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

CS1556

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Location

طابية جزيرة, Tabiyyah Jazeera, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.279167, 40.311111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local leader Thalj Ragheb Al-Humaidi Al-Salman was killed in airstrikes on Tabiyyah Jazeera village, according to multiple local sources. He was Mukhtar of the village and Sheikh of the Burmah clan.

It is not presently clear who was responsible as no source apportioned blame – all but one referred to “shelling”. Airwars will amend the entry when any new information arises.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Thalj Ragheb Al-Humaidi Al-Salman
Adult male Mukhtar of the Taiba Jazeera village and Sheikh of the Burmah clan killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tabiyyah Jazeera (جزیرة طابیة), for which the coordinates are: 35.279167, 40.311111

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 Tabiah Jazeerah, 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 30th-October 1st the Coalition reported “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed an ISIS well head and engaged two tactical units. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS tactical vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1590

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The entire family of Nour Mahmoud Al I’llo (pictured), reportedly died following aerial bombardment on the city of Raqqah, according to Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently. The report added that Nour was transferred from Raqqah to Tal Abiyad National Hospital, and was under the care of Dr Abdul Muttalib Suleiman.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the event on October 12th, saying that Nour Mahmoud Al I’llo was transferred to the hospital “almost a week ago”, indicating that the date of the event was around October 5th/6th. Airwars is, however, awaiting confirmation on this.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nour Mahmoud Al I’llo
Child female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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]

  • Nour Mahmoud Al I’llo

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident only mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to the limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 5th-6th, the Coalition reported that “Near Raqqah, 29 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed 23 fighting positions, two vehicles, a supply route, an IED, damaged a vehicle and suppressed three fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 5, near Raqqah, Syria, 10 strikes disrupted three ISIS supply routes, damaged five fighting positions, destroyed one fighting position, and suppressed one fighting position and one ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On Oct 5, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike damaged an ISIS fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1622

Incident date

October 12, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local media named two civilians as killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah.

The date of the incident is currently unclear: reporting on October 14th, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said that the victims died “during the past few days”.

Raqqa Media Office and SHRC reported their deaths on October 15th, also saying that they died “during the past few days”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rima Ibrahim Al-Hammadi
Age unknown killed
Razan al-Mutasin
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to the limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

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

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1650

Incident date

September 30–October 16, 2017

Location

الدرعية, 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

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported one adult male was killed in an alleged airstrike. It blamed the Coalition for his death, and said he had died almost a month previously.

Raqqa24, reporting the death on October 25th, said that the victim died “a few days ago” – possibly indicating that he had died from his injuries

There are no other details at this time.

In its assessment of the claim, the Coalition asserted that “The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Kamal Shawach Al-Wahesh
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Kamal Shawach Al-Wahesh, killed in an alleged Coalition strike of Raqqah, 25th October 2017. (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Dariya (الدرعیة) in the city of Raqqa. The exact boundaries of this neighbourhood are unclear, it covers a large area in the west of the city, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.947222, 38.991389.

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

    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 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

The Coalition has not publicly reported carrying out any strikes in Raqqah since October 16th 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1680

Incident date

November 21, 2017

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Euphrates Post reported “the death of the daughter of Saleh al-Zaker from the city of Abu Kamal due to a heart attack caused by the panic and fear of flying warplanes at low altitude over the city of Hajeen.”

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

the daughter of Saleh al-Zaker
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (0–1 children)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hajin (هجين), for which the coordinates are: 34.6897222, 40.83

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

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 November 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS vehicle.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (0–1 children)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1712

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Location

الحمدان, Al Hamdan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.484628, 40.896606 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Free Deir Ezzor, there were “a number of wounded in the village of Hamdan” following Coalition airstrikes.

Both Al Bukamal Mutassil al Aan and Souriyati reported that seven civilians were wounded in al Hamdan and also pointed towards the Coalition.

No additional details are presently known for this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–5
  • 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 al-Hamdan, Albu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU741175
    Military Grid Reference System

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

On January 10th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, 19 strikes [3 British] engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS supply route, four ISIS vehicles, three control and command centers, a recoilless rifle, two logistics centers, an indirect fire weapon and a VBIED.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 10 January – a Reaper hit three terrorist targets in eastern Syria, whilst Tornados destroyed an armed truck…The following day [January 10th], another Reaper worked closely with coalition surveillance aircraft and fast jets in a series of strikes in support of the SDF advance. Our aircraft supported coalition air attacks on a Daesh-held building and a mortar position, and conducted three attacks with its own Hellfire missiles, destroying an armed truck parked under cover of a vehicle shelter, and hitting two groups of terrorists on foot. A flight of Tornado GR4s also took part in this operation, and targeted an armed truck positioned within a compound; the use of a Brimstone missile allowed the vehicle to be destroyed without posing a risk to nearby buildings.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–5
  • 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

CS1742

Incident date

April 13, 2018

Location

Damascus, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, four civilians were killed in US-led bombardments on Al Barzah Scientific Research Facility in Damascus.

The strikes – confirmed as carried out by US, British and French aircraft – were not mentioned in the Coalition strike report for the week, indicating that these may have been unilateral actions.

Al Sura tweeted photos that were said to show the destruction of the research centre after “#US, #UK and #French cruise missile strikes.” The tweet went on to say that nearby residential buildings were hit, leading to the death of 4 civilians.

The state-run news agency SANA stated that although “only a few rockets succeeded in reaching their targets”, that the bombardment still caused “great damage to the structure and facilities of the Institute.” Nevertheless SANA made no mention of civilian harm.

Airwars researchers did not identify any other public reporting of civilian casualties relating to the strikes in the Al Barzah neighborhood. A spokesperson of the Syrian defense ministry publicly stated that “only buildings were damaged.”

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: “Apr. 13, 2018, near Damascus, 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Al Sura was the only source claiming civilian harm in this event.
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • An aerial photo of the damaged site published by Sky News, with no attribution.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known 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 Damascus, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018

  • Apr. 13, 2018, near Damascus, 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 April 13th, General Joseph F. Dunford stated during a press conference that “At 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, French, British and U.S. forces struck targets in Syria in support of President Trump’s objective to deter the future use of chemical weapons. Our forces were integrated throughout the planning and execution of the operation. The first target was a scientific research center located in the greater Damascus area. This military facility was a Syrian center for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological warfare technology.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1773

Incident date

June 16, 2018

Location

تل الجاير, Tal al Jair, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.033926, 41.0987592 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Marsad al Hassaka and An Eye on al Hassaka, two young men were killed and three others were injured (two severely) in a mortar shelling on the village of Tal al Jair by “Kurdish units”.

According to both sources, all five civilians harmed were from the same family. It is important to note that the reports were apparent carbon copies of each other, and are therefore counted as a single source by Airwars.

On June 17th, the SDF confirmed that its forces “liberated the town of Dashishah in the southern town of Hasaka completely from a terrorist organization.” Multiple local sources confirmed that SDF now controlled most of the main strongholds, including Tal al Jair, in the southern region of Hasakah. However, none of the reports made mention of civilian harm.

While both sources attributed the event to mortars, it appeared possible that the action may have instead involved artillery. The US-led Coalition has however denied responsibility, and publicly reported no strikes in the governorate that day.

The incident was first reported on June 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm by .

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tal al Jair, for which the coordinates are: 36.033926, 41.0987592

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

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 Tel al-Jayer, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV784884
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 25, 2018

  • June 16, 2018, near Tel al-Jayer, Syria, via Airwars. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 16th, the Coalition did not publicly report any airstrikes in the Hasakah governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]