US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CI744

Incident date

June 2, 2017

Location

ِعنة, Anah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.372699, 41.986442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that an elderly man was killed and his son and another woman were severely injured as a result of airstrikes hitting their houses in Anah district, in the west of Anbar province.

According to several Facebook posts, the elderly man was called Hajj Juma al-Abd. He reportedly died when shelling on a house next to his led to the collapse of the room he was in. Iraqi Spring Media Center said that up to five people were killed or wounded.

The head of the Anah district council, Abdul Karim al-Ani, told Alsumaria News (quoted by Western People Facebook group) that “an unknown military aircraft randomly bombed a house in the city of Anah (210 km west of Ramadi), killing a civilian, a senior citizen, and wounding his son and a woman.” Al-Ani called for “an end to the indiscriminate shelling of the city of Anah until the liberation of ISIL is launched, because it does not work for the time being.”

The Facebook page also mentioned that ISIL has controlled the Anah district since mid-2014, has used thousands of civilians as human shields, and has prevented them from leaving the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hajj Juma al-Abd
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hajj Juma al-Abd, allegedly killed in airstrikes on Anah (via AbuRahma Alani)
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 Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGU742070
    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 June 1st-June 2nd, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 11 fighting positions, four rocket-propelled grenade systems, three medium machine guns, two mortar systems, a heavy machine gun, and a command and control node; damaged 12 ISIS supply routes, four fighting positions; and suppressed a mortar team and a medium machine gun.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS928

Incident date

June 7, 2017

Location

طريق السده ا, Al Sadda road, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.965147, 40.513302 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 9 and 10 civilians died in an airstrike on a van or small bus near the Al Sadda road, Al Quriya, Deir Ezzor, according to local media. While most sources blamed the Coalition (which confirmed targeting a vehicle in the province on the day), one outlet alleged that Russia was responsible.

Sound and Picture, also blaming the Coalition, put the death toll at nine, while Ahmad al Shibli said as many as 10 died.

Syria Mirror said that in addition to the nine civilians killed, “many more were wounded”.

However, according to Zaman Alwasl, Russia may have been responsible. It reported: “The page ‘heritage and news of the city of Qurya’ on the site Facebook said that the air bombardment targeted the van on the road to Sada.

The page listed the names of eight people who died in the raid without specifying the identity of any culprit, but according to the local network Eastern 24 “it is likely to be Russia.”

Syrian News Desk added that the civilians died “on their way back from paying condolences in the village of al-Tayana in the eastern countryside”.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salem Al-Khalif Al-Badawi
Adult male killed
Samer Mohammed Al Idris
Adult male named by Eurphates, “is the son of Muhammad Idris Abu Somar and his uncle is Muslim Idris, who were killed in an air raid on 12/5/2017.” killed
Ali al-Basha
Age unknown male killed
Hatir Al Ramdan
Age unknown killed
Nouri Al-Ramzan Al-Rifai
Age unknown killed
Nouri Al-Falah
Adult male killed
Hazim Al-Idris
Age unknown killed
Hajj Elias
Adult male killed
Eid Al-Rafdan
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • A bus carrying civilians burns following an alleged Coalition raid on Al Sadda road, June 7th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Samer Muhammad al-Idris (rear), killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Al Sadda road,, June 7th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • A bus carrying civilians burns following an alleged Coalition raid on Al Sadda road, June 7th 2017. (via Free Deir Ezzor facebook)
  • A photo of some of the victims of the alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor, 7th June 2017. (via Asharqiya voice facebook)
  • Nouri al Fallah, killed in the alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor, 7th June 2017. (via Asharqiya voice facebook)
  • Salem al-Badawi, killed in the alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor, 7th June 2017. (via Asharqiya voice facebook)
  • Haji Elias Mohammed al-Khater, killed in an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor, 7th June 2017. (via Euphrates post)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor, 7th June 2017. (via Asharqiya voice facebook)

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.96514, 40.5133

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
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al Sadda road, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU3815570223
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Jun. 7, 2017, near al Sadda road, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3104/CS928 37SFU3815570223

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 7th-8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed two ISIS front-end loaders, two ISIS backhoes, two ISIS fuel storage trailers, an ISIS excavator and a vehicle. Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 7 June – a Reaper killed two terrorists planting booby-traps in Raqqa, while a Tornado and a Typhoon attacked two Daesh-held buildings south-west of the city… The RAF is continuing to support Iraqi forces in their effort to liberate western Mosul. While the operating environment in the city is very challenging, particularly given the closely-packed buildings, very narrow streets, and the density of the urban population, our aircrew have continued to deliver precision strikes in close support of Iraqi troops on the ground. Daesh’s current tactics, including the illegal use of civilians as human shields, and fighting from sites such as schools, hospitals, religious sites and civilian neighbourhoods, increases the risk to innocent life. While no military operations come without risk, particularly in dense urban environments and against such inhuman Daesh tactics, the RAF continues to take all steps necessary to minimise civilian casualties. Royal Air Force aircraft have provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who are now fighting Daesh on the outskirts of Raqqa. In Mosul, our aircraft are continuing to assist Iraqi troops in clearing remaining Daesh positions in and around the city. A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft flew an armed reconnaissance patrol over northern Raqqa on Wednesday 7 June. It observed two extremists burying booby-traps along routes into the city. Hellfire missiles were deployed, killing both. Some 45 miles south-west of Raqqa, a mixed pair of Tornado and Typhoon fast jets used a Brimstone missile to hit one Daesh-held building. A Paveway IV guided bomb left a second target on fire.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS958

Incident date

June 10, 2017

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A member of ISIL was killed along with his wife and two children in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor according to local media.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the victims died “when the rubble of a building fell on them while they were trying to get away in their car from the site of the bombing.”

According to RFS, “warplanes targeted, at dawn, the center of the rural revival and the arena of Fatima Zahra Hospital and the area near Al Noor mosque, along with residential buildings in the Corniche area and the vicinity of the Recovery Center. They killed an IS family, consisting of the member of IS, a woman and two children”.

Other sources also reported the Coalition carried out between six and 13 raids on Al Mayadin.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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 (13) [ 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 Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    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 June 9th-10th the Coalition reported no strikes in the vicinity.

For June 10-11th it was reported that strikes were carried out in near Deir Ezzor: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, eight strikes destroyed 23 ISIS oil tanks, three ISIS separation tanks, two ISIS wellheads, an ISIS-held building and an ISIS refinery."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS988

Incident date

June 14, 2017

Location

كراج البولمان, Pullman garage, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.942807, 39.011197 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians died in artillery shelling on the Pullman garage area of Raqqa, according to local sources.

According to RFS, “As a result of the heavy shelling of the city of Raqqa and the fall of dozens of shells from Qudd, a number of civilians were killed in Al-Ajili neighborhood, Al-Mansour Street, the Cultural Center area, the Grand Mosque, Hara Al-Kuwaiti, the Police Station and the Pullman Garage.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently pointed towards SDF shelling, while Baladi referred to “heavy shelling” but didn’t identify the culprit. However, the Coalition has confirmed to Airwars that the SDF did not have artillery.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, three ISIS boats, and a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

For June 15th-16th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and a sniper and destroyed nine fighting positions, four vehicles, three mortar systems, two supply caches, two ISIS headquarters, a heavy machine gun, and a home-made explosives factory.” It also additionally reported that “On June 15, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes destroyed eight fighting positions, an ISIS headquarters, and a tunnel, and suppressed two snipers.” And that “On June 15, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed six fighting positions, five ISIS staging areas, two command and control nodes, an ISIS headquarters, and a supply cache, and damaged 10 fighting positions and two VBIED facilities.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

June 15th 2017, 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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1021

Incident date

June 17, 2017

Location

القورية, Al Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.951122, 40.530784 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One little girl was reportedly killed, according to the Syrian Press Center, and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Quoriya in Deir Ezzor.

While that source was the only one to report a civilian fatality, all others reported that a number of civilians were wounded in the airstrikes. Syrian Newsdesk reported that 10 civilians, including six members of one family, were injured when one of the alleged strikes hit a civilian vehicle on a road between Al Quoriya and Al Sada while targeting ISIL members.

A number of sources also reported that a house near the Al Hajeen water tank was hit – causing civilian injuries, including one girl – and so too was the Al Khouri district of the town.

Six of the seven sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Qouriya, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU407692
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 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 June 16th-17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes destroyed seven ISIS oil trucks, four ISIS oil tanks, a front-end loader, an ISIS oil pump and an ISIS well head.”

For June 17th-18th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS well head.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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

CS1045

Incident date

June 20, 2017

Location

شارع سيف الدولة, Saif al Dawla Street, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94785, 39.020585 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three members of one family, including a four-year-old girl, were killed in Raqqa city, with sources reporting that either SDF shelling or Coalition airstrikes were allegedly responsible.

A number of the sources identified the names of the victims and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently shared images of all three individuals. Because Palmyra Media Center reported on their deaths, it is believed the family may have been displaced from Palmyra and had eventually settled in Raqqa.

All four sources reporting the incident alleged that either the US-backed SDF militia or the Coalition was responsible.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “Marwa Salim al Sabta, age 4, was killed with her grandfather Mohamad Salim al Sabta in Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces artillery shells fired on Saif al Dawla Street in the center of Raqqa city, June 18, 2017.” Only the Coalition was actually using artillery on the city in this period, according to officials.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Sultan Salim al Sabta
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Salim al Sabta
Age unknown male killed
Marwa Salim al Sabta
4 years old female killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Four-year-old Marwa Salim al Sabta, killed in "SDF shelling" or an alleged Coalition strike in Raqqa, June 20th (via RBSS)
  • Alleged Coalition strikes targeting Saif al Dawla Street reportedly killed three family members; Sultan Salim al Sabta, Mohammed Salim Al-Sabta and the child Marwa Salim al Sabta, 4 years old (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
    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
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV018781
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 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 June 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions and a vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On June 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position and a UAS launch site.”

For June 20th-21st the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; and destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles, three tactical vehicles, two mortar teams, a command and control node and a mortar cache.” In addition, it reported that “On June 20, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes damaged eight fighting positions.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For June 14th-20th, 19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria. Most of them were carried out during the Battle of Mosul, in support of the Iraqi fighters engaged in the fighting to drive ISIL out of its positions in the North of the Medina. The other strikes were carried out in support of the fighting for the capture of Raqqah, and against flows of arms and fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 34 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elle ont été réalisées dans le cadre de la bataille de Mossoul, en appui des combattants irakiens engagés dans les combats pour chasser Daech de ses positions au Nord de la Médina. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en appui des combats pour la prise de Raqqah, et contre des flux d’armes et de combattants en Irak et en Syrie.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1068

Incident date

June 23, 2017

Location

الطواطحة, Tawatha, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.696987, 40.793104 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reportedly wounded after a water tanker in Al Tawatha village near Abu Kamal in the east of Deir Ezzor was allegedly struck by a Coalition airstrike.

The man was said to be injured in the leg due to shrapnel exploding off the tanker.

According to Baladi News, “Coalition aircraft targeted a pipeline to transport oil near the Grand Mosque in the village of Al-Tawataha and destroyed parts of the mosque.” It made no mention of civilian casualties.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who also pointed towards the Coalition, said that there was “information on casualties from the bombing” – though it didn’t offer further details.

According to Sharqiya, there was a “bombing of a mosque and a school in the al-Bukhammal, followed by heavy gunfire in the area.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    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]

  • A picture showing the remains of a water tank, allegedly targeted by Coalition strikes in the village of Al-Tawatah, Abu Kamal (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tawatha (الطواطحة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.696987, 40.793104. 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 Al Tawatha, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed six ISIS oil stills.”

For June 23rd-24th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed a front-end loader.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

CS1098

Incident date

June 26, 2017

Location

عياش, Ayyash, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.42022, 40.05303 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian male was identified as killed and two others were injured in “cluster bombs” on the town of Ayyash, local sources reported, however it was not clear who was responsible.

The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights and Free Deir Ezzor both reported that the strikes consisted of four raids.

None of the four sources who reported the incident made any claims with regards to responsibility and no further details were reported.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali al Aboud al Ali al Shihab
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ayyash, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV955201
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 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 June 26th-27th: “Near Dawr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, a tactical vehicle, two bunkers, two pump jacks, a front-end loader, an IED factory, an ISIS financial facility, and an ISIS headquarters.” It additionally reported that “On June 26, near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS factory.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]