Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

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Incident Code

RS2344

Incident date

July 16, 2017

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians died and were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hajin, according to sources on the ground.

The Euphrates Post reported: “”A launched air raids targeting Hajin village this morning [July 16th] with rockets targeting a house near the house of Hamadi al-Shawish. Another missile landed in front of the house of Mahdi al-Jamala. There was material damage”.

According to the Smart News Agency, “activists pointed out that a number of civilians were killed and injured, without specifying the exact figures”.

The incident occured at approximately 8:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Hajin, July 16th (via Newsaahal2050)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Hajin, July 16th (via Newsaahal2050)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2345

Incident date

July 16, 2017

Location

حزة , Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52034, 36.36494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as four children died and dozens more civilians were reported wounded in an airstrike on Hazza, according to sources on the ground. Most reports blamed the Assad regime, though there was also an allegation against Russia.

According to Akhbaralaan, “Activists said that the warplanes of the Assad forces fired several rockets on residential neighborhoods in the town of Haza on the outskirts of Zamalka, leaving four dead, including three children and a number of wounded”.

Aladeyehnews reported that “a medical source said four children were killed and more than a dozen others injured”.

@HadiAlabdallah put the death toll at five.

Jobar attributed the civilian harm to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: '5 martyrs, all of them children and dozens of wounded civilians as a result of the bombing of the Syrian warplanes on the areas of "Ein Tarma, Hazza, Zamalka" in Gouta # East Damascus'
  • Images of children wounded in airstrikes reportedly carried out by the Assad regime on Hazza, July 16th 2017.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: 'A child injured in the aerial bombardment of the Assad forces on the town of Haza in the suburb of Damascus, in which three other children were killed.'

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1216 RS2346

Incident date

July 17, 2017

Location

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, school building, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.8225805, 40.6799993 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were killed – including five civilians believed to be from one family – and a number of others were injured in airstrikes on the village of Al Kashkiya in eastern Deir Ezzor.  However it was contested as to who was responsible.

Four sources – Radio al Kul, Micro News, Smart News Agency and Syrian Network for Human Rights – alleged that the Coalition was responsible meanwhile @Syria7ra blamed Russia and Al Jazeera alleged that the Syrian government was responsible. Five sources did not make any claims as to who was to blame.

A number of sources reported that the strikes took place near the village’s middle school and a number of images were shared which showed the level of destruction.

Other sources reported that the family home was deliberately “targeted”  by warplanes.

With regards to civilian casualties, some sources were able to identify some of the victims however they conflicted in their accounts.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Khalaf al Kalashat
Adult male named by Euphrates Post killed
Wife of Khalaf al Kalashat
Adult female named by Euphrates Post killed
Child of Khalaf al Kalashat 1
Child named by Euphrates Post killed
Child of Khalaf al Kalashat 2
named by Euphrates Post killed
Child of Khalaf al Kalashat 3
Child named by Euphrates Post killed
Khalaf al Shihada
Adult female named by @Syria7ra, mother of Khalaf killed
Sister in law of Khalaf al Kalashat
Adult female named by @Syria7ra killed
Shihade Mekhlef al-Kalshat
Adult male named by VDC killed
A male relative
Adult male named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1–3 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Deir Ezzor is being exterminated)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Deir Ezzor is being exterminated)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Deir Ezzor is being exterminated)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Deir Ezzor is being exterminated)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via @syria7ra)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via @syria7ra)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via @syria7ra)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike which targeted a school, Al Kashkiya: school building, killing an entire family, 17th July 2017. (via @syria7ra)
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 Kashkiya, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU364465
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 17th-18th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes destroyed 12 ISIS oil refinement stills, four well-heads, and two oil storage tanks.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1–3 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2347

Incident date

July 17, 2017

Location

عقيربات خالد هلال, Khaled Hilal village, Akeirbat district, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.00201, 37.46025 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that a man and a woman died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khaled Hilal village.

According to AadaAlSham, “two civilians were killed and others injured on Monday evening [July 17th] in air strikes by Russian warplanes on a village controlled by Daesh in the eastern Hama countryside.

Field sources said that ‘a man and his wife were killed when Russian airstrikes targeted the village of Khaled Hilal’.”

The source noted that civilian homes were struck, resulting in injuries, with one person critically wounded.

Smart News Agency said “warplanes likely to be Russian launched a raid on the village of Khaled Hilal, killing a woman and her husband and seriously wounding another civilian.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2348

Incident date

July 17, 2017

Location

حقل الجفرة, Al Jafra [oil] field junction, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.300937, 40.206603 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Al Jafra [oil] field junction, according to sources on the ground.

Rozanafm said: “On Tuesday [July 17th], our correspondent in Deir al-Zour reported that a military aircraft believed to belong to the Syrian regime targeted a car carrying nine civilians on Al Jafra field road, killing all the passengers.”

According to Ahmad al Shibli, “nine people died  after their car was targeted with four Russian missiles at the junction of al Jafra field. Among the victims is Jassem Al-Sahan from the town of Jadid Akeidat”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jassem Al-Sahan
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1229 RS2349

Incident date

July 18, 2017

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.751769, 39.61639 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three people were reportedly wounded following airstrikes in Ma’dan on the eastern border of Raqqa governorate. However it was contested as to who was responsible.

One source, Shaam News Network, claimed that the airstrikes caused a “massacre” and that 12 civilians were killed. However it was at odds with nine other sources which reported the incident without claiming there were civilian casualties, stating that three people were instead injured.

Only one other source, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, also claimed there were civilian casualties, but did not identify the number of people purportedly killed.

It is believed that Shaam News Network claimed the high civilian casualty rate because there were a number of other airstrikes in the surrounding towns – documented by Airwars in other incidents – and it may have confused strikes in other areas with those in Ma’dan. Shaam News Network was also the only source to allege that Russia was responsible, whereas seven sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Three sources did not make any claims with regards to responsibility.

Amnesty Intentional later shared an unpublished report with Airwars stating that “Fifteen days ago [c July 11th] “the Russians” started dropping barrel bombs [in the areas near Maadan]. The first barrel bomb attack on Maadan was one week ago [around 19 July]”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 18th-19th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two vehicles and a tactical vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On July 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 18 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 18 fighting positions, an anti-aircraft artillery system, a weapons cache, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a supply route.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1234 RS2351

Incident date

July 18, 2017

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.751769, 39.61639 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 12 civilians died and dozens were injured in airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on Ma’adan, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia or event the Syrian regime were responsible.

Baladi blamed artillery for the injury of “a number of civilians”, however, other sources – including Sharqiya Voice said that Coalition airstrikes had injured three non-combatants.

However, according to Shaam News, Russia carried out strikes on Ma’adan, killing 12 civilians and wounding many more.

RBSS reported that highs of “22 people were killed by Russian air strikes on the town of Ma’dan and the village of Zour Shamar in the eastern Raqqa countryside.” Similarly, Step News Agency reported that overall, “More than twenty-two civilians have been killed and dozens wounded in a new massacre by the International Coalition in the eastern Rifqa countryside.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported a raid “on the house of Mr. Ahmad Al-Taha in front of Maadan hospital, which resulted in the martyrdom of Miss Laila Nawaf Al-Hassani, one of her daughters and the injury of the rest of the family, and the martyrdom of Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Issa Al-Zanuba (Ibrahim Al-Ta’mas) from the village of al Bu Ramadan.”RBSS later published images of the aftermath of the event – including graphic pictures of child casualties – which it said had been carried out by Russia.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, pointed towards the Assad regime, reporting “the death of a girl and her mother in Syrian regime forces shelling”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Miss Laila Nawaf Al-Hassani
Adult female killed
Daughter of Miss Laila Nawaf Al-Hassani
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Issa Al-Zanuba (Ibrahim Al-Ta’mas)
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Photo showing the destruction in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Photo showing the destruction in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Photo showing the destruction in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Photo showing the destruction in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Photo showing the destruction in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Photo showing the destruction in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Photo showing the destruction in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Photo showing the destruction in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of an inured child in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of an inured child in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of an inured child in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of an inured child in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of an inured child in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of an inured man in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of an inured man in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of dead children in the town of Maadan as a result of alleged Coalition and Russian airstrikes on 18th July 2017. (via RBSS)
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 Ma’adan, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 18th-19th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two vehicles and a tactical vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On July 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 18 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 18 fighting positions, an anti-aircraft artillery system, a weapons cache, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a supply route.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1236 RS2350

Incident date

July 19, 2017

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.78379, 39.36559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 22 civilians including as many as 11 children died in airstrikes on Zor Shamer, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame.

There were no reports of injured civilians.

@eldorar, Syrian free army, Ahmad Shibli and the Smart News Agency pointed towards the Coalition – as did the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at eight.

@ShahbaPress reported that of ten civilians killed seven were from the same family.

Other deaths counts varied between 10 and 15.

According to Baladi, “Coalition aircraft killed 12 civilians, mostly children and women, in a bombing onthe village of Zour Shamr. Civilians were leaving the village in response to a coalition request to do so. The Coalition had dropped leaflets asking civilians to evacuate. They were therefore surprised by the bombing.”

However, other sources – including Sawarim and Shaam and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) – blamed Russia. RBSS put the death toll at more than 22 including 11 children, reporting that the victims included seven people from the family of Haj Hassan al-Hammadi and the wife of Walid al-Taka in addition to two of her daughters.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at 15 including three children and four women.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Zuhur, wife of Walid Hassan Al – Assaf
Adult female named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Iman al-Ali al-Assaf
18 years old male named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Ihsan al-Ali al-Assaf
15 years old named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Khalil Al Ali Al Assaf
8 years old named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Said Ali Al Assaf
5 years old named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed

Family members (1)

People from the family of Abdullah Hassan al-Hammadi, nicknamed Haj Hassan
Age unknown named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed

Family members (1)

Family of Shawah Al – Hassan Al – Hammadi
Age unknown named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed

Family members (1)

Family of Ahmed Hassan Al – Hammadi
Age unknown named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed

Family members (1)

Shuwaq Hassan Al-Hammadi family
Age unknown named by Ar Raqqa Al Mydanya killed

Family members (1)

Obaid family
Age unknown named by Ar Raqqa Al Mydanya, missing killed

Family members (3)

Wife of Walid al-Taka
Adult female killed
Daughter of Walid al-Taka 1
Child female killed
Daughter of Walid al-Taka 2
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 22
  • (5–11 children2–4 women1 man)
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

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 July 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, a supply cache, and a tunnel; and suppressed a mortar team.” It additionally reported that “On July 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 19 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units; destroyed 34 fighting positions, two IEDs, and a VBIED; and damaged four fighting positions and a mortar position.” And also that “On July 19, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two ISIS fighting positions and a storage facility and suppressed a mortar system.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘ Wednesday 19 July – Tornados destroyed an explosives warehouse in northern Iraq, whilst Typhoons and Tornados struck a command post and defensive position in Raqqa…Update: air strikes against Daesh – GOV.UK In northern Iraq, intelligence had identified a warehouse near Hawijah in which large quantities of homemade explosives were being stored by Daesh. A flight of RAF Tornados attacked the building with two Paveway IV guided bombs, and demolished it on Wednesday 19 July. A mixed pair of one Tornado and one Typhoon meanwhile provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting to clear the terrorists from Raqqa. A coalition surveillance aircraft identified a Daesh defensive position, and our aircraft conducted a successful attack with a Brimstone missile. A terrorist command post was also identified within the city, and this was struck with two Paveway IVs.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 22
  • (5–11 children2–4 women1 man)
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]