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

CI072

Incident date

June 8, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Zuhour and other neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3789337, 43.1850243 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In January 2016, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq reported that it had learned of a major civilian casualty incident in Mosul on June 8th 2015, though had been unable either to verify the claim or attribute responsibility to any party:

“On 8 June, local sources reported that an airstrike in Mosul, Ninewa, caused 33 civilian casualties. The report alleged that several residential neighbourhoods in al-Zuhour district were hit, killing 20 civilians, including seven children and nine women, and wounding 13 others, mostly women. The source claimed that there were no ISIL members in the affected neighbourhoods. UNAMI/OHCHR was unable to verify the status of all the casualties nor who was responsible for the airstrikes.”

In December 2018 the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non-credible, noting: “June 8, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Erem News had reported at the time (June 24th) that “A security source said on Wednesday the killing of 23 Iraqis and wounded 21 others in the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on civilian houses in the city of Mosul, 400 km north of Baghdad. The source said that the international coalition aircraft bombed civilian homes in the areas of Al Zehur and Tahrir, banks, Rifai and Hermat in Mosul, killing 23 civilians, including 10 women and eight children and injured 21 civilians, most of them older men and women and children.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 23
  • (7–8 children9–10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–21
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention several neighbourhoods in Mosul, Nineveh: Al Zuhour (الزهور) (mentioned by multiple sources): 36.3789337, 43.1850243; Tahrir (التحرير) neighbourhood: 36.3895748, 43.2021904; Masarif (المصارف) neighbourhood: 36.3842544, 43.1767845; Rifai (الرفاعي) neighbourhood: 36.3558497, 43.0937862; and Hermat (الهرمات) neighbourhood: 36.319488 43.114521 (possible location)

  • Neighbourhoods of Al Zuhour (الزهور), Tahrir (التحرير), Masarif (المصارف) and Rifai (الرفاعي) in the city of Mosul

    Imagery:
    © 2018 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
    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
  • Dec 30, 2018

  • June 8, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports carrying out a number of airstrikes in Mosul on June 7th-8th 2015: “Near Mosul, three airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL staging area, destroying two ISIL vehicles.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 23
  • (7–8 children9–10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–21
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI323

Incident date

November 5, 2016

Location

حمام العليل, Mosul, Hamam al Alil subdistrict, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.16429, 43.25923 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: On 5 November, airstrikes hit two houses in Hamam al-Alil City resulting in the houses collapsing. Twenty-three civilians, including children, were reportedly trapped inside. In the evening of the same day, two children, one seriously wounded, and an elderly woman was reportedly rescued and taken to the hospital. In the morning of 6 November, two female children and three bodies were reportedly taken out from the rubble. On 7 November, eight bodies (husband, wife, three children, mother of the husband and husband’s two sisters) and seven wounded civilians–three children, two men and two women–were reportedly taken out from the rubble. ISIL was reportedly shelling ISF positions from behind the houses. Attempts to rescue victims and to take out dead bodies were reportedly also being hindered by ISIL sniper fire.

Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilians killed or injured in Hamam al Alil on this date.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (3 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF434035
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Nov. 5, 2016, in Hamam al Alil, Iraq via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3061/CI323 38SLF434035

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 4th-5th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, nine strikes [3 British] engaged five ISIL tactical units and four staging areas; destroyed five vehicles, three weapons caches, three mortar systems, a storage facility, a VBIED, and an ISIL-held building; and damaged an ISIL supply route, a bridge, and a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (3 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI075

Incident date

June 24, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Rifai and Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Iraqi news agency NINA claimed that multiple Coalition airstrikes on the city of Mosul killed 23 people and injured a further 21.

Citing an ‘anonymous security source’ the news agency reported that “Around 23 civilians were killed, including ten women and eight children, and 21 injured in the coalition bombing” which included the neighbourhoods of Rifai and Hermat. The source also claimed that “The bombing did not damage any Daash sites, and caused great resentment among the people of Mosul.”

In contrast, Erem News cited a Kurdish ministry source as saying that “international coalition aircraft bombed a secret camp belonging to Daesh near Bartallah east of Mosul, which led to the deaths of 20 of their leaders – most of them Syrians and Afghans.”

In July 2017, the Coalition assessed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “Jun. 24, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: 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.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (8 children10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    21
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 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

Airstrikes were confirmed in the vicinity for June 24th-25th 2014: “Near Mosul, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL fighting position and land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage, destroying an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (8 children10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    21
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS223

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

أوجقناه, Ojkana, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4203501, 38.0766392 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

22 civilians including at least 13 children were reported killed and 13 people injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes in Manbij.

The Shaam News Network reported that “Coalition planes launched raids on IS positions in Manbij and the surrounding area which led to the fall of civilian martyrs and wounded.”

The Syrian Press Centre said that “Ten civilians were killed in coalition aircraft bombing of the village of Ojkana a village near the city of Manbej in the countryside north of Aleppo, to coincide with the ongoing clashes in the area.“

They added: “The ‘democratic forces of Syria,’ launched a massive offensive supported by the international coalition on the countryside Manbej in an attempt to control the city which is under IS control, the region is witnessing battles and clashes continuing, under air cover from the international coalition, which targeted at midnight the village of Ojkana Village, near Manbej led to the death ten civilians two of whom were identified as Bahjat al Hilal and Hashem al Hilal according to Manbij coordinating committee.“

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that they were “informed that no less than 10 civilians including 5 family members were killed by aerial bombardment by the U.S led coalition warplanes in Ojana village in Menbej countryside, while no less than 13 others were wounded.”

The Manbij Coordinating Committee too said Coalition raids had killed 10 civilians from the village of Ojkana “of whom Bahjat Hilal and Hashem Hilal are known”, while Shanba Press also put the death toll at 10, but did not say who was responsible for the “air raid“.

Manbij Mother of the World reported: “a family of 23 people was killed in Ojkana which no one is talking about. It includes 12 kids and 5 women. The family of Bahjat Al Hilal, his 2 wives, his children and his grandchildren. His brother Saad al Hilal lives in Lebanon but his wife and 8 children were killed including a one and a half year old daughter.”

In its assessment of the event, Amnesty noted that “Based on the available information, Amnesty International is concerned that the strikes in Ojqana on 3 June, which appear to have been carried out by Coalition aircraft, resulted in heavy civilian casualties possibly due to a failure to adequately distinguish between civilians and military targets, resulting in an indiscriminate attack.”

The Syrian Revolution Network later named the dead.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hashem Helal
Age unknown male killed
Haja Al Met’eb
Adult male killed
Wahida Saadllah Al Helal
Child female killed
Hussein Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
So’oud Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
Bahjat Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
Hashem Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
Adnan Saadllah Al Helal
Child male killed
child, from the family of Saadllah Al Hussein Al Helal
Child killed
Bahjat Al Helal
Age unknown male killed
Satah Al Hmidi
Adult male killed
A woman
Age unknown female killed
Hani Bahjat Al Helal
Age unknown male killed
Amani Bahjat Al Helal
Child female killed
Jasim Bahjat Al Helal
Child male killed
A child from the family of Bahjat Al Hussein Al Helal
Child female killed
Foad Al Helal
Age unknown male killed
Heyab Al Abd Al Helal
Adult male killed
Saddam, from the family of Fo’ad Al Hussein Al Helal
Age unknown male killed
A woman from the family of Fo’ad Al Hussein Al Helal
Age unknown female killed
Unborn child, son of Saddam
Child killed
A child from the family of Fo’ad Al Hussein Al Helal
Age unknown
A child from the family of Fo’ad Al Hussein Al Helal
Age unknown killed
Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 23
  • (11–15 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–15
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Translation: activists: ten martyrs in an air raid on the village of Ojkana near Manbij, Aleppo countryside.
  • Translation: ten civilians martyred and 13 others injured following coalition bombing of the village of Ojkana east of Manbij. Bahjat al Hilal and Hashem al Hilal are among the ones that are known.
  • Translation: Dozens of young men join the ranks of IS in the city of Manbij Aleppo. (via upload_abo_56ab)
  • Names of the families killed in the air strike (via Manbij mother of the world)
  • Translation: the children in this photo have all been killed following the coalition raids on the village of Ojkana in the Manbij countryside a few days ago.
  • Photo of the aftermath of the air strike (via Manbij Mother of the World)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the air strike (via Manbij Mother of the World)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the air strike (via Manbij Mother of the World)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the air strike (via Manbij Mother of the World)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the air strike (via Manbij Mother of the World)
  • Pictures show the destruction that resulted from the bombardment in Ouj Qanah village in the suburbs of Aleppo, 3 June 2016. (via SNHR)

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 reports for June 2nd-3rd “Near Manbij, 10 strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL cave entrances, two ISIL caves, and an ISIL-used bridge.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 23
  • (11–15 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–15
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI580

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Location

باب سنجار, Mosul, Bab Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.347347, 43.1225932 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that an unspecified number of civilians were killed or injured after airstrikes targeted Bab al-Sinjar neighbourhood, in west Mosul.

Two sources blamed the Coalition, while others did not identify who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ 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 March 25th-26th the Coalition publicly noted: ” Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four mortar positions, two tactical vehicles, a supply cache, and a sniper weapon system; damaged 11 supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI602

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Farouk and Makawi, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to 23 civilians were killed and 24 injured in airstrikes on Mashahade, Yarmouk, Farouk, and Tanak neighbourhoods in West Mosul and Old Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near west Mosul
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 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. (1278)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 2nd-3rd the Coalition publicly reported that: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a mortar system, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged three fighting positions, two supply routes, and a supply cache; and suppressed eight ISIS mortar teams and four 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
    23
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1372

Incident date

August 14, 2017

Location

Central neighbourhoods, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that 23 civilians were killed and 60 injured after alleged US-led Coalition strikes targeted neighbourhoods of Raqqa.

Sound and Picture reported that the “SDF militia” had engaged in the offensive during the daytime with “intensive artillery”, whilst the US-led Coalition conducted airstrikes in the night. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa. The report details “intensive artillery shelling targeting the neighbourhoods of Al-Thankana, Seif Al Dawlah, Bahri” and “the al Fawaz mosques area”, supposedly by the SDF; and “several targeted raids” conducted by the Coalition “destroying large areas… “killing 23 civilians and “injuring fifty others”. The number of those injured rose to 60 in a report by Sharqiya Voice.

Euphrates Post blamed the Coalition for the strikes, as did the majority of sources.

Ahmad Jassim al-Khamisi, “a displaced man from the town of Maskana” was documented as “killed by aerial bombardment” in a Hasaka Rasd report. The death of Mohammed al-Hassan al-Tarn aged 55 was also noted following alleged Coalition strikes on his home, near the “stadium in the city of Raqqa”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Jassim al-Khamisi
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed al-Hassan al-Tarn
55 years years old male killed
Qais Mohammed Al-Sayed
Age unknown male killed
Osama Ahmed Al-Akla
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hawadi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50–60
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)
  • Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)
  • Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)
  • Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)
  • Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)
  • Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)
  • Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians were harmed and killed in the strike (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports citing named mention multiple locations, spread across Raqqa, for this reason, Airwars assessment uses generic coordinate for the city: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. The Al-Shehab family were reported killed in a “five-story building” in the Al Badou (حارة البدو). The generic coordinates for Al Badou (حارة البدو) are: 35.961778, 39.006083.

  • Al Badou (حارة البدو) and the stadium (شارع النور) area.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 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 13th-14th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 16 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, an anti-aircraft artillery system, a logistics node, a heavy machine gun, a vehicle and an IED.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 13, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; and destroyed 12 fighting positions, four vehicles, two logistics nodes, two ISIS communications lines, two communications infrastructure items, and an IED.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 9-15th, France report 2 strikes in Raqqah, Syria – and 13 artillery missions in Mosul.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the past week, (11th-18th) France conducted 27 sorties, including 22 armed reconnaissance and ground support (CAS), 1 refueling outlet and 4 intelligence gathering sorties by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrols. Two strikes were carried out in the Raqqah region of Syria. They helped support the Syrian democratic forces in their offensive to retake the city.

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 il y a 15 jours, s’est achevée en fin de semaine dernière. Elle a permis de réaliser la jonction des fronts est et ouest. Depuis, les forces démocratiques syriennes ont relancé une offensive vers le centre de la ville mais elles font face à une défense acharnée des combattants de Daech. En Irak, Les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations dans l’objectif de libérer, à terme, le nord de l’Irak. Actuellement, elles focalisent leur effort sur l’encerclement de la ville de Tall Afar. Les combattants de l’organisation terroriste réalisent un travail de valorisation de leurs positions défensives pour se préparer aux combats à venir alors que les populations tentent de fuir la ville. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Les soldats de l’opération Chammal poursuive leur mission d’appui au profit des unités irakiennes engagées contre Daech. Cette semaine, sur le théâtre, les aéronefs ont réalisé 27 sorties aériennes dont 22 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), 1 sortie de ravitaillement ainsi que 4 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Deux frappes ont été conduites dans la région de Raqqah en Syrie. Elles ont permis d’appuyer les forces démocratiques syriennes dans leur offensive pour reprendre la ville. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 13 missions de tir en appui de la 15e division à l’ouest de Mossoul vers Tal Afar. En particulier, les artilleurs ont fourni des feux de harcèlement et d’éclairement pour interdire aux combattants de Daech de mener des actions au sol ou de réaliser des tirs indirects contre les positions irakiennes. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1330 frappes, 2102 objectifs détruits et 6946 sorties. ‘

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Monday 14 August – Tornados and Typhoons struck five Daesh targets in Raqqa, and a truck-bomb command post in eastern Syria…A flight Typhoons destroyed a Daesh position in Raqqa on Monday 14 August with Paveway IVs. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair also patrolled over the city and they conducted Paveway IV attacks, which destroyed a sniper team and two machine-guns. The aircraft moved off towards the east of Syria, where a command post that was controlling truck-bomb attacks had been identified 40 miles south of Al Hasakah. This was destroyed with a further Paveway.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50–60
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1427

Incident date

August 28, 2017

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9605703, 38.9976883 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 12 and 23 civilians were reported killed, and others wounded, following US-led Coalition airstrikes near The White Garden (Hadiqa Bayda) area, in Raqqa City.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented 12 civilian casualties, whereas the majority of other sources reported 17 or 18 killed, including women and children.

The air raid reportedly struck an apartment building, which led to significant material destruction and the bodies of those killed were reportedly “under the rubble”. According to Thiqa News, there was “difficulty moving the debris and the bodies due to continuous bombardment and lack of resources”.

There is some contestation regarding the specific location of the incident. Shaam News Network claimed The White Garden was in the Wanda neighbourhood, whereas all other sources cited The White Garden area. The US-led Coalition was cited as the culprit by all sources.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered later posted images of what it said was the destruction of the Mecca tower in the vicinity, while the Syrian Observatory later reported that “The SOHR documented the death of 23 persons, including 11 children and 3 women, as a result of shelling by the International Coalition warplanes that targeted Al-Raqqah center. Their bodies have been recovered and identified by their relatives and it turned out that most of them belong to the same family.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 23
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 28th August 2017. (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 28th August 2017. (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 28th August 2017. (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention The White Garden (الحديقة البيضاء) and Al Wahdah (الوحد) neighbourhood. The coordinates for The White Garden (الحديقة البيضاء) are: 35.960556, 38.9975. The generic coordinates for Al Wahda (الوحد) neighbourhood are: 35.960196, 39.000776. Airwars is unable to geolocate the photographs of the destroyed buildings, it is possible that they show the aftermath of an unrelated incident.

  • The White Garden (الحديقة البيضاء) and Al Wahdah (الوحد) neighbourhood in Raqqa city.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 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
    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 28th -29th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, a logistics node and a VBIED.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 28, near Raqqah, Syria, 46 strikes engaged 32 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 37 fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a UAS, and a command and control node.” And that “On Aug. 28, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Monday 28 August – Typhoons hit three terrorist-held buildings in Raqqa, whilst Tornados and Typhoons struck ten positions north of Tal Afar…Raqqa operations continued on Monday 28 August, when Typhoons hit three more terrorist-held buildings. In Iraq, Iraqi forces engaged Daesh forces positioned several miles north of Tal Afar, and our aircraft provide close air support, conducting attacks on ten buildings occupied by the extremists.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 23
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (23) [ collapse]