raqqa.The Syrian Observatory said it was unclear whether the warplanes were Russian regime.”

Both the BBC and France24 also cited the Observatory in their reports.

RBSS named the following victims:

Issa Al Karat – an agricultural engineer (also named by SN4HR)

Abdallah Mahmoud al Nijm – killed in a raid that targeted Al Mourour street (also named by SN4HR)

Ibrahim Al Rawaba, – “70 years old, after he was hit with shrapnel in his head which caused him a coma following the bombing a week ago near the police gas station“.

Additionally, an individual called Alaa Al Fahad posted a reply on RBSS with a photo of a victim: “Mohammad Khalaf Al Zagheer martyred yesterday in the criminal regime bombing on Raqqa. He is from the village of al Assadiya“.

Raqqa Post named an additional nine victims.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Al-Rashed
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Al-Rashed's mother
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Ruba
Age unknown female daughters of Abu Waddah Al-Sukhni killed
Amira
Age unknown female daughters of Abu Waddah Al-Sukhni killed

Family members (2)

Um Muhannad
Age unknown female wife of Haj Mohammed killed
Um Muhannad's son
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Issa Al Karat
Adult male An agricultural engineer killed
Abdallah Mahmoud al Nijm
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Al Rawaba
70 years old male killed
Ammar Al-Mufdi
Age unknown male killed
Aziza Al-Qadro
Age unknown female killed
Ali
Age unknown male Son of Waddah killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 43
  • (5 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The al Lailat building in al Thakana neighbourhood, Raqqa, after it was targeted by a raid on March 19th (via RBSS)
  • 'The agricultural engineer Issa Al Karat martyred in the air raids on the city of Raqqa this morning [Mar 19th]' (via RBSS)
  • Abdullah Mahmood Al-Najim (Via RBSS)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 43
  • (5 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS738 CS192

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949949, 39.007363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a second day of airstrikes on Raqqa, 43 civilians were reported killed and 60 injured – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one report suggesting this may be a Coalition incident.

The Daesh agency Al A’maq said there had been nine raids by Russia on various “crowded” neighborhoods in the city, killing 43 and wounding 60. They published graphic footage of the event. Al Jazeera also blamed Russia, reporting that warplanes had carried out nine raids, killing more thna 40 and injuring dozens more.

An initial report by Shaam News Network spoke of a “terrible massacre against unarmed civilians conducted by air raids thought to be Russian“. However, a second report said this was either a Russian or Coalition incident: “…the city came under dozens of air raids from aircraft believed to be a Russian or an international coalition.” A subsequent report by SNN also referred to the incident in Raqqa on March 18th, adding: “Activists said the air raids targeted civilian areas and public squares directly away from the headquarters of the organization, resulting in 20 martyrs yesterday [March 18th], but today more than 20 have been killed and dozens more wounded, packing the hospitals in the city.” It said that the focus of the airstrikes was “on Karnak Square in Tel Abiyad Street and Al Ferdous neighbourhood, Al Mourour street and Al Sina’iya area and al Thakana“.

Initial reports by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently did not say who who carried out the raids, though  further reports alleged Russia was responsible for nine strikes – killing 43 civilians and wounding 60 more – which targeted the following areas:

1.Alkarnak Square in Tel Abyad Street – targeted with three missiles, one of them behind behind Alandalus bakery, another on the square and a third on Alkarnak mall.

2. Alssinaea area

3. The area next to Alnnawawi mosque.

4. The park of 4th of April, Alsleby building

5. Neighborhood of althukna – Hospitality Palace Road

6. Alfirdaws neighborhood – the Chamber of Commerce – the corner of the children’s park

9. National Hospital

10. Panorama area

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the regime was to blame:”The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has accused the Assad regime of targeting civilian areas in IS-controlled areas. It said that the regime carried out airstrikes against Raqqa, an IS stronghold, on March 18 and 19, killing 32 civilians, including six children. The targets were civilian areas, with no military or weapons facilities in the vicinity.”

Sky News – citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – reported: “At least 39 people, including five children and seven women, were killed in an air strike which targeted several areas in the Syrian city of Raqqa.The Syrian Observatory said it was unclear whether the warplanes were Russian regime.”

Both the BBC and France24 also cited the Observatory in their reports.

In their February 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Al-Rashed
Age unknown male killed
Zahra al-Faihan, mother of Mohammed Al-Rashed
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Ruba, daughter of Abu Waddah Al-Sukhni
Age unknown female killed
Amira, daughter of Abu Waddah Al-Sukhni
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Issa Al Karat
Adult male Agricultural engineer killed
Abdallah Mahmoud al Nijm
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Al Rawaba
70 years old male killed
Mohammad Khalaf Al Zagheer
Age unknown male From the village of al Assadiya killed
Ammar Al-Mufdi
Age unknown male killed
Um Muhannad
Adult female Wife of Haj Mohammed killed
Aziza Al-Qadro
Age unknown female killed
Hamudi, son of Abu Mohammed
Age unknown male killed
Ali, son of Um Waddah
Age unknown male killed
Tala’at Mohammad Amin Hussein al Assa’ad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 43
  • (5 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The al Lailat building in al Thakana neighbourhood, Raqqa, after it was targeted by a raid on March 19th (via RBSS)
  • 'The agricultural engineer Issa Al Karat martyred in the air raids on the city of Raqqa this morning [Mar 19th]' (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via al-Jazeera)
  • Mohammad Khalaf Al Zagheer, victim of the air strikes targeting Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Abdallah Mahmoud al Nijm, victim died in air strikes fired on Al Mrour Street in Raqqa (via SN4HR)
  • Tala’at Mohammad Amin Hussein al Assa’ad, victim of the air strikes targeting Raqqa (via Palmyra News Network facebook page)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 19t-20th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • March 19, 2016, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2925/CS192 37SEV008784

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 43
  • (5 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS736 CS191

Incident date

March 18, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949949, 39.007363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 15 and 20 civilians including up to eight children and five women died in airstrikes on Ar Raqqah, according to multiple local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one source suggesting the warplanes responsible may have belonged to the Coalition.

According to the Daesh agency Al A’maq,  Russian raids targeted five locations in the city (including near a mosque), killing 17 civilians including five women and seven children, in addition to wounding 35 more. It added that the incident occurred “a day after the killing of five Russian soldiers at the hands of the Islamic State fighters during the battles near the city of Palmyra in the Homs countryside.” The source also posted photographs of some of the slain Russian soldiers.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published numerous posts on the incident, though reporting was confused. It initially referred only to “warplanes” and did not say who they belonged to. However subsequent reports blamed the regime, while another post referred to the “massacres of the Russian aviation on Raqqa” (referring also to an incident the following day – March 19th – in Raqqa). It said that there had been eight raids targeting residential neighborhoods, including the following locations:

1. The buildings near Al Amin nursery in  Al Thakana nursery

2. The area near Sanaa Mouhaidali nursery north of the town centre

3. Almojma’a Square

4. Behind Rabiea new school

5. Archaeological market area near the cemetery of Hittin

6. Silos area

7. Neighborhood of althukna

8. The Wall area

9. Police station

10. Behind al Hanni mosque

11. Behind al Mansouri mosque

RBSS put the overall death toll at 20 including five women and seven children with nearly 30 wounded, some in critical condition. It noted the severity of the situation: “the medical sector in Raqqa is paralyzed and relying on all the private hospitals that do not have big absorptive ability to receive the injured and the shortage of medical staff in those hospitals in addition to the scarcity of medicines and the lack of any possibility to transport the injured out of Raqqa.”

In its own initial reports, Shaam News said that Russian strikes coincided with worshipers leaving afternoon prayers, killing 20 civilians. However, in a third report, SNN said the strikes could have been the work of either Russia or the Coalition: “Raqqa city under the control of IS has witnessed an escalated [sic] of the air campaign during the past two days which is still ongoing, where the city came under dozens of air raids from aircraft believed to be either  Russian or an international coalition.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed regime warplanes, putting the death toll at “at least 15 victims including 7 children and 5 women“, adding that they were killed in the Al Thakana neighborhood.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,  at least 16 people were killed including eight children and five women, but added that is was “unknown if they were Russian, Syrian regime or International coalition warplanes“.

In their February 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ali Ibrahim al Hareeth
Age unknown male killed
Sister of Ali Ibrahim al Hareeth
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

The wife of Abdallah al Rashed
Adult female killed
The son Ahmad al Rashed
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

 Zahra al Faihan
Adult female killed
Mohammad Abdallah Al Rashed
Age unknown male Son of Zahra al Faihan killed

The victims were named as:

Mounaf Abd Al Aziz
Adult male killed
Khaled Al Hamada
10 years old male killed
Mohammad Al Khaled Al Qadroua
Child male killed
Mohammad Izz al din al Nazal
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 20
  • (3 children3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition, US-led Coalition

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • 'The child Mohammad Eiz Al Din Nazzal from Al Thakana neighborhood in Raqqa city, died in March 25, due to his wounds from regime warplanes shelling on Al Thakana neighborhood in March 18.' (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via al-Amaq)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via al-Amaq)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook page)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook page)
  • Victim of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently Facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via Sin News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the air strikes targeting Raqqa (via Majid_aboryan twitter)
  • Rescuing team in the aftermath of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via ElDorar AlShamia twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via Nemesis Arcady)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via Raqqa_SL twitter)
  • Mohammad Al Khaled Al Qadroua, victim of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently facebook page)
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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006783
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • March 18, 2016, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2926/CS191 37SEV006783

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 20
  • (3 children3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition, US-led Coalition

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS001

Incident date

March 14, 2016

Location

جكة, Jakka, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.607222, 37.295833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Daesh-linked propaganda outlet Al A’amaq Media, reported an alleged ‘friendly fire’ event in the village of al Jakka: “An American plane carries out a raid by mistake on a position for the armed opposition on the outskirts of the village of Jakka in the northern Aleppo countryside, leading to deaths in their ranks.”

Earlier in the day Al A’amaq had reported a major assault on the Daesh-held location, claiming that “American planes and Turkish artillery are bombing the village of Jakka in the northern Aleppo countryside, while Syrian opposition forces try to storm it.”

No civilian casualties were reported in this instance.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jakka (جكة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.607222, 37.295833. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS190 RS734a

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Location

أبو قلقل, Abu Qalqal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.434629, 38.091094 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on the town of Abu Kalkal. Opinion was split as to whether the attack was Russian, Coalition or Syrian regime in origin.

Daesh-linked Al A’amaq Media, the Syrian Observatory, the Syrian Network, the Syrian Human Rights Committee, Shaam News and al Hall Media all said the attack was by the Coalition.

Free Syria TV, Baladi News and Qasioun described the event as the work of Russia. And al Souria insisted that “warplanes belonging to the regime carried out raids on the two villages of Abu Kalkal and Al A’rima… which led to the death of 4 people and the injury of others.”

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.43462, 38.09109

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Abu Qalqal
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA1853332540
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • March 13, 2016, near Abu Qalqal, Syria, via Airwars report (previously closed, but reopened due to new information). After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 151/CS190 37SDA1853332540

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 12th-13th 2016,the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece, three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL mortar position, and an ISIL fighting position.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS189

Incident date

March 12, 2016

Location

Al Mashlab, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9449373, 39.0474701 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Al A’amaq Media – linked to Daesh – “A child and his father were killed in a raid by an unmanned American plane on the outskirts of Raqqa city.”

No other sources in the city reported civilian casualties. However Raqqa is Being Slaughtered did note that “An unmanned plane targets a Daesh pickup truck east of the city of Raqqa in Al Mashlab neighbourhood.”

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition said there was not enough evidence showing civilians were killed in the strike: “Mar. 12, 2016, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 12th-13th 2016, the Coalition has confirmed that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.“

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS720 CS188

Incident date

March 10, 2016

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians including a girl and a woman died in airstrikes on the town of Khusham. While the majority of the sources allege that this was a Coalition incident, other reports say Russia was responsible.

According to Free Deir Ezzor, Russian raids targeting oil fields in Khusham killed two civilians displaced from Qaryatain, Homs: “Abir Mohamamd al Farrah and the child Shaymaa Hassan al Ammar“. It claimed that the death toll had reached 20, including eight children – though no other sources alleged this tally. A tweet by With God’s Help We Will Triumph and Al Qaryatain Round the Clock also blamed Russia.

However, according to a tweet by Rania Daughter of Douma, these two people died in an alleged Coalition raid. Other sources also alleged that the Coalition was responsible. These included Homs Deir Ba’alba and Syria Rebels Gathering. Hassan Kanjo, self-described as an independent journalist, reported “a very violent bombing the extent of which has never been seen before in the city of Deir Ezzor by coalition planes“, while Aletihad Press said that Coalition warplanes carried out several raids killing “a number of civilians” including the six-year-old girl. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two civilians from the province of Homs were killed in a strike on the city of Deir Ezzor” – and said that the Coalition carried out the raid.

Homs Media Center and SYRCU were among other sources blaming the Coalition, however, Shouqi Sabra said that Russia was responsible.

In their February 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abir Mohamamd al Farrah
Adult female killed
Shaymaa Hassan al Ammar
Child female Child of Abir Mohammed al-Farrah killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 20
  • (1–8 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Martyred: Shymaa Hassan Abd al Kafi al Ammar and the wife of Mohammad Abd al Kafi al Ammar. Their house was bombed by Russian planes" (via With God’s Help We Will Triumph' twitter)
  • "Abir Adallah al Farra and the child Shaymaa Hasan al Ammar martyred in coalition raids targeting Kisham village in the countryside of Deir Ezzor" (via Rania Daughter of Douma twitter)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV174073
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • March 10, 2016, in Khusham, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2924/CS188 37SFV174073

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in Khusam city for March 9th-10th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 20
  • (1–8 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]