US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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
text search
2873 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

CS700

Incident date

April 17, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians reportedly died and 11 were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tabaqa, according to local media.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “warplanes believed to belong to the International Coalition bombed areas in the second and third neighborhoods of the town of Tabaqa in the western Rif Al Rigga. No casualties were reported.”

According to the Smart News Agency “A medical source said six bodies belonging to civilians and 11 wounded, including a woman and three children, arrived at the National Tabaqa Hospital.” A local source said that the raids targeted the First neighborhood, the Old Villas district and military housing near the ‘Mujahideen Affairs’ building of the Islamic State west of the city. The raids coincided with an attempt by the Syrian Democratic Forces to advance from the south and south-west of the city, as it approaches its eastern entrance.

The incident was first reported on April 17, 2017 at 1:30 pm by @ilham24877501.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tabaqa ( الثورة), Raqqa governorate, for which the coordinates are: 35.8295049, 38.5360909. The ‘second’ and ‘third’ neighbourhoods of Tabaqa are mentioned. The second neighbourhood respectively refers to the Hurriya (الحرية) or ‘Freedom’ neighbourhood, for which the coordinates are: 35.846667, 38.543889. The third neighbourhood refers to the Ishtiraqiya (الاشتراكية) or ‘Socialism’ neighbourhood, for which the coordinates are: 35.8454216, 38.5355544.

  • Imagery:
    © 2018 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 Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 April 16th-17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and suppressed three ISIS tactical units.”

For April 17th-18th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, seven strikes [1 British] engaged five ISIS tactical units, destroyed three fighting positions and damaged six fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Monday 17 April – Typhoons struck a further target in Syria, south of Tabqah, and Tornados destroyed a heavy machine-gun in Rawah, western Iraq…On Monday 17 April, the Tornados operated over western Iraq, where a heavy machine-gun had been spotted, concealed within a grove of trees at Rawah. A single Paveway IV destroyed the weapon. Typhoons continued their support to the SDF west of Raqqah, and conducted a successful Paveway attack on a group of terrorists positioned in a treeline to the south of Tabqah.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS721

Incident date

April 23, 2017

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1320519, 38.9661026 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Hazimah, according to local sources.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said that “a number of martyrs fell following Coalition raids on Hazima town north of Raqqa city.” Step News reported “more than nine raids north of Raqqa” including strikes on the outskirts of Hazimah but did not mention civilian casualties.

Al Raqqa Ahlona named the victims – however, it should noted that these victims were also named as killed in incident CS711 on April 20th at Maysaloun Farms, Raqqa.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Hussein Al Taweel
Age unknown male killed
Mohamed Ahmed Al Hassan Al Taweel
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Moses the Mohammed
Age unknown male killed
The son of Juma
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 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 (7) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 22nd – 23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed 24 ISIS oil facility assets and a fighting position.”

For April 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, a tactical vehicle, and an ISIS well head.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 23 April – Typhoons destroyed an armed truck south-west of Tabqah in Syria, while Tornados bombed a Daesh position in western Mosul…On Sunday 23 April, Typhoons assisted the SDF, destroying an armed truck near Tabqah, west of Raqqa. In western Mosul, a Daesh-held building was struck by a Paveway IV, released by a Tornado flight, after Iraqi troops came under fire from the building.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS741

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently a 13- years-old female civilian died from fright following the sounds of air raids on the city of Raqqa at dawn today.”

RFS reported that “in Al Raqqa, the 13-year-old girl…died of heart attack as a result of fear of the bombing of Al Raqqa city by Coalition aircraft. The raids focused on the perimeter of the 17th Brigade north of the city and the new bridge area south of the city.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Diana Abdel Min’em Hamidi
13 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Diana Abdel Min’em Hamidi, who reportedly died at dawn, April 28th, when she heard the sound of air raids in Raqqa (via RBSS)
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
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility. (1393)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a front-end loader, a fighting position, and a mortar team. Near Tabqah, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.”
For April 27th-28th: “Near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed a command and control node and a front-end loader. Near Tabqah, eight strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, two command and control nodes, two bunkers, and an ISIS staging area.“

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For the past week, France reports carrying out 54 sorties and six strikes – 1 in Iraq and 5 in Syria. There was a special effort this week in support of operations in the Raqqah region with three strikes reported there. Task Force Wagram carried out 30 artillery missions in Mosul] 'CHAMMAL ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION Status of operations as of April 27, 2017 In Syria the SDS continued to garner territorial gains at the expense of the terrorist organization. In the Tabqah region, progress continues in the city itself and around the dam. In the Raqqah region, the defensive perimeter of Daesh north of the city continues to shrink. In Iraq, Daesh continued its asymmetric actions and seeks to take advantage of weather that is not conducive to effective coalition air support. In the Mosul region, the situation continues to evolve favorably for ISPs. In the north-west, on the outskirts of the city, the 9th Division has paused in its progression to focus on securing the area under its control, including to counter attempts infiltrations of terrorist groups. Further south, in the districts of the city of Mosul, the ICTS and the FEDPOL continue their methodical progress aimed at isolating the medina. These units are facing continuing resistance from Daesh members, who this week launched unsuccessful counter-attacks from the Medina. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAMMAL FORCE Fire support - TF Wagram The Task Force (TF) Wagram continued this week its shooting missions in support of the 9th Iraqi Division engaged in the Badush region. It carried out 30 firing missions in support of Iraqi units, as part of their operations to secure the area against groups of Daesh seeking to infiltrate. It is, in equal proportions, missions of shelling or destruction against Daesh units. Air support to the Levant This week, the aircraft of Operation Chammal made 54 sorties, including 40 for armed reconnaissance or ground support (CAS), 3 for air command and control, 5 for refueling, and 6 for intelligence gathering. Six strikes were carried out by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria, with a special effort this week to support operations in the Raqqah region.

‘CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION Point de situation des opérations au 27 avril 2017 En Syrie les FDS ont continué à engranger des gains territoriaux aux dépends de l’organisation terroriste. Dans la région de Tabqah, la progression se poursuit dans la ville même et aux abords du barrage. Dans la région de Raqqah, le périmètre défensif de Daech au Nord de la ville continue de se réduire. En Irak, Daech a poursuivi ses actions asymétriques et cherche à tirer parti d’une météo peu favorable à l’efficacité des appuis aériens de la coalition. Dans la région de Mossoul, la situation continue à évoluer favorablement pour les FSI. Au nord-ouest, sur les abords de la ville, la 9e division a marqué une pause dans sa progression pour se concentrer sur la sécurisation de la zone sous son contrôle, notamment pour contrer les tentatives infiltrations de groupes terroristes. Plus au sud, dans les quartiers de la ville de Mossoul, l’ICTS et les FEDPOL poursuivent leur progression méthodique visant à isoler la médina. Ces unités font face à une résistance toujours aussi vive de la part des membres de Daech, qui cette semaine ont lancé, sans succès, plusieurs contre-attaques depuis la médina. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a poursuivi cette semaine ses missions de tir en appui de la 9e division irakienne engagée dans la région de Badush. Elle a réalisé 30 missions de tir en appui des unités irakiennes, dans le cadre de leurs opérations de sécurisation de la zone face à des groupes de Daech cherchant à s’infiltrer. Il s’agit, dans des proportions égales, de missions de tirs éclairants ou de destruction contre des unités de Daech. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 54 sorties aériennes dont 40 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), 3 de commandement et de contrôle aérien, 5 de ravitaillement, et 6 de recueil de renseignements. 6 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, avec un effort particulier consenti cette semaine en appui des opérations dans la région de Raqqah.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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

CI682

Incident date

May 2, 2017

Location

Mosul, Al Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.323338, 43.112861 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twenty five or more civilians were reported killed following a battle in the Hermat area of West Mosul. It was unclear whether Iraqi forces and/or the Coalition were responsible.

Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: “On 2 May, in the early morning, there was a big attack on my street. The attack hit a house that was seven houses away from us. As a car bomb moved down the street, the tank targeted the car bomb, and then the ‘elephant bomb’ targeted the house. I don’t know how many people were killed, but we could hear the screams from the house. They were crying out “they killed our family”, “they killed my mother.”

Later, around 9 or 10am, there was an airstrike on our street. Seven houses were destroyed as a result. I didn’t see the attack, but as we were fleeing the next day, we saw all of the houses destroyed. That attack shock the ground. It felt like there was an earthquake. We could feel the whole earth move. I think it was a “bareena” missile – these go very deep – 3 meters into the ground. At least 23 people were killed from this attack, and one fighter. Most of the 23 were women and children. There were only two men among those killed. I didn’t see the bodies myself, but these are our neighbours, so we know who was killed. Only 13 survived who were living in those houses.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Hermat, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF270259
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 May 1st-2nd 2017 the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul; two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two mortar systems, a front-end loader, an artillery system, a fighting position, a VBIED factory, and a medium machine gun.” It additionally stated that “Near Mosul, May 1st, three strikes destroyed three VBIEDs and three ISIS fuel tankers, and suppressed three mortar teams.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS783 RS2219

Incident date

May 8, 2017

Location

دبسي فرج, Dibsi Faraj, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.91617, 38.23002 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and four more were wounded in an airstrike on Dibsi Faraj village, local sources said – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The journalist Ahmad al Shibl reported the Coalition had been “targeting the main road between Dibsi Faraj and Dibsi Afnan”. He named one victim of a Coalition raid. The man was also named by Al Raqqa Truth, which instead blamed Russia. Mohab Nasser also reported Russian strikes on the village but later said that the regime was responsible for the civilians death.

According to the Step News Agency, “three children and a woman were injured lightly in Russian raids using cluster bombs on the edges of Dibsi Faraj west of al Tabaqa in the Raqqa countryside.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the victim died at the hands of the regime, and Aleppo24 blamed shelling by regime helicopters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Abdel Hanan
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdel Hanan al Ahmad al Faraj was killed in an airstrike on Dibsi Al Faraj on May 8th 2017. (via Al Ragga Truth)
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 Dibsi Faraj, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV305749
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 May 7th-8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, 15 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed eight fighting positions and a vehicle.” It later added that “Additionally, two strikes were conducted in Syria on May 7th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.”
For May 8th-9th it stated: “Near Tabqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions.” It later added that “Additionally, four strikes were conducted in Syria on May 8 that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed a fighting position and a mortar system; and damaged an ISIS supply route.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS806

Incident date

May 12, 2017

Location

القورية, Quriya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.94995, 40.55731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Euphrates Post, five named civilians died in an airstrike when the car they were in was struck in Quriya. According to one source, Zaman Alwasl, the victims died as they were returning from a picnic in nearby Badia. The US-led alliance later accepted responsibility for injuring one person in the event.

All sources but one at the time attributed their deaths to the US-led Coalition – though Syria News Desk said that warplanes belonging to the Syrian regime were responsible.

The source didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for the deaths, though an earlier report said that Coalition aircraft had been seen over Deir Ezzor.

RFS also put the death toll at five, including two children, and blamed the Coalition.

However, one source, Syria News Desk, said that the regime was responsible, reporting that “four members of the organization [IS] and five civilians were killed yesterday night, following two raids by regime military aircraft on the city of Qouriya controlled by the organization [IS] in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour.

Al-Hamd pointed out that the warplanes targeted two vehicles, one carrying four members of the organization and the other five civilians at the entrance of the eastern city of Qureia as they entered the city. The shelling also completely burned the cars and damaged cars passing by.”

In December 2018 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event – though only for one person injured rather than the five reported fatalities: “On May 12, 2017, near Quriya, Syria, via Airwars report. The coalition aircraft engaged what was positively identified as an ISIS vehicle containing two known ISIS combatants. While ISIS combatants were killed in the attack, a civilian in the vicinity was unintentionally injured in the explosion.”

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.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Idris Abu Somar
Adult male killed
Sheikh Mahmoud Al Karad Abu Ahmed
Adult male killed
Muslim Aldrees
Adult male brother of Mohammed Aldrees killed
Mohammed al-Muslim
Adult male Mohammed Idris’s cousin killed
Abdul Salamah Abu Laith
Adult male Cousin of Mohammed Aldrees killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The funeral of five civilians, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on their vehicle in Quriya, May 12th (via Baladi)
  • Mohammed al-Adris "Abu Somer", killed in an airstrike on Quriya, May 11th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Abdul Salamah and Mahmoud Al-Karad two men killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Quriya, May 12th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The funeral of five men allegedly killed by Coalition airstrikes on their vehicle in Quriya, May 12th (via Zaman ALwasl)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 34.96, 40.55

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Quriyah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU422686
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018

  • On May 12, 2017, near Quriyah, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition aircraft engaged what was positively identified as an ISIS vehicle containing two known ISIS combatants. While the ISIS combatants were killed in the attack, a civilian in the vicinity was unintentionally injured in the explosion.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 11th - 12th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three ISIS oil processing items and two ISIS well heads"

For May 12th - 13th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 16 ISIS oil tankers, two ISIS oil processing equipment, two fighting positions, and a vehicle"

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS852

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Location

البارودة, Al Barouda, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8965073, 38.8007712 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sixteen civilians including six children and seven women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Barounda village, according to local sources.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) – who blamed the Coalition – initially reported the death of three non-combatants. Step News Agency also put the death toll at three – however, a subsequent report by RBSS said that the number of victims had increased to 16, with most of them displaced from Al Sukhna.

The Violations Documentation Center was among the sources blaming the Coalition. It named 13 victims. Further victims were named by other sources.

RBSS also published an image of a woman.There is no named on the photo but one of the comments says ‘May God have mercy on Umm Saddam’so’, she is Saddam’s mother. It puts the death toll at 16.

RFS also said that 16 civilians died with dozens more wounded and blamed the Coalition, reporting that civilian homes were targeted resulting in widespread destruction.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, six children and six women were among the 16 killed by Coalition missiles.

Sawarim [IS propaganda] referred specifically to “US raids”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Roz Saddam al-Nayef al-Haj
Child female
Ibraheem Saddam al-Nayef al-Haj
Child male killed
Gezlan Saddam al-Nayef al-Haj
Child female killed
Fatima Ibraheem al-Nayef al-Haj
Adult female killed
Afra al-Khalifeh al-Haj
Adult female killed
Ibraheem al-Nayef al-Haj
Adult male killed
Ahlam Saddam al-Nayef al-Haj
Child female killed
Angam Saddam al-Nayef al-Haj
Child female killed
Mohammad Ahmad al-Nayef al-Haj
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Hamoud al-Zend
Adult male killed
Wife of Hamoud al-Zend 1
Adult female killed
Wife of Hamoud al-Zend 2
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Issa Al-Mousa Al-Hamoud
Adult male killed
His wife “Khawla Al Jaber
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Fozeh Mohammad Awwad al-Arab
Adult female killed
Daughter of Mohammed Nur al – Issa
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (5–6 children6–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The children Ghezlan, Rose, Ibrahim, Ahlam, Angham Sadam al Nayef were among those killed in the allaged Coalition raid on Al Barouda, May 23rd/24th (via SN4HR)
  • Issa al Moussa al Hamoud, killed in an allaged Coalition airstrike on Al Barounda village, May 23/24the (via RBSS)
  • Victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Barouda in Raqqa on May 23rd, 2017. The woman isn't named but one of the comments in this posts says ‘May God have mercy on Umm Saddam so it would appear she is Saddam’s mother. (via RBSS on May 24th, 2017).
  • The aftermatch of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Barouda in Raqqa on May 23rd, 2017 (via RBSS on May 25th, 2017).
  • House of the victim Ibrahim al-Nayef al-Hajj in the town of Barouda after being targeted by an alleged Coalition airstrike on May 23rd, 2017 (via Al Raqqa Truth on May 25th, 2017).
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 fighting positions, two vehicles, a weapons cache; and damaged an ISIS supply route.” It later additionally added that on May 22nd “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a VBIED, and a front-end loader.”
For May 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions and a mortar system." It added that on May 23rd "Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed eight command and control nodes and destroyed a VBIED facility."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (5–6 children6–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS876

Incident date

May 28, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Ara Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.047659, 38.980279 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported that a drone strike killed a family of ten as their house in northern Raqqa was struck.

Reportedly, three IS fighters were present in the area in the morning, but when a suspected drone was heard the three fleed. The family also tried to flee but the airstrike hit their two-storey farmhouse and killed the 10 family members who were inside.

Meanwhile, other family members who were outside the house, survived unharmed, one of the surviving family members, Mahmoud, told Amnesty’s researchers.

However, on August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “May 28, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-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 Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars: 37SDV974852. The event could also possibly be related to incident S769, but this incident cannot be discounted due to insufficient information on the location.

In July 2019 the Coalition reassessed the allegation of civilian harm in this incident and again reached a conclusion that it was non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The incident occured at 13:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Ibrahim Mustafa al-Mashood
50 years old male brother of interviewee killed
Ahmad
13 years old male son of Ibrahim killed
Mahmood
21 years old male son of Ibrahim killed
Mohamed
24 years old male son of Ibrahim killed
Mustafa Mahmood Mashood
32 years old male son of interviewee killed
Ahmad Mahmood Mashood
24 years old male Mustafa's brother killed
Jaman Mahmood Mashood
20 years old male Mustafa's brother killed
Ibrahim Mahmood Mashood
15 years old male Mustafa's brother killed
Ahmad Mahmood Mashood
12 years old male interviewee’s nephew killed
Name unknown
30 years old male

The victims were named as:

Sami
30 years old male the farm guard, nickname Abu Jana killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3 children7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area, Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Stated location
    in Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV982892
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • May 28, 2017, in Raqqa, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 27th-28th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, an ISIS staging area and a VBIED.” The Coalition additionally reported that on May 27th “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed a six fighting positions, an ISIS-held building and a weapons cache.”
For May 28th-29th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, two VBIED factories, two VBIED facilities, and an ISIS mechanical facility." For May 28th it added "Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed a weapons cache, an ISIS staging area, and three fighting positions".

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3 children7 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition