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

CS1862

Incident date

November 29, 2018

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.592522, 40.937685 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted Yarmouk Women’s Hospital and killed between 10 and 45 civilians, including women, children and medical staff in addition to members of ISIS.

According to AE24, a source in the Deir Ezzor civil council of the Syrian opposition said that “more than 40 civilians were killed, in addition to a number of medical staff, including a Russian doctor working with Daash, and wounded dozens more in air strikes on the Yarmouk hospital in the vicinity of the 24th Street East of Deir al-Zour on Thursday. ”

Euphrates Post reported that among the victims were volunteer doctors as well. Smart News put the death toll at a total of 45 people killed in the attack.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, among the dead were at least 10 civilians including three children and five women. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 45
  • (3 children5 women)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video depicting the destruction of Yarmouk Women’s Hospital and several bodies being pulled from the rubble (posted by Free Deir Ezzor Radio on November 29th, 2018).
  • 'More than 20 people were killed by the bombing of the International Alliance of a Women's Hospital (Yarmouk Hospital) in the town of Al-Sha'afa in the south-east of Deir al-Zour, according to sources close to Daesh.'
  • A mosaic image based off the video found online, which allegedly shows the destruction of Yarmouk Hospital. (Via Bellingcat)
  • Location of the attack, where the hospital is, before the bombing. (Via Bellingcat).
  • Location of the attack after the bombing on the hospital. (via Bellingcat).
  • Imagery shows three craters on the main road. Northeast from the second crater, which is located towards the center of the image, a building, which is assumed to be Yarmouk Hospital, is completely destroyed. (via Bellingcat)
  • Before image of the location of Yarmouk hospital. (via Bellingcat).
  • Deir Ezzor Radio news about the targeting of the hospital. (Used by Bellingcat)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 29th 2018, the US-led Coalition publicly reported the following: "On Nov. 29 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes consisting of 28 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 18 strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 15 supply routes, four vehicles, one command and control center, three fuel trucks, one piece of heavy equipment and two staging areas."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For November 28th-Dec 4th, the Dutch MoD reported that its F-16's supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 9 missions. Weapons were deployed during 7 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting vehicles, logistical places and ISIS fighters.

In het overzicht van 28 Nov- 4 Dec laat MinDef weten tijdens 9 missies F-16's te hebben ingezet ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Bij 7 missies boven Deir al Zour in Syrie werden wapens ingezet. Voertuigen, logistieke plaatsen en IS-strijders zijn geraakt.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 45
  • (3 children5 women)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1569

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

al Qitar Street north of city centre, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961828, 39.010559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 45 civilians reportedly died and 15 were wounded following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes to the north of Raqqah city, at the outskirts of the al-Tawassiya area. The victims were “gathered around a water well on Qitar (train) street” collecting water “due to the ongoing water cuts in the city for more than three months” local sources said.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that the two remaining water wells in neighbourhoods controlled by the so-called Islamic State organizations were now out of service.

The lowest claimed death toll at 13 was reported by Raqqa24, the Syrian Network for Human Rights placed the toll at 16 whilst The Syrian Observatory documented 18 killed, including women and children. All other sources alleged 21 killed, with UNOCHA reporting up to 45 killed.

Al Jazeera noted the original report of the incident was released by the so-called Islamic State organization.

Sources who spoke to Al Bawaba said “The raids of the international coalition and the bombing of the Syrian Democratic Forces destroyed the water tanks that went out of service, and was targeting the last bakeries in the city for days.”

All sources suspected the US-led Coalition carried out the airstrike. However the Coalition itself pushed back, with the official spokesman openly attacking an AFP tweet: “To clarify: this is an ALLEGATION from a single source. takes extraordinary efforts to protect civilians & strike valid mil targets”

The UN however directly accused the Coalition of the event, reporting that “In early October, and preceding the SDF reported control over Ar -Raqqa city, intensified airstrikes and heavy shelling continued to result in civilian deaths, widespread destruction, and deteriorating humanitarian conditions for civilians remaining in Ar-Raqqa city. More than 400 airstrikes over a two-day period during the first week of October were reported, with airstrikes reportedly killing more than 70 people in Al Bado and Suhada’a neighborhoods. On 2 October, an airstrike hit a water well located in the outskirts of the Al Tawassoiya area in the north of Raqqa city, reportedly killing 45 civilians.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 45
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–15
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Response from the OIR spokesman to the allegation

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a water well on Al Qitar street (القطار). This could refer to a water tower at a water company or administration on that street, located north of the city centre on the outskirts of the neighbourhood of Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة). This was one of the few remaining water towers that was not destroyed at that time, the coordinates for this water tower are: 35.957566, 39.011378.  A second water tower on Al Qitar street was also still standing, the coordinates for this tower are: 35.963037,39.009959.  In addition, other sources mention a “water well in Al Hadiqa Al Bayda which is in Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة) area” 

  • The two water towers on Al Qitar street (القطار) located north of the city centre on the outskirts of the neighbourhood of Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة).

    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
Official source

For October 2nd – 3rd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and three ISIS supply routes.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 2, near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units, destroyed nine fighting positions and damaged five fighting positions.” And that “On Oct. 2, Near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 45
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–15
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1385

Incident date

August 18, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media sources reported on the death of up to 46 civilians and 60 others wounded following suspected Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa over the previous 48 hours.

According to a report by the Thiqa Agency the “shelling focused on civilian homes and residential neighbourhoods”. These are general numbers and it is likely that they will encompass other civilian casualty reports that Airwars has documented.

Again reporting general numbers, the Syrian Observatory said on August 21st that “the number of people who were killed by bombing by warplanes of the International Coalition in areas in the city of Al-Raqqah has increased to 39 people at least, including 11 children and 9 citizen women”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 46
  • (3–11 children2–9 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • # Raqqa 46 martyrs and more than 60 wounded by the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on the city of Raqqa during the past two days
  • 46 people were killed and 60 injured in the rubble, which was besieged by coalition forces during the day and yesterday, according to a medical source from inside the city

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident solely mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35,9505639, 39,0094148. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 17th-18th: “Near Raqqah, 18 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions, three ISIS communication lines and two logistics nodes.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 17, near Raqqah, Syria, 19 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 13 fighting positions, four command and control nodes, two IEDs, and a heavy machine gun.” And that “On Aug. 17, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 18 August – Tornados destroyed a booby-trapped building in eastern Syria, Typhoons and Tornados dealt with a sniper team in Raqqa…On Friday 18 August, Tornados were tasked with the destruction of a heavily booby-trapped building discovered in eastern Syria, south of Al Hasakah, which was too dangerous to approach. The building was destroyed with a Paveway which safely detonated the concealed explosives. Over Raqqa, a mixed pair of aircraft silenced a sniper firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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

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

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 46
  • (3–11 children2–9 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1360

Incident date

August 9, 2017

Location

البجري, Al Barji and other areas, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.948086, 39.015225 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Summarising a 48 hour period, local sources said that 47 civilians were killed and 50 injured in alleged airstrikes on the city of Raqqa. Two of the eight sources specifically blamed the US-led Coalition for the civilian casualty incidents.

Activists told Smart News that “the city had been hit by more than 43 airstrikes, in addition to dozens of artillery and rocket-propelled grenades, in the past 48 hours, leading to the deaths and injuries. Most of the injuries were critical… Forty-seven civilians were killed and dozens injured, including women and children”. The severity of those injured was especially important to note in light of accounts of “deterioration of medical services”, the alleged “targeting of health centres”, and most recently the alleged “bombing of the national hospital”.

Al Raqqa Truth published a number of images reportedly showing “the massive destruction caused by aerial bombardment of Coalition aircraft and artillery shelling and by Kurdish units in different areas of the city of Raqqa”.

The same images were published by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently which said that they depicted destruction in the Al-Bajri neighbourhood. The source also alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

These are general civilian casualty numbers, and there is a possibility that this entry could include other civilian casualty events.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    47
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. RBSS posted pictures of destruction in the neighbourhood of Al Bajri (البجري), for which the coordinates are: 35.948086, 39.015225.   

  • Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 7th-8th the Coalition reported *Near Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 37 fighting positions, two command and control nodes, two weapons caches, two vehicles, and a weapons depot. *On Aug. 6, near Raqqah, Syria, 12 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, a mortar system, an anti-air artillery system, and a VBIED.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 9 August – Typhoons demolished a Daesh-held building in Raqqa…A Typhoon flight saw action over Raqqa on Wednesday 9 August; the Syrian Democratic Forces reported coming under fire from a large building against which our aircraft conducted a successful attack using two Paveway IV guided bombs.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

France reports that in the past week (4th -11th) it carried out 31 sorties, including 24 Army reconnaissance and Ground Support (CAS), as well as 4 intelligence reports by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrol. Two strikes were carried out in the Hassaka region of Syria and the Al Qaim region of Iraq. They destroyed ISIL storage sites and weapons caches.

‘Point de situation des opérations ARMÉE FRANÇAISE – OPÉRATIONS MILITAIRES·FRIDAY, 11 AUGUST 2017 OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes se poursuit. Au sud de la ville, la manœuvre de tenaille amorcée, qui permettra de joindre les fronts est et ouest, demeure freinée par la résistance de Daech. Les combattants du groupe terroriste utilisent les réseaux de tunnels et les véhicules suicide chargés d’explosifs pour conduire des actions de harcèlement, et piègent systématiquement le terrain cédé. En Irak, Les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent le nettoyage et la dépollution de la ville de Mossoul. Dans le reste du territoire, alors que Daech tente de poursuivre ses actions de harcèlement, les opérations de sécurisation mobilisent largement les forces irakiennes. Dans la vallée de l’Anbar et dans la région d’Hawijah, les opérations ont permis de déceler et de détruire des caches de munitions et de nombreux engins explosifs improvisés. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Le 3 août s’est achevée une séquence de relève des avions de Chammal. Celle-ci a signé la fin du premier déploiement du plot mixte Rafale marine et air. Ce sont désormais 6 avions Rafale de l’armée de l’air qui constituent le volet chasse présent en Jordanie. Cette semaine, sur le théâtre, les aéronefs ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 24 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 4 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Deux frappes ont été conduites dans la région de Hassaka en Syrie et dans la région d’Al Qaim. Elles ont permis de détruire des sites de stockage et des caches d’armes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 6 missions de tir de harcèlement en appui de la 15e division à l’ouest de Mossoul vers Tal Afar, pour prévenir les infiltrations ennemies sur les positions irakiennes. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 322 frappes, 2095 objectifs détruits et 6919 sorties.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    47
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS154

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Location

الهول, Al Hawl, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.390223, 41.149297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 47 civilians were reported killed and 17 injured in an alleged US Apache helicopter and fast jet attack on the village of al Khan near al Hawl.

Locals were involved in an altercation with Islamic State militants according to McClatchy, with Coalition aircraft attacking a convoy of reinforcements as they entered the village.

According to local activist Siraj Al Hasskawi, six families were caught up in the attack whom he named as “the families of Awad Al Hadeed, Ayed Al Hadeed, Ali Al Samman, Ibrahim Al Abd, Abbas Al Salman and the family of Al Abboud.”

According to the Global Post, the airstrikes took place in the early hours of December 7th. It cited an eyewitness in the village named as ‘Abu Khalil’:“It was past midnight. We were sleeping. We were suddenly wakened by a huge explosion. The house shook. The windows shattered. There was shrapnel in the walls. I ran out and saw my neighbor’s house completely destroyed. He told me, ‘Abu Khalil, I managed to rescue my wife and son but I can’t find my six-month-old baby. Help me!’ I could hear people calling from underneath the rubble. My neighbor’s mother was crying out. She’s 70. I pulled her out, along with a boy and his mother. They were all OK. My mother and my aunt both came running to help dig through the rubble. But while we did this, a helicopter — an Apache — came overhead. It fired. They had machineguns with explosive bullets. I was hit. I still have the shrapnel in my body. I fell into the hole made by the airstrike. That was what saved me. The helicopter circled round again and fired a second time. My mother and aunt were killed. The woman and her son I’d rescued were killed. Everyone but me was killed.

“Three powerful rockets were used in the first airstrike. They left a two-meter deep hole in the ground. Anyone could see the hole until the Kurdish militia filled it. They don’t let anyone go near the place or take pictures. Nineteen people died in that one house. It was the Americans. For the past year-and-a-half, the only aircraft that fly over our area have been American.”

According to reports, Kurdish forces allegedly prevented the filming of civilian victims at the local hospital. Al Jazeera also cited local Arab sources as claiming that “these [Kurdish] forces deliberately give incorrect coordinates to the Coalition in order to target and empty of their populations specific villages – and to prevent the return of the displaced.”

The Union of Hassakah Youth later condemened the incident: “We call on the United Nations and Amnesty International to carry out full investigations with the utmost urgency to expose the circumstances of this crime and to make those who committed it take full responsibility according to international law and the declarations of the UN.”

CENTCOM told reporters that it was assessing the claim, adding that “If the information is found to be credible, we’ll conduct an investigation, and we’ll release the results of that investigation.”

A major NGO report into the incident issued in October 2016 noted: “Amnesty International is concerned that, despite evidence indicating multiple civilian casualties, CENTCOM has not acknowledged them. The attack appears to have been indiscriminate and may have resulted from a misidentification of a military objective. Even if a military objective was present in the vicinity, the heavy loss of civilian life suggests a failure to take necessary precautions or a decision to proceed with an attack which was foreseeably disproportionate.”

The Syrian Network named forty dead civilians.

A slightly different list from the Hassakah Union gave the following names:
Ali Sleiman Al Abdallah and three children Bayan, Mohammed and a baby. Ali’s wife Nagiya– reported killed by some sources – was described by others as having lost a leg.
Abbas al Sleiman, his wife and 2 or more children
The wife of Mahmoud Al Aboud and their four children.
The wife of Hamid Al Aboud and two daughters, one named Rim.
Eid Al Shaker’s family of five people, including children.
The mother of Ibrahim Al Aboud and his wife and his two children.
The two wives of Mahmoud Al Abboud and his four children.
Five members of the family of Abbas Al Eid
Ten members of the family of A’ed Al Hadid killed or injured
Awwad Al Hadid, his wife and their son Ali and his wife and their granddaughter Isslam.
Mohammad Ali Salman Al Abdallah, a child, also later reportedly died of his injuries.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan
56 years old male nicknamed Abu Salah killed
Qama Eid Al Ali
45 years old female Ayed's wife killed
Salah Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan
26 years old male killed
Mohamad Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan
23 years old male killed
Fatima Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan,
17 years old female killed
Salman Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan
15 years old male killed
Amal Ayed Hedeed Al Hassan,
3 years old female killed
Alaa Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan,
1 years old female killed

Family members (9)

Awwad Hadeed Al Hassan
60 years old male In Hassakah Union he is listed as killed with is wife, their son Ali and his wife and their granddaughter Isslam killed
Dulla Al Imaier
45 years old female killed
Mohamad Awwad Al Hadeed
23 years old male killed
Ahmad Awwad Al Hadeed
21 years old male killed
Turfa Awwad Al Hadeed,
16 years old female killed
Ayed Awwad Al Hadeed
12 years old male killed
Hassan Awwad Al Hadeed
4 years old male killed
Rahaf Awwad Al Hadeed
7 years old female killed
Jameela Awwad Al Hadeed
3 years old female killed

Family members (4)

Iman Al Batan
27 years old female Mohamad [or Mahmoud] Al Aboud Al Khleef’s wife. SN4HR names three children killed with her. Hassakah Union says she was killed with four of her children. killed
Atheer Mohamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
4 years old female killed
Abdul Hay Mohamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
3 years old male killed
Abdul Razak Mohamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
2 months old baby years old male killed

Family members (4)

Abdul Razak Mohamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
27 years old female Hamad [or Hamid] Al Aboud Al Khleef’s wife, SN4HR lists her dead along with three children. Hassakah Union lists her as having been killed with two daughters one of whom is called Rim killed
Aboud Hamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
6 years old male killed
Ibrahim Hamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
4 years old male killed
Tayseer Hamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
2 years old male killed

Family members (3)

Kamoura Knash Al Hameed
25 years old female also known as Jihan, wife of Ibrahim Al Aboud al Khleef killed
Mohamad Ibrahim Al Aboud Al Khleef
2 years old male killed
Hamad Ibrahim Al Aboud Al Khleef
1 years old male killed

Family members (3)

Ibrahim Abed Al Najras
30 years old male killed
Farja Asaad Al Najras
23 years old female Ibrahim al Najras' wife killed
Zahra Saleh Al Najras
70 years old female killed

Family members (4)

Ali Jassem Al Abdeed
38 years old male killed
Suhial Ali Jassem Al Abeed
9 years old male killed
Sidra Ali Jassem Al Abeed
4 years old female killed
Tasneem Ali Jassem Al Abeed
4 years old female killed

The victims were named as:

Salman Eid Al Hassan
32 years old male killed
Faysal Eid Al Hassan
23 years old male killed
Abbas Suliman Al Abdullah,
38 years old male Hassakah Union reports him killed along with his wife and 2 or more children killed
Wadha
65 years old female A displaced woman from al Houl town killed
Rouz
50 years old female A displaced woman from al Houl town killed
Mohammad Ali Salman Al Abdallah
Child male later reportedly died of his injuries. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 47
  • (19–20 children9 women11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–30
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Ali Sleiman Al Abdallah and his children, killed in a reported Coalition strike December 7th 2015 (via Hassakah Youth Union)
  • Abbas Al Sleiman, reported killed with his wife and children on December 7th at (via Hassakah Youth)
  • The rubble of al Khleef family home. [Via: SN4HR report dated 13th/02/2016]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic video showing charred bodie of victims of the alleged coalition shelling near al Hawl. [Via: SN4HR report dated 13th/02/2016]

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

The Coalition reported that for December 6th-7th 2015 “Near Al Hawl, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), and three ISIL vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 47
  • (19–20 children9 women11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–30
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1282

Incident date

July 27, 2017

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

Up to 48 civilians died and 40 were injured in alleged air and artillery strikes by the Coalition and the SDF in Raqqa, according to local media. However, sources did not specify the locations for these deaths and these are therefore general numbers.

Additionally, one source Watan reported that there had been Russian actions in Raqqa. It said: “The US-led International Air Force aircraft and the Russian air force carried out two horrific massacres in the city of al-Raqqa, ISIS’s stronghold in Syria. Both sides killed dozens of civilians and injured others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    48
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 27th-28th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, a supply cache, an ISIS communication headquarters, and an anti-air artillery system.” It additionally reported that “On July 27, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units, destroyed an ISIS sniper position and an observation post, and suppressed four fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Thursday 27 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair attacked mortar and sniper positions in Raqqa…The following day [July 27th], a mixed pair of a Tornado and a Typhoon, based at RAF Akrotiri and supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, flew overwatch for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) advancing inside Raqqa. The SDF came under mortar fire from a terrorist position, but a Paveway IV attack removed this threat. Another Paveway IV similarly dealt with a sniper position which was encountered by the SDF two hours later.

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the last week (20th-27th) France reports carrying out two strikes in Raqqah, destroying two ISIL combat positions. Task Force (TF) Wagram carried out 21 artillery strikes in Mosul. The overall record of air activity since September 19th 2014 amounts to 1,324 strikes, 2,092 targets destroyed and 6,857 sorties.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah, Daech continue de perdre du terrain, jour après jour, face aux Forces Démocratiques Syriennes. Les combattants terroristes continuent néanmoins de disposer de solides positions défensives dans le cœur de la ville, à partir desquelles ils mènent des contre-attaques régulières et des actions de harcèlement. En Irak, Les forces de sécurités irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation de la ville de Mossoul, face à des équipes isolées de combattants qui continuent de mener des actions symboliques de harcèlement. Dans le même temps, Daech consolide ses positions autour de Tal Afar, pour tenter de résister à l’offensive prochaine de la Coalition pour libérer aussi cette ville. Daech poursuit par ailleurs ses actions de diversion et de harcèlement, en se concentrant dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah. Certaines actions ont également été menées cette semaine dans l’Ouest de l’Irak, dans la région de Rutbah. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 45 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 06 de ravitaillement en vol. Un C135-FR récemment déployé a en effet réalisé de nombreuses missions en quelques jours à peine, soutenant ainsi, à son niveau, la bascule des efforts de la Coalition vers les autres bastions de Daech. Deux frappes ont été menées dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, détruisant deux positions de combattants ennemies, au contact des troupes alliées engagées. De ces positions, des tireurs de Daech tenaient sous leur feu les soldats alliés à une centaine de mètres à peine. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a réalisé 21 missions de tir dont 07 de harcèlement et 14 d’éclairement. Ces missions interdisent une offensive de contre des terroristes vers Mossoul. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 324 frappes, 2 092 objectifs détruits et 6 857 sorties. Le bilan global de l’activité artillerie atteint 1 331 missions.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    48
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1403

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Location

البدو, Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961778, 39.006083 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major casualty event, between 18 and 50 civilians reportedly died and up to 56 more were wounded – many of them women and children – as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa’s Bedo neighbourhood, local media reported.

According to Baladi, “20 civilians, including women and children, were killed and dozens of people were injured as a result of the bombing of the Al-Badu neighborhood by the international coalition forces in the center of Al-Rigga city.”

The majority of sources put the death count at 18. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published graphic images of child victims from the event. It put the death toll at around 20 – as did Sound and Picture, @ShahbaPress and @aghiad_alkhede.

Syrian Press Center said that as many as 40 died and that a residential building had been completely destroyed by the strikes.

Ahmad Shbli put the death toll still higher at 50, while other sources, including Hasaka Rasd, said that as many as 56 civilians were wounded.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “documented the death of 42 civilians, including 19 children below the age 18 and 12 women above the age of 19” following alleged Coalition airstrikes “in Al-Sakhani and Al-Badw alleys and Al-Hadiqa Al-Baydaa’ area”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Retaj Ahmed Abdul-Sultan
Child female killed
Islam Ahmed Abdul-Sultan
Child female killed
Hadeel Ahmed Abdul-Sultan
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (3–19 children1–12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–56
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilians who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic video showing the bodies of children killed in Bedo during an alleged Coalition airstrike, 21st August 2017. (via Ahmad Shbli)
  • Children who were killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 21st August 2017. (via Sound and Picture)
  • Children who were killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 21st August 2017. (via Sound and Picture)
  • A child who was killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 21st August 2017. (via Sound and Picture)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Badou neighbourhood (حارة) of Raqqah, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.961778, 39.006083.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 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
Official source

For August 21st-22nd: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, a vehicle, a logistics node and ISIS communications infrastructure.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, 24 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 33 fighting positions, a logistics node, a mortar system, and an anti-air artillery system.” And that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed five ISIS fighting positions.” Also that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions. (@EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (3–19 children1–12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–56
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS641

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Location

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2970537, 40.2363968 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Dozens of civilians were reported killed and injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a ferry crossing near the village of Al Subha, according to local sources. However the alliance later said its nearest airstrike that day had been 17km distant.

Al Hilal reported: “Ghazi Said, a resident of the eastern village of Deir Al-Zour, told Al-Hilal that the Coalition aircraft carried out more than two raids on the water crossing in the village of Al-Subha, which connects it with the village of the Bulail at the opposite end of the Euphrates River. Civilians, including two displaced Iraqis, were killed others were wounded.” According to Qasioun, “international Coalition fighters targeted the town with an air raid, noting that the air bombardment caused the death and wounding dozens of civilians, at the waterfront crossing used by the local population as an alternative to cement bridges destroyed by the coalition earlier.”

Surihur1 and Alikarrkar reported that the death toll had reached over 50. Other sources, including Euphrates Post reported the strike but didn’t identify the culprit.

The following day, Asharqiya reported that “a number of bodies were pulled from the Euphrates river in al Subha, most of them Iraqis, due to yesterday’s raids on the water crossing.”

In its June 2017 report the Coalition denied responsibility for the attack: “March 29, 2017, near Dayr Az Zayr, Syria, via social media: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was 17 km away.” The assessed coordinates matched those of al Subha.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Site of an alleged Copalition strike on a ferry crossing at al Subha which was said to have killed up to 50 civilians (via 7al,net)
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 Subha, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV1220707014
    Military Grid Reference System

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
Official source

For March 28th-29th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, seven strikes destroyed nine ISIS well heads, a pump jack, and a barge."
For March 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes destroyed six ISIS oil tanker trucks, five well heads, two pump jacks, and an oil inlet manifold."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]