US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

CI427

Incident date

January 16, 2017

Location

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that many civilians were killed or injured in Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces, in neigbourhoods at the left side of Mosul.

The Iraqi Spring Media Center had tracked the bombings “from dawn until now” and said the raids targeted residential neighbourhoods. It said that hundreds of civilians were fleeing.

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 15th-16th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed two tactical vehicles, six fighting positions, an ISIL-held building, and two heavy machine guns; suppressed three tactical units; and damaged a tunnel and five supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS464

Incident date

January 29, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a gas station attendant, was reported killed along with four ISIL fighters following an alleged Coalition airstrike at Ar Raqqah.

According to Smart News, “One civilian was killed and another wounded, in addition to the killing of a number of members of the Islamic State on Sunday, in a warplane attack likely to have been the international coalition. A local source said the aircraft targeted an ISIL car next to Al Halabi Gas Station east of al Mashlab neighbourhood in Raqqa. The medical source reported the killing of a civilian working at the gas station and the wounding of another one who is in a critical condition, who were taken to the National Hospital in Raqqa in addition to four bodies of IS militants of Iraqi nationality.”

LCCSY reported two civilian deaths in Raqqa that day, though gave no additional details.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • 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
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0084978465
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 28th-29th the Coalition publicly reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed seven bridges, an ISIL headquarters building, and a fighting position; and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI456

Incident date

February 12, 2017

Location

ملعب الادراة المحلية, Mosul, Stadium and Bab-Al Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.347347, 43.1225932 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that civilians were killed or injured after 37 alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted Mosul club yard and the surrounding buildings, as well as Al-Shafaa neighborhood, at the right side of Mosul.

Majid Hamid Alhvozi died in the raids, according to Swalif Maslawyia (Facebook). His brothers Mustafa and Abdul Rahman were reportedly injured.

 

The incident occured around dusk.

The victims were named as:

Majid Hamid Alhvozi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–1
  • 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]

  • Majid Hamid Alhvozi (via Swalif Maslawyia)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that Mosul Football Club stadium and its surrounding buildings in the Bab Sinjar neighbourhood were targeted, as well as the neighbourhood of Shifa. The coordinates for the stadium are: 36.341129, 43.115472. The generic coordinates for the neighbourhood of Bab Sinjar are: 36.347347, 43.1225932. The generic coordinates for the neighbourhood of Shifa are: 36.3534304, 43.1174326.

  • Neighbourhoods of Bab Sinjar and Shifa, in the vicinity of the Mosul Football Club stadium

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Bab Sinjar, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF315241
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 11th-12th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed 13 watercraft, three mortar systems, two front-end loaders, two supply caches, two ISIL-held buildings, two pieces of engineering equipment, and a tank; damaged three supply routes; and suppressed two mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–1
  • 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

CS508

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Location

Khatouniya & Salhabiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.940907, 38.7607956

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and two others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Khatouniya and al Salhabiya, according to a single source.

Smart reported that “a local source said Coalition aircraft bombed the villages of Khatouniya and Salhabiya in the western Raqqa countryside which resulted in the killing of one civilian and injuring two shepherds in the area one of them is in a serious condition.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Khatouniya and Salhabiya (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV8059978590
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 18th-19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed four oil storage tanks, three fighting positions, two ISIS-held buildings, two vehicles, a weapons cache, an oil refinement still and a communications station.” For February 19th-20th, they reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS headquarters, a vehicle, a command and control node, a VBIED, a VBIED facility, an artillery system, and a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI480

Incident date

February 24, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local and press sources claimed that nine civilians were killed and more than twenty wounded in an airstrike conducted by planes of the US-led Coalition on Al Qa’im City.

According to Yaqein “a news source said that Coalition forces launched intensive raids on the city of Qaim, western Anbar province, killing nine civilians. The source added that the raids resulted in the injury of more than 22 civilians were injured.”

However in its April assessment the Coalition denied involvement: “Feb. 24, 2017, near Al-Qa’im, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    22–35
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 1, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 23rd-24th the Coalition did not publicly report strikes near Al Qa’im.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    22–35
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS545

Incident date

March 1, 2017

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.905278, 38.963889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and five civilians died and nine others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ksrat Sheikh al Juma’a, according to single source Smart News.

There was some confusion in reporting. In the first paragraph, Smart said that one civilian died, but in the second paragraph put the death toll at five. A second report by Smart, however, said that one person died in a strike “believed to be by the international Coalition.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 28th-March 1st, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed six watercraft, an ISIS training camp, and an ISIS maintenance facility.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

France reports that in the last week it carried out 29 sorties and 9 strikes destroying 12 ISIL targets. In Iraq, all 8 strikes were carried out in support of operations in Mosul. They targeted mortar positions and defensive positions in the city as well as in the outskirts of Badush. In Syria, in the Raqqah region, a Rafale patrol was engaged on a ground support mission to neutralize ISIL fighters leading an attack against the SDF.

‘Opération Chammal En Syrie le recul de Daech se poursuit. Après avoir dû se retirer d’Al Bab la semaine passée, l’organisation terroriste a perdu cette semaine le contrôle de la ville de Palmyre, tandis que la manœuvre d’isolement de Raqqah au Nord de l’Euphrate est sur le point de s’achever. En Irak, Daech tente d’entretenir l’insécurité en poursuivant sa campagne d’actions asymétriques, en particulier dans l’Anbar, dans une logique de dispersion des forces engagées contre elle. En périphérie de Mossoul Ouest, la manœuvre d’encerclement menée par les forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) progresse dans sa partie occidentale. Les combats qui ont lieu depuis le début de la semaine autour de la localité de Badush au Nord-Ouest de la ville en sont la conséquence. Dans la partie sud de Mossoul Ouest, les FSI poursuivent également leur progression dans le centre urbain et se trouvent désormais aux portes du centre historique. Avançant toujours le long du Tigre depuis l’aéroport, les combattants de la police fédérale et de l’ICTS sécurisent méthodiquement chaque quartier, faisant face à une défense féroce des combattants terroristes. Dans le même temps, Daech maintient ses actions de harcèlement contre la partie orientale de Mossoul, en réalisant des tirs de mortiers sporadiques et aveugles. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 29 sorties aériennes dont 26 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 3 de recueil de renseignement. 9 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français, elles ont permis la destruction de 12 objectifs. En Irak, les 8 frappes ont toutes été réalisées en appui des opérations sur Mossoul. Elles s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’appui des troupes irakiennes engagées dans l’offensive visant à reprendre la partie ouest de Mossoul. Elles ont ciblé des positions de mortier et des positions défensives dans la ville de Mossoul elle-même, ainsi que dans la périphérie de Badush. En Syrie, dans la région de Raqqah, une patrouille de Rafale a été engagée en mission d’appui des troupes au sol pour neutraliser des combattants de Daech menant une attaque contre des forces démocratiques syriennes. Appui feu – Task Force Wagram Cette semaine, l’effort du détachement de la Task Force (TF) Wagram, désormais regroupée sur une même emprise au nord de Mossoul, s’est intensifié. Les appuis ont marqué l’effort au profit des troupes engagées au sol dans la région de Badush. 53 missions ont été réalisées cette semaine. Elles comprennent 22 actions de neutralisation, destruction ou harcèlement visant soit à détruire des positions défensives adverses, soit à empêcher tout mouvement des groupes de combattants de Daech. 31 missions d’éclairement ont également été effectuées afin d’entraver les tentatives d’infiltration de la part de groupes de combattants terroristes cherchant à mener des actions de harcèlement nocturne contre les FSI.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI520

Incident date

March 7, 2017

Location

Mosul, al Amil, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.324044, 43.096915 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “March 8, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: 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. ”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as al Amil in Mosul.

The strike was assessed as non credible based on the claim that “no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” However, the Coalition reported multiple strikes in Mosul that day.

No additional details are presently known.

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]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2917421571
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 6th-March 7th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, five VBIEDs, four vehicles, three roadblocks, two mortar systems, two tactical vehicles, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, a supply cache, an artillery system, a sniper position, a UAV launch site, and a VBIED factory; damaged 23 vehicles, 10 supply routes, and a tunnel; and suppressed two mortar teams.”

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

CS587

Incident date

March 18, 2017

Location

شبهر, Shabhar, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.159560, 38.236989 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven named civilians including four women and a child died in a reported Coalition strike in Raqqah governorate – though there was confusion about whether they had died at Shabhar or Al Matar.

Orient News, citing Raqqa Post, said that seven civilians – five from the Matar family – died. It blamed the Coalition. Raqqa Post reported that an infant (“a couple of months old”) also died. Alwatan put the death toll higher at nine, specifically blaming “American Coalition warplanes”.

Sharqiya Voice said that the Coalition strike was carried out on Al Matar village.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, missiles from Coalition jets killed “six children and their mother”.

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as Non Credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Mar. 18, 2017, near Shabhar (Raqqah), Syria, via Airwars 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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Amal Al Matar
Age unknown female killed
Thuraya al Matar
Age unknown female killed
Shahad al Matar
Age unknown killed
Hiba al Matar
Age unknown female killed
Ali al Matar
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Zahra al Firwan
Age unknown female killed
New born baby
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (1–6 children4–5 women)
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Shabhar, 18th March 2017. (via Saad Alsabr) ‏ )

Geolocation notes

Out of 17 sources, 16 identify the location as Shabhar (شبهر). Only one refers to Matar village, this likely an error as one of the civilians killed was named Matar. We are unable to geolocate Shabhar (شبهر). Open sources data suggests the village is located within the Al Granya subdistrict, inside the Raqqa governorate. The generic coordinate for Al Granya subdistrict are: 36.159560, 38.236989. Our estimate is that the village is in the vicinity of 35.9495233, 38.3992767.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Shabhar (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV458785
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018

  • Mar. 18, 2017, near Shabhar (Raqqah), Syria, via Airwars 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 18th-19th it noted: “Near Ar Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, two ISIS headquarters; and damaged three bridges and two supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (1–6 children4–5 women)
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]