US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CI657

Incident date

April 21, 2017

Location

الحضر, Hatra, Kayrawan and Balij, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.469167, 42.453611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that about twenty civilians died when Iraqi forces, “backed by the Popular Populist militia and the US-led Coalition” launched an attack on Hatra, Qayrawan and Balij, South of Mosul, in Nineveh province.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reported of the incident mention Hatra ( الحضر ), Qayrawan ( القیروان ) and Balij ( بلیج ), South of Mosul in Nineveh province. The generic coordinates for Hatra Subdistrict are  35.469167, 42.453611. The generic coordinates Qayrawan area are 36.1567681, 42.0361151. Possible coordinates for Balij village are 36.9249886, 41.4392281.

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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 April 20th-21st: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units, destroyed 11 rocket-propelled grenade systems, seven fighting positions, six VBIEDs, five mortar systems, three VBIED facilities, a weapons cache, a medium machine gun and an ISIS staging area; damaged 11 ISIS supply routes, four fighting positions; and suppressed two mortar teams and ISIS tactical unit.”

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
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS736

Incident date

April 26, 2017

Location

Northern Raqqa countryside, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Al Raqqa Truth and the Raqqa News Network reported the death of one man in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the northern Raqqa countryside.

No further details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Al-Faris
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Al-Faris, from Raqqa, died in alleged Coalition strikes in the north eastern countryside, April 26th (via Al Ragga Truth)
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
    in northern Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility. (1380)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 25th-26th, the Coalition reported no strikes at Raqqah though noted that “Near Tabqah, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; and destroyed four fighting positions and a fuel truck.“
For April 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a front-end loader, a fighting position, and a mortar team.”
The Coalition later reported: "Near Tabqah, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions"

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

CI678

Incident date

April 30, 2017

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that it could not assess the credibility of an NGO report indicating civilian casualties in the vicinity of Mosul. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “April 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Airwars had previously been unaware of such a report, and has been unable to locate any related public report.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • 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

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed two mortar systems, a vehicle, a fighting position, a VBIED, a tactical vehicle, and an ISIS staging area; damaged seven ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an artillery system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS778

Incident date

May 7, 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

At least five civilians, including two women, were reportedly killed and 11 more were injured in Tabaqa in what appears to be shelling by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by airstrikes carried out by the Coalition.

One member of ISIL was also reportedly killed and several more were injured, according to Smart News Agency. Mohab Nasser of the Tabaqa Media Center made no mention of casualties in his report, but claimed that the Coalition was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
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
    in Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 May 6th-7th the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed four fighting positions, two tactical vehicles, a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It later added that “Additionally, three strikes were conducted in Syria on May 6th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a supply cache.”

For May 7th -8th the Coalition reported: "Near Tabqah, 15 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed eight fighting positions and a vehicle" It later added "Additionally, three strikes were conducted in Syria on May 6th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a supply cache."

It later added "Additionally, two strikes were conducted in Syria on May 7th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position."

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS798

Incident date

May 10, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadeen, according to a single source.

The Shaam News Network was the only source pointing directly towards the Coalition, reporting that “international coalition planes launched an air strike targeting an arms factory belonging to IS in the city of Mayadeen, which led to the explosion and the fall of many of the dead and wounded in the ranks of the organization [IS], in addition to the fall of four martyrs from one family who were inside their house near the factory.”

Sour News reported an airstrike, but didn’t identify the culprit, saying that “the smoke from the place suggests that an oil tank is burning, while there were sounds of explosions in the area.”

According to @Sharqiya__voice, unidentified warplanes “targeted The Club roundabout and the sheep market.” It added that “ambulances rushed to the scene of the shelling and that there were reports of civilian casualties.”

Asharqiya Voice named three victims.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the incident: “May 11, 2017, near Mayadin, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mustapha al A’llash
Adult male killed
Mustapha al A’llash's Daughter, Arwa
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Walid Hamadi al Kardoush
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photographs of the smoke and destruction in Mayadin following allged Coalition strikes, May 10th (via @EuphratesPost)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 9th-10th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed a front-end loader an and ISIS well head.”
For May 10th-11th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed two ISIS headquarters"

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS826

Incident date

May 15, 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

In a major casualty incident, up to 73 civilians including 15 children and six women died and up to 120 others were wounded airstrikes on Abu Kamal, according to local media. The majority of the victims were reportedly displaced people.

Conflicting sources blame the US-led Coalition and the Iraqi air force. Additionally, one source attributed the incident to Russia. The Coalition, however, later denied responsible.

Death counts varied and ranged from 25 civilians upwards. According to Syrialive54 and Omar Madniah, up to 73 non-combatants – many of them woman and children – were killed. These sources blamed Iraqi warplanes, as did Al Jazeera, Qasioun, Deir Ezzor News and Euphrates Post, among other sources.

But according to Moaz Alshami, Step News, Madar Daily, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – among others – the Coalition was responsible. Madar Daily put the death toll at 72 with up to 120 more injured.

Syria News Desk said that the event was “believed to be by the International coalition and the Iraqi Air Force”, adding that “at least eight members of the organization [IS] were killed in the attack near the Rahman Mosque in the center”.

Ahmed Zahlan was alone in claiming that the strike was Russia. He put the death toll at 66. Comments on his tweet, however, challenged this and wondered why he was blaming Moscow.

Sources reported that multiple locations in Abu Kamal were hit, including homes near al Hajana barracks, al Rahman mosque and surrounding area, Post Office Street, Al Malaki restaurant and Al-Rusafa Association.

According to the Step News Agency 15 civilian homes were destroyed, while Euphrates Post said that “warplanes launched a phantom raid during the funerals of several of the victims in Abu Kamal.”

Both Euphrates Post and Syria-mirror published reports in which the Coalition denied responsibility.

Syria-mirror said: “According to US military spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon, coalition aircraft did not hit the town on Sunday and Monday, but only targeted oil production facilities run by the state organization more than 50 kilometers outside the town.”

Dillon said in a statement that the coalition aircraft did not carry out strikes in the time period during which the casualties occurred alleged, stressing the implementation of strikes on Boukmal on those two days, without mentioning the names of the countries that carried out the raids.”

Euphrates Post added that the Syrian regime also denied any link to the bombing, adding this “reinforced the theory that Iraqi forces had targeted the city following Iraq announcing that it would target Syrian territory in which IS was present – and that the Coalition is aware of the identity of any warplanes flying over Deir Ezzor.

The following victims have been listed in addition to those named below:

Two members of Musleh Mohammed Al-Tarrad’s family

The wife of Irfan Farid al-Abd al-Rahman

The daughter of Nuri Jamil Soloh and three of his sons

Ahmed Abdulrazzaq Al-Haj Mohammed’s mother.

Eight martyrs of the displaced from Deir Ezzor

Nine martyrs from displaced families from the countryside of Raqqa and Aleppo

Nine Iraqis displaced

Four unidentified persons whose bodies were burnt

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Ahmed Suleiman Al-Hussein
Age unknown male killed
Fayadh Hussein
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hussein
Child male killed
Alaa Ahmed Al Hussein
Child male killed
Faris Ahmed Al-Hussein
Child male killed
Azzam Ahmed Al-Hussein
Child male killed
Fayyad Ahmed al-Hussein
Child male killed

Family members (11)

Wife of Abdul Latif Al-Mari
Adult female killed
Nasser Abdul Latif Al-Mari
Adult male killed
The wife of Nasser Al-Mari
Adult female killed
Basil Nasser Al-Mari
Age unknown male killed
Sami Nasser Al-Mari
Age unknown male killed
Hani Nasser Al-Mari
Age unknown male killed
Majd Ragheb Abdul Latif Al-Mari
Child male killed
Rawan Thaer Abdul Latif Al-Mari
Child male killed
Majed Ragheb Al-Mari
Child male killed
Rowan Thaer Al Mari
Child male killed
The daughter of Jamal Nasser Al-Mari
Child female killed

Family members (4)

Saad Moawafak Hammadi Khatlan Al Rawi
Age unknown male killed
Haitham Moawafak Hammadi Khatlan Al Rawi
Age unknown male killed
Abdel Rahman Moawafak Hammadi Khatlan Al Rawi
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Sabti Khatlan Al Rawi
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Abdul Salam Matar
Adult male killed
Ahmed Younis Al-Daribi
Child male killed
Tufoush Ali Hamed
Age unknown male killed
Sabria Allawi Ahmad
Age unknown female killed
Ahmed Abdulrazzaq Al-Haj Mohammed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    60 – 73
  • (12–15 children6 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–120
  • 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 (68) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Nasser Abdel Latif Al Mir’i, killed with 10 members of his family, in a strike on Abu Kamal, May 15th (via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    GRAPHIC: The aftermath of an airstrike on Abu Kamal, April 15th (via Syria News Desk)
  • Aftermath of the strike
  • More images of the aftermath
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 Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU762139
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS fuel trucks, two ISIS well heads, and an ISIS pump jack.”

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
    60 – 73
  • (12–15 children6 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–120
  • 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 (68) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS844

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Location

علي الغانم, Ali Al Ghanem, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.773056, 39.4025 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and four were injured – in addition to two members of ISIL – in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Ali Al Ghanem village, 50km east of Raqqa, according to local reports.

Two sources, Draas News Agency and Smart News Agency, reported that the Coalition was responsible. Meanwhile, the remainder of the sources reported that the deaths were a result of airstrikes, but did not make any assertions about who was responsible.

Smart News Agency reported that four people were injured in addition to two members of ISIL.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ali Al Ghanem, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV364591
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS staging area and a construction vehicle.” It also later reported that additionally on May 20th “Near Raqqah, Syria, one strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.”
For May 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported:" Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [1 British?] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, nine vehicles, two supply caches, a mortar system, an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

"Sunday 21 May – Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile on the outskirts of Raqqa, Tornados dealt with a sniper and a heavy machine-gun in Mosul… The latter hit a further pair of targets in Mosul on Sunday 21 May, eliminating a sniper and a heavy machine-gun team. On the eastern outskirts of Raqqah, Typhoons destroyed a weapons stockpile."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS869

Incident date

May 26, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah - Deir Ezzor road, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.701487, 39.635664 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A taxi driver was killed by an airstrike, according to local reports.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that a man was killed by unidentified warplanes on a road near Deir Eizzor. The report said he was a driver. HRO also named him, as did Euphrates Post, which identified him as a taxi driver. That report placed the incident on the road between Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. None of the reports said who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Suleiman Mohammed Al-Atallah
29 years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Suleiman Mohammed al-Attallah, killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike which targeted his car on the road from Deiralzur to Raqqaa (via Euphrates Post May 26th, 2017).
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV575510
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 25th-26th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles, a tactical vehicle, and a mortar system” and “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed seven ISIS oil trucks, four ISIS barges, an ISIS well head, a command and control node, and an ISIS headquarters.”
For May 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven vehicles, five fighting positions, three tunnels, an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area."

Summary

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