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

CS697

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Location

هنيدة, Hunayda, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.833402, 38.710328 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a school in Hunayda, according to local sources.

According to Syrian Mirror, “Field activists said a coalition combat aircraft launched air raids on Hindah town in the western Ar Raqqah countryside, targeting one of the village’s rural schools, killing two children and injuring others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hunayda (هنيدة), Raqqa governorate, for which the coordinates are: 35.833402, 38.710328.

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 Hunaida, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 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. (1332)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 15th – 16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed an ISIS bridge, and damaged an ISIS supply route. Near Tabqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units, destroyed seven fighting positions and an ISIS vehicle.“

For April 16th – 17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions and a mortar system. Near Tabqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and suppressed three ISIS tactical units.“

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Saturday 15 April – Typhoons attacked a Daesh-held building west of Raqqa, while Tornados assisted Iraqi forces inside western Mosul…On Saturday, a further Tornado patrol supported Iraqi forces engaged in a firefight with Daesh positioned in a large building in western Mosul. Two Paveway IVs silenced the terrorist fire. Meanwhile, Typhoons continued their support for the SDF as they pushed east from Tabqah towards Raqqa, bombing a terrorist-held building.’

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS716

Incident date

April 22, 2017

Location

مدرسة البحتري, Tabaqah, al Bahrari school, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.849167, 38.545556

Airwars assessment

According to the Smart News Agency, one civilian died and four others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahtari school.

One other source, the Free Syria Army, also attributed the incident to the Coalition. It noted that “A civilian was also killed and four others were wounded after an aerial bombardment of the al-Bahtari school in the city.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (2) [ 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
    a school near Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 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. (1358)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 21st-22nd: “Near Tabqah, eight strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, an ISIS vehicle and a command and control node.”

For April 22nd-23rd: “Near Tabqah, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions and two IEDs.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 23 April – Typhoons destroyed an armed truck south-west of Tabqah in Syria, while Tornados bombed a Daesh position in western Mosul…On Sunday 23 April, Typhoons assisted the SDF, destroying an armed truck near Tabqah, west of Raqqa. In western Mosul, a Daesh-held building was struck by a Paveway IV, released by a Tornado flight, after Iraqi troops came under fire from the building.’

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS738

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83917, 38.74288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Smart News Agency, four civilians including a teacher died in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the Badia school. Three houses were also reportedly destroyed.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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 Al Mansoura, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 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. (1388)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a front-end loader, a fighting position, and a mortar team. Near Tabqah, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.”
For April 27th-28th: “Near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed a command and control node and a front-end loader. Near Tabqah, eight strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, two command and control nodes, two bunkers, and an ISIS staging area.“

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For the past week, France reports carrying out 54 sorties and six strikes – 1 in Iraq and 5 in Syria. There was a special effort this week in support of operations in the Raqqah region with three strikes reported there. Task Force Wagram carried out 30 artillery missions in Mosul] 'CHAMMAL ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION Status of operations as of April 27, 2017 In Syria the SDS continued to garner territorial gains at the expense of the terrorist organization. In the Tabqah region, progress continues in the city itself and around the dam. In the Raqqah region, the defensive perimeter of Daesh north of the city continues to shrink. In Iraq, Daesh continued its asymmetric actions and seeks to take advantage of weather that is not conducive to effective coalition air support. In the Mosul region, the situation continues to evolve favorably for ISPs. In the north-west, on the outskirts of the city, the 9th Division has paused in its progression to focus on securing the area under its control, including to counter attempts infiltrations of terrorist groups. Further south, in the districts of the city of Mosul, the ICTS and the FEDPOL continue their methodical progress aimed at isolating the medina. These units are facing continuing resistance from Daesh members, who this week launched unsuccessful counter-attacks from the Medina. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAMMAL FORCE Fire support - TF Wagram The Task Force (TF) Wagram continued this week its shooting missions in support of the 9th Iraqi Division engaged in the Badush region. It carried out 30 firing missions in support of Iraqi units, as part of their operations to secure the area against groups of Daesh seeking to infiltrate. It is, in equal proportions, missions of shelling or destruction against Daesh units. Air support to the Levant This week, the aircraft of Operation Chammal made 54 sorties, including 40 for armed reconnaissance or ground support (CAS), 3 for air command and control, 5 for refueling, and 6 for intelligence gathering. Six strikes were carried out by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria, with a special effort this week to support operations in the Raqqah region.

‘CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION Point de situation des opérations au 27 avril 2017 En Syrie les FDS ont continué à engranger des gains territoriaux aux dépends de l’organisation terroriste. Dans la région de Tabqah, la progression se poursuit dans la ville même et aux abords du barrage. Dans la région de Raqqah, le périmètre défensif de Daech au Nord de la ville continue de se réduire. En Irak, Daech a poursuivi ses actions asymétriques et cherche à tirer parti d’une météo peu favorable à l’efficacité des appuis aériens de la coalition. Dans la région de Mossoul, la situation continue à évoluer favorablement pour les FSI. Au nord-ouest, sur les abords de la ville, la 9e division a marqué une pause dans sa progression pour se concentrer sur la sécurisation de la zone sous son contrôle, notamment pour contrer les tentatives infiltrations de groupes terroristes. Plus au sud, dans les quartiers de la ville de Mossoul, l’ICTS et les FEDPOL poursuivent leur progression méthodique visant à isoler la médina. Ces unités font face à une résistance toujours aussi vive de la part des membres de Daech, qui cette semaine ont lancé, sans succès, plusieurs contre-attaques depuis la médina. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a poursuivi cette semaine ses missions de tir en appui de la 9e division irakienne engagée dans la région de Badush. Elle a réalisé 30 missions de tir en appui des unités irakiennes, dans le cadre de leurs opérations de sécurisation de la zone face à des groupes de Daech cherchant à s’infiltrer. Il s’agit, dans des proportions égales, de missions de tirs éclairants ou de destruction contre des unités de Daech. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 54 sorties aériennes dont 40 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), 3 de commandement et de contrôle aérien, 5 de ravitaillement, et 6 de recueil de renseignements. 6 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, avec un effort particulier consenti cette semaine en appui des opérations dans la région de Raqqah.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS759 RS2209

Incident date

April 30, 2017

Location

عويجل, Oweijal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.179537, 36.952987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 13 and 16 civilians died and four were injured in an “unexplained” explosion in the village of Oweijal, local media said – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia were to blame. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the strikes.

An unspecific numbers of civilians were wounded, however it was reported that the number of civilians were likely to rise due to the types of injuries.

According to the Smart News Agency, “the head of the Civil Defence in the western Aleppo countryside, Mohamed Halaq, said that the blast caused the collapse of a three-storey building on Sunday evening, killing 16 civilians, including nine children and four women, in addition to wounding for more, who rushed to a nearby field hospital.

“Halaq pointed out that they could not determine the cause of the explosion, but that it was likely the result of an international coalition raid or a missile explosion from a previous bombardment of the village.”

However, a subsequent report by Smart pointed towards the Assad regime and Russia, saying that “the Civil Defence thinks the explosion could have resulted from the remnants of previous raids by the regime and Russia.”

Radio Allkul blamed a regime surface to surface missile citing Abu al-Leith, the director of the local Civil Defence. Shaam News Network and Baladi also attributed the event to the regime.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that “information about the reasons of the explosion was conflicted as to whether it was caused by the explosion of an ammunition dump, or by shelling by regime forces using what was believed to be a ground-to-ground missile.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 16
  • (4–9 children4–5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 Regime, Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a victim is pulled from the rubble in the aftermath of an airstrike on Oweijel, 30th April 2017. (via Syrian Civil Defense)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Oweijel, 30th April 2017. (via Shaam)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Oweijel, 30th April 2017. (via Halabtoday)
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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition has not publicly reported any strikes in Aleppo governorate for April 30th-May 2nd.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 16
  • (4–9 children4–5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 Regime, Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI694

Incident date

May 7, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One report on social media said that an ISIS member named Ali Ubaid ‘Issa Dagher (Abujrajis) was killed with his “entire family” including his mother in an airstrike. It is presently unclear in which West Mosul neighbourhood the strike occurred.

No further details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 May 6th-7th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper team; destroyed three VBIED factories, three tactical vehicles, two fighting positions, two medium machine guns, two VBIEDs, a mortar system, an anti-air artillery system, a VBIED facility, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a VBIED staging area; and damaged four fighting positions and four ISIS supply routes.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS800

Incident date

May 11, 2017

Location

Al Sakuriyah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.998799, 38.844251 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an event near Raqqa.

Their August 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike to crater roads used by ISIS VBIEDs, it was assessed that one civilian was injured when his vehicle entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the even near the village of Sakuriyah – and less than 1km from Bir al Hashem where at least 12 people died that day.

Coalition officials confirmed that this incident did not refer to the event at Bir al Hashem.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV8596283826
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • May 11, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike to crater roads used by ISIS VBIEDs, it was assessed that one civilian was injured when his vehicle entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 10th-11th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven vehicles, three fighting positions, an ISIS barge, a VBIED factory, a weapons storage facility; and damaged two ISIS supply routes.” It later added that “Additionally, 13 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on May 10th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 fighting positions, an ISIS headquarters, a command and control node, a supply cache, an ISIS staging area, a tactical vehicle, and a vehicle.”
For May 11th-12th. “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, three VBIEDs, two ISIS oil storage tanks, two ISIS oil stills, two excavators, a front-end loader, an IED, and an ISIS staging area.” It later added that “Additionally, six strikes were conducted in Syria on May 11th that closed within the last 24 hours…. Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two VBIEDs, a fighting position, a weapons cache, a vehicle; and damaged two ISIS supply routes and a bridge.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Thursday 11 May – Typhoons attacked three targets in eastern Syria, as well as a truck-bomb factory north-west of Raqqa. Tornados also struck six times in Mosul…On Thursday 11 May, a pair of Typhoons, armed with Paveway IVs, destroyed a truck-bomb staging area some fifteen miles north-west of Raqqa, while another pair supported the SDF in eastern Syria, hitting a mortar team and two Daesh-held buildings near Al Ulwah. The same day, two flights of Tornados patrolled over Mosul, using Brimstone missiles against two Daesh positions very close to Iraqi troops. A further Paveway IV eliminated a mortar in a courtyard, and three more Paveways cratered roads along which Daesh might have tried to move truck-bombs along.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI714

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “On 15 May, an airstrike targeting passing ISIL vehicles damaged a civilian house in the ISIL-controlled al- Rifae neighbourhood of western Mosul, killing five civilians, including two women and a child, and wounding 11 others, including three women and three children.”

Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilians killed or injured relating to this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (1) [ 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 14th-15th: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 12 fighting positions, five vehicles, two mortar systems, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two heavy machine guns, two anti-air artillery systems, two VBIEDs, and a weapons storage facility; damaged ten ISIS supply routes, a fighting position, and a VBIED facility; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS846

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

مزارع الروضة, Mazare al Rawda, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958611, 39.02 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian man was reportedly killed and a number of others injured by alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa city.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Al Raqqa Truth named the victim who was from the Rumaila neighbourhood, and have provided a photo of him.

Both sources, alongside the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, alleged that the Coalition was responsible for the airstrike.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jassem al Hamdoush al Moh
Adult male from the Rumaila neighbourhood killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Jassem al Hamdoush al Moh who was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa on May 21st, 2017 (via RBSS post on May 22nd, 2017).
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 Mazare al Rawada, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV019793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.” It also later reported that additionally on May 20th “Near Raqqah, Syria, one strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.”
For May 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [1 British?] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]