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

CI488

Incident date

February 26, 2017

Location

Al Kour and other neighbourhoods on the right side of Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3468977, 43.129921 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that 33 civilians, including women and children, were killed and 35 injured due to Coalition airstrikes and artillery bombing on several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul.

Journalists had reported to Yaqein that “aerial bombardment and artillery [shelling] targeted violently, today, the homes of civilians in areas at the right side of the city of Mosul, killing 33 civilians, including women and children, and injuring more than 35 others” and added that “retaliatory shelling also caused the destruction of a number of civilian houses and damaged other.”

Sonawa1 reported a large number of victims in Al-Kour neighbourhood at the right side of Mosul, due to artillery and airstrikes. According to Ajel al Mosul, the intended target may have been the Ekadat oil and gas station.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    33
  • Civilians reported injured
    35
  • 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, ISIS

Sources (5) [ 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
    38SLF3218024085
    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 25th-26th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 fighting positions, 11 mortar systems, three vehicles, three weapons caches, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIEDs, a sniper position, an ISIS headquarters, two heavy machine guns, an artillery system, a UAV staging area, and a supply cache; and suppressed 14 mortar teams, two ISIS tactical units, an artillery team and a rocket-propelled grenade team.”

ISIS Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    33
  • Civilians reported injured
    35
  • 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, ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS553

Incident date

March 6, 2017

Location

الخاتونية, Khatouniya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9219103, 38.737935 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source blamed the Coalition for the death of a woman and the injuring of four more civilians in the al Khatouniya and al Salhabiya areas.

According to Smart News, “A local source said three raids affected the villages of al Khatouniya and al Salhabiya in the western countryside, killing a woman and wounding four civilians, some seriously, while a hospital source said they had taken the injured to the National Hospital in the city of Raqqa.”

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Khatouniya (Raqqah), 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 March 5th-March 6th the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two vehicles; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.“

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Monday 6 March – Typhoons demolished a Daesh headquarters in eastern Syria, while Tornados struck terrorist supply routes within Mosul…Careful intelligence analysis allowed the Coalition to pinpoint the location of a Daesh headquarters at a compound in a remote area of eastern Syria. Two Typhoons were dispatched from RAF Akrotiri on Monday 6 March, targeting the two key buildings within the compound. Both were demolished by Paveway IV guided bombs. Tornados meanwhile supported Iraqi ground operations in western Mosul by using Paveway IVs to strike three key routes within the city, helping to prevent Daesh from sending reinforcements or truck-bombs to areas being successfully liberated by the Iraqi troops.’

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
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS568

Incident date

March 11, 2017

Location

كسرة الفرج, Kasrat Faraj, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9096301, 38.9961433 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 12 and 22 civilians including six children and seven women died and up to 26 more were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Kasrat Al Faraj area, east of Raqqa city, according to multiple local sources which said that the raids targeted schools.

Al Natek Network reported that “17 were killed, most of them women and children, and 15 injured following an American raid targeting a school building which is occupied by IDP in al Kasrat area south of the city of Raqqa.” The Shaam News Network, Step news agency and Qasioun were among other sources also blaming the Coalition.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights initially put the death toll at 19, however, a later report said that it had risen to 22, including six children, seven women and 18 displaced people.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “air raids launched by the international Coalition at midnight yesterday targeted Saqer Kureish school – Al Bouhouth al Zira’iya – Rotko company and the military gas station south of the city of Raqqa.”

Euphrates Post said that ” a scientific research centre on the outskirts of southern Raqqa city” was targeted by the Coalition.

According to Syria News Desk, “Coalition aircraft carried out four raids on two schools hosting displaced people, killing 12 civilians, all of whom were displaced from the countryside east of Aleppo, including children. Additionally, 26 civilians were wounded.” The source added that the death toll was likely to rise due to the severity of injuries.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 22
  • (6 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–26
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation : international coalition launches 5 raids on al Kasrat area south of raqqa city
  • Translation: Baladi - international coalition planes launched 5 raids on al Kasrat south of the city of Raqqa - Syria

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 11th-12th: “Near Ar Raqqah, 12 strikes, engaged three ISIS tactical units and two ISIS staging areas; destroyed three fighting positions, two tanker trucks, a weapons storage facility, a well head, an ISIS-held building, and an anti-air artillery system; and damaged two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 22
  • (6 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–26
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS600

Incident date

March 21, 2017

Location

حي الأكراد, Al Akrad, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9630019, 39.0146828 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilian members of an Islamic State family were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Al Akrad neighbourhood of Raqqa city, local media reported.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “A local source in the city of Al-Raqqa said raids likely carried out by the Coalition targeted the Al Akrad neighborhood, which was recently evacuated by the organization [IS] and taken as a first line of defense from the northern side of the city. The raids killed one man and one woman and injured six others from the families of IS who did not leave the neighborhood.” Smart News published an identical report.

Arabs Today also reported the death of a man in a Coalition strike. However, it said that “six other members of the organization [IS) who did not leave the neighborhood” were also injured, suggesting that the combatant status of the wounded was uncertain.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 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 21st-22nd: the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, 18 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed four command and control nodes, three tanker trucks, three ISIS-held buildings, an oil storage tank, a VBIED, an ISIS headquarters, a fighting position, and an ISIS media facility; and damaged four supply routes.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • On Mar. 21 #CJTFOIR conducted 29 strikes consisting of 60 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria & Iraq. MORE: http://ow.ly/O0uF30a9gt8 (via CJTFOIR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS623

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

Hamrat, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.907881, 39.169956 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In July 2017 the Coalition reported that it had unintentionally injured one civilian in a strike previously unreported by Airwars: “March 25, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle carrying mortar rounds, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured by a secondary explosion.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV1533573744 which placed the event at Al Hamrat, a town 15 km from Raqqa city.

Although local sources confirmed the strike at the time of the event, reports did not make mention civilian casualties in al Hamrat (which is a collection of 5 villages: حمرة ناصر Hamrat Nasser, حمرة بويطية Hamrat Buweitiya, حمرة بلاسم Hamrat Blassem, حمرة غنام Hamrat Ghnam and حمرة جماسة Hamrat Jamassa).

Most sources, like RBSS, Raqqa RWB and Syrian PC, stated that the Coalition conducted three raids on “the village of Hamra Nasser and the brick factory east of the city.” Smart News Agency noted that these villages were “empty […] after a gradual displacement following instructions from the Islamic state to evacuate those who remained.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ 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
    Killed by secondary explosion(s)
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria [Hamrat]
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV1533573744
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • March 25, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle carrying mortar rounds, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured by a secondary explosion.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 25th-26th: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, and a mortar system; and damaged a supply rout” and “Near Tabqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, an improvised weapons facility, and a weapons factory; and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS678

Incident date

April 9, 2017

Location

المشلب, Al Mashlab, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9449373, 39.0474701 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

“An air strike targeted the neighborhood of al-Mashlad in the city of Al-Raqqa, injuring civilians,” according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. Other sources also said that the Coalition carried out a strike on Al Mashlab resulting in casualties, though numbers were not given.

However the Coalition did not report any strikes on the city that day.

No further details are currently available.

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 (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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Mashlab, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties. (1307)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 9th-10th: the Coalition did not report any strikes near Raqqa.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • April 9, #CJTFOIR conducted 27 strikes consisting of 89 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria & Iraq (via CJTFOIR)

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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI641

Incident date

April 15, 2017

Location

باب سنجار, Mosul, Bab-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 residents told the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights that 42 members of the well-known family of Ghanim Sobhiya died after an airstrike hit their 16-room house in Bab-Sinjar neighbourhood in the old part of Mosul, at dawn on April 15th.

Sources reported that the family of Ghanim’s brother had also gathered in the house. Ghanem’s brother was killed, “and his family, his six children and his five daughters and grandchildren.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Ghanim Sobhiya
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42
  • (6–11 children5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 14th-15th: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed two rocket-propelled grenade systems, destroyed two fighting positions, damaged four supply routes and a fighting position, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42
  • (6–11 children5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS711

Incident date

April 20, 2017

Location

مزرعة ميسلون, Maysaloun Farms, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.055761, 38.946362 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians reportedly died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Maysalon Farm, according to local media.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named three of the victims.

The victims were also named by Q_Alenzy and Syrian PC, which also blamed the Coalition.

According to Mohammed Al-Abbullah, “four young men from the Maysaloun farm died as a result of an air raid carried out by the international coalition aircraft”. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently later reported that five civilians died.

Al Raqqa Truth named four additional victims.

Al Jazeera reported that a woman and her child were killed in the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad Al Hussein al Taweel
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Ahmad al Hassan al Taweel
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Ali Al-Abd
Age unknown male killed
Hamad Rajab Al-Jalad
Age unknown killed
Juma’a Al Sha’aban
Age unknown killed
Moussa al Mohammad
Age unknown killed
The son of Juma’a al Mohammad
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman3 men)
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Juma’a Al Sha’aban (right), killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Maysalon Farm, April 20th (via RBSS)
  • Mohamamd Ali al Abed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Maysalon Farm, April 20th (via RBSS)
  • Hamad Rajab al Jalad allegedly killed in Coalition strikes on Maysaloun farm, north of Raqqah, April 20th (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Maysaloun Farm (مزرعة ميسلون) in Raqqa governorate. The coordinates for the village, north of Raqqa city, are: 36.055761, 38.946362.

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 Maysaloun farms, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV951901
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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 April 19th-20th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed a front-end loader and a fighting position.”

For April 20th-21st,. the Coaltion reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Thursday 20 April – Typhoons supported Syrian Democratic Forces, striking a Daesh-held building north-west of Raqqa, and a mortar team hiding in a tunnel in the east of the country… The RAF is continuing to support Iraqi forces in their effort to liberate western Mosul. While the operating environment in the city is very challenging, particularly given the closely-packed buildings, very narrow streets, and the density of the urban population, our aircrew have continued to deliver precision strikes in close support of Iraqi troops on the ground. Daesh’s current tactics, including the illegal use of civilians as human shields, and fighting from sites such as schools, hospitals, religious sites and civilian neighbourhoods, increases the risk to innocent life. While no military operations come without risk, particularly in dense urban environments and against such inhuman Daesh tactics, the RAF continues to take all steps necessary to minimise civilian causalities. The RAF assisted Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Thursday 20 April. A pair of Typhoons struck a Daesh-held building to the north-west of Raqqa. The Typhoons then hit a Daesh mortar team hiding in a tunnel in the east of the country.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman3 men)
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]