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

CI328

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Location

السلام, Mosul, Al Salam, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In the afternoon of 8 November, an airstrike reportedly hit al-Salam neighbourhood of eastern Mosul City killing 14 civilians, including three children and five women, and wounding another 11 civilians, including two women and a child.

No additional details are presently known.

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
    14
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
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 Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces 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
    38SLF391179
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • May 1, 2020

  • Nov. 8, 2016, in Mosul, 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. 3062/CI328 38SLF391179

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces

Incident Code

CS384

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Location

بعاص, Bia'as, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Bi’as.

According to Syria News Desk, “a civilian was killed and six others injured this morning, due to coalition aircraft targeted with three raids the village of Ba’as in northern Raqqa.”

Raqqa News named the victim.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali al Hmeidawi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (2) [ 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 information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Bia'as, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 21st 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed 2 VBIEDs, an IED factory, two oil well heads and two oil tanker trucks.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS403

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Location

الجرنية, Al Jarnia, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.16054, 38.23337 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition airstrike on the local water company killed at least five workers, according to sources.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered reported that “three people working at the water company in al Jarnia – one of them the water manager – were killed in international coalition raids targeting the company today.” Baladi News placed the death toll at seven, while Syria Post reported ten deaths. Pro-regime website JP News reported that “Coalition warplanes killed the workers in the water company thought those workers are not ISIS member, and they had been working there even before ISIS was found 3 years ago.”

Syria News Desk cited local activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from the village: “The wounded were taken by villagers to the National Hospital in Raqqa, after raids resulted in the destruction of a large civic building institution, in addition to the destruction of an apartment building nearby and other property.”

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials requested additional information concerning the alleged event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Issa Al Hassan
Adult male director of the water company killed
Mohammed Hmeed Al-Hussein
Adult male killed
Ahmad Hammoud Al-Hilal
Adult male killed
Mohammed Al-Isa Al-Hussein
Adult male killed
Khaled Al Haj Abed
Adult male killed
Hussein Al-lous
Adult male killed
Umar Al Ahmad
Adult male killed
Abdur-Rahman Mohammed Al-Tis’an
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Omar al Ahmad al Omar (via RBSS)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Jarniyah (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA3112002021
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 4th-5th 2016 the Coalition reported that ” Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes [1 British with others] engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a weapons production facility, a vehicle, and a bulldozer.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • 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]

Incident Code

CS420 TS030

Incident date

December 23, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 20 and 25 civilians died in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) raid on al Bab.

According to ISIS’s media wing, “Turkish planes committed a new massacre in al Bab for the second day running – initial toll of 20 dead.”

Umayya reported the death toll as being possibly even higher than 25: “The number of people killed in Turkish airstrikes on the city of Bab on Friday rose to more than 25, mostly civilians, including seven children and ten women, including four families killed in the rubble of their homes, in addition to dozens of injuries.”

Graphic images posted on social media showed several slaim children.

LCCSY was the only source to attribute the attack to the US-led Coalition. In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event was presently assessed as ‘Not credible for Coalition caused civcas.’ It also stated that “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Mohammad ali Al Ragheb
Adult male killed
Najah
Adult female Mohammad ali Al Ragheb's wife killed
Manal al Ragheb
Age unknown female Mohammad ali Al Ragheb's daughter killed
Manal al Ragheb's son
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Kheir al Ragheb
Age unknown male Mohammad ali Al Ragheb's son
Mohammad Kheir al Ragheb's wife
Adult female killed
Mohammad Kheir al Ragheb's son
male Also named Mohammed killed
Mohammad Kheir al Ragheb's daughter
female Najjah killed

The victims were named as:

Khalil Zakariya al Saleh [al Shafi’i]
Age unknown male killed
Abu Asa’ad al Maghribi
Age unknown male killed
Abu Daham family
Age unknown not yet confirmed] killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 25
  • (3–7 children3–10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Tweet saying more than 75 civilians killed in al Bab in alleged Turkish raids and reports that daesh is preventing civilians from leaving. 23rd December 2016. (via salam_alfraty2)
  • 20 civilians reported killed in alleged Turkish strikes on al Bab. 23rd December 2016. (via Kalmuqdad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of children killed in alleged Turkish strikes on al bab. 23rd December 2016. (via Khaled_qahtan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of children killed in alleged Turkish strikes on al bab. 23rd December 2016. (via Khaled_qahtan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of children killed in alleged Turkish strikes on al bab. 23rd December 2016. (via Khaled_qahtan)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 22nd-24th the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in Aleppo governorate.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 23 December – Typhoons bombed a terrorist position north of Tabaqah in Syria; in Iraq, Tornados hit a weapons cache north-east of Haditha, and a Reaper destroyed an artillery gun near Mosul…The next day [Dec 23rd], Typhoon FGR4s, armed with Paveway IV guided bombs, patrolled over Syria and successfully attacked a terrorist position which SDF fighters had encountered to the north of Tabaqah, near Lake Assad. In Iraq, Tornados used Paveway IVs to destroy a weapons stockpile some 50 miles north-east of Haditha, whilst a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft assisted the Iraqi operations in Mosul; its crew conducted a thorough check for civilians who might be at risk before a successful coalition air strike destroyed another weapons stockpile. The Reaper then delivered an attack using one of its own Hellfire missiles to destroy an artillery piece loaded on a trailer – as with the tank, the terrorists had attempted to hide the gun under a tarpaulin in thick woodland to the north-west of the city, but to no avail.’

Danish Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Danske øjne styrer fly sikkert gennem Irak og Syrien “Hvis man forestiller sig at skulle lande i en lufthavn eller flyve, hvor flyvelederne sidder med lukkede øjne, så har man situationen, hvis vores radar ikke snurrede rundt.” 23-12-2016 – kl. 11:00 Af radarbidraget og ACW I en amerikansk enhed arbejder et mindre radarbidrag fra Flyvevåbnet, hvor de holder styr på luftrummet over Irak og Syrien i kampen mod ISIL. Kingpin bliver kontrolcentralen kaldt, hvorfra det amerikanske flyvevåbens 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron sammen med både australiere, englændere og danskere er øjne, øre og guidende hænder for flytrafikken. 24 timer i døgnet holder de øje med luftrummet over Afghanistan, den Arabiske Gulf, Irak og Syrien. De danske udsendte fra Flyvevåbnets Air Control Wing koncentrerer sig om Irak og Syrien og går under kaldenavnet Gotham, hvor de blandt andet anvender den danske radar på Al Asad Airbase i Irak, som er en del af det samlede danske radarbidrag. Men de trækker også på en række andre radarer, radioer og overvågningsfly, så der konstant kan produceres et opdateret luftbillede, så flyene kan blive støttet i deres missioner. – Vi er et relativt lille bidrag på i alt cirka 30 mand med operatører og radarteknikere, men effekten af bidraget er enormt. Hvis man forestiller sig at skulle lande i en lufthavn eller flyve, hvor flyvelederne sidder med lukkede øjne, så har man situationen, hvis vores radar ikke snurrede rundt, siger chefen for radarbidraget, oberstløjtnant Kim Krogh.’

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 25
  • (3–7 children3–10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI401

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Location

ابن الهيثم, Mosul, ibn El Haithem new area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.337359, 43.193734 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local and medical sources said that 12 civilians were killed and many others injured, mostly displaced women and children, in the locality of Ibn al-Haytham – new area of Mosul (the valley of the eye) due to Coalition airstrikes southeast of Mosul.

Al Jazeera said that the Coalition strikes hit the area “where displaced families are existing”, killing 12 people including women and children, and damaging a number of houses and civilian cars.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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 January 6th-7th the Coalition publicly stated that: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, two VBIEDs, two ISIL-held buildings, two heavy machine guns, two weapons caches, an IED, a mortar system, a homemade explosives facility, an ISIL headquarters building, a supply cache, and a mobile artillery system; damaged 21 supply routes; and suppressed five tactical units.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI420

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Location

العربي, Mosul, Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.411958, 43.1138706 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An Iraqi military source said that Coalition airstrikes bombed three civilian houses, killing 12 civilians and injuring 18 others in Al Arabi neighborhood, northeast of Mosul.

Alghad.tv cited a statement published by Turkish state news agency Anatolia, speaking of “about five airstrikes on three houses in the Arabi neighborhood” carried out by the international Coalition. A police source furthermore reported that “the raid killed 12 civilians, including four children, and wounded 18 others, destroyed homes and damaged about 8 cars”. Several sources called the incident “a mistake of the international Coalition”.

In a March 4th report which may report to this event or to a new incident, the Coalition noted: “Jan. 14, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a counter-fire strike on an ISIS mortar team it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after weapon was fired.”

Officials later informed Airwars that the incident took place at grid coordinates 38SLF2982730681. Our geolocators have placed this at the Rashadiyah neighbourhood, northern Mosul, which is one kilometer from Al-Arabi.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • 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]

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 13th-14th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed four fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, two watercraft, an ISIL headquarters building, a VBIED; and damaged eight supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • 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

CI441

Incident date

January 26, 2017

Location

Mosul, West / Right side, 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 said that 20 civilians were killed and 17 injured – mostly women and children – in Coalition airstrikes on residential areas at the right side of Mosul.

Several sources reported that “US strikes” had targeted the neighbourhoods of Dawasa and Farouk, western Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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 (5) [ 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Dawassa and Farouq neighborhood, western Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF329224
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • 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

For January 26th-27th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed two ISIL headquarters, twoVBIED facilities, two barges, a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, a VBIED, and an anti-air artillery system; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.”
For January 27th-28th it stated: “Near Mosul, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a heavy machine gun; and damaged a supply route."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS504

Incident date

February 18, 2017

Location

الأكراد, al Akrad and al Mashlab neighbourhoods, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9449373, 39.0474701 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including one child and two women died and four others were wounded – some critically – in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the neighbourhoods of al Akrad and al Mashlab in Raqqa, according to local sources.

According to Baladi, “several sources reported from inside the city of Raqqa that international coalition planes killed five civilians, including two women and a child, and wounded several others on Saturday as a result of air strikes targeting al Mashlab and al Akrad neighbourhoods in Raqqa”.

Smart also blamed the Coalition, putting the death toll at five.

Moaaz al adalbe didn’t mention any civilian casualties but confirmed that the PKK approached the Al Mashlad neighbourhood.

The incident was first reported on February 18, 2019 at 3:07 pm by Unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhoods of Al Akrad (Kurdish name)/Al Thawrah (الثورة) and Al Mashlab (المشلب). The coordinates for Al Akrad are: 35.9630019, 39.0146828. The coordinates for Al Mashlab: 35.9449373, 39.0474701.

  • Al Akrad (Kurdish)/Al Thawrah (الثورة) and Al Mashlab (المشلب) in Raqqa.

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 the Al Akrad and Al Mashlab neighborhoods in Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 17th-18th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 70 oil barrels, three oil storage tanks, three fighting positions, two oil refinement stills and a weapons storage area; and damaged a bridge.” For February 18th-19th, they reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed four oil storage tanks, three fighting positions, two ISIS-held buildings, two vehicles, a weapons cache, an oil refinement still and a communications station.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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]