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

CI282

Incident date

August 23, 2016

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.80344, 43.28787 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an airstrike on the northern outskirts of al Qayyarah.

Their July 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on Daesh improvised weapons assembly area, one civilian was unintentionally injured.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100-metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Qayyarah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE453635
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • August 23, 2016, near Qayyarah, Iraq, via media report. During a strike on Daesh improvised weapons assembly area, one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 22nd-23rd it was reported: “Near Qayyarah, four strikes struck an ISIL training camp, destroyed two rocket rails, a fighting position, two mortar positions, a tunnel entrance, two assembly areas, an anti-air artillery system, six repeater tower generators, a communications tower, suppressed a rocket firing position, two mortar firing positions and denied access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS326

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Location

العزيزية, Al Azizeya [exact location], Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5286742, 37.3110938 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians were reported injured in a Coalition strike, though it later denied any civilians casualties had occured in the event.

According to ISIL’s media arm “three women and a child were wounded in American warplane shelling in Al-Azizeya, south west of Al-Rae’i.”

A Coalition report issued December 1st 2016 insisted that “Oct. 3, 2016, near Mar’a, Syria: Further examination affirms that only Da’esh fighters were killed in the strike.”

Given reported British actions in the area that day, Airwars flagged the incident to the UK’s MoD which said ” we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the event. However given the limited information given by the MoD on its strikes in Syria that day, Airwars has requested further clarification.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (3) [ 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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mar’a, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 1, 2016
  • Further examination affirms that only Da’esh fighters were killed in the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 2nd-3rd the Coalition reported that “Near Mar’a, seven strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a heavy machine gun, and a vehicle.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Monday 3 October – Typhoons attacked a Daesh-held building in eastern Syria, while Tornados hit a terrorist communications installation in northern Iraq…Royal Air Force Typhoons provided close air support to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), attacking Daesh positions in eastern Syria on Monday 3 October. A group of terrorists were identified holding a building in a rural area. The SDF held back while the Typhoons conducted a successful strike, demolishing the target with Paveway IV guided bombs.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI305

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Location

بخديدا (Bakhdida), Qaraqosh, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.27093, 43.37758 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Coalition announced it was conducting an assessment of a possible civilian casualty event: Currently, three reports received in October are still being assessed… 3. Oct. 23, 2016, near Qaraqosh and Hasana, Iraq.

A Coalition report issued the following month noted: Oct. 23, 2016, near Qaraqosh and Hasana, Iraq: Insufficient information provided or available to assess the credibility of the reported civilian casualties.

A senior Coalition official later told Airwars that the allegation had been “Based on Russian social media and Russian MinDef accusations.

However local reporting at the time said that Coalition airstrikes were conducted at Qaraqosh in support of ISF ground operations.

Given reported British actions in the area that day, Airwars flagged the incident to the UK’s MoD which said ” we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the event. However given that RAF strikes were reported in Qaraqosh the previous day [see above], Airwars has requested further clarification.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ 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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Qaraqosh and Hasana, Iraq / near Jarbua, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • Insufficient information provided or available to assess the credibility of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 23rd 2016, the Coalition reported at the time that “Near Mosul, six strikes [5-6 British] engaged four ISIL tactical units, two rocket systems, two anti-aircraft artillery systems and two staging areas; destroyed 19 fighting positions, 17 vehicles, 10 heavy machine guns, nine mortar systems, eight command and control nodes, six repeater towers, and four tunnels; and damaged four fighting positions, two vehicles, a mortar system, and a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI431

Incident date

January 17, 2017

Location

الرشيدية, Mosul, Al-Rashidiyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.406245, 43.102194 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.

Incident Code

CS507

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Location

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9916361, 36.3938856 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured following an alleged Coalition drone strike on a vehicle on the road of Darkoush al jamiliya, according to local sources. Some sources suggested that this was a militant car.

Idlib Media Center, reported that “a civilian was wounded after his car was targeted by a coalition drone”.

Al amawi, Jisr media and Step all said that a drone targeted a car injuring one civilian, though they didn’t say who was responsible.

Ara news reported: “the field activist, Ahmed Saeed, from Idlib countryside told ARA News that international coalition aircraft targeted carried out two raids on a military vehicle belonging to Tahrir al Sahm on the road between the village of Jamilla and the town Darkoush.”

Both SNN and Syrian Press Center also attributed the incident to the Coalition, reporting no deaths but the injury of one non-combatant.

 

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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: a drone raid targets a car on Darkoush - jamilia road injuring one civilian.
  • Translation: urgent - a drone targets a car on darkoush -al jamilia road injuring one person
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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition didn’t publicly report any strikes in Idlib governorate for February 18th-20th.

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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS602

Incident date

March 21, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, al Nabablah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.82664, 38.54558 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians in an even near Tabqah, Syira.

Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, it was assessed that two civilians in an adjacent building were unintentionally injured when the target was struck.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given places the event at al Nababalh in central Tabaqah.

The incident is one of three so far confirmed in the town that day. In a second event (CS603) between 15 and 20 civilians were reported killed and dozens more injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on other locations in Tabaqa; in a third event (CS604) one civilian was confirmed killed and one injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • A sample of images showing general destruction in Tabaqah, following a confirmed Coalition airstrike in the vicinity, 21st March 2017. See CS602 and CS604 for more details. (via Syriahr)
  • A sample of images showing general destruction in Tabaqah, following a confirmed Coalition airstrike in the vicinity, 21st March 2017. See CS602 and CS604 for more details.(via Halab today)
  • A sample of images showing general destruction in Tabaqah, following a confirmed Coalition airstrike in the vicinity, 21st March 2017. See CS602 and CS604 for more details.(via Thoaralraqqa)
  • A sample of images showing general destruction in Tabaqah, following a confirmed Coalition airstrike in the vicinity, 21st March 2017. See CS602 and CS604 for more details. (via RBSS)
  • A sample of images showing general destruction in Tabaqah, following a confirmed Coalition airstrike in the vicinity, 21st March 2017. See CS602 and CS604 for more details. (via RBSS)
  • A sample of images showing general destruction in Tabaqah, following a confirmed Coalition airstrike in the vicinity, 21st March 2017. See CS602 and CS604 for more details. (via RBSS)
  • A sample of images showing general destruction in Tabaqah, following a confirmed Coalition airstrike in the vicinity, 21st March 2017. See CS602 and CS604 for more details. (via Sharqiya voice)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed in adjacent structure
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV5895564816
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • March 21, 2017, near Tabqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, it was assessed that two civilians in an adjacent building were unintentionally injured when the target was struck.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 21st-22nd: the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, 18 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed four command and control nodes, three tanker trucks, three ISIS-held buildings, an oil storage tank, a VBIED, an ISIS headquarters, a fighting position, and an ISIS media facility; and damaged four supply routes.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • On Mar. 21 #CJTFOIR conducted 29 strikes consisting of 60 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria & Iraq. MORE: http://ow.ly/O0uF30a9gt8 (via CJTOIR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS792

Incident date

May 9, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of civilians were reported injured alongside ISIS fighters, after Coalition aircraft disrupted a public execution by ISIS in Abu Kamal’s Fayhaa Square.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “the Coalition carried out airstrikes and targeted an Islamic State headquarters in al-Bokamal city on the border with Iraq. The bombing killed at least three members of the organization and injured about 20 other people, mostly civilians. The bombing was followed by the area being targeted with machine guns, while local sources confirmed that the bombing coincided with preparations in Fayhaa Square in the city for an execution.”

The event appears to have been linked to actions by UK forces within the Coalition, with the RAF reporting that “A Reaper intervened during a public execution staged by Daesh in Abu Kamal, Syria, killing a Daesh guard and dispersing the crowd gathered to witness the atrocity.”

Despite acknowledging the presence of a large number of civilians, a UK Reaper nevertheless released a munition, the UK’s MoD reported: “An RAF Reaper remotely piloted aircraft observed a group of Daesh fighters in Abu Kamal, eastern Syria, mustering a large crowd of civilians in one of the town’s main streets on Tuesday 9 May. When a van then unloaded two shackled prisoners in front of the crowd, it became clear that Daesh were organising a public execution.

“Given the large number of civilians present, the Reaper’s crew could not target directly the Daesh fighters about to carry out the murders. However, two armed extremists were stationed as sentries on the roof of a building overlooking the scene. A Hellfire missile was fired immediately, and scored a direct hit which not only killed one of the sentries but also brought the execution to an immediate halt, as the Daesh fighters fled the scene, and the crowd of civilians dispersed.”

The RAF also released a video of the strike in September 2017. Air Commodore Johnny Stringer, commander of UK air operations in Iraq and Syria at the time, told the Daily Telegraph: “The individual whom we engaged was a sniper in over-watch to shoot civilians who sought to move away from the execution, let alone to protect the planned execution itself. That particular example for us very much brought it home because civilians had been herded in, forced literally at gunpoint, to go and watch this going on in their hundreds.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “May 9, 2017, in Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 1457/S697 37SFU762140”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU762140
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • May 9, 2017, in Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 1457/S697 37SFU762140

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS oil rig.”

For May - 9th - 10th, the Coalition reported: "Near Abu Kamal, two strikes [1 British] engaged an ISIS sniper and destroyed a front-end loader"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Tuesday 9 May – A Reaper intervened during a public execution staged by Daesh in Abu Kamal, Syria, killing a Daesh guard and dispersing the crowd gathered to witness the atrocity… 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. An RAF Reaper remotely piloted aircraft observed a group of Daesh fighters in Abu Kamal, eastern Syria, mustering a large crowd of civilians in one of the town’s main streets on Tuesday 9 May. When a van then unloaded two shackled prisoners in front of the crowd, it became clear that Daesh were organising a public execution. Given the large number of civilians present, the Reaper’s crew could not target directly the Daesh fighters about to carry out the murders. However, two armed extremists were stationed as sentries on the roof of a building overlooking the scene. A Hellfire missile was fired immediately, and scored a direct hit which not only killed one of the sentries but also brought the execution to an immediate halt, as the Daesh fighters fled the scene, and the crowd of civilians dispersed.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Incident Code

CS819

Incident date

May 13, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied involvement in an alleged incident that was previously unknown to Airwars.

In the report, the Coalition wrote: “May 13, 2017, near Tabqah, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was over 2 km away.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was over 2 km away.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 12-13th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a front-end loader, an ISIS crane, and a house-born improvised explosive device.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]