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

CS1621a

Incident date

October 12, 2017

Location

البدو, Baidou, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958649, 39.007077 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that between 25 and 35 or more civilians died in US-led Coalition airstrikes carried out at midday which struck two residential buildings in Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa. Despite this, Amnesty field research has since been conducted which only reported the deaths of 16 civilians, spread over two strikes.

The Coalition initially confirmed having unintentionally killed three civilians in this strike – later updating this assessment to 16 killed. The majority of other sources placed the death toll at 35 and all sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

This assessment documents the victims of the second strike which killed ten civilians. The second can be found under CS1621.

Jisr TV reported, “The agency A’maq [IS propaganda] said the American raids targeted the Bedouin neighborhood, which resulted in the death toll”. It added that this came “after the resumption of military operations yesterday, following the failure of negotiations to exit ISIS out of Raqqa in return for not targeting them”. This account was reiterated in a later report by Step News Agency.

SDU Syria said “the planes also raided other areas of the city”, whilst Raqqa 24 noted an unknown number of civilians were wounded following the attacks.

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, stated that “Fayad Mohammed, a man in his 80s known as Abu Saif, and 15 members of his family and neighbours were among those killed in a double Coalition air strikes which destroyed the Fayyad family home and a neighbour’s house across the road. He had refused to leave the home where he had lived for 50 years when the Raqqa military campaign began.”

A relative of the victim told Amnesty in a testimony that “He insisted that he had lived here for 50 years and would not be evicted by these people (IS) who had taken control of the city and who he considered illiterate, ignorant and extremists.”

Ali Habib, one of the survivors of the attack, stated “I felt the roof of the house collapse on me… I called my wife, my mother, my daughter, but nobody answered… I realised that everybody was dead. I realised that everybody was dead. Then my boy, Mohammed, called out and that gave me the strength to free myself from the rubble and go to him. He had been thrown some 10m away by the explosion. We were both injured. I fainted and when I regained consciousness I heard voices on the other side of the rubble which was all around me and my boy and I called for help and eventually people removed some of the rubble and pulled us out.”

Ammar Amero, a neighbour who was in the area and helped recover the bodies from the rubble, told Amnesty International: “It must have been the last house they hit before the bombardments stopped at 5am. I found the bottom half of Abu Saif in the rubble. Um Abdalla was also visible in the rubble but her legs were trapped under it. She was dead.”

Raqqa RWB later reported that workmen were “rebuilding the Fayad family home, which was destroyed in a Coalition air strike”. The local source agreed that 16 civilians had been killed in the attack.

In March 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “(4.) Oct. 12, 2017 near Al Badu, Raqqah, Syria via social media report. During a Coalition strike to engage an ISIS-defensive fighting position it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV005796 (Military grid reference with 100 m accuracy).

In July 2018, following the publication of the Amnesty report, the Coalition again assessed the event, this time noting that “October 12, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Sixteen civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The coordinates, within 100m, were this time given as 37SEV006793 – or 35° 57.485′ N 39° 0.399′ E. Officials confirmed to Airwars that this related to event S1432.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Hsein al-Hamad al-Fares ibn Mousa
60 years old male Fayad's brother in law killed
Ammar al-Hamad al-Fares ibn Husein
32 years old male Hsein's son killed
Reem al-Maddad Bint As’ad
32 years old female killed
Razqiya Al-Habib bint Ali
1 year 6 months years old female Reem's baby daughter killed
Yousra Abd-al-Aziz bint Ismail
54 years old female Reem's mother in law killed
Abu Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Yassin
Age unknown male killed
Abu Abdallah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • "A’maq: more than 25 from Raqqa people were killed due to American airstrikes in Bedou neighbourhood." 12th october 2017. (via Photo of the A’maq)
  • “WAR-OF-ANNIHILATION“.-DEVASTATING-TOLL-ON-CIVILIANS-RAQQA-SYRIA

    Amnesty report on the confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty International)

  • Civilian casualties of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • The aftermath of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Satellite imagery of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Ammar Hsein Mousa al-Fares, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Hussein Fares, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Reem Asaad al Maddad, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Rizqiya Ali Habib, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Yousra Aziz bint Ismail, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو), for which the coordinates are: 35.95809, 39.00665.

  • Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    10
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Sixteen civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 12th – 13th the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units, suppressed one fighting position, destroyed two communications nodes, 10 fighting positions, one vehicle and one ISIS supply road.” And additionally that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed three ISIS lines of communication and one fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Thursday 12 October – Tornados struck two Daesh-held buildings in Raqqah, and bombed a terrorist camp in the western Iraqi desert…On Thursday 12 October, over western Iraq, another Tornado flight dropped four Paveways on a Daesh camp in the desert, some 60 miles south-west of Ramadi….This included two Tornado GR4s providing close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqah on Thursday 12 October. A Paveway IV guided bomb was deployed to target the upper storeys of a building from which a Daesh sniper was firing, and a second weapon struck another building from which terrorists were engaged in a combat with the SDF.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS596

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83462, 38.54714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of ten civilians near Al Tabqah, Syria.

Their October 2017 report noted: “During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

This confirmed strike might relate to the strikes reported by Airwars that day (S522; S523 or S523a).

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    10
  • Stated location
    near Al Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV591657
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 20th-21st the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed four petroleum oil lubricant equipment pieces, three barges, three fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, two VBIED facilities, two VBIEDs, a VBIED factory, a tunnel, a vehicle, a weapons storage facility, and a command and control node; and damaged two supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS842

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

كديران, Kdeiran, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.877525, 38.721936 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Coalition airstrike on Kdeiran village, local media reported.

In January 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged with what was positively identified as an ISIS Headquarters. Coalition munitions destroyed the building. Regrettably, nine civilian bystanders in the streets around the house were unintentionally killed by the effects of the strike.” 

In April 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least five non-combatants including two children died in the Coalition strikes.

However, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Al Ragga Truth and Mohab Nasser were among other sources putting the death tool as high as 15 – with dozens more wounded.

@1’15” in a video published by the IS medi agency Aa’maq, a teary eyed man with cap in hospital says: “the crusader came and bombed a grocery shop, a place selling petrol, an ice cream shop, a fishmonger, a motorbike mechanic shop and a vegetable shop.”

Raqqa Post referred specifically to “US airstrikes”.

Among the victims were also two refugees in al Hamad village.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamdoun Abu Hashim
Age unknown killed
Ali Abu Hakkam
Age unknown killed
Abdel Sheikh Taher
Age unknown killed
Abdel Mu’in al Aweed
Age unknown killed
Mohammad Ghanam
Age unknown killed
Hamada al A’kmash
Age unknown killed
One of the sons of Hamada al A’kmash
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad al Juma’a
Age unknown male killed
Son of Ahmad al Juma’a (1)
Age unknown male killed
Son of Ahmad al Juma’a (2)
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (2–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tweet by Ahmad Alshibli posted on May 22nd 2017. Caption: "# Al-Raqqa No photographs of the destruction of the massacre carried out by the international coalition aircraft on the village of Kediran in the western Raqqa countryside, killing eighteen martyrs"

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tweet by Mohab Naser posted on May 22nd 2017. Caption: "# Raqqa Pictures showing some of the martyrs and the wounded and part of the destruction caused by the bombing of the coalition aircraft on the village of Kediran countryside east of Raqqa yesterday night."
  • Photo of the civilian "Hamdoun Abu Hashim," who was alleged killed following an aerial bombing by the coalition on Kdeiran in rural West Raqqa (via Sharqia Voice, May 23rd 2017).

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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    9
  • Stated location
    near Kdeiran, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV749704
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 31, 2019

  • May 21, 2017, near Kdeiran, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged with what was positively identified as an ISIS Headquarters. Coalition munitions destroyed the building. Regrettably, nine civilian bystanders in the streets around the house were unintentionally killed by the effects of the strike.

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.

Australian 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
    10 – 15
  • (2–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1881

Incident date

January 3–4, 2019

Location

الكشكية, Al Khishkiya or Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.80205, 40.69444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During an exchange of small arms fire, an alleged Coalition helicopter strike hit a civilian home in the town of Al-Kashkiya, east of Deir Al-Zour. Between six and ten civilians from the same family were reported killed, including women and children.

In January 2020, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the deaths of nine civilians in the event and the injuring of two others. In May 2020, the Pentagon additionally informed Congress that this was a US-only action.

Manart Alforat 2018 posted at the time of the attack that six civilians died in the attack. @Deirezzor24 and Euphrates Post reported that seven civilians were killed, including one child and two women from the family of Ali Kalif al-Qatmir. Free Deir Ezzor Radio reported on nine civilian deaths, mostly women and children.

Meanwhile Shabab Al Latamna and Boukamalna put the death toll at ten civilians. So too did Sputnik, which added that among the dead were four children.

In a detailed description of the incident, Shabab Al Soussa reported that the attack occurred at 1am on Friday morning. Citing local sources, it described how “one of the wanted men of ISIS” was carrying and shooting his weapon, thinking that members of ISIS were trying to attack him. According to the accounts, his house and surrounding areas were then targeted which led to the killing of his relatives. 

A Coalition spokesman denied that there were civilian casualties though admitted attacking the town that day, according to Stars and Stripes: “Military officials are refuting reports that civilians were harmed in a coalition airstrike on an Islamic State-held village in eastern Syria last week, while observers have warned of diminished transparency in the anti-ISIS campaign. Syria’s state news agency and the activist group DeirEzzor 24 both said the strike on the village of Kishkiyeh had killed at least 10 people, including four children, the Associated Press reported late last week. Both blamed the U.S.-led coalition.

A U.S. military spokesman indicated there had been a Coalition strike in the area but initially rejected the allegation of noncombatant deaths. “We are aware of reports of civilian [casualty] allegations, but we have no evidence at this time indicating any civilians were harmed in this strike,” Army Col. Scott Rawlinson, a spokesman for the Coalition, said via email. “We take every reasonable precaution to minimize harm to civilians in our pursuit of an enduring defeat of ISIS.”’

In a later report, Deir Ezzor 24 reported that the Coalition had in fact paid out 80,000 euros to Al-Shaitat victims who were killed “by mistake”. “Special sources” to Deir Ezzor 24 revealed that on Sunday 27th January 2019, a delegation from the International Coalition and the SDF met with elders from Abu Hamam town in the eastern Deir Ezzor countryside at the headquarter of the Public Relations office, where they paid money to 11 people who were killed “by mistake” by the Coalition and the SDF during this incident.

According to the source, Haval Razan was among the people who attended, the highest representative of the coalition, and the link between the international coalition and the SDF. Representatives of the victims’ families who attended according to the source were: Hassan Al-Obaid Al-Ghadir, Abdelkader Al-Hassan Al-Baqes, Ammash Al-Hussein Al-Ghadir, Fahim Al-Ghadir, Jassim Al-Qatmir, Hamad Al-Ahmad Al-Amin, and Ibn Badri Al-Hamad Al-Ghadir.

Deir Ezzor 24 added that the Coalition “admitted that it had obtained false information which led to the killing of two civilians in Al-Kashkiyah town east of Deir Ezzor” and that “they reiterated the need to hold accountable those who provided the SDF and the Coalition with wrong coordinates that caused the deaths of civilians.”

The UN Commission of Inquiry cited the case in its September 2019 report:

“In addition to front-line battles, the Commission received several accounts of night raids carried out by SDF with the aerial support of helicopter gunships provided by international coalition forces, which killed and injured civilians. For example, on 4 January 2019 at approximately 1.00 a.m., a night raid in SDF-controlled Kashmah village killed up to eight civilians including five men, two women and one boy, and further injured one man and one girl.

While the exact unfolding of events is still under investigation, accounts received by the Commission suggest an exchange of fire between some villagers and SDF with the support of helicopter gunships, which led to the killing of several villagers. The local community perceived the raid as an attack on fellow tribal members, while SDF claim that they responded to fire from ISIL elements in the village. The Commission received information and supporting documentation that, on 27 January, a settlement of $80,000 was offered by SDF to the family members of the deceased.”

In its civilian casualty report for November 2019 – published on January 2nd 2020 – the Coalition eventually conceded both the attack and its consequences, noting: “January 3, 2019, in Al-Khuskieh, Syria, via Human Rights Watch Report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh fighters. Regrettably, nine civilians were unintentionally killed and two civilians were unintentionally wounded as a result of the strike. 2774 37SFU550524”.

In May 2020, in its annual report to Congress, the Pentagon conceded this as a US-only civilian harm event: “As of March 1, 2020, CJTF-OIR assessed that 11 reports of civilian casualties during 2019 were credible, with approximately 22 civilians killed and approximately 13 civilians injured as a result of U.S. military operations.”

The incident occured at 01:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (13)

Abd al-Khalif al-Qatmir
Adult male killed
Hamoud Al Ghadir Al Saleh
Age unknown killed
Abdul Hamid Hassan al-Baks
Age unknown killed
Mahmoud Al-Hussein Al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Hussein al-Khalif al-Qatmir
Age unknown killed
Wife of Ali al-Qatmir
Adult male
Amsha Al Obaid Al Saleh
Adult female Elderly woman killed
Ahamoud Ghadir Al Qatmir
Adult killed
Ali al-Katmir
Age unknown injured
Name unknown
Child killed
Name unknown
Child killed
Name unknown
Child killed
Name unknown
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (1–4 children2 women2–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Bodies are lined up following an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian residence in Al Khishkiya, January 3rd- 4th (via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Body of a child killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian residence (via Manart alforat2018)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian residence (via Manart alforat2018)
  • Table of US-only civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria for 2019, declared by the Pentagon to Congress in May 2020.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the village level at 34.810000, 40.694722.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    9
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    in Al-Khuskieh, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU550524
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2020

  • January 3, 2019, in Al-Khuskieh, Syria, via Human Rights Watch Report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh fighters. Regrettably, nine civilians were unintentionally killed and two civilians were unintentionally wounded as a result of the strike. 2774 37SFU550524

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Between Dec. 30, 2018 and Jan. 12, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 575 strikes consisting of 1,147 engagements in
Syria.

In Syria, 575 strikes engaged 485 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 308 staging areas, 220 fighting positions, 105
mortar, rocket and artillery systems, 57 supply routes, 50 manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive device
and vehicle borne improvised explosive device, 31 command and control nodes, 26 vehicles, 19 weapons caches,
18 mortar launching sites, 18 petroleum oil and lubricant storage facilities, 11 heavy and light weapon systems,
eight reservoirs and tankers for petroleum oil and lubricants, eight pieces of heavy equipment, seven vehicle borne
improvised explosive devices, six tunnels and caves, four buildings, two unmanned aircraft systems, one weapons
facility, one logistics hub and one fuel storage.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Jan 2-8, France report that task Force Wagram carried out 28 missions of which 12 were strikes. Meanwhile aircraft conducted two strikes in support of the SDF.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie Dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, les forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS), après avoir sécurisé la ville d’Hajine, poursuivent leur offensive en direction du sud et du village de Shafah. Daech reste résilient et s’appuie sur une densité de piégeage importante pour ralentir les FDS. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la situation est inchangée. La sécurisation des célébrations du nouvel an a été un succès. Pour autant, Daech conserve des capacités de nuisance, tout en poursuivant sa posture de dissimilation et d’évitement. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. Par l’opération Chammal, les armées françaises demeurent engagées, les modalités de l’engagement tenant compte en permanence des réalités du terrain. La priorité demeure de vaincre militairement cette organisation terroriste, et empêcher sa résurgence alors qu’elle passe à la clandestinité. 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 les forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. La TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 28 missions de tir (23 d'éclairement, 12 de destruction – bilan du 2 au 8 janvier inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2446 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les militaires de la base aérienne projetée en Jordanie ont accueilli la ministre des armées et le chef d’état-major de l’Armée de l’air à l’occasion du réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre. Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis ont poursuivi leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 14 sorties aériennes (bilan du 02 au 08 janvier inclus). Les Rafale ont conduit 2 frappes cette semaine en appui des forces démocratiques syriennes. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8782 sorties / 1514 frappes / 2325 objectifs neutralisés. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne. La TF Narvik, poursuit sa mission de formation et de conseil de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS), notamment dans les domaines du renseignement, du combat au corps à corps, et en conduisant des stages de remise à niveau.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (1–4 children2 women2–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1394

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

المرور, Ar Raqqah: Mouroor neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949975, 38.992238 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Coalition air raids on Raqqa resulted in the deaths of 9 civilians, including 4 children. The US-led alliance later admitted responsibility for the deaths, following an Amnesty International field investigation.

Amnesty researchers interviewed Munira Hashish who lost 18 members of her family, nine of whom were killed in a Coalition air strike. She stated: “It was when they (the Coalition planes) saw us that they struck. The strike occurred straight after we re-entered the house. It happened just after the call for midday prayer. I remember hearing the call to prayer, then the strike happened. My brothers Hussein and Mohammed and their kids and the neighbours were all killed. Those who were not killed were injured. The only one who survived unharmed is my grandchild, a baby aged four months. I was holding him in my arms and he was not hurt.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently had originally reported that 21 civilians, including all members of the Hashish family, were killed in a Coalition airstrike on a home in the Muroor neighbourhood of Raqqa. The report however noted that the incident took place on August 19th and also included family members that, according to the Amnesty report, were in fact “mined by IS, and […] killed by a mortar seemingly launched by the SDF.”

The case was also included in the April 2019 Amnesty/Airwars joint report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality (raqqa.amnesty.org): “Munira Hashish and her family lived in Dara’iya, a low-income neighbourhood in western Raqqa. The family was not well off; Munira’s husband, Hussein Ibrahim Hashish, supported the family as best he could by selling vegetables out of a cart. Despite repeated attempts to flee, the Hashish family lost 18 members, mostly women and children, over a two-week period in August. A Coalition air strike killed nine, seven died as they tried to flee via a road which had been mined by IS, and two others were killed by a mortar launched by SDF. “Those who stayed died and those who tried to run away died. We couldn’t afford to pay the smugglers; we were trapped,” Munira Hashish told us. After seven family members were killed by mines set by IS and later nine more were killed by a Coalition air strike, the family was finally able to escape “by walking over the blood of those who were blown up as they tried to flee ahead of us.,” she said.”

In July 2018 the Coalition accepted responsibility, noting: “August 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on a reported Daesh position near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Nine civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (15)

Mohammed Ali Hashish
Age unknown male killed
Amal Al Ali Al Hashish
Child female killed
Nour al-Ayoun Ali Hashish
Child male killed
Ali Mohammed al-Hashish
Child male killed
Hussein Al-Ali Al-Hashish
Age unknown male killed
Mahdiah Ibrahim Hashish
Age unknown female killed
Ahmed Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Ismael Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Mustafa Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Ibrahim Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Mohammed Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Fatima Hussein Hashish
Child female killed
Ali Hussein Hashish
Age unknown male killed
Badia Hamoud Al Ali
Age unknown female killed
Hassan Hussein Al-Ali Hashish
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Hazar Al-Ali
Age unknown male killed
Hussein Hassan Ali
Child male killed
A girl from Hassan Ali's family
Child female killed

Family members (2)

Nidal Mohammed
Age unknown male killed
Manar Nidal Mohammed
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Abdul-Issa Al-Antar
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Al-Hussein family (via Amnesty)
  • Hsein Hassan Hashish was left an orphan and had to have his foot amputated following the attack (via Amnesty International)
  • Moh Ali Hashish and family (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's son (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's son (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's children (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's children (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's children (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Artillery fragment near the Hashish house (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • The building in which members of the Hashish family died, seen before the strike on August 19, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

  • The building in which members of the Hashish family died, seen after the strike on August 25, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

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:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    9
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV993784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • August 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on a reported Daesh position near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Nine civilians were unintentionally killed.

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.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 20 August – Tornados and Typhoons hit a target in Raqqa, a group of terrorists and vehicles in eastern Syria, and five Daesh positions around Tal Afar…On Sunday 20 August, Typhoons bombed a further Daesh position in Raqqa. In eastern Syria, Tornados targeted a group of terrorists deployed near the border with Iraq – two Paveways hit their trucks and killed several of the extremists.

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
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1110

Incident date

June 28, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.951780, 38.981150 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An August 2017 Amnesty International report initially stated that a civilian casualty incident occurred in Raqqa on June 8th, killing 6 to 9 civilians – including 1 or 2 women and 3 to 5 children. This was later corrected to June 28th – with the Coalition accepting responsibility for eight deaths 13 months later.

Amnesty researchers had conducted an interview with Mohammed, who had witnessed how the house of Jamal al-Aswad, a food vendor aged 52, was struck just after midnight between June 8th and 9th. The interviewee stated that his next door neighbour had definitely perished in the bombing. “[…] but I don’t know if his wife and children were there not. If they were there they are also dead”, he stated to the field researchers.

At the time of the bombing Abu Mahamud al-Tadfi, his wife and children had also been sheltering in the house of Jamal. All were killed in the event, although Mohammed was unable to identify how many children Mahmud exactly had, but “three for sure”.

Although no survivors were found, Amnesty could not assess how many bodies had been under the rubble.

The later report stated that “On the evening of 28 June 2017, the building was destroyed by a Coalition air strike, killing eight people, most of them children.”

Mohammad al Aswad, one of the survivors of the airstrike, stated that it was around 7.30pm on “the fourth day of Eid” [28 June 2017]. He told Amnesty researchers that they “were about to have dinner. I know the time because my brother Jamal who was down in the basement had just asked how long before sunset, when he could break his fast. Ramadan was over but Jamal was fasting that day to make up for a day when he had not been able to fast due to shelling in the neighbourhood. […] The strike came suddenly. I lost consciousness for a while. When I came around it was dark and I discovered I was wounded in my back and my leg.”

In the days that followed, relatives kept going back to the scene of the strike. One of them, Taha Mohammed Othman, told Amnesty International: “On the Thursday [29 June 2017], three of them were alive under the rubble – Jamal, Amal and Mahmoud. We could only see Mahmoud and we could hear the voices of the other two. Mahmoud kept asking, ‘Where’s my Dad? Where’s my sister? Help me, I want water.’ Amal was also crying for help, although we couldn’t see her. We stayed until the shelling became too close. On the Friday it was difficult to come straight away. There were heavy clashes where we lived. IS kept telling us to move to different places (in the Old City). We asked IS for help to rescue the survivors in the basement but they refused and called us apostates. When we finally made it back to the basement on Friday they were all dead.”

Amnesty delegates later went to the scene of the strike with Aswad family members who brought fragments of two munitions: part of the motor of an AGM-114 Hellfire missile and a fin from a US-designed Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a GPS-guided air-delivered bomb.

Raqqa – Reporters Without Borders also mentioned eight civilians killed “in a reported Coalition strike” but this was only after the publication of the Amnesty report.

In July 2018 the Coalition conceded responsibility for the event, noting: “June 28, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on reported Daesh headquarters and fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Eight civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Jamal Othman Aswad
Adult male named by Amnesty killed

Family members (7)

Mohammed Othman (Abu Mahmoud)
Adult male named by Amnesty killed
Fatima (Mohammed Othman [Abu Mahmoud]’s wife)
Adult female named by Amnesty killed
Mahmoud
17 years old male named by Amnesty killed
Amal
13 years old named by Amnesty killed
Ahmed
14 years old male named by Amnesty killed
Anas
12 years old named by Amnesty killed
Ammar
8 years old named by Amnesty killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (5 children1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Amal Othman, 13, and her brothers Ammar, 8 and Mahmoud, 17; and Jamal Aswad, 41 – four of the eight victims killed in Coalition airstrike on 28 June 2017 in Raqqa. (via Amnesty International, courtesy of family.)
  • Jamal Othman Aswad (via Amnesty International)
  • Taha Mohammed Othman at the location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location and surroundings of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location and surroundings of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location and surroundings of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Building in which members of the Aswad family were killed seen on satellite imagery before the strike on June 2, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

  • Building in which members of the Aswad family were killed seen on satellite imagery after the strike on July 6, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV983786
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • During a strike on reported Daesh headquarters and fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Eight civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [2 British] engaged nine ISIS tactical units, destroyed 10 fighting positions, two vehicles, a UAS, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 28 June – Tornados supported Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, striking two buildings defended by Daesh extremists…On Wednesday 28 June, two Tornado flights operated over Raqqa. At the north-western end of the city, at least one suicide bomber was known to be waiting inside a Daesh-held building, waiting for an opportunity to attack the SDF as they closed in. The building and the terrorists inside were struck with a Paveway IV. A second such weapon demolished a building in the east, from where heavy fire had been directed at the SDF. This successful strike allowed the SDF to resume their advance.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria in the last week. Most of them were carried out in the battles of Mosul and Raqqah. These strikes were aimed at groups of Daech fighters. The other strikes were carried out in Syria and targeted regrouping and refueling areas used by jihadi fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 16 artillery strikes in Mosul.

‘CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION En Syrie, les Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) sont engagées dans des combats féroces pour reprendre progressivement le contrôle du centre-ville de Raqqah. À l’Est, arrivés en bordure de la muraille d’enceinte de la vieille ville, les FDS sont ralentis sur les autres axes par les stratégies de harcèlement et d’imbrication de Daech déjà mises en œuvre à Mossoul. Les combattants du groupe terroriste s’appuient par ailleurs sur les rues étroites de la vieille ville pour freiner la progression des FDS. En Irak, le recul de Daech se poursuit. Au nord-ouest de l’Irak, les Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) et la 15e division irakienne poursuivent leurs actions pour consolider leur emprise sur la province de Ninive. Daech de son côté continue de concentrer ses actions de diversion dans la poche de Hawijah. À Mossoul, les Forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) continuent leur progression méthodique. Les combattants de Daech sont désormais isolés dans deux poches de résistances distinctes, entre la Médina et le complexe hospitalier. Le 21 juin les djihadistes ont fait sauter la mosquée Al Nouri alors que les FSI s’en approchaient, privant ces dernières d’une prise symbolique. Ils ont également mené plusieurs actions de harcèlement contre les lignes arrière des FSI. Dans les quartiers repris, la sécurisation est lente, progressive et dangereuse pour les FSI. Daech continue de mener des actions sporadiques de harcèlement et tente de maintenir des cellules dormantes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a appuyé cette semaine les opérations de ratissage de la 15e division irakienne à l’ouest de Mossoul. 16 missions de tir ont été réalisées en appui des unités irakiennes dont : 10 missions de harcèlement 6 missions d’éclairement Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a donc conduit plus de 1200 missions de tirs. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 29 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 2 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elles ont été réalisées dans le cadre des batailles de Mossoul et de Raqqah. Ces frappes visaient des groupes de combattants de Daech. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en Syrie et ont visé des zones de regroupement et de ravitaillements utilisées par les combattants djihadistes.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • "#Chammal: 19 strikes and 16 artillery missions in Iraq and Syria this week." A tweet documenting the French position on airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, June 28th 2017. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (5 children1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CS952

Incident date

June 9, 2017

Location

الصناعة, Ar Raqqah: Sina'a neighbourhood (Mukhtalata, unknown location), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.947746, 39.032995 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians including four children and two women died in a declared Coalition airstrike on the al Mukhtalata area in Raqqa’a al Sina’a neighbourhood, local media reported.

According to the Syrian Press Center, “Coalition forces continue to commit the worst massacres against civilians in the city of Raqqa, under the pretext of eliminating terrorism. A massacre that killed eight martyrs and many wounded were carried out after targeting a mixed area with several air strikes. The International Alliance aircraft committed a massacre, two days ago, in Al Mukhtalata area in the industrial district in the city of Raqqa, which led to the deaths of 8 civilians, including four children and a woman.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who also blamed the Coalition, put the death toll at eight, including four children and two women.

Multiple sources – all attributing the event to the Coalition – named eight victims. 

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported that an entire family of eight were killed when their family home was hit. On the ground field research reported that Najma, sister of Faddawi and his daughter Najahm, says strike was 15th. However, Ramadhan says it was Thursday at 9pm. She was at her cousin’s across the road.

Najma’s testimony stated “We were together and then I went to my cousins’ house across the road and my brother’s house was bombed and they were all killed. Why did they kill innocent people?”

Originally deemed to be non-credible by the Coalition, their assessment was revised on March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report that “Coalition aircraft
conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a building. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.”

The incident occured at 21:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Faddawi Majim al-Nasser
60s years old male killed
Aida Mohammed
50s years old female wife of Faddawi Majim al-Nasser killed
Mahmoud
35 years old male son of Faddawi Majim al-Nasser killed
Soumaya
20s years old female wife of Mahmoud killed
Hisham Mahmoud Fadawi Al Nasser
5 years old male killed
Reem Mahmoud Fadawi Al Nasser
4 years old female killed
Nour Mahmoud Fadawi al Nasser
8 years old female killed
Duaa Mahmoud Fadawi al Nasser
20 days old years old female killed

The victims were named as:

Eidah Mohammed Rahil
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children2 women2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Aida Mohammed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Faddawi Majim Al-Naser & wife Aida Mohammed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Faddawi Majim Al-Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Hisham Al Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmoud Majim Al Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Nour Al Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Reem Al Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmoud Majim Al Nasser with his three children Hisham, Nour & Reem, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Victims house. (via Amnesty)
  • Victims house. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

A building was struck at 35.947746, 39.032995. According to Amnesty research it was the family home of said victims.

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

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
    8
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEC0297578153
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

  • Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a building. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike. 2688 37SEC0297578153

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 9th-10th: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, a VBIED, and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.“ It additionally added that “On June 9, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two VBIEDs, two weapons caches, and an ISIS staging area.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Friday 9 June – Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa…On Friday 9 June, Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children2 women2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS965

Incident date

June 6, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.959065, 38.999199 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man was killed, and his son was injured in Coalition airstrikes which struck the street near his home. The Coalition later conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across this event and CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted here.

This civilian was initially listed in an airstrike which killed eight civilians from three families – including Hamsho – with dozens also left wounded. It has since been uncovered by Amnesty field research that this victim died of his injures, eight days after shrapnel entered his home on the 7th floor of a building where he was reading by a window.

In addition to this, his son was inured – off Fardous Street opposite Shokan estate agent. His wife confirmed it was early morning of Tue 12 Ramadhan (6 June) however the victim died eight days later.

In a testimony given to Amnesty International by Kawthar – wife of the victim – she stated that “My husband was reading by the window and was hit by shrapnel from the airstrike outside; He remained in a coma for eight days and then died. My son was in the next room and was also injured. ”

A number of sources alleged that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible for the strikes with the Syrian Network blaming SDF mortars. However, the Coalition also reported that it conducted artillery fire in the Raqqa.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho
43 years old male a taylor by trade, died after 8 days in a coma killed
His son
Child male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 6th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

On Google Earth 2017/05/31-2017/06/11, only minor damage is visible. By 2017/08/19-2017/08/25 major damage is visible.

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

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:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Fair
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    24
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV017790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

  • June 12, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, two vehicles, and two ISIS boats; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and suppressed a sniper team.” And that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two fighting positions.”

It also reported for the same days that "Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions and four vehicles."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]