US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CS1830

Incident date

November 10, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Sousse, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Step News Agency reported that the Coalition “bombed the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor with white phosphorus last night [Nov 10th]. It also renewed  shelling of Hajin city and the town of al-Sousse”. It added that deaths were reported, but didn’t give numbers.

Al Khabar also claimed that white phosphorous was used, asserting that “the bombing left extensive destruction in affected neighbourhoods where the National Hospital remained the only building not destroyed.”

The Coalition accused unspecified forces (presumably Syrian regime) of conducting a significant number of additional strikes on the Hajin Pocket at this time.

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    in al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU805225
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

Unknown
  • Oct 29, 2020
  • 6. Nov. 10, 2018, in al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3223/CS1830 37SFU805225

Original strike reports

Unknown

For November 10th, the Coalition publicly reported: "On Nov. 10 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes consisting of 36 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 23 strikes destroyed two command and control centers, one IED facility, one logistic facility, five buildings, four tunnels, two staging areas, six supply routes, one fighting position and one UAS launch site."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

From Nov 7th – 13th, France reports that the three CAESAR guns carried out 49 ‘fire’ missions from the Iraqi territory – 35 illumination, 14 destruction. Aircraft conducted 18 sorties and 1 strike in support of forces on the ground in Syria.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, marque actuellement un temps d’arrêt. Les forces démocratiques syriennes se réorganisent et consolident leurs positions avant de relancer leur offensive. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent, avec un renforcement à la frontière irako-syrienne. Si Daech a perdu ses capacités militaires, l’organisation terroriste conserve une capacité de nuisance, notamment dans la région du plateau d’Hawija. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué de manière significative. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 49 missions de tir (35 éclairement, 14 destruction – bilan du 7 au 13 novembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2101 missions de tirs. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La TF Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’instruction de la 6ème division irakienne. Elle conseille l’état-major de cette division et, ponctuellement, les brigades qui lui sont subordonnées. Ainsi, du 5 au 11 novembre, un groupe d’instructeurs s’est rendu au poste de commandement de la 24ème brigade pour former pour former 20 stagiaires irakiens aux techniques du combat urbain. La TF Narvik forme et conseille les membres de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Elle dispense actuellement des instructions au combat débarqué et au recueil de renseignement. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 7 au 13 novembre inclus) et conduit 1 frappe, en appui des FDS en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8636 sorties / 1479 frappes / 2278 objectifs neutralises.’

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For November 7th-13th, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during 8 missions in the fight against ISIS. Weapons were deployed in 3 missions near Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria. Targets were ISIS warehouses and fighting positions.

‘In het weekoverzicht van 7 t/m 13 November laat MinDef weten Nederlandse F-16’s te hebben ingezet ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Tijdens 8 missies werden 3 wapens ingezet boven Deir al Zour, Syrie. IS Opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities zijn vernietigd.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1903

Incident date

March 3, 2019

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.447579, 40.953426 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that the Coalition had renewed shelling on Al Baghouz after midnight on March 3rd 2019. One of the shells allegedly struck an ammunition depot that caused a large explosion in the camp. According to one local source, Hamah.Now, up to 250 civilians were killed and wounded in the event.

In a tweet, @Sakeraldeen reported that the only field hospital tent was set on fire, with dozens of wounded women and children inside. The source included a video that shows several burned bodies. He added that the Coalition used white phosphorus in the attack.

According to the Step News Agency on March 4th, “Coalition forces renewed shelling on the Al-Bagouz camp in the eastern suburb of Deir Al-Zour after midnight last night, targeting an ammunition depot which caused a large explosion in the camp, resulting in casualties among women and children amid the absence of any medical staff”.

sakeraldeen reported that “International Alliance aircraft targeted the only field hospital tent in the Al Baghouz camp with white phosphorus, which led to the burning of many tents  and burning of dozens of children and women”.

In a civilian casualty assessment released July 10th 2021, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 250
  • (2–25 children2–25 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–250
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Video from the battleground in Al Baghouz on March 3rd 2019 (via @fahadiraq5).
  • Photo's of the alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Baghouz on March 3rd 2019 (via @The God Father10q).
  • Video of the alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Baghouz on March 3rd 2019 (via SDF).
  • Video of the alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Baghouz on March 3rd 2019 (via Alarabiya).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video depicting the burned bodies of people who were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Baghouz on March 3rd 2019 (via @sakeraldeen).

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU794135
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 10, 2021
  • Mar. 3, 2019, near al Baghouz, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3274/CS1903 37SFU794135

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Between Feb. 24 - March 9, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 99 strikes consisting of 139 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 97 strikes consisting of 137 engagements, engaged 228 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 71 tactical vehicles, 35 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 17 supply routes, 11 fighting positions, 10 weapons caches, eight staging areas, four command and control nodes, two tunnels, two heavy machine guns, one anti-aircraft gun, one fuel tanker, and one boat.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For February 27th to March 5th, French MoD report 4 firing missions from the Iraqi territory by Task Force Wagram. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties. There was one strike.

CHAMMALSituation militaire du théâtreOffensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en SyrieEn moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, les combats menés par les Forces démocratiques syriennes, appuyées par la coalition, se poursuivent autour de la ville de Baghouz.Poursuite des actions en IrakLa situation sécuritaire reste stable. Les Forces de sécurité intérieures poursuivent leur effort dans la lutte contre Daech.ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCELe dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué.La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’EuphrateLa Task Force (TF) Wagram continue d’appuyer les forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech au sud de la ville d’Hajin.La TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien 4 missions de tir (soit 1 mission d’aveuglement et 3 missions de certification – bilan du 27 février au 05 mars inclus).Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérationsLes aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition.Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 27 février au 05 mars inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit une frappe cette semaine.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 250
  • (2–25 children2–25 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–250
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS956a

Incident date

June 10, 2017

Location

حي الدرعية, Dar’iya neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.945841, 38.988815 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Initially this incident was reported on by several sources as mass artillery shelling in the Dar’iya neighbourhood in the city of Raqqa, in which 6 to 12 cilivilians, including a maximum or 6 children and 2 women died and 9 were wounded. During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field researchers were able to identify 4 separate locations where civilians (some of the same family in 2 different locations) were killed in artillery shelling on the morning of the 10th of June, described in CS956a, CS956b, CS956c and CS995. They all took place in Safa Street, in the neighbourhood Dar’iya.

A prior August report by Amnesty International featured an interview with Ahmad Mahmoud who was himself injured in the shelling along with a boy and girl who were in the same room. He stated that at least 12 people were killed by the shelling between 1 and 2pm: “I can only speak about the 12 people I know who were killed in five houses near where I was. I don’t know if the other shells killed more people.”

Most sources (M3nati and Ahmad Al Shibli) blamed the Coalition for the artillery strikes, some pointed to the SDF (Al Jisirtv and the Syrian Network for Human Rights), but the Coalition has confirmed to Airwars that it was the only force using artillery on Raqqa during the battle. Sources were able to name a number of people who we’ve now attributed to the aforementioned 4 separate incidents: Mahmoud al-Ahmad al-Sulaiman al-Mala Ali (age unknown, male), Rajha al-Ahmad al-Sulayman al-Mala Ali (age unknown, female), Tabarak (5 years old, female, daughter of Rajha al-Mahmoud al-Ahmad), Muna (1 year old, female, daughter of Rajha al-Mahmoud al-Ahmad), Rajha al-Mahmoud al-Ahmad (55 years old, female, mother of Mahmoud al-Suleiman al-Sulaiman al-Mala Ali), Ibrahim (adult, male), son of Ibrahim (1 year old, male), daughter of Husein Kenjo (8 years old, female), daughter of Husein Kenjo (10 years old, female), Suleiman Omar al Suleiman (age unknown, male), Rahmoun (age unknown, male), Hisham (age unknown, male).

The joint Amnesty/Airwars report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality notes: An artillery shell struck two adjacent houses of the Malla Ali family in Safa Street, killing five members of the family. The first impact killed a woman and her two young daughters and her aunt. Part of the shell struck the next door house, killing another member of the family, Hisham. Hisham’s wife, Lina, spoke to Amnesty researchers: “We were at home with our four children, our youngest was only five months old. At about 11.30 am a shell struck the next door house and came through to our home and killed my husband.”

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The incident occured at 11:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Hisham A’hamid Al-Bidagh
40 years old male killed
Rajaha Ahmad Malla Ali
41 years old female mother of Mona and Tabarak killed
Mona Omar Malla Ali
1 year and 3 months old years old female daughter of Rajaha Ahmad Malla Ali killed
Tabarak Omar Malla Ali
5 years old female daughter of Rajaha Ahmad Malla Ali killed
Rajaha
76 years old female aunt of Rajaha Ahmad Malla Ali (father’s sister)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children4 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Tabarak Omar Malla Ali (via Amnesty International)
  • Mona Omar Malla Ali (via Amnesty International)
  • Hisham A’hamid Al-Bidagh (via Amnesty International)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Deriya, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 9th-10th: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, a VBIED, and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally added that “On June 9, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two VBIEDs, two weapons caches, and an ISIS staging area.”

For June 10th-11th: "Near Raqqah, 17 strikes [2 British] engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, four vehicles, two ISIS front-end loaders, two ISIS headquarters, an ISIS UAS and an ISIS barge"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

"Saturday 10 June – In Raqqa, a Reaper struck a group of terrorists engaged in a fire fight with Syrian Democratic Forces, and Typhoons hit two tunnel entrances…The following day [June 10th] , a Reaper intervened in a fire fight in western Raqqa between the SDF and a group of Daesh fighters. The Reaper hit the latter with a very effective Hellfire attack. The same day, Paveway-armed Typhoons struck two entrances to a network of tunnels built beneath a factory in the north-east of the city."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children4 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS788 CS207

Incident date

May 2, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between six and 21 civilians died and up to 50 were injured in multiple night time airstrikes on the city of Raqqa, according to local sources. While most reports alleged that Russia was responsible, others did not identify the aircraft, while one blamed the Assad regime and another said that the Coalition might have carried out the raids.

Multiple local sources reported the incident, stating various numbers of dead and wounded.

Al Ettihad Press attributed the incident to Russia, saying that warplanes targeted Daesh with more than 45 strikes in the city, killing a number of militants and destroying a headquarters, but also leading to the death of 21 non-combatants and the injury of 43 more.

Sources told Al Ettihad: “The planes used vacuum missiles, cluster bombs and guided missiles in their bombing. Entire neighbourhoods were seen burning with rockets blazing, believed to be napalm missiles which is forbidden internationally.”

The Shaam News Network also blamed Russia, with activists saying that the raids focused on “Al Nai’m, Al Ferdos and the area around Al Rasheed Park.”

Syria.net said that the aircraft were believed to be Russian and listed areas that were targeted, adding that mosques in the city launched calls for blood donations due to the high numbers of people wounded. Quoting the ISIL agency Al A’amaq, an activist said that six civilians died and three were injured following Russian midnight raids.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently initially said that six civilians died in five raids by “warplanes” (it did not identify them). A further report said that more than 20 civilian homes had been destroyed near “the bunkers” or “al Sawame”. It later suggested that it could have been a Russian strike: “The heavy bombardment came after Russian statements to the UN Security Council about its intention to target Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor under the pretext of the war on terrorism.” It said that 24 raids had killed at least 20 civilians and wounded 50 more.

In a number of posts, RBSS said that the following locations had been targeted:

The area near Hitteen school

The area of the arts college

The old Al Haal market

Bilqis school

Al Rasheed Mill.

The monitor also published 19 images showing destruction of Bilqis school, Al Rasheed Mill and the grain silos.

LCSSY reported that dawn raids had killed 10 non-combatants, but did not say who was responsible. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for firing missiles on Bilqis school, partially destroying it and rendering it inoperable.

Orient News blamed the Coalition, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that the warplanes responsible “likely” belonged to the Coalition. It said that there had been 35 strikes killing 13 civilians and five militants, adding that the number of dead was predicted to rise due to the severity of injuries.

Quoting AFP and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Egypt News reported that the identity of the warplanes was unknown. It also put the death toll at 13 non-combatants and five members of Daesh.

Two victims were later named by RBSS.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 21
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (29) [ collapse]

  • Juma’a Ibrahim, killed in an airstrike on Raqqa, May 2nd (via RBSS)
  • Activist @Fouadhallak89 tweets that more than 25 air raids target Raqqa on 3rd May 2016
  • LCCSY tweet confirms raids on Raqqa city. 2nd May 2016
  • Al Jazeera tweet confirming deaths and injuries due to alleged Russian strikes on Raqqa, May 3rd 2016
  • Fires raging in Raqqa as a result of air raids. [Via: RBSS on 3rd May 2016]
  • One of the victims, Muhannad Khalil al Shaheen. [Via: RBSS on 3rd May 2016]
  • An activist quoting IS media agency Al-A'amaq reporting that six civilians were killed and 3 injured following 'Russian raids on Raqqa at midnight yesterday' 3rd May 2016, via @1hhttss11
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • A series of photos showing destruction from the raids on al Rashid mill, the area surrounding the grain silos and Bilqis school in the city of Raqqa, on 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • Photo showing the extent of the damage caused by the raids in the area surrounding the grain silos and nearby housing, 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • Photo showing the extent of the damage caused by the raids in the area surrounding the grain silos and nearby housing, 3rd May 2016, (via: RBSS)
  • Photo of Bilqis school in Raqqa city destroyed by 'government warplanes', May 3rd 2016 [Via: SN4HR]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has not publicly reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 1st-2nd, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed an ISIL crane."

For May 2nd-3rd: "Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes struck an ISIL finance center and an ISIL weapons storage facility."

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 21
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI011

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

البوعجيل, Bojeel, Salah al-Din, Iraq

Geolocation

34.577822, 43.724728 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reports claimed that Coalition strike hit a mosque during Friday prayers in the town of Al Bojeel, to the east of Tikrit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel village, East of Tikrit. The coordinates for (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel are: 34.577822, 43.724728

  • Al Bojeel ( البوعجيل )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

No publicly reported Coalition strike appeared to match the event. However for October 17th-18th 2014 it was reported that “five airstrikes occurred south and west of Bayji and struck two ISIL units, destroyed one ISIL armed vehicle, an ISIL heavy weapon, an ISIL machine gun position, an ISIL building and three ISIL guard shacks and damaged one ISIL guard shack.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1939

Incident date

December 3, 2019

Location

أطمة, Atma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.307309, 36.689379 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A militant leader, named as Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir, was killed when his vehicle was reportedly struck by the US-led Coalition, local sources said. Reports added that two of Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir’s “companions” also died in the strike, though their combat status was unclear.

A private source told Baladi News: “A reconnaissance plane ammunition by the coalition forces targeted a van in the town of Atma, adjacent to the borderline with Turkey with three missiles, believed to be American-made.

“A leader of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham was killed this evening, Tuesday, after targeting his car in the town of Atma, which borders the border with Turkey in the northern Idlib countryside, through a drone of the coalition forces.”

Ebaa and Xeber both reported “the killing of a prominent leader and two of his companions.”

According to The Step News Agency, “A aircraft believed to be belonging to the International Coalition targeting a van-type car in the city of Atma, North Idlib, which killed the driver of the car without information about his identity yet”.

Step added that the strike was reportedly by a drone, and it occurred in “Rawda Street”.

The combat status of the Tahrir al-Sham leader’s companions is currently unclear. For example, Orient reported: “The identity of the dead was not yet clear, and that preliminary information indicates that the bombing operation resulted in a major mutilation of the bodies of the two targeted individuals.”

In the third of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Image showing the targeted vehicle (via Baladi)
  • Paper showing the person killed in the attack is a military training with HTS (via Jesr Press)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a vehicle in the village of Atma (أطمة), for which the coordinates are: 36.307309, 36.689379

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBA925205
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 14, 2020
  • Dec. 3, 2019, in Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3213/CS1939 37SBA925205

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–3

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS035

Incident date

December 21, 2014

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3709658, 37.5179666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilian men were reported killed in an event near the town of Al Bab, after a US aircraft dropped a 500lb bomb on a fleeing ISIL suspect. They were later named by the VDC and Syrian Martyrs.

Social media also reported civilian deaths, with one tweet noting: “At least two civilians martyred in the air strikes conducted by US led Coalition war planes on IS-held Al Bab.” This was accompanied by a graphic photograph apparently showing major damage to the town.

Monitoring site Mugrn News, which also reported two civilian deaths, claimed that both coalition and Assad regime aircraft had been seen in the vicinity of Al Bab on the day, making attribution difficult. And VDC described Fadi al-Kassem being “Martyred during the regime`s army forces rocket shelling.”

However privately, CENTCOM conceded that an American aircraft was responsible for the incident. Following an attack on an ISIL checkpoint a fleeing alleged militant was targeted with a 500lb GBU-49 bomb. According to a report declassified in August 2015, this “re-attack” killed the suspect, damaged a building and also resulted in “2x nearby pax possibly injured.”

A rare full inquiry was ordered into the incident. On July 30th 2015, CENTCOM informed Airwars that this had concluded and found no evidence of civilian casualties: “We have no additional information available to provide at this time. Currently, CENTCOM plans only to release those investigations where the preponderance of evidence supports a finding that Coalition airstrikes resulted in civilian casualties.“ Requests for an expedited release of the report were denied on the grounds that this was not “currently newsworthy.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by the VDC killed
Adult male Listed by the VDC killed
Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs, reportedly died from injuries sustained in the strikes killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children3 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video from Centcom: "A video of an airstrike supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The video depicts impacts occurring Dec. 21 against three ISIL buildings near Aleppo, Syria."
  • Video posted by Halab news network listing name of dead in Aleppo and its surroundings.

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children3 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1968

Incident date

October 27, 2021

Location

الصبحة, Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.896421, 39.904919 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A male civilian, co-chair of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, was shot and killed by alleged Coalition forces and/or Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in on October 27, 2021.

According to a tweet from @Sada_AlSharqieh, a media organization covering Eastern Syria, Samer Al-Abdullah, the co-chair of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, in charge of running the affairs of the Health Committee in the Council, was killed in an airdrop operation carried out by the Coalition forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

@DeirEzzor24 reported that Samer Al-Abdullah was killed by mistake when SDF forces were searching for a wanted person, adding that Samer was a member of the Future Syria Party affiliated with the administration.

The correspondent of the “Ein al-Furat” network said that the SDF Asayish carried out a landing operation to arrest a person named Shayesh al-Hassan. “When al-Hassan fled, the deputy co-presidency of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, in charge of the affairs of the Health Committee, left his house, thinking that the shooting was on his house and that he should flee from it, which prompted the Asayish forces to shoot him, killing him instantly.” @baznewz named the target of the operation to be the sons of “Salem al-Baghdeh,” Abu Younis, a leader in the Islamic State.

However, @humam_isa reported that the shooting came after misleading information reached the Coalition forces. @Sada_AlSharqieh tweeted that Samer Al-Abdullah had been threatened by several parties who wanted him to leave work in the Civil Council and Nedaa Post stated that the SDF had arrested other members of the council. Ida2at even added that there were accusations that the SDF intended to kill Samer and it was part of an “assassination operation”. The “Al-Shaitat official” page quoted a source as saying that “Al-Abdullah is an educated person who knows that anyone who goes out during a raid or landing operation is targeted, and therefore he will not put himself at risk to look at the raid, which makes it likely that the cadres will arrange the operation to get rid of him.”

Sources were conflicted as to what time the event occurred, with @EuphratesPost pinpointing the raid to dawn while Jisr TV reported that the shooting occurred in the evening.

In a civilian casualty assessment released November 3, 2023, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “After a thorough review of all CJTF-OIR strike and operation history, no strike or operation was identified +/-24 hours, in the vicinity of the allegation.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Samer Al-Abdullah سامر العبد الله
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Samer Al-Abdullah, the co-chair of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, killed in an alleged Coalition airdrop operation on October 27, 2021. (Image posted by @Sada_AlSharqieh)
  • Samer Al-Abdullah, the co-chair of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, killed in an alleged Coalition airdrop operation on October 27, 2021. (Image posted by @DeirEzzorNow)
  • The official in the Civil Council of the "Self-Administration", Samer Al-Abdullah, was killed "by mistake", during a raid carried out by the international coalition forces and "SDF" near his house in a town in Deir ez-Zor governorate, targeting ISIS cells. (Image posted by @AsharqNewsSYR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Samer Al-Abdullah, the co-chair of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, killed in an alleged Coalition airdrop operation on October 27, 2021. (Image posted by @baznewz)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sabha (الصبحة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.896421, 39.904919. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 3, 2023
  • October 27, 2021, near Al Sabha, Syria, via Airwars report. After a thorough review of all CJTF-OIR strike and operation history, no strike or operation was identified +/-24 hours, in the vicinity of the allegation. 3313/CS1968 37SEV8166572838

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (29) [ collapse]