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

CS076

Incident date

June 11, 2015

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.60534, 39.12188 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians were killed by US aircraft at Slouk in Raqaa’s suburbs.

Al Hal quoted Abu Ibrahim Al Raquaou of the group Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently as saying that as part of an operation to clear Slouk of Daesh militants, Coalition planes had “targeted IS machinery near the Slouk Front and its operations killed several civilians, amongst them two women and several children in their homes in the town.” Others reported that the dead were all from one family.

The head of the family was later named as Yusuf Al Sayid, who according to RBSS died alongside his two wives and five children.

A single source also reported that another civilian male, was killed nearby in a strike at Junction Alkntra.

On January 15th 2016, CENTCOM conceded that US aircraft had killed at least three civilians during this strike: “On June 11, 2015, near Soluk, Syria, during strikes against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that three unidentified civilians were killed.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Yusuf Al Sayid
Adult male killed
Wife 1 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Adult female killed
Wife 2 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Adult female killed
Child 1 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed
Child 2 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed
Child 3 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed
Child 4 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed
Child 5 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Adult killed nearby in a strike at Junction Alkntra killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–5 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Residents of Tal Abyad region reportedly fleeing fighting between Islamic State and YPG Kurds June 13th 2015 (SNN)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.59539, 39.128559

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
    3
  • Stated location
    near Soluk, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA109511
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 15, 2016
  • On June 11, 2015, near Soluk, Syria, during strikes against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that three unidentified civilians were killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Heavy coalition was reported at Raqaa. For June 10th-11th 2015 CJTF-OIR noted: “Near Ar Raqqah, seven airstrikes struck six ISIL tactical units, destroying seven ISIL improvised rocket assisted munitions, two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL resupply points, two ISIL VBIEDs, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL VBIED warehouse.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–5 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS075

Incident date

June 10, 2015

Location

عربيد, A'rbeed, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.5716306, 39.1553861 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition strike near the ISIL-occupied village of A’rbeed was said by the Syrian Network for Human Rights to have killed three civilians in a farmhouse – a 43 year old man and his two wives.

Two other sites described Coalition strikes in the vicinity, though did not refer to civilian deaths.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

43 years old male killed
42 years old female Youssef's first wife killed
33 years old female Youssef's second wife killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports mention the incident took place near the village of Al Arbeed (عربيد), Ar Raqqah Governorate. The incident was first reported on June 10th, 2015 (same day as the incident) by Syrian Documentation centre. The website has since been taken down. Structural damage can be seen on satellite imagery for the following location: 36.5716306, 39.1553861, however, this is more likely to be linked to an incident that took place on June 19, 2015 (CS082)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Stated location
    Arbeed, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA139473
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • June 10, 2015, Arbeed, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

A number of Coalition strikes were confirmed in the Ar Raqqa area during the relevant period. For June 9th-10th 2015 it was reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL armored vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS074

Incident date

June 7, 2015

Location

دالي حسن, Dali Hasan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.56301, 38.369558 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights posted a video which it said showed “the destruction caused by an international Coalition air strike on a house in Dali Hasan killing seven civilians from one family, including 5 children and a woman.”

In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters firing on friendly forces from a moving vehicle. Coalition aircraft executed a strike on the vehicle in self-defense of the friendly forces. Regrettably, it is more likely than not that seven civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity to the blast.”

The Syrian Observatory also attributed the event to the Coalition, with the event occuring at 4am. Villagers were afraid to approach the house for four hours for fear of more strikes, it was later reoprted by eyewitnesses.

Those killed were a man and his wife along with their six children, named by Halab News as Tahani (aged 12), Fatima (11), Aboud (9), Mohammad (aged 5), Ziad aged two and an unnamed infant.

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

The incident occured at approximately 4:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Adult male killed
Adult female Eisa's wife killed
Tahani
12 years old female killed
Fatima
11 years old female killed
Aboud
9 years old male killed
Mohammad
5 years old male killed
Ziad
2 years old male killed
Infant
Age unknown child of Eisa and Lamia killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged coalition strike on Dali Hasan in Aleppo, June 7th 2015. [Via: SN4HR]
  • The image of the house targeted in Dali Hasan village. [Via: IS-affiliated Al'A'amaq news agency]

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dali Hasan (دالي حسن) near Sareen (صرين), Aleppo Governorate. Airwars was unable to locate Dali Hasan (دالي حسن), but geolocated images of the incident to the exact location of the destroyed building: 36.56301, 38.369558, in the village of Ra’s al Ayn al Qibli (رأس العين القبلي)

  • Village of Ra's al Ayn al Qibli (رأس العين القبلي) with the building marked in red

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Composite of stills taken from video, allegedly of the incident

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Syrian Network for Human Rights

  • Satellite imagery showing structural damage (left: 4 February, 2014; right: 17 May 2016)

    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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    7
  • Stated location
    near Dali Hasan, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA436466
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • June 7, 2015, near Dali Hasan, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters firing on friendly forces from a moving vehicle. Coalition aircraft executed a strike on the vehicle in self-defense of the friendly forces. Regrettably, it is more likely than not that seven civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity to the blast.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition reported a single strike in the vicinity of Aleppo for June 6th-7th 2015: “Near Aleppo, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL ant-aircraft artillery piece and an ISIL fighting position.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS073

Incident date

June 3, 2015

Location

أم حجرة, Umm Hajarah, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.08042, 40.75917 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilian men were reported killed in a combined ground and air assault on the village of Umm Hajra.

The Hassakah Youth Union blamed the attack jointly on Kurdish ground forces – which it said had mortared the town – as well as Coalition airstrikes: “This is even though the village is free from the presence of Daesh, who withdrew to Mount Abdulaziz after [Kurdish] militia units took control of nearby Al A’lia.

 

The incident was first reported on June 3, 2015 at 7:17 pm by Hassakah Youth Union Facebook page.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Umm Hajarah (أم حجرة), Al Hasakah area

  • Umm Hajarah (أم حجرة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 2nd-3rd 2015, the Coalition noted that “Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck one large and one small ISIL tactical unit, destroying six ISIL fighting positions.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS071

Incident date

May 26, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95088, 39.00887 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During a series of Coalition airstrikes against Islamic State in the vicinity of Ar Raqqah, a checkpoint was bombed at around 2pm. According to reports, a minibus carrying female agricultural workers was caught in the blast, killing between 6 and 10 women and reportedly injuring at least four. All of the female victims were reported to come from the nearby village of Hunaida. Two men also reportedly died, described both as militants and as civilians..

As one news site noted, “At the moment it’s the harvest season in the countryside of Raqqah, and dozens of women would be working the land at this period. They are often transported in cars that carry dozens at a time.”

Islamic State published an interview with a man said to be a medic, who said: “At 14:00 in the afternoon today, the crusader coalition carried out a raid on civilians which led to the deaths and injury of many people. The wounded were transported to the General Hospital in the city of Ar Raqqah, where they were treated. Some had light injuries and others were dead. We tell the crusader coalition didn’t you say you were here to help the weak? And here you are bombing civilians. We here in the hospitals are receiving victims, all of them Muslim Arabs.”

On July 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “May 26, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS staging area, it was assessed that six civilians were unintentionally killed and two were injured after their vehicles entered the target area after the munition was released.”

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

The incident occured at 14:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • (6–10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Image published by ISIL reportedly showing vehicle destroyed in 'coalition airstrike', May 26 2015

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    6
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008785
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • May 26, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS staging area, it was assessed that six civilians were unintentionally killed and two were injured after their vehicles entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition has confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity for May 26th-27th 2015, noting: “Near Ar Raqqah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL training camp and an ISIL staging area.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • (6–10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS072

Incident date

May 26, 2015

Location

رأس العين, Road between Al I'dwania and Raja’an, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.0029376, 40.3580189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of sources reported that a “civilian car” was struck “on the road between Al I’dwania and Raja’an,” near Al Hassakah, killing a family of four. Those killed were described as a man, his wife, mother and daughter – all from the village of Raja A’an in Ras al-Ain.

 

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Adult male from the village of Raja'an killed
Adult female from the village of Raja'an killed
Adult female from the village of Raja'an killed
Child female from the village of Raja'an killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention “the road between Al Idwania (العدوانية) and Raja’an,” (طريق العدوانية – رجعان), near Al Hassakah. The road itself is not marked on maps, but the coordinates for Raja’an (رجعان) are: 36.0029376, 40.3580189. NOTE: a possible location for Al Idwania (العدوانية) could be: 36.7003565, 39.6532631. However, this is near the Syrian/Turkish border, 100 km away and therefore unlikely to be correct. Sirajpress reported that the strike occurred in the “afternoon.” However, the incident was first reported at 13:50, May 26th, 2015 local time, on the Hassakah Youth Union Facebook page, which suggests that the incident occurred early afternoon, or in fact in the morning

  • The village of Raja'an (رجعان)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition has confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity, for May 26th-27th 2015, including one which targeted a vehicle: “Near Al Hasakah, four airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS070

Incident date

May 24, 2015

Location

أبو شاخات, Abu Sheikhat, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.6486405, 39.7386003 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Kurdish ground offensive backed by Coalition strikes reportedly killed six civilians in Abu Sheikhat and Tal Nass villages, to the west of Ras al-Ain.

Among those reported killed at Abu Sheikhat were a young female child and three non combatant men.

At nearby Tal Nass village, Adalah also alleged that two children were killed and one wounded from the Al Mir’i family, after an airstrike targeted an ISIL bulldozer.

Zaman reported that a number of civilians had been caught in Coalition strikes after failing to flee the village, for fear that surrounding areas remained occupied by ISIL.

In a rare reference to potential civilian casualties in an incident, the Coalition blamed at least some civcas on the destruction of an ISIL vehicle-borne IED, noting that “Kurdish fighters reported an ISIL VBIED detonation which resulted in an undetermined number of civilians injured in the area.”

Yet two years later, the Coalition claimed there was insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “May 24, 2015, near Abu Sheikhat, 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.”

Airwars has requested additional information form the Coalition, and continues to assess this event as likely.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Child female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children3 men)
  • 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 (4) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Abu Sheikhat, 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

For May 23rd-24th 2015, the Coalition noted that “Near Al Hasakah, nine airstrikes struck two large and three small ISIL tactical units, destroying eight ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL vehicles, an ISIL tank and an ISIL armored vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children3 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS069

Incident date

May 20, 2015

Location

التوامة, Tawama, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19327, 36.80928 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Al Jazeera and others, a Coalition strike on the al Nusra Front at al Tawama destroyed a number of civilian buildings, killing as many as seven inhabitants. Fifteen alleged militants – most described as ‘Turks’ – also died in the attack which reportedly struck two separate locations in the village. According to Sana Revolution, an additional four civilians also died at the second location.

However SN4HR reported only one civilian fatality, that of a 9-year old girl who was the niece of al-Nusra commander Bader al Dakas who later described her death: “My niece and my sister were staying with me in the house. Most of the time we’re not in the house, we’re on the battlefield so this is considered a civilian house. She was hit by shrapnel and was killed yesterday around six in the evening. She was on the roof when it happened and she was martyred. She was 9 years old.”

According to al Watan “Witnesses from the village reported that a plane believed to be an F-16, flew over head for more than a quarter of an hour, before carrying out two consecutive raids on Al-Nusra Front’s base.”

On May 22, 2015, only two days after the alleged incident, a Coalition spokesperson confirmed to Airwars that it had “conducted airstrikes against terrorist compounds near the village of Al Tawama, Syria, May 20.” However, they declined to say whether any specific investigation into alleged civilian casualties was underway. On May 24, 2016 the Coalition again confirmed the Tawama strike in a public statement and added, “there were no observed women, children or non-combatants in the compounds at the time“. To date, Airwars has seen no record of an investigation either by the Coalition or CENTCOM. We remain unclear as to why.

The incident occured at approximately 6:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

niece of al-Nusra commander Bader al Dakas
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 11
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Scene of a May 20 alleged airstrike which reportedly killed 7 civilians at , Syria (SNN)
  • Scene of a May 20 alleged airstrike which reportedly killed 7 civilians at , Syria (SNN)
  • Scene of a May 20 alleged airstrike which reportedly killed 7 civilians at , Syria (SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Badr al Nakas' niece, the only named victim of a Coalition strike on May 20th (via SN4HR)
    Badr al Nakas' niece, the only named victim of a Coalition strike on May 20th (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes (6) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tawama (التوامة), of which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 36.19327, 36.80928. Satellite imagery from April 2016, taken 10 months after the incident, shows visible structural damage in the area, in comparison to satellite imagery taken prior to the incident. In addition, using Google Earth Terrain ground view, Airwars was able to geolocate images provided by media, further verifying the location of the incident.

  • The village of Tawama (التوامة), showing visible structural damage (left: 26 August, 2014; right: 29 April, 2016)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • East of the village of Tawama (التوامة), showing visible structural damage (left: 26 August, 2014; right: 29 April, 2016)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • West of the village of Tawama (التوامة), showing visible structural damage (left: 26 August, 2014; right: 29 April, 2016)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Google Earth ground view matches the image (camera facing South West, late afternoon to early evening)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Google Earth ground view matches the image (camera facing South West, late afternoon to early evening)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Geolocation based on the matching Google Earth ground view

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Although daily reports only referred to a strike “near Aleppo” the coalition has since told Airwars that it did conduct a strike at the specific location: “We can confirm the coalition conducted airstrikes against terrorist compounds near the village of Al Tawama, Syria, May 20.” [email to Airwars, May 22 2015.]

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 11
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]