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

CS1300

Incident date

July 30, 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

The child, Yousef Haj Abdullah, was named as a victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, by multiple local sources.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Haj Abdullah
Child male 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Yousef Haj Abdullah, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, July 31st 2017. (via RBSS)

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
  • May 31, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 30th-31st , the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, three supply caches, two ISIS-held buildings, a vehicle, a tunnel, and a command and control node; and suppressed a fighting position.”

It additionally reported that “On July 30, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units, destroyed four fighting positions, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On July 30, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Sunday 30 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair eliminated two terrorist snipers in Raqqa...On Sunday 30 July, a further mixed pair of aircraft conducted successful Paveway strikes when the SDF came under fire from two snipers as they continued to clear areas of Raqqa from Daesh control.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • RAF reporting on their continued airstrikes in Syria, 30th July 2017. (via Defence HQ)

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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI822

Incident date

August 4, 2017

Location

العباسية, Al Abbasiyah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

34.27702, 43.80145 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a local report, civilians were killed followed airstrikes on Salah ad Din Province.

Yaqein reported that a number of civilians were killed as a result of ongoing attacks by government forces and international coalition aircraft. The report also cited militias fighting in the area and said that indiscriminate and heavy shelling had killed dozens of civilians.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Abbasiyah (العباسية), southwest Kirkuk governorate, for which the coordinates are: 34.27702, 43.80145

  • The village of Al-Abbasiyah (العباسية)

    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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Abbasiyah, Salah al-Din, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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

For August 3rd – 4th, the Coalition reported: “Near Kirkuk, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.” For August 4th – 5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Huwayjah, two strikes destroyed an ISIS-held building and an ISIS headquarters.”

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1358

Incident date

August 9, 2017

Location

شارع البريد, Al Bareed neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9618903, 38.9940834 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources reported that four civilians were killed and five others wounded in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes, in al Bareed neighbourhood, Raqqa.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Bareed (البريد) in the city of Raqqa. The coordinates for this neighbourhood are: 35.9618903, 38.9940834.

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
  • May 31, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 8th-9th the Coalition reported *Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 20 fighting positions, an IED, ISIS engineering equipment, a logistics node, and a command and control node” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 8, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, three command and control nodes, an IED, and a heavy machine gun.”

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original

For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original

France reports that in the past week (4th -11th) it carried out 31 sorties, including 24 Army reconnaissance and Ground Support (CAS), as well as 4 intelligence reports by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrol. Two strikes were carried out in the Hassaka region of Syria and the Al Qaim region of Iraq. They destroyed ISIL storage sites and weapons caches.

‘Point de situation des opérations ARMÉE FRANÇAISE – OPÉRATIONS MILITAIRES·FRIDAY, 11 AUGUST 2017 OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes se poursuit. Au sud de la ville, la manœuvre de tenaille amorcée, qui permettra de joindre les fronts est et ouest, demeure freinée par la résistance de Daech. Les combattants du groupe terroriste utilisent les réseaux de tunnels et les véhicules suicide chargés d’explosifs pour conduire des actions de harcèlement, et piègent systématiquement le terrain cédé. En Irak, Les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent le nettoyage et la dépollution de la ville de Mossoul. Dans le reste du territoire, alors que Daech tente de poursuivre ses actions de harcèlement, les opérations de sécurisation mobilisent largement les forces irakiennes. Dans la vallée de l’Anbar et dans la région d’Hawijah, les opérations ont permis de déceler et de détruire des caches de munitions et de nombreux engins explosifs improvisés. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Le 3 août s’est achevée une séquence de relève des avions de Chammal. Celle-ci a signé la fin du premier déploiement du plot mixte Rafale marine et air. Ce sont désormais 6 avions Rafale de l’armée de l’air qui constituent le volet chasse présent en Jordanie. Cette semaine, sur le théâtre, les aéronefs ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 24 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 4 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Deux frappes ont été conduites dans la région de Hassaka en Syrie et dans la région d’Al Qaim. Elles ont permis de détruire des sites de stockage et des caches d’armes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 6 missions de tir de harcèlement en appui de la 15e division à l’ouest de Mossoul vers Tal Afar, pour prévenir les infiltrations ennemies sur les positions irakiennes. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 322 frappes, 2095 objectifs détruits et 6919 sorties.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

CS1387

Incident date

August 19, 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

One man named Mohammed Khair Chalwan was killed in an alleged airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media.

Ahmad Shbli directly blamed the Coalition for his death, while other sources referred to an “aerial bombardment”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (24–1 men)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Khair Chalwan, killed in an alleged airstrike on Raqqa, Aug 19th (via RBSS)
  • # Raqqa Martyrdom of "Mohammed Khair Chalwan" as a result of the aerial bombardment of the international coalition aircraft on the city of Raqqa

Geolocation notes

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

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

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

For August 18th-19th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 20 fighting positions, an anti-air artillery system, and a command and control node.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 20 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units, destroyed 14 fighting positions, and damaged a tunnel entrance.” And that “On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions.” Also that “On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Saturday 19 August – Typhoons bombed a truck on the move near Bayji, while Tornados attacked a terrorist position in Raqqa...A Typhoon flight faced a challenging target on Saturday 19 August – a fast-moving truck carrying a group of terrorists across the desert in Iraq, west of Bayji. Despite the vehicle’s speed, a Paveway IV was guided accurately onto the target, destroying it. Tornados continued to provide close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, destroying a terrorist strongpoint.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (24–1 men)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1412

Incident date

August 24, 2017

Location

Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was named as killed in an airstrike on Deir ez-Zor, though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for her death.

The majority of sources blamed either Russia or the regime, however, Hasaka Rasd and Euphrates Post did not apportion blame.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mrs. Nawal al-Khadr
Adult female killed

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.3353632, 40.1380348. Due to the limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV034108
    Military Grid Reference System

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

For August 24th-25th, “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed two ISIS well-heads and a VBIED factory.“

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.(@EtatMajorFR)

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 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1440

Incident date

September 5, 2017

Location

مسجد الامام النووي, Ar Raqqah: Near Imam Al Nawawi mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.954672, 38.999162 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the Nahdah neighbourhood of Raqqa. Initially only reported on by one source, 3 of the victims were identified: Ahmad Al Tufi, also known as Lattoufi Lattoufi (adult, male), his wife and Layal Ramzi Ahmed Al Tufi (adult, female).

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 named the other victims as well and could identify the location of the strike. The report notes: “An entire family of 10 – Six children aged between 13 years and 15 months, their parents, their bed-ridden grandmother and their 14-year-old cousin – were killed when their home was destroyed by a Coalition air strike at midday on 5 September 2017.”

Based on an interview with relative Mohammad Ahmad Al Tadfi, Amnesty’s field notes report: “The family was hiding in a six-storey building (5 floors and an attic) near the Imam Nawawi mosque and the Ibn Khaldoun school, opposite the villa of Dr. Ahmad Obeid. Mohammad’s [the interviewee] brother had a flat in the semi-basement where they died. The family had been unable to leave because Mohammad’s mother was a diabetic who could not be moved easily. However, the SDF forces were very close so Mohammad went out to try to find a way to them. He left the house at around 10am on the day in question. The strike occurred at around midday.

Mohammad added: “I visited my brother barely two hours before the tragedy. I had managed to find some insulin for my mother and I rushed over to bring it to her. I was planning to return later with my wife and children.”

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Amina al Ali
62 years old female Interviewee Mohammed Ahmad al Tadfi's mother killed
Latuf Ahmad al Tadfi
43 years old male Mohammed's brother killed
Samiha Hassan
38 years old female Latuf's wife killed
Ahmad Latuff Tadfi
13 years old male Latuf's son killed
Shahed Tadfi
9 years old female Latuf's daughter killed
Amina Tadfi
7 years old female Latuf's daughter killed
Marwa Tadfi
4 years old female Latuf's daughter killed
Mohammed Tadfi
1 year, 3 months years old male Latuf's son killed
Aaloosh Tadfi
2,5 years old female Mohammed's daughter killed
Layal Ramzi Tadfi
14,5 years old female Daughter of Ramzi, Latuf's brother killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (7 children2 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

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Amina Al-Ali (via Amnesty International)
  • Lattuf Tadfi with children (clockwise) Lattuf, Alloosh, Shahed, Mohammed, Amina, Marwa (via Amnesty International)
  • Building in which members of the Tadfi family died (via Amnesty International)
  • Building in which members of the Tadfi family died (via Amnesty International)
  • Building in which members of the Tadfi family died (via Amnesty International)
  • Building in which members of the Tadfi family died (via Amnesty International)
  • Building in which members of the Tadfi family died (via Amnesty International)
  • Building in which members of the Tadfi family died (via Amnesty International)
  • Building in which members of the Tadfi family died (via Amnesty International)
  • Building in which members of the Tadfi family died (via Amnesty International)
  • Building in which members of the Tadfi family died (via Amnesty International)
  • Via Amnesty International

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before the strike on August 31, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • After the strike on September 8, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Duplicate
    Assessed to be a duplicate of another report that has already been assessed.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 2nd – 3rd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions, four logistics nodes, three IEDs, two staging areas, a mortar system, a vehicle, and a command and control node.” It also reported that “On Sept. 2, near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and suppressed two fighting positions.” And that “On Sept. 2, near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.” And in addition that “On Sept. 2, near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions.”
For September 3rd-4th the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 21 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed 13 fighting positions, two pieces of ISIS communications infrastructure, two vehicles, a VBIED, a command and control node, and a logistics node." It also reported that "On Sept. 1, near Raqqah, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units." And that "On Sept. 2, near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and suppressed two fighting positions."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (7 children2 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

Incident Code

CS1467

Incident date

September 10, 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

An entire family of up to six people died in alleged airstrikes on Raqqa city.

The family were originally displaced from Deir Ezzor, and died as a result of “aerial and artillery bombardment”, according to local sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Issa Rajab al-Khudair
Adult male and five members of his family killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    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

For September 9th – 10th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 34 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 21 fighting positions, 16 vehicles, four heavy machine guns, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and engineering equipment; and suppressed six fighting positions.”

For September 10th - 11th the Coalition reported •Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, two logistics nodes, and a vehicle; and suppressed two fighting positions" It later reported, "Additionally, 15 strikes consisting of 21 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 10 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 10, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 vehicles, three fighting positions, a logistics node, and an anti-air artillery system; and suppressed a fighting position"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Monday 11 September – Tornados destroyed two sniper positions in Raqqa, and attacked a Daesh-held compound and terrorists on a motorcycle near Dayr az Zawr…A flight of Royal Air Force Tornados supported the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting in Raqqa on Monday 11 September, when Paveway IV guided bombs were used to destroy two sniper positions. A second Tornado flight patrolled north-east of Dayr az Zawr, where they attacked a group of terrorists in a compound with a Paveway IV. Survivors of the attack then attempted to move to another position on a motorcycle, but were successfully engaged with a Brimstone missile.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1496 RS2451

Incident date

September 15, 2017

Location

شميطية, Shumaytiyah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4710166, 39.9351239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman, died after unidentified warplanes conducted a raid on the town of Shumaytiyah (شمیطیة) in rural west Deir Ezzor, local sources said. There is limited information on the incident, Airwars will update the entry when new information arises.

Additionally, Deir Ezzor 24 and Asharq Asouri named two adult males as killed at a refugee camp i n Shumaytiyah – and blamed Russia for their deaths.

However western Deir Ezzor falls into the regime/Russian part of the deconfliction line, making this highly unlikely to be a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

The victims were named as:

Fatima Moussa al-Aloush
Age unknown female killed
Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'Martyrdom of both Abdul Razzaq Al Ahmad Al Fayyad AbdulSamad Al Abdul Mohsen Al Fayyad'.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Shumaytiyah (شمیطیة), for which the coordinates are: 35.4710166, 39.9351239. 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
    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 Shammatia, 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

For September 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.“ and "Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

For September 15th - 16th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes [1 British?] engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions" and "Additionally, 13 strikes consisting of 18 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 15 that closed within the last 48 hours. On Sept. 15, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]