US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CI833

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Location

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375659, 42.451536 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that more than 30 civilians were killed in an aerial bombardment on Tal Afar, west of Mosul, Nineveh.

A single source, Omara Al Halbusi, blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack, which he claimed destroyed houses and the civilians inside.

The other sources tracked by Airwars did not specify any particular faction as the culprit, referring to shelling, aerial bombardment and artillery.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the artillery of the US army located at the base of Kharez, Zamar area northwest of Mosul; bombed the villages of Tal Afar (via Omar Alhlboci)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tal Afar (تلعفر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.375659, 42.451536. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Tal Afer, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 20th-21st the Coalition reported “Near Tal Afar, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed five rocket-propelled grenade systems, four tunnel entrances, four fighting positions, four VBIEDs, two tactical vehicles, two weapons caches, two supply caches, a command and control node, a medium machine gun, and an anti-tank weapon; damaged five supply routes; and suppressed 32 mortar systems.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 20, near Tal Afar, Iraq, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three staging areas, two IEDs, two pieces of ISIS oil equipment, a rocket-propelled grenade system, and a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On Aug. 20, near Tal Afar, Iraq, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1430

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

Sooq Al-Hall, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95243, 39.01633 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported a family of five, including children and three women, were killed following US-led Coalition airstrikes, near the market in Sooq Al-Hall, Raqqa.

The child, Saleh Fawaz Ahmad al Abdullah (pictured), and his family were killed after “Coalition warplane missiles fired on the old al Hal Market area south of Raqqa City” according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently listed the names of the family.

All sources attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition.

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, it was reported that “Five members of the al-Ali family were killed in a second strike on a two-storey house they were sheltering in in Harat al Sakhani.”

The daughter of a victim, Fatima, added in a testimony that “My relatives went from place to place in search of safety but were bombed in each place, and when they try to flee the city, they were shot at by Daesh. What were civilians supposed to do? What options did they have?”

Although initial reportage said the strike was on the 29th, Fatima confirmed it was actually on the 20th.

The incident occured at 20:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Saleh Fawaz al-Ali
Age unknown male killed
Haj Ahmed Al – Abdullah Al – Alwan
Age unknown male killed
The daughter of Fawaz Ahmed Al – Abdullah
Child female killed
The daughter of Awad Al – Abdullah Al – Ali
Child female killed
Wife of Oud Al – Abdullah Al – Ali
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (0–1 children3 women1–2 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Saleh Fawaz Ahmad al Abdullah, reportedly killed with four members of his family in an alleged Coalition strike on Sooq Al-Hall market, Raqqa, August 29th 2017. (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Sooq Al Hall (سوق الهال) area, for which the coordinates are: 35.950765, 39.014393. There are two markets referred to as Al Hall (سوق الهال) in Raqqa city, however, given the date of the incident, it is unlikely that there was fighting near the other Sooq Al Hall (سوق الهال), for which the coordinates are: 35.937528, 39.027740. Furthermore, satellite images from take on Aug. 25 and Sept. 06, 2017 indicate no new damage there. Amnesty research found the precise location of the strike: 35.95243, 39.01633.

  • The immediate area around the Sooq Al Hall (سوق الهال) likely referred to in reports of the incident.

    Date taken:
    August 25, 2017

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Googl

  • Again, the immediate area around the Sooq Al Hall (سوق الهال). Significant damage to built structures is visible in the 15 day window between satellite images.

    Date taken:
    September 6, 2017

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • 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

For August 29th – 30th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 46 strikes engaged 30 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 66 fighting positions, five heavy machine guns, five vehicles, three medium machine guns, three anti-air systems, three ISIS communications lines, two command and control nodes, an ISIS headquarters, a weapons cache, an ISIS staging area, a VBIED, damaged eight fighting positions and suppressed two heavy machine guns.” It was additionally reported that “On Aug. 29, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, a VBIED, a heavy machine gun, and a command and control node.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.(@EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (0–1 children3 women1–2 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1456

Incident date

September 8, 2017

Location

Al Nahdah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95719, 38.99446 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “September 8, 2017, near al-Nahdah, Syria, via media report. 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.” The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars: 37SDV995792. Airwars researchers assessed that the reported event has strong similarities with S1277a – yet cannot discount S1277a due to insufficient information on the location.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 7th – 8th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes destroyed 11 ISIS fighting positions and a command and control node and suppressed three fighting positions.” It was additionally reported that “On Sept. 7, near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions, 15 vehicles, four VBIEDs and suppressed four fighting positions.”
For September 8th – 9th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 40 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, four logistics node, two vehicles, an ISIS communication line, a mortar system, a command and control node and suppressed four fighting positions.” It was additionally reported that “On Sept. 8, near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 vehicles, six logistics nodes, four fighting positions, and an IED; and suppressed three fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Thursday 7 September – Tornados destroyed a truck, a fuel depot and a terrorist accommodation block in northern Iraq, whilst Typhoons attacked a machine-gun team in Raqqa…On Thursday 7 September, Tornados patrolled over northern Iraq. A couple of miles north-east of Hawijah, a truck carrying a group of extremists was successfully targeted using a Brimstone missile. Our aircraft were then tasked with the destruction of a fuel depot near Sharqat where Daesh had been spotted refuelling truck-bombs, as well as a nearby accommodation block used by the terrorists. Both were struck with Paveway IVs. Over Raqqa, Typhoons flew further close support missions for the Syrian Democratic Forces, bombing successfully a light machine-gun position.’

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1483 RS2441

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

خشام, Kisham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten to 12 civilians, mostly children and women, were reported killed following alleged airstrikes on Khishham, 15 km southeast of Deir Ezzor. The majority of sources accused Russian warplanes of committing the offence. However both the Regime and the US-led Coalition were also mentioned in reporting.

Syrian Press Center reported that Russian warplanes used “cluster bombs around the house of Aref al-Humaidi”. According to local reports a number of houses were destroyed.

Qasioun said “A squadron of Russian fighters also shelled the villages and towns of Deir al-Zour in the east with dozens of airstrikes loaded with cluster bombs, the latest of which was in the village of Khasham”.

A number of sources, including Deirezzor and @ahraralmyadein, referred to “warplanes” but did not specify a culprit.

Fresh-syria blamed both the Regime and Russia, whilst Jbc was the only source that referred to the Coalition – Jbc pointed out that the Coalition and Russia were both “committing massacres” in Deir Ezzor countryside – neither were blamed for the Khisham incident specifically.

Later reports identified victims.

According to Euphrates Post the nine children (pictured) were all from the town of Buammaru when they were killed in Khasham, the Euphrates Post alleged Moscow responsible.

Four days after the event, Euphrates Post noted “The movement of displaced people from the towns of Mazloum, Mrat and Khisham Tahtani as a result of artillery shelling by the regime forces located in the town of Al-Marayya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Awla’a Fadel Al Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed
Abeer Fadel Al Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed
Aisha Fadel Al Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed
Amal Fadel Al Mohammed al Khamis
Child killed
Emaduddin Fadel Al Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed
Majid Fadel Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed

Family members (3)

Mohammed Amin Hussein Ahmed Al Salama
Child killed
Amena Hussein Ahmed Al Salama
Child killed
Hussein Abed Ahmad Al Salama
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed al-Samih
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (9–10 children1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • From left to right: 1-the child imad Aldenn Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 2-the girl aysha Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 3-the child Majed Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 4-the girl Amal Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 5-the girl Abeer Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 6-the child Wala’a Aldenn Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 7-The Child Mahammad Ameen Husin Ahmad Al Salama 8-the girl Ameen Husin Ahmad Al Salama 9-The child Abed Ahmad Al Salama all killed in alleged airstrikes, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • “My name is Amal AlKhameis. I was killed today due an airstrike by #Russia in #Khsham east #DeirEzzor, they've killed my innocent smile” (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khisham (خشام), for which the coordinates are: 35.3020098, 40.2914143. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

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
    10 – 12
  • (9–10 children1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI851

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Location

Huwaija, Sina'iya area, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.321848, 43.785152 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to two local sources, some civilians killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the residential neighbourhoods in Huwaija.

Al Rafdain said that a number of civilians were killed and others wounded in an aerial bombardment, with a press source reportedly adding that aircraft bombed three sites in the Sina’iya area in Hawija, resulting in deaths and injuries in addition to causing damage and destruction of homes and property of citizens.

Later the Coalition published the report: September 19, 2017, near al-Hawijah, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information, it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the destruction following an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the residential neighbourhoods in Huwaija ( via Alrafidain)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Industrial neighbourhood, or Al Sina’iya (الصناعي) in the town of Hawija (حویجة). The generic coordinates for this neighbourhood are: 35.321848, 43.785152.

  • The neighbourhood of Al Sina'iya (الصناعي) in the town of Hawija

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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

For September 18th – 19th the Coalition reported “Near Huwijah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four heavy machine guns, three fighting positions, a tactical vehicle, a bunker, a front-end loader, a mortar system, a staging area and an ISIS headquarters.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1538

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least seven civilians were reported killed and dozens more wounded in air and/or rocket/artillery strikes on Al Mayadin – though the death toll looked likely to rise with multiple reports saying that up to 21 other civilians were still trapped under the rubble.

It is currently unclear who was responsible for this incident, with sources pointing to both the US-led Coalition and to Russia. Moreover, a reference to “rocket fire” by one source means that SDF actions could not be ruled out.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes that likely belong to the International Coalition carried out several strikes this morning on areas in the town of Al-Mayadin in the eastern suburb of Deir ez Zour, targeting the agricultural area of the city. So far there is no information about civilian casualties.”

The Step News Agency said that the Coalition carried out five strikes, killing a family of four.

According to Deir Free, a family of seven died in a Coalition strike – adding that the death toll was increasing.

Further sources, however, suggested a more significant casualty incident. Euphrates Post reported that “some 21 civilians, most of them women and children, have been trapped in the rubble since 2:30 pm as a result of air strikes targeting the city of Al-Mayadin near the agricultural bank and the general pharmacy in the public street towards the club (Mohammed Al-Shuaibi’s house) of the halal market.”

The source went on to list some of the names of civilians trapped under the rubble as: “Kanaan Shuaibi and his daughters, Luai Shuaibi and his wife, the daughter of Humaid Al Shuaibi, the daughter of Sufian Al Shuaibi, the family of Kanaan Al Shuaibi, the wife of Ammar Yasser Al Shuaibi.” It added that the equipment required to remove these people was unavailable, but that “the family of al Hassan al Shuaibi were all pulled out of the rubble, along with the children of Yasser and Othman Mohammed Al Shuaibi and their grandmother. They are all well and in good health.” DPN also reported that the al Shuaibi family were rescued from under their home after it was destroyed by “rocket fire”.

The Shaam News Network produced a similar report, saying that 21 civilians remained under the rubble after an attack by unidentified “warplanes”.

But Qasioun blamed Russia, saying that “activists reported that more than 30 air strikes carried out by Russian planes on the city and Al-Mayadeen which resulted in dozens of civilians killed and wounded.”

Deir Ezzor 24 said that other locations struck included “the bank and area behind the Shdoukhi building”.

Deir Free Radio later named Amer Mohammed Eid al-Darwish as a victim.

Dania Abdel Razzaq al-Ta’is (displaced from Deir al-Zour) was documented as a victim in a later report by Euphrates Post. The Post also reported the child Dalia Ammar Yasser Shuaib was still missing 48 hours after the search began, saying that her mother and her maternal grandfather in addition to ten others were still searching for her with limited equipment.

In subsequent reports, Euphrates Post confirmed the death of Fatima Abdel Moneim Al Hammadi and her pregnant daughter Dalia; and Mrs. Ola Sufian al-Shuaibi, wife of Hassan Yarub al-Shuaib; along with Jamal Abdul Wahab Ibrahim Hamad Al-Abdullah (Abu Khaled), who reportedly died later from wounds sustained in this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Fatima Abdel Moneim Al Hammadi
Adult female Mother killed
Dalia
Adult female pregnant Daughter killed

The victims were named as:

Amer Mohammed Eid al-Darwish
Adult male killed
Dania Abdel Razzaq al-Ta’is
Age unknown female killed
Ola Sufian al-Shuaibi
Age unknown female Wife of Hassan Yarub al-Shuaib killed
Jamal Abdul Wahab Ibrahim Hamad Al-Abdullah
Age unknown male Abu Khaled killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The child Dalia Ammar Yasser Shuaibi
  • Amer Mohammed Eid al-Darwish
  • Iman Kanaan Shuaibi, reportedly trapped under the rubble
  • Photo showing the aftermath of the strike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.016667, 40.444167. One specific location mentioned is the Al Shamla (الشاملة) pharmacy and residential buildings near the Agricultural Bank in the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین). Airwars was unable to locate the pharmacy, however, the coordinates for the Agricultural Bank are: 35.017705, 40.456274.

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 Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 27th-28th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed four ISIS supply routes and an ISIS headquarters”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1566

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Location

مظلوم فوقاني, Mazloum Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3077313, 40.257403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The civilian Abdullah al Jamma was reported to be “under the rubble” of buildings, following airstrikes by unidentified aircraft. Reportedly targeting the town of Mazloum Foqani according to the Euphrates Post.

The town sits on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, where the US-led Coalition was still conducting strikes. Mr al Jamma was suspected to have been under the rubble for two days at the time Euphrates Post reported the incident.

No additional details are presently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah al Jamma
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mazloum Foqani (فوقاني مظلوم), for which the coordinates are: 35.3077313, 40.257403

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 Mazloum Foqani, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 1st – 2nd the Coalition reported “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed two ISIS well heads and a fighting position.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1598

Incident date

October 7, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A man named as Hussein al-Ali al-Hamam and “his family of six people” from the Hamam al Turkman area in Raqqah city (possibly where the incident occurred) died following airstrikes, local media reported.

Hussein al-Ali al Hamam reportedly worked for the local power company. Raqqa 24 blamed the US-led Coalition, while all other sources referred only to “aerial bombardment”.

Airwars will update the entry when any new information arises.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein al-Ali al-Hamam
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة‎), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Sources mention that the victims were Internally Displaced People from the village of Hammam Al Turkman (حمام التركمان) located at these coordinates: 36.527709, 39.076395. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 6th-7th the Coalition reported •Near Raqqah, 17 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed a command and control node, seven fighting positions, two vehicles, and two communications infrastructures, and a VBIED; damaged two fighting positions, two communication infrastructures, two ISIS supply routes and suppressed one fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 6, near Raqqah, Syria 23 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 17 fighting positions, six vehicles, a VBIED, and an ISIS supply road.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • 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]