US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

CI089

Incident date

July 31, 2015

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.036997, 40.284076 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major incident, up to 46 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike (according to the Iraqi Revolution site) on the town of Ar Rutbah. The UN Mission to Iraq expressed “serious concern” about the event.

The attack, which occurred shortly after dawn, reportedly killed a significant number of children, with graphic photographs widely posted on Arabic social media. According to Al Gharbiya, most of the dead came from five families. One family was named as that of Mohammed Hassan Akaul al-Jumaili.

However the source of the attack was disputed, with NINA and Shafaaq News reporting that “unidentified aircraft” had attacked. Iraqi Spring and Al Araby instead blamed the strike on Iraqi aircraft: “According to one source, Iraqi warplanes bombed houses inhabited by displaced people, killing about 45 of them including women and children, and injuring about 70 others.”

Vice News cited a spokesperson as saying that the Coalition was “not aware of Iraqi Government airstrikes in that area [Rutba] on July 31.” It also noted that “The US-led coalition did not report launching airstrikes in the vicinity of Rutba on July 31, but the report of civilian casualties was also not immediately refuted — something the coalition has done in the past when VICE News inquired about similar allegations.”

Suhaib al-Rawi, the governor of Anbar province, ordered an investigation into the attack, demanding that those found responsible eventually be put on trial for their actions.

In a January 2016 report, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq noted: “On 31 July, up to 40 civilians may have been killed and over 30 wounded when three houses allegedly sheltering IDPs was hit by an airstrike in Rutba, west of Ramadi, Anbar. Official sources confirmed the incident and the number of casualties, which included 18 women and 11 children (under 14 years old). The houses were targeted by military jets after receiving information that ISIL elements were allegedly inside the houses. The governor of Anbar called for an immediate investigation of the incident. On 3 August, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Iraq and Head of UNAMI issued a press release expressing serious concern at the reported airstrike, and called on the Government of Iraq to investigate the incident.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hassan Akaul al-Jumaili
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 46
  • (3–11 children5–18 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Rescuers search for survivors in the wake of a major alleged Coalition incident, July 31 2015 (via Iraqi Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Scene of devastation at Ar Rutbah, July 31 2015 (via Al Araby)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one of the alleged victims (via Iraqi revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one of the alleged victims (via Iraqi revolution)
  • Aftermath of the attack (via Alaraby)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one of the alleged victims (via Iraqi revolution)
  • Aftermath of the attack (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Aftermath of the attack (via Iraqi Revolution)

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

No Coalition strikes have publicly been reported at Ar Rutbah for the July 30th-August 1st period.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 46
  • (3–11 children5–18 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1360

Incident date

August 9, 2017

Location

البجري, Al Barji and other areas, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.948086, 39.015225 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Summarising a 48 hour period, local sources said that 47 civilians were killed and 50 injured in alleged airstrikes on the city of Raqqa. Two of the eight sources specifically blamed the US-led Coalition for the civilian casualty incidents.

Activists told Smart News that “the city had been hit by more than 43 airstrikes, in addition to dozens of artillery and rocket-propelled grenades, in the past 48 hours, leading to the deaths and injuries. Most of the injuries were critical… Forty-seven civilians were killed and dozens injured, including women and children”. The severity of those injured was especially important to note in light of accounts of “deterioration of medical services”, the alleged “targeting of health centres”, and most recently the alleged “bombing of the national hospital”.

Al Raqqa Truth published a number of images reportedly showing “the massive destruction caused by aerial bombardment of Coalition aircraft and artillery shelling and by Kurdish units in different areas of the city of Raqqa”.

The same images were published by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently which said that they depicted destruction in the Al-Bajri neighbourhood. The source also alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

These are general civilian casualty numbers, and there is a possibility that this entry could include other civilian casualty events.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    47
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 Democratic Forces

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Coalition air and artillery strike sin Raqqa. According to RBSS, the strikes hit the Al-Bajri neighborhood, though Al Ragga Truth reported that they had hit "different areas" of the city. (via Alraqqa Truth)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. RBSS posted pictures of destruction in the neighbourhood of Al Bajri (البجري), for which the coordinates are: 35.948086, 39.015225.   

  • Imagery:
    © 2019 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 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
Official source

For August 7th-8th the Coalition reported *Near Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 37 fighting positions, two command and control nodes, two weapons caches, two vehicles, and a weapons depot. *On Aug. 6, near Raqqah, Syria, 12 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, a mortar system, an anti-air artillery system, and a VBIED.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 9 August – Typhoons demolished a Daesh-held building in Raqqa…A Typhoon flight saw action over Raqqa on Wednesday 9 August; the Syrian Democratic Forces reported coming under fire from a large building against which our aircraft conducted a successful attack using two Paveway IV guided bombs.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    47
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 Democratic Forces

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI559

Incident date

March 19, 2017

Location

الموصل الجديدة/الآبار, New Mosul/Abar, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3323266, 43.1050515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Locals reported the deaths of 46 civilians including 28 children and 18 men and women with 80 others injured – mostly children and women – by different kind of shelling in many neighborhoods of Old Mosul. At least 26 bodies reportedly reached the local forensic medicine hospital.

Iraq News Center spoke of two dozen civilians killed and said that “press sources confirmed that the intelligence forces and defense ministry banned foreign journalists from entering to take pictures of dozens of bodies lying on the sidewalks and in the streets of civilian neighborhoods, who were killed in battles and clashes”.

Iraqi Spring and Correspondences team blamed the Coaition for the raids. They respectively put the death toll at 46 and 47 and reported 80 injured.

In its June 2017 report the Coalition denied responsibility: “16. March 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    46 – 47
  • (28 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    80
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

One source, Iraq News Center, named two neighbourhoods: New Mosul (الموصل الجدید) coordinates: 36.3323266, 43.1050515, and Al Abar (الآبار) coordinates: 36.339167, 43.096667. The areas are adjacent to each other. The report also described the incident as occurring “overnight”.

  • New Mosul (الموصل الجدید) and Al Abar (الآبار) neighbourhoods in West Mosul

    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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 18th-19th the Coalition noted: ” Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 fighting positions, four vehicles, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, a medium machine gun, and an artillery system; damaged 14 supply routes; and suppressed five mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.”

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
    46 – 47
  • (28 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    80
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS154

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Location

الهول, Al Hawl, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.390223, 41.149297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 47 civilians were reported killed and 17 injured in an alleged US Apache helicopter and fast jet attack on the village of al Khan near al Hawl.

Locals were involved in an altercation with Islamic State militants according to McClatchy, with Coalition aircraft attacking a convoy of reinforcements as they entered the village.

According to local activist Siraj Al Hasskawi, six families were caught up in the attack whom he named as “the families of Awad Al Hadeed, Ayed Al Hadeed, Ali Al Samman, Ibrahim Al Abd, Abbas Al Salman and the family of Al Abboud.”

According to the Global Post, the airstrikes took place in the early hours of December 7th. It cited an eyewitness in the village named as ‘Abu Khalil’:“It was past midnight. We were sleeping. We were suddenly wakened by a huge explosion. The house shook. The windows shattered. There was shrapnel in the walls. I ran out and saw my neighbor’s house completely destroyed. He told me, ‘Abu Khalil, I managed to rescue my wife and son but I can’t find my six-month-old baby. Help me!’ I could hear people calling from underneath the rubble. My neighbor’s mother was crying out. She’s 70. I pulled her out, along with a boy and his mother. They were all OK. My mother and my aunt both came running to help dig through the rubble. But while we did this, a helicopter — an Apache — came overhead. It fired. They had machineguns with explosive bullets. I was hit. I still have the shrapnel in my body. I fell into the hole made by the airstrike. That was what saved me. The helicopter circled round again and fired a second time. My mother and aunt were killed. The woman and her son I’d rescued were killed. Everyone but me was killed.

“Three powerful rockets were used in the first airstrike. They left a two-meter deep hole in the ground. Anyone could see the hole until the Kurdish militia filled it. They don’t let anyone go near the place or take pictures. Nineteen people died in that one house. It was the Americans. For the past year-and-a-half, the only aircraft that fly over our area have been American.”

According to reports, Kurdish forces allegedly prevented the filming of civilian victims at the local hospital. Al Jazeera also cited local Arab sources as claiming that “these [Kurdish] forces deliberately give incorrect coordinates to the Coalition in order to target and empty of their populations specific villages – and to prevent the return of the displaced.”

The Union of Hassakah Youth later condemened the incident: “We call on the United Nations and Amnesty International to carry out full investigations with the utmost urgency to expose the circumstances of this crime and to make those who committed it take full responsibility according to international law and the declarations of the UN.”

CENTCOM told reporters that it was assessing the claim, adding that “If the information is found to be credible, we’ll conduct an investigation, and we’ll release the results of that investigation.”

A major NGO report into the incident issued in October 2016 noted: “Amnesty International is concerned that, despite evidence indicating multiple civilian casualties, CENTCOM has not acknowledged them. The attack appears to have been indiscriminate and may have resulted from a misidentification of a military objective. Even if a military objective was present in the vicinity, the heavy loss of civilian life suggests a failure to take necessary precautions or a decision to proceed with an attack which was foreseeably disproportionate.”

The Syrian Network named forty dead civilians.

A slightly different list from the Hassakah Union gave the following names:
Ali Sleiman Al Abdallah and three children Bayan, Mohammed and a baby. Ali’s wife Nagiya– reported killed by some sources – was described by others as having lost a leg.
Abbas al Sleiman, his wife and 2 or more children
The wife of Mahmoud Al Aboud and their four children.
The wife of Hamid Al Aboud and two daughters, one named Rim.
Eid Al Shaker’s family of five people, including children.
The mother of Ibrahim Al Aboud and his wife and his two children.
The two wives of Mahmoud Al Abboud and his four children.
Five members of the family of Abbas Al Eid
Ten members of the family of A’ed Al Hadid killed or injured
Awwad Al Hadid, his wife and their son Ali and his wife and their granddaughter Isslam.
Mohammad Ali Salman Al Abdallah, a child, also later reportedly died of his injuries.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan
56 years old male nicknamed Abu Salah killed
Qama Eid Al Ali
45 years old female Ayed's wife killed
Salah Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan
26 years old male killed
Mohamad Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan
23 years old male killed
Fatima Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan,
17 years old female killed
Salman Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan
15 years old male killed
Amal Ayed Hedeed Al Hassan,
3 years old female killed
Alaa Ayed Hadeed Al Hassan,
1 years old female killed

Family members (9)

Awwad Hadeed Al Hassan
60 years old male In Hassakah Union he is listed as killed with is wife, their son Ali and his wife and their granddaughter Isslam killed
Dulla Al Imaier
45 years old female killed
Mohamad Awwad Al Hadeed
23 years old male killed
Ahmad Awwad Al Hadeed
21 years old male killed
Turfa Awwad Al Hadeed,
16 years old female killed
Ayed Awwad Al Hadeed
12 years old male killed
Hassan Awwad Al Hadeed
4 years old male killed
Rahaf Awwad Al Hadeed
7 years old female killed
Jameela Awwad Al Hadeed
3 years old female killed

Family members (4)

Iman Al Batan
27 years old female Mohamad [or Mahmoud] Al Aboud Al Khleef’s wife. SN4HR names three children killed with her. Hassakah Union says she was killed with four of her children. killed
Atheer Mohamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
4 years old female killed
Abdul Hay Mohamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
3 years old male killed
Abdul Razak Mohamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
2 months old baby years old male killed

Family members (4)

Abdul Razak Mohamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
27 years old female Hamad [or Hamid] Al Aboud Al Khleef’s wife, SN4HR lists her dead along with three children. Hassakah Union lists her as having been killed with two daughters one of whom is called Rim killed
Aboud Hamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
6 years old male killed
Ibrahim Hamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
4 years old male killed
Tayseer Hamad Al Aboud Al Khleef
2 years old male killed

Family members (3)

Kamoura Knash Al Hameed
25 years old female also known as Jihan, wife of Ibrahim Al Aboud al Khleef killed
Mohamad Ibrahim Al Aboud Al Khleef
2 years old male killed
Hamad Ibrahim Al Aboud Al Khleef
1 years old male killed

Family members (3)

Ibrahim Abed Al Najras
30 years old male killed
Farja Asaad Al Najras
23 years old female Ibrahim al Najras' wife killed
Zahra Saleh Al Najras
70 years old female killed

Family members (4)

Ali Jassem Al Abdeed
38 years old male killed
Suhial Ali Jassem Al Abeed
9 years old male killed
Sidra Ali Jassem Al Abeed
4 years old female killed
Tasneem Ali Jassem Al Abeed
4 years old female killed

The victims were named as:

Salman Eid Al Hassan
32 years old male killed
Faysal Eid Al Hassan
23 years old male killed
Abbas Suliman Al Abdullah,
38 years old male Hassakah Union reports him killed along with his wife and 2 or more children killed
Wadha
65 years old female A displaced woman from al Houl town killed
Rouz
50 years old female A displaced woman from al Houl town killed
Mohammad Ali Salman Al Abdallah
Child male later reportedly died of his injuries. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 47
  • (19–20 children9 women11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–30
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Ali Sleiman Al Abdallah and his children, killed in a reported Coalition strike December 7th 2015 (via Hassakah Youth Union)
  • Abbas Al Sleiman, reported killed with his wife and children on December 7th at (via Hassakah Youth)
  • The rubble of al Khleef family home. [Via: SN4HR report dated 13th/02/2016]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic video showing charred bodie of victims of the alleged coalition shelling near al Hawl. [Via: SN4HR report dated 13th/02/2016]

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

The Coalition reported that for December 6th-7th 2015 “Near Al Hawl, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), and three ISIL vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 47
  • (19–20 children9 women11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–30
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1282

Incident date

July 27, 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

Up to 48 civilians died and 40 were injured in alleged air and artillery strikes by the Coalition and the SDF in Raqqa, according to local media. However, sources did not specify the locations for these deaths and these are therefore general numbers.

Additionally, one source Watan reported that there had been Russian actions in Raqqa. It said: “The US-led International Air Force aircraft and the Russian air force carried out two horrific massacres in the city of al-Raqqa, ISIS’s stronghold in Syria. Both sides killed dozens of civilians and injured others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    48
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

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
Official source

For July 27th-28th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, a supply cache, an ISIS communication headquarters, and an anti-air artillery system.” It additionally reported that “On July 27, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units, destroyed an ISIS sniper position and an observation post, and suppressed four fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Thursday 27 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair attacked mortar and sniper positions in Raqqa…The following day [July 27th], a mixed pair of a Tornado and a Typhoon, based at RAF Akrotiri and supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, flew overwatch for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) advancing inside Raqqa. The SDF came under mortar fire from a terrorist position, but a Paveway IV attack removed this threat. Another Paveway IV similarly dealt with a sniper position which was encountered by the SDF two hours later.

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the last week (20th-27th) France reports carrying out two strikes in Raqqah, destroying two ISIL combat positions. Task Force (TF) Wagram carried out 21 artillery strikes in Mosul. The overall record of air activity since September 19th 2014 amounts to 1,324 strikes, 2,092 targets destroyed and 6,857 sorties.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah, Daech continue de perdre du terrain, jour après jour, face aux Forces Démocratiques Syriennes. Les combattants terroristes continuent néanmoins de disposer de solides positions défensives dans le cœur de la ville, à partir desquelles ils mènent des contre-attaques régulières et des actions de harcèlement. En Irak, Les forces de sécurités irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation de la ville de Mossoul, face à des équipes isolées de combattants qui continuent de mener des actions symboliques de harcèlement. Dans le même temps, Daech consolide ses positions autour de Tal Afar, pour tenter de résister à l’offensive prochaine de la Coalition pour libérer aussi cette ville. Daech poursuit par ailleurs ses actions de diversion et de harcèlement, en se concentrant dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah. Certaines actions ont également été menées cette semaine dans l’Ouest de l’Irak, dans la région de Rutbah. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 45 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 06 de ravitaillement en vol. Un C135-FR récemment déployé a en effet réalisé de nombreuses missions en quelques jours à peine, soutenant ainsi, à son niveau, la bascule des efforts de la Coalition vers les autres bastions de Daech. Deux frappes ont été menées dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, détruisant deux positions de combattants ennemies, au contact des troupes alliées engagées. De ces positions, des tireurs de Daech tenaient sous leur feu les soldats alliés à une centaine de mètres à peine. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a réalisé 21 missions de tir dont 07 de harcèlement et 14 d’éclairement. Ces missions interdisent une offensive de contre des terroristes vers Mossoul. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 324 frappes, 2 092 objectifs détruits et 6 857 sorties. Le bilan global de l’activité artillerie atteint 1 331 missions.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    48
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1403

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Location

البدو, Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961778, 39.006083 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major casualty event, between 18 and 50 civilians reportedly died and up to 56 more were wounded – many of them women and children – as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa’s Bedo neighbourhood, local media reported.

According to Baladi, “20 civilians, including women and children, were killed and dozens of people were injured as a result of the bombing of the Al-Badu neighborhood by the international coalition forces in the center of Al-Rigga city.”

The majority of sources put the death count at 18. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published graphic images of child victims from the event. It put the death toll at around 20 – as did Sound and Picture, @ShahbaPress and @aghiad_alkhede.

Syrian Press Center said that as many as 40 died and that a residential building had been completely destroyed by the strikes.

Ahmad Shbli put the death toll still higher at 50, while other sources, including Hasaka Rasd, said that as many as 56 civilians were wounded.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “documented the death of 42 civilians, including 19 children below the age 18 and 12 women above the age of 19” following alleged Coalition airstrikes “in Al-Sakhani and Al-Badw alleys and Al-Hadiqa Al-Baydaa’ area”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Retaj Ahmed Abdul-Sultan
Child female killed
Islam Ahmed Abdul-Sultan
Child female killed
Hadeel Ahmed Abdul-Sultan
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (3–19 children1–12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–56
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilians who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic video showing the bodies of children killed in Bedo during an alleged Coalition airstrike, 21st August 2017. (via Ahmad Shbli)
  • Children who were killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 21st August 2017. (via Sound and Picture)
  • Children who were killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 21st August 2017. (via Sound and Picture)
  • A child who was killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 21st August 2017. (via Sound and Picture)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Badou neighbourhood (حارة) of Raqqah, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.961778, 39.006083.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 August 21st-22nd: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, a vehicle, a logistics node and ISIS communications infrastructure.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, 24 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 33 fighting positions, a logistics node, a mortar system, and an anti-air artillery system.” And that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed five ISIS fighting positions.” Also that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (3–19 children1–12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–56
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS130

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Location

السلخة, Jala'a (Al-Salakha), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.371708, 40.490609 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

France’s first air strike in Syria was alleged to have killed at least 30 child soldiers of Islamic State, according to reports.

The attack – which France later declared was a five-hour raid by multiple aircraft on a ‘Daesh training camp’ – targeted among other sites a palm grove at Al Shalkha, near the town of Jala’a.

Al Mayadeen cited a ‘senior source’ who alleged that five French Rafale aircraft “targeted a camp of so-called ‘Cubs of the Caliphate’ aged between 14 and 18 years, killing fifty of them.” The source added that the deaths “have raised the ire and wrath of local people towards Daesh. for forcing their children to attend training camps.”

According to the Syrian Observatory, not all of those killed were child soldiers with the dead also including “Arab fighters from North Africa and Syrian, and Iraqi fighters.” ISIL had been recruiting child soldiers in the areas it occupied since the start of 2015 reported SOHR: “They are ‘adults and are responsible for their decisions’, as the organization puts it.”

Asked to clarify the status of child soldiers according to the laws of war, Dapo Akande, Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, told Airwars: “With regard to child soldiers, the fact that they are children will not change the law regarding whether they can be targeted. If they are members of an organized armed group or taking direct part in hostilities they can be targeted – even if they are doing this against the wishes of their families (or even against their own wishes).”

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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (12–30 children)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.65028, 40.84028

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Jala’a, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU6865035802
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Sept. 27, 2015, near Jala’a, 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. 2848/CS130 37SFU6865035802

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

France has confirmed carrying out a complex air raid near Dayr az Zawr on September 27th 2015: “Le 27 septembre 2015, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont mené un raid aérien contre un camp d’entraînement de Daech situé dans la vallée de l’Euphrate, au Sud de Deir Ez Zor. Il s’agit d’une frappe délibérée sur un objectif reconnu préalablement. Nos renseignements recoupés avec ceux de la coalition ont clairement établi que ce camp est occupé et actif.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (12–30 children)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1396

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

دوار النعيم, Naim roundabout, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95447, 39.009392 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty event, between 23 and 50 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in the Bedo neighborhood of Raqqa, local media reported.

However, in May 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed the civilian harm allegations as non-credible, noting “after a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

In the main, sources estimate the death toll at “more than 40”. However, a Tweet by @Q_Alenezy suggested that there could be “more than 50” dead, as people were still trapped under rubble.

The incident was described by some sources, including Step News Agency, as “one of the largest massacres since the start of the battle”. Nearly all sources tracked held the US-led Coalition responsible for the airstrikes and the subsequent loss of civilian life.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at 23. However, most other sources said that up to 40 civilians had died – mostly women and children. Sound and Picture said that 42 had been killed.

Activists that spoke to Smart News said “the bombing targeted a residential building in the Bedu neighbourhood, near Na’im roundabout, which the organization used as a platform for executions, and that bodies were still under the rubble”. The death toll, sources said, is likely to rise due to the people still trapped under the destroyed buildings.

Local residents were able to save three people who were next to the building, according to a correspondent cited in Sound and Picture.

The Euphrates Post published a series of photographs of the homes destroyed; the houses of Musa al Mashhadani, Khalil al-Mahbash and Fadel Moussa and Darda.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Met’eb Al-Hammoud,
30 years years old male injured
Ziad Fawaz Hindawi
26 years years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 50
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple locations around the Al Naim roundabout (دوار النعيم), for which the coordinates are: 35.95447, 39.009392. The video posted by Euphrates Post shows damage to buildings at the following coordinates: 35.957969, 39.007720.

  • Damage to a building in the Badou neighbourhood (left: August 19, 2017; right: August 25, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Stated location
    near al-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006792
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019

  • Aug. 20, 2017, near al-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 36 strikes engaged 22 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions and seven command and control nodes.” That “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an IED, and a command and control node.” And that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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
    23 – 50
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]