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

CI842

Incident date

September 10, 2017

Location

Huwaija, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.32633, 43.775024 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported the injuring of civilians following an alleged attack by the US-led Coalition on the district of Huwaija.

The source, Iraqi News, said the aerial bombardment by international coalition aircraft targeted residential neighbourhoods and that their sources confirm the injury of civilians. No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported Coalition strike on the district of Huwaija (via news ofiraq3)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Huwaija (حویجة), south west of Karkook, for which the coordinates are: 35.326330, 43.775024. It’s unclear if this refers to a city or subdistrict. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further  

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-Hawijah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE886099
    Military Grid Reference System

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
Official source

For September 9th – 10th the Coalition reported “Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two command and control nodes, two weapons caches, a vehicle, an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS-held building; Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1490 RS2438

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

الزباري, Al Zabari, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.1292971, 40.3955095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two woman died and eight other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on a school which was housing displaced people in Al Zabari, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia carried out the strike.

According to Syrian Press Center, “an air strike targeted a girls’ school housing a number of displaced people in the town of Zubari on Thursday evening”. Other sources also reported that the school was struck but didn’t identify the culprit.

Step News Agency said that the Coalition carried out a raid on Al Zubari, while Sharqiya Voice blamed Russia, reporting that “a woman was killed and others were injured in a raid by the same planes [Russian] on a refugee school in the town of al Zubari. This resulted in the death of two women and injury of 8 others in addition to material damage”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the airstrike targeted a girl’s school housing displaced people in the village of Al Zabari (الزباري), the coordinates of this village are: 35.1292971, 40.3955095. There was a Russian cruise missile attack that day which hit a school in Al Zabari, as seen in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFkGYmed6A&feature=youtu.be&t=14s. The coordinates for this school are: 35.11430, 40.393429

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 Zabari, Deir Ez Zor, 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
Official source

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
Official source

‘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.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1541

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

A single source, Deir Ezzor 24, said that one civilian was killed following strikes by unknown aircraft on the house of Farouk al Mashouk – known as the ‘Mufti’s house’ – which was being used by Daesh as a prison.

The correspondent said the raid had resulted in the death of the prisoner Laith Allawi al-Jab. Reportedly the rest of the raids “focused on the kindergarten Al-Rayaheen near the mosque Othman bin Affan and near the headquarters of the Hesba of the (state) organization”. No further details are presently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Laith Allawi al-Jab
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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the house of Farouk Al Mashouh (فاروق المشوح) in the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین), also known as the ‘Mufti’s house,’ which was allegedly used as an IS prison. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of this building. The generic coordinates for the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین) are: 35.016667, 40.444167.

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 al Mayadin, 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
Official source

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

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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1575

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

near Al Hadin, Syria, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.36009, 40.56405 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event near Al Hadin, Syria.

Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike which killed a high-level ISIS leader, destroyed one ISIS vehicle it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 35.4116442, 40.5719437

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Hadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV421141
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • Oct. 3, 2017 near Al Hadin, Syria via self-report. During a Coalition strike which killed a high-level ISIS leader, destroyed one ISIS vehicle it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 2nd – 3rd the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1606

Incident date

October 8, 2017

Location

Diriyah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.947222, 38.991389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five members of one family died in Raqqah city following alleged “shelling” according to local reports.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, four of their children survived and “were taken to a house on the main road at the junction between Hitteen farm and Rabi’at al Atfal.

No sources apportioned blame. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently was the sole source that reference weapons, namely “shelling”.

No further details are presently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Omar Mahmoud Ghalia
Adult male Father killed
Hanan Sharif
Adult female Mother killed
Adnan Omar Ghalia
Child male Son killed
Elaf Omar Ghalia
Child male Son killed
Angham Khairou Ghalia
Child female Daughter killed

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The family of Omar Ghalia lost relatives to alleged shelling in Raqqah on October 8th (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Diri’ya (الدرعیة) in the city of Raqqa. This neighbourhood covers a relatively large area, for which the generic coordinates are: 35,947222, 38,991389.

  • Two possible locations for the neighbourhood of Diri’ya (الدرعیة)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 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
Official source

For October 7th – 8th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 51 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 50 fighting positions, a tactical vehicle, six vehicles, one VBIED, and four command and control networks.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 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]

Incident Code

CS1636

Incident date

September 19–October 10, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.956964, 39.001378 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians, including one child and three women, were reportedly killed by an alleged Coalition strike at some point during the Raqqa Campaign, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported.

The first report was made by RBSS who reported the death of a man and his wife after they were missing for several months. RBSS said that they were killed in a previous bombing by international coalition aircraft on the city of Al-Raqqa.

In April 2019, Amnesty International and Airwars published a joint report from the battle of Raqqa, which echoed RBSS report about the death of the married couple while interviews with an eyewitness told Amnesty’s researchers that a total of five victims were killed. As, besides from the married couple, two women and one child were also killed.

While only the man and two women are identified by name, the eyewitness, who was the child of the married couple, told Amnesty that a child and possibly his mother (as she was found cuddling the little boy) were among the remaining two victims.

It is currently unclear at what point during the Raqqa campaign that the victims died. Amnesty and Airwars’ research suggests that the incident took place somewhere between September 19th and October 10th.

Interviews with eyewitnesses also indicated that there were no Daesh fighters in that building.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition listed this incident as occurring on Sept. 23, 2017 and reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hassan al Sueri
81 years old male killed
Marian Steif
72 years old female Wife of Hassan al Sueri killed

The victims were named as:

Haja Amal Anteebah
75 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child3 women1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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]

  • Hassan al-Sueri killed with his wife at some point during the Raqqah campaign by an alleged Coaltion airstrike (RBSS)

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 35.95696, 39.00138

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0012479175
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Sept. 23, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 2767/CS1636 37SEV0012479175

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Date of event currently unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child3 women1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

Incident Code

CS1696 RS2799

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Location

الجردي الشرقي, Al Jarthi al Sharqi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.868793, 40.6480229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 33 named civilians including 16 children and six women died and at least 10 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Jarthi al Sharqi, according to local media. VDC-SY reported that the airstrike was conducted on the 12th of December, whereas our research shows it was in fact on the 13th of December. All but one source said that the US-led Coalition was responsible. The Step News Agency was alone in pointing to Russia.

According to Al Haall, there were “more than eight raids on civilian houses”.

Euphrates Post blamed the Coalition, reporting “more than 20 martyrs and a number of wounded, most of them displaced civilians from the town of Sbeikhan”.

Al Qouriya media centre, also attributing the event to the Coalition, put the death toll at 25, naming the same victims as Euphrates Post.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who also blamed the Coalition, “the warplanes targeted places in the village after midnight just before the control of SDF of it. The airstrike caused of a massacre of 23 people of one family including 8 children under the age of eighteen, and 6 citizen women over the age of eighteen. The casualties are displaced from Sbikhan town to the village of Eastern al-Jerthi, and the death toll is expected to rise because there are some people in critical situation”.

Other sources blaming the Coalition included SANA, Eldorar, the Shaam News Network, Baladi and Smart, which put the death toll at 11, with 10 more wounded.

However, the Step News Agency said that Russia was responsible.

VDC-SY named the victims and reported on the death of 16 children and six women. 

The Syrian Network for Human Rights later reported a higher civilian casualty figure, stating that “at least 29 civilians, including 21 children and 5 women, killed as International Coalition warplanes fired missiles on al Jerthi al Sharqi village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs, on December 13, 2017.”

The incident was first reported on December 13, 2017 at 11:20 am by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

The family of Ahmed Al – Aboud
killed
The family of Nasser Al Ali Al Aboud
killed
The Family of Salah al – Ali Aboud
killed
The Family of Mahmoud Al – Khalif Al – Abboud
killed
The family of Saleh al-Ali al-Aboud
the only surviving one of them is the father (Saleh)
The family of Turki Al – Hamash
the only surviving one of them is his son Mohammed

The victims were named as:

Naser al-Ali al-Aboud
Adult male killed
Ayman Naser al-Ali al-Aboud
Adult male killed
Saleh Naser al-Ali al-Aboud
Adult male killed
Iman Naser al-Ali al-Aboud
Adult female killed
Eilaf Naser al-Ali al-Aboud
Adult male killed
Elham
Adult female killed
Saida
Adult female killed
Mhede Saleh al-Ali al-Aboud
Child male killed
Odai Saleh al-Ali al-Aboud
Child male killed
Mouayd Saleh al-Ali al-Aboud
Child male killed
Somaia al-Helal
Adult female killed
Maha al-Khalefah
Adult female killed
Ahmad al-Ali al-Aboud's son 1
Child male killed
Ahmad al-Ali al-Aboud's son 2
Child male killed
Ahmad al-Ali al-Aboud's son 3
Child male killed
Ahmad al-Ali al-Aboud's son 4
Child male killed
Roqaia Salah Ali al-Aboud
Child female killed
Azoz Salah Ali al-Aboud
Child male killed
Mahmoud Khlaif al-Aboud
Adult male killed
Khleif Mahmoud al-Khleif al-Aboud
Child male killed
Yamen Mahmoud Khlief al-Aboud
Child male killed
Nesrah Ali al-Aboud
Adult female killed
Ahmad Turki al-Hemesh
Child male killed
Shaoq Turki al-Hemesh
Child female killed
Shefaa Turki al-Hemesh
Child female killed
Taymaa Turki al-Hemesh
Child female killed
Turki al-Hemesh's daughter
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 33
  • (16 children6 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid on town of al-Jarthi, Dec 13th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Jarthi Al Sharqi (الجردي الشرقي), for which the coordinates are: 34.868793, 40.6480229

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 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
Official source

For December 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, seven strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS vehicles and a heavy weapon.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Tuesday 12 December – a Reaper struck a group of terrorists firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces in the east of the country...The Syrian Democratic Forces have continued to clear a number of villages held by Daesh along the Euphrates in eastern Syria, between Abu Kamal and Mayadin. Royal Air Force Reapers have provided significant support to these operations, their very long endurance, precision weaponry and advanced surveillance equipment allowing them to maintain effective overwatch for the SDF advances on the ground. On Tuesday 12 December, a Reaper identified a small group of Daesh extremists firing on the SDF. The Reaper’s crew kept very close watch on a number of civilians, including women and children, who were evacuating the village, and waited until they were clear of the area before conducting a successful attack on the terrorists with a Hellfire missile

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

The Wagram Task Force continues its support for security operations in the Euphrates Valley. This week, two firefighting missions were carried out for the benefit of the Iraqi security forces (balance sheet from 6 to 10 December). Since the beginning of its mission, the TF Wagram, realized 1589 shooting missions. This week, the air activity focused on intelligence missions for the benefit of Iraqi security forces and Syrian democratic forces.There were 20 sorties (Nov 6th-10th) but no strikes were conducted. It gave rise to 20 aerial sorties (balance sheet from 06 to 10 December). During these outings no hits were made. Total balance since 19/09/14: 7561 sorties / 1422 strikes / 2209 targets destroyed

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Libération de l’Irak Cette semaine a été marquée par l’annonce par le premier ministre irakien de la libération de l’Irak et de la fin de la guerre contre l’Etat Islamique. Cette annonce fait suite à l’achèvement de la dernière opération d’ampleur dans le désert de Jézirah et à la reprise par les forces de sécurité irakiennes du contrôle de l’ensemble de la frontière entre l’Irak et la Syrie. La victoire militaire sur l’Etat Islamique ne signifie cependant pas la fin des opérations militaires ni strictement la fin des combats. Des poches terroristes subsistantes en Syrie En Syrie, le long de la frontière irako-syrienne, Daech contrôle encore quelques poches que les forces de sécurité syriennes s’attachent à réduire. Les combats y sont encore intenses, notamment dans le nord-ouest d’Abou Kamal, sur la rive orientale de l’Euphrate. EFFORT DE LA COALITION Poursuite du soutien aux forces locales En Irak, l’effort de la coalition porte sur le soutien aux forces de sécurité irakiennes actuellement impliquées dans des opérations de sécurisation et de stabilisation. En Syrie, la coalition poursuit son soutien aux forces démocratiques syriennes engagées dans des combats contre plusieurs poches terroristes restantes situées sur la rive orientale de l’Euphrate. Préparation de la période hivernale pour les réfugiés Avec l’arrivée de la période hivernale, la coalition s’attache à mettre en place les conditions permettant aux nombreux réfugiés et déplacés de passer l’hiver dans les meilleures conditions possibles. Ces opérations sont dirigées par le général Parisot, Senior National Représentative français, dont l’une des attributions est également de diriger la cellule en charge des actions civilo-militaires de l’état-major de l’opération Inherent Resolve. Dans ce cadre, trois C-17 américains ont récemment acheminé de l’aide humanitaire à Raqqa qui reste néanmoins infestée d’engins explosifs improvisés malgré les travaux de dépollution en cours. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE la Task Force Wagram en appui des dernières opérations de sécurisation La Task Force Wagram poursuit son appui aux opérations de sécurisation menées dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, deux missions de tirs ont été réalisées au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes (bilan du 6 au 10 décembre). Depuis le début de sa mission, la TF Wagram, a réalisé 1589 missions de tirs. Activité aérienne Cette semaine, l’activité aérienne s’est concentrée sur des missions de renseignement au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes et des forces démocratiques syriennes. Elle a donné lieu à 20 sorties aériennes (bilan du 06 au 10 décembre). Au cours de ces sorties aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 7561 sorties / 1422 frappes / 2209 objectifs neutralisés.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 33
  • (16 children6 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1727

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.560877, 40.935767 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 8 and 25 civilians reportedly died and as many as “dozens” were injured as a result of a claimed Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Sha’afa.

An Abu Kamal local later told Al-Hail that the bombardment had wounded “mostly women and children”.

Orient News carried the most detailed report, noting that “Local sources from the region told Orient that the bombing targeted the town of Al-Sha’afa, which lies in the city of Abu Kamal, adjacent to the Iraqi border, killing 25 civilians, besides injuring others, and it’s the second massacre of its kind in this past week. For its part, the Euphrates Post said that the air bombardment targeted the town’s school, which led to its complete destruction and the destruction of four houses in the vicinity, noting that most of the dead are displaced people in the town and were living in the school after not being able to move any further.”

Sound and Picture, Baladi News and Deir Ezzor 24 all mentioned that the airstrike had hit a school housing families or Internally Displaced Persons. It is important to note that Baladi News quoted Al A’amaq, the media wing of so-called Islamic State, as its main source.

The incident occured around dusk.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Significant destruction at al Shafa'a on February 23rd, as a result of a reported Coalition strike (via Orient News)
  • Significant destruction at al Shafa'a on February 23rd, as a result of a reported Coalition strike (via Orient News)
  • Significant destruction at al Shafa'a on February 23rd, as a result of a reported Coalition strike (via Orient News)
  • Significant destruction at al Shafa'a on February 23rd, as a result of a reported Coalition strike (via Orient News)

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 February 23rd, the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 23 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.
• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed a fighting position.
• Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged a Daesh tactical unit and an IED facility."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For February 21st-27th, the Netherlands report that its F16s attacked ISIS combatants and vehicles on one occasion near Abu Kamal, Syria. The jets supported ground troops during 9 missions, including in the Nineveh, Kirkuk and Al Anbar provinces in Iraq.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 28-02-2018 | 12:00 In Mali zijn Nederlandse militairen begonnen met operatie Kronos. Ten oosten van de stad Ansongo brachten zij in kaart in hoeverre vanuit het zuiden oprukkende terroristische groeperingen invloed uitoefenen op de lokale bevolking. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 21 tot en met 27 februari 2018. Nederlandse verkenners in gesprek met de lokale bevolking. De operatie werd uitgevoerd door langeafstandverkenners. Zij voerden gesprekken met de inwoners. In het weekend is alle informatie verwerkt, vond materieelonderhoud plaats en werd de 2e fase van de operatie voorbereid. Deze startte maandagochtend. Nederlandse F-16 in Jordanië. Irak en Oost-Syrië Nederlandse F-16’s vielen ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen ISIS-strijders en voertuigen aan. Dat gebeurde in de omgeving van Abu Kamal in de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië. De jachtvliegtuigen ondersteunden grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies, waaronder in de Iraakse provincies Ninawa, Kirkuk en Al Anbar. Bij 1 missie werden wapens ingezet. Voor Operation Inherent Resolve trainden Nederlandse militairen samen met diverse partnerlanden Peshmerga-strijders in Irak. 2 trainingsteams verzorgden afgelopen weken de basisinfanterieopleiding voor de manschappen en een leiderschapstraining voor de kaderleden. Woensdag vond in het noordelijke trainingscentrum een door de Nederlanders, Hongaren en Italianen georganiseerde eindoefening plaats. 100 Peshmerga ontvingen hiervoor een certificaat. De genie trainde eenheden van de Zerivani (militaire politie) in het detecteren en onschadelijk maken van geïmproviseerde explosieven. In het westen van Irak werkt een chirurgisch team in het Amerikaanse Role 2 hospitaal. De Nederlandse medici werken daar nauw samen met een Brits team.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Feb 21st-27th, France reports 25 sorties and four strikes were made in the Abu Kamal area in support of the SDF in the Euphrates Valley. The Wagram Task Force continues its support for security operations in the Euphrates Valley. This week, three ‘lighting missions’ were carried out for the Iraqi security forces.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, les opérations se poursuivent. Les objectifs demeurent de : défaire les poches terroristes résiduelles en Syrie ; sécuriser les territoires récemment libérés en Irak. Poursuite des combats en Syrie En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes poursuivent leurs efforts sur les rives orientales de l’Euphrate afin de réduire les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la zone. Cette semaine encore, elles ont progressé lentement en raison des mauvaises conditions météorologiques. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les Forces de Sécurité poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation sur l’ensemble du pays. Celles-ci se sont concentrées cette semaine sur le plateau d’Hawijah et le Sud de l’Anbar. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE La Task Force Wagram en appui des opérations de sécurisation La Task Force Wagram poursuit son appui aux opérations de sécurisation menées dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, trois missions de tirs ont été réalisées au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes (3 missions d’éclairement – bilan du 21 au 27 février). Depuis le début de sa mission, la TF Wagram a réalisé 1625 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Cette semaine, l’activité aérienne a permis d’assurer des missions de renseignement et d’appui au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes et des forces démocratiques syriennes. Elle a donné lieu à 25 sorties aériennes (bilan du 21 au 27 février) au cours desquelles quatre frappes ont été réalisées dans le secteur d’Abu Kamal en appui des forces démocratiques syriennes combattant les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 7815 sorties / 1443 frappes / 2233 objectifs neutralisés.’

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]