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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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]

Incident Code

CS1405

Incident date

August 22, 2017

Location

الملاهي, near Malahi (amusement park), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958095, 39.006309 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major civilian casualty event in which 40 to 50 or more people reportedly died, and between 60 and 100 people injured, followed US-led Coalition airstrikes in conjunction with artillery shelling, alleged local sources.

The offensive targeted the Malahi (Amusement Park) district of Raqqa City and obliterated a four-storey residential building, where more than 40 civilians were said to be inside. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, amongst others, said that seven entire families were victims of the attack. Sources described a “crusade of coalition aircraft and artillery #SDF”. Airwars understands that only the Coalition have access to artillery in Raqqa.

Subsequent reports labelled the incident a “horrific massacre” in which “mostly women and children” were killed. Both Smart and Micro News did not mention the US-led Coalition explicitly, but referred to “warplanes” and “artillery” that targeted residential buildings in a collaborative operation. All other sources cited the US-led Coalition directly.

In their first assessment of this event in October 2017, the Coalition deemed this event non-credible, reporting that “The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.” In their second assessment in March 2022, the Coalition kept this even classified as non-credible, with the reasoning 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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    60–100
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Malahi neighbourhood, August 22nd 2017. (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a four-storey residential building next to the Amusement Park (حديقة الملاهي) in the city of Raqqah. Airwars geolocated the image shared by RBSS of this building to these exact coordinates: 35.958095, 39.006309. Damage to this building can be seen on satellite imagery between August 21 and 25, 2017.  Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 35.95808, 39.00630

  • Damage seen on satellite imagery to the building in the image shared by RBSS (left: August 19, 2017; right: August 25, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location, Other
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0056879299
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Oct 27, 2017

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

  • Aug. 22, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. 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. 2771/CS1405 37SEV0056879299

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 22nd – 23rd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 26 fighting positions, an ISIS headquarters, a command and control node, and ISIS engineering equipment.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 22, near Raqqah, Syria, 27 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 27 fighting positions, three IEDs, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and ISIS engineering equipment.” And that “On Aug. 22, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters.” It also later noted that “On Aug. 22, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike 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

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    60–100
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1396

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

دوار النعيم, Naim roundabout, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95447, 39.009392 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty event, between 23 and 50 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in the Bedo neighborhood of Raqqa, local media reported.

However, in May 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed the civilian harm allegations as non-credible, noting “after a 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.”

In the main, sources estimate the death toll at “more than 40”. However, a Tweet by @Q_Alenezy suggested that there could be “more than 50” dead, as people were still trapped under rubble.

The incident was described by some sources, including Step News Agency, as “one of the largest massacres since the start of the battle”. Nearly all sources tracked held the US-led Coalition responsible for the airstrikes and the subsequent loss of civilian life.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at 23. However, most other sources said that up to 40 civilians had died – mostly women and children. Sound and Picture said that 42 had been killed.

Activists that spoke to Smart News said “the bombing targeted a residential building in the Bedu neighbourhood, near Na’im roundabout, which the organization used as a platform for executions, and that bodies were still under the rubble”. The death toll, sources said, is likely to rise due to the people still trapped under the destroyed buildings.

Local residents were able to save three people who were next to the building, according to a correspondent cited in Sound and Picture.

The Euphrates Post published a series of photographs of the homes destroyed; the houses of Musa al Mashhadani, Khalil al-Mahbash and Fadel Moussa and Darda.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Met’eb Al-Hammoud,
30 years years old male injured
Ziad Fawaz Hindawi
26 years years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple locations around the Al Naim roundabout (دوار النعيم), for which the coordinates are: 35.95447, 39.009392. The video posted by Euphrates Post shows damage to buildings at the following coordinates: 35.957969, 39.007720.

  • Damage to a building in the Badou neighbourhood (left: August 19, 2017; right: August 25, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

  • 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
    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
    near al-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006792
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019

  • Aug. 20, 2017, near al-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a 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
Official source

For August 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 36 strikes engaged 22 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions and seven command and control nodes.” That “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an IED, and a command and control node.” And that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

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
    23 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1834

Incident date

November 13, 2018

Location

الكشمة و الشعفة, Al Kashma and Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.595168, 40.937231 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted Al Kashma and Al Sha’afa in what was described as “a new massacre of dozens of civilians” according to local media. Between 20 and 50 civilians were reported to have died as a result of “25 raids” on both locations on November 13th. According to Orient News, both Al Kashma and Al Sha’afa were under IS control at the time but included a large number of displaced families.

There were varying reports on the number of civilians; the official Al Sha’afa Facebook page claimed all casualties resulting these strikes were civilian, whereas The Euphrates Exiles Facebook claimed all casualties were ISIS members and their families.

The majority of sources reported on 35 civilian fatalities, of whom most were reported to be women and children.

The death toll was estimated to be higher by @Kalmuqdad Qasioun, placing it at 50 civilian deaths.

According to Jisr TV, “British General Christopher Ghika, deputy commander of the Joint Task Force of the US-led International Alliance Against State Regime, said they were investigating allegations of civilian deaths in raids by the Syrian alliance in Deir al-Zour.” 

The statement was made in video conference at the Pentagon, which reviewed operations against state organization in Syria and Iraq on Tuesday. According to the official transcript, when asked about 20 civilian deaths General Ghika commented: “I think that we have to be particularly aware of people who put stories like this into the information space, knowing that they’re not true. And then we all run off on them. So these are unsubstantiated at this stage. We will investigate them, as we investigate every allegation of civilian casualties.”

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • According to the Euphrates Exiles Facebook page this banner reads: while waiting for big ground operations to begin, SDF, coalition and the regime are together carrying out strikes on the last pocket of IS in the countryside of Deir Ezzor.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on the village of Al Kashma (الكشمة) and Al Sha’afa (الشعفة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a point between these two locations are: 34.595168, 40.937231.

  • Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on the village of Al Kashma (الكشمة) and Al Sha’afa (الشعفة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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, Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    al Kashma and Al Shaafa, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020

  • 7. Nov. 10, 2018, al Kashma and Al Shaafa, Syria, via Airwars report. This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3228/CS1834 No grid location specified

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 13th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 45 engagements against an ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 24 strikes engaged two tactical units and destroyed three buildings, five supply routes, six weapons caches, one tunnel, one fighting position, two command and control centers, three staging areas, and two observation points. 

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

From Nov 7th – 13th, France reports that the three CAESAR guns carried out 49 ‘fire’ missions from the Iraqi territory – 35 illumination, 14 destruction. Aircraft conducted 18 sorties and 1 strike in support of forces on the ground in Syria.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, marque actuellement un temps d’arrêt. Les forces démocratiques syriennes se réorganisent et consolident leurs positions avant de relancer leur offensive. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent, avec un renforcement à la frontière irako-syrienne. Si Daech a perdu ses capacités militaires, l’organisation terroriste conserve une capacité de nuisance, notamment dans la région du plateau d’Hawija. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué de manière significative. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 49 missions de tir (35 éclairement, 14 destruction – bilan du 7 au 13 novembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2101 missions de tirs. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La TF Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’instruction de la 6ème division irakienne. Elle conseille l’état-major de cette division et, ponctuellement, les brigades qui lui sont subordonnées. Ainsi, du 5 au 11 novembre, un groupe d’instructeurs s’est rendu au poste de commandement de la 24ème brigade pour former pour former 20 stagiaires irakiens aux techniques du combat urbain. La TF Narvik forme et conseille les membres de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Elle dispense actuellement des instructions au combat débarqué et au recueil de renseignement. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 7 au 13 novembre inclus) et conduit 1 frappe, en appui des FDS en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8636 sorties / 1479 frappes / 2278 objectifs neutralises.’

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For November 7th-13th, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during 8 missions in the fight against ISIS. Weapons were deployed in 3 missions near Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria. Targets were ISIS warehouses and fighting positions.

‘In het weekoverzicht van 7 t/m 13 November laat MinDef weten Nederlandse F-16’s te hebben ingezet ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Tijdens 8 missies werden 3 wapens ingezet boven Deir al Zour, Syrie. IS Opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities zijn vernietigd.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1312

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

حارة البوسرايا, Al Bousraya area, Mo'ataz street, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95483, 39.01382 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major casualty incident, between 10 and 50 civilians died, including entire families, and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the Al Bousraya area of Raqqa, according to local sources. Since further research was conducted by Amnesty it appears only 16 civilians were living in the building which was struck.

Reports said that the strike hit a civilian home/building which contained 50 civilians. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, nearly all 50 people were killed, including two children. The source said that IS had gathered the civilians inside the building.

Rt.ararabic put the death toll at nine. However the majority of sources placed it much higher. Al Raqqa Truth said 15 died and dozens more were wounded, while Sharqiya voice and Zamanalwasl put the figure at 20, blaming the Coalition.

According to Sound and Picture, “initial reports indicated the death and wounding of approximately 50 civilians”, including entire families. It said most of the victims were women and children.

Muheet added that “according to data from social media sites, the shelling focused on one of the neighbourhood’s houses, which housed more than 50 people, including children and women from one family”.

@freedom_Raqqa1, also attributing the event to the Coalition, put the death toll at 50 non-combatants, though this appears to have merged death and injury numbers.

In field research done by Amnesty, it appears that “A Coalition airstrike destroyed a four-storey building at 3 am, killing 10 of the 16 residents in their sleep. Two of the victims, Hammada and Sabah Hamzawi, had lost their 13-year-old daughter in an artillery strike on their home a month earlier.”

An airstrike hit Shaban al Assad Building on the night of 1st August at 3am in the morning. The building was according to Amnesty a four storey building, with shops on the ground floor. The building was empty, apart from 16 people. Ten were killed and six survived. IS had a medical point 50m in front of building that was hit.

An engineer that Amnesty researchers met whilst in Raqqa said that IS used to land a toy drone on the roof of the store.

A relative of the victims, Amer Hamzawi, told Amnesty in a testimony that “My uncle and aunt were still mourning the loss of their daughter and then they suffered the same unjust fate”.

Ammar Al-Abidi, a survivor of the strike told researchers “I spent six hours under the rubble waiting to be rescued. I don’t wish this even on my worst enemy.”

According to Ammar, six others survied. Amar, his three sisters, Faisal al Ajaj and the house owner’s brother, Abdalla al Assad.

IS had – according to the survivor – expelled the Hamzawis from their home elsewhere in the city and forced them to live in the building that suffered the airstrike, along with the other occupants killed in the strike.

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 incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Hammada Mohammed Said Hamzawi
52 years old male interviewees father killed
Sabah al Mohammed
44 years old female interviewees mother killed
Aseel Hamzawi
5 years old female interviewees sister killed
Fatima al-Sheikh
75-80 years old female grandmother, father’s mother killed

Family members (2)

“Ibrahim al-Kaba” (Abu Muhannad)
Adult male killed
Wife of “Ibrahim al-Kaba” (Abu Muhannad)
Adult female killed

Family members (4)

Faisal al A’jaji
Age unknown male Ahmad al Shibli named the following who he said were recovered from the rubble some days later killed
Ahmad al A’jaji
Age unknown male Ahmad al Shibli named the following who he said were recovered from the rubble some days later killed
Manar al A’jaji
Age unknown female Ahmad al Shibli named the following who he said were recovered from the rubble some days later killed
Manal al A’jaji
Age unknown female Ahmad al Shibli named the following who he said were recovered from the rubble some days later killed

Family members (3)

Ahmad al Aajaj
60s years old male father of the family, widower killed
Manar
25-30 years old female daughter killed
Minar
25-30 years old female daughter killed

Family members (2)

Mohamed al Kobuaa
60-70 years old male killed
Thuraya
60-70 years old female wife of Mohamed killed

The victims were named as:

Amira al Abdulla al Abid
39 years old female econd interviewee and survivor’s mother killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 50
  • (2 children2–6 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Hamada Al-Saeed Al-Hamzawi, killed with three members of his family in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian home in Raqqa's Al-Busraiya neighbourhood, August 1st 2017. (via @AbuMuaazalraqqa)
  • Ibrahim Al-Kaba Abu Muhannad, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 1st August 2017, Ar Raqqah: Al Bousraya, Mo'ataz street. (via Ahmad al Shibli)
  • Ibrahim Al-Kaba Abu Muhannad, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 1st August 2017, Ar Raqqah: Al Bousraya, Mo'ataz street. (via Mohammad othman)
  • Fatima Hammada Mohammed Hamzawi (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al-Bousraya (البوسرايا), for which the coordinates are: 35.9475952, 39.0150905. Other reports mention Mo’ataz street as a possible location, for which the coordinates are: 35.948333, 39.016389. Field research conducted by Amnesty International in November 2017 points out that the exact location of the strike is at these coordinates: 35.95483, 39.01382. The incident was first reported at 7:56 pm local time by Sound and Picture (صوت و صورة) in a Facebook post. Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 35.95483, 39.01382

  • The building that was destroyed just before the strike on June 2, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • The building that was destroyed after the strike on July 6, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0124678938
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • May 31, 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.

  • Aug. 1, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. 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. 2709/CS1312 37SEV0124678938

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 1st-2nd: “Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two ISIS headquarters, an IED, an ammunition cache, and a fuel supply point.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, two ammunition caches, and a VBIED factory; and damaged a fighting position.” And that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units, destroyed two staging areas and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged a VBIED factory.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 50
  • (2 children2–6 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1141

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

الصور, Al Soor, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.5081949, 40.6549072 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one family and as many as 50 civilians were reportedly killed, said to be family members of ISIL fighters, following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Soor to the north east of Deir Ezzor.

The airstrikes were said to be in the telephone exchange area of the city, a number of local sources reported.

According to Baladi News, “media sources said that about 50 members of the families of Islamic State were killed Sunday, an air strike of the coalition aircraft International, targeted a house near the telephone exchange area in Soor north of the city of Deir al-Zour, while other sources said that The dead are members of one family of a member of the organization.”

All four sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

In a civilian casualty assessment released July 13th 2021, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV500306
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 13, 2021

  • Jul. 2, 2017, in al Soor, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 1829/CS1141 37SFV500306

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 1st-2nd, the Coalition reported: Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed 20 ISIS oil storage barrels and six oil tankers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

CS130

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Location

السلخة, Jala'a (Al-Salakha), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.371708, 40.490609 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

France’s first air strike in Syria was alleged to have killed at least 30 child soldiers of Islamic State, according to reports.

The attack – which France later declared was a five-hour raid by multiple aircraft on a ‘Daesh training camp’ – targeted among other sites a palm grove at Al Shalkha, near the town of Jala’a.

Al Mayadeen cited a ‘senior source’ who alleged that five French Rafale aircraft “targeted a camp of so-called ‘Cubs of the Caliphate’ aged between 14 and 18 years, killing fifty of them.” The source added that the deaths “have raised the ire and wrath of local people towards Daesh. for forcing their children to attend training camps.”

According to the Syrian Observatory, not all of those killed were child soldiers with the dead also including “Arab fighters from North Africa and Syrian, and Iraqi fighters.” ISIL had been recruiting child soldiers in the areas it occupied since the start of 2015 reported SOHR: “They are ‘adults and are responsible for their decisions’, as the organization puts it.”

Asked to clarify the status of child soldiers according to the laws of war, Dapo Akande, Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, told Airwars: “With regard to child soldiers, the fact that they are children will not change the law regarding whether they can be targeted. If they are members of an organized armed group or taking direct part in hostilities they can be targeted – even if they are doing this against the wishes of their families (or even against their own wishes).”

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
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (12–30 children)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.65028, 40.84028

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Jala’a, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU6865035802
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Sept. 27, 2015, near Jala’a, Syria, via Airwars report. 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. 2848/CS130 37SFU6865035802

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

France has confirmed carrying out a complex air raid near Dayr az Zawr on September 27th 2015: “Le 27 septembre 2015, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont mené un raid aérien contre un camp d’entraînement de Daech situé dans la vallée de l’Euphrate, au Sud de Deir Ez Zor. Il s’agit d’une frappe délibérée sur un objectif reconnu préalablement. Nos renseignements recoupés avec ceux de la coalition ont clairement établi que ce camp est occupé et actif.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (12–30 children)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1928

Incident date

August 31, 2019

Location

كفرجالس, Kafr Jalis, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.977803, 36.643374 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an airstrike confirmed by CENTCOM, US forces struck what it reported to be an Al-Qaeda command center in northern Idlib. Local sources reported that the US strike struck a military headquarters belonging to “Ansar Al-Tawhid” in the town of Kafr Nabil, but added that civilian houses were struck nearby as well, resulting in a number of deaths and wounded.

The US Central Command under the Pentagon reported that US forces had struck an al-Qaeda facility north of Idlib in Syria on Saturday. According to Lieutenant Colonel Earl, “the operation targeted al-Qaeda leaders in Syria responsible for attacks that threaten American citizens, our partners and innocent civilians,” Brown, the head of media operations at the Central Command, told Reuters in an e-mailed statement.

However, local sources claimed that children and women from the families of members of ISIS living in the area were killed in the attack as well. According to Syria TV, 23 people were identified, including four people under the age of 18 and seven unidentified bodies. According to Alaraby, the children and women were family members of the terror organisation.

Step News Agency reported that 14 members of ISIS were killed and more than 23 were wounded. In addition, the source reported that a civilian by the name of Ahmed Youssef Yassou was killed when rocket shelling hit his farm.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that 29 people were killed, 22 wounded and one person went missing; 21 year old Khaled al-Sha’ban. The source identified the names of 22 victims. It further stated that the seven unidentified bodies were saved for forensic medicine.

Baladi estimated a total death toll of 30 people, most of whom were buried under the rubble, while Alquds reported on a total of 51 dead.

Russia accused the US of “endangering” a ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib province by carrying out the airstrike.

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 incident occured at approximately 3:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Youssef Yassouf
65 years old male killed
Abdul Rahman Qandah
19 years old killed
Samir Ahmed Mohammed Ali
22 years old killed
Musa Ja'ma
21 years old killed
Suleiman Khaled Khatib
15 years old killed
Basil Al Khalaf
Age unknown killed
Khalid Mohammed Fadl
17 years old killed
Muath Samir Fadel
16 years old killed
Abdul Salam Sayah
12 years old killed
Amjad al-Abrash
24 years old killed
Yacoub Ibrahim al-Rahman
20 years old killed
Omar Mohammed Aldani
Age unknown killed
Ibrahim Mutasim Parish
21 years old killed
Abdul Hamid Satouf Al-Satouf
12 years old killed
Mohammed Omar Yehia Hababa
12 years old killed
Ibrahim Mahmoud Mohammed Ali
21 years old killed
Nizar al-Shami
20 years old killed
Yasser Khaddour
23 years old killed
Khaled Abu Khattab
Age unknown killed
Nasser Abu Abdul Majeed
Age unknown killed
Huthayfa Abu Abdul Hakim
Age unknown killed
Aref Hamjou
15 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 29
  • (6 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    14–51
  • Belligerents reported injured
    23

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 35.97781, 36.64317

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Kafr Jalis, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV8750684056
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Aug. 31, 2019, near Kafr Jalis, Syria, via Airwars report. 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. 2776/CS1928 37SBV8750684056

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 29
  • (6 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    14–51
  • Belligerents reported injured
    23

Sources (16) [ collapse]