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

CS360

Incident date

November 6, 2016

Location

لقطة, Lakta, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.6265496, 38.9509964 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 7 civilians were killed by by a Coalition airstrike, according to an ISIL-controlled outlet.

ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq reported that “international coalition planes” targeted two homes in Lakta, “and killed at least seven civilians.”

Thus far, Al A’amaq is the only source that references this incident specifically. However, other monitors and outlets, including the Syrian Observatory and Bas News reported heavy fighting in the area involving Kurdish/SDF forces and ISIL.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Lakta, 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 November 5th-6th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, seven strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units and destroyed a vehicle and four fighting positions” and “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike engaged oil processing equipment.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS378

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1320519, 38.9661026 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and seven civilians were reported killed along with a number of ISIL fighters following alleged Coalition airstrikes.

Raqqa Post reported that “civilians were killed along with IS members after raids on the village of Hazima. The operation of pulling out victims from under the rubble has been delayed due to continuing Coalition flights over the village.” And Syria News Desk cited ‘media opposition activist’ Mohamed Osman, as saying “the international coalition yesterday evening launched six raids on the town of Hazima which is under the control of IS in the countryside of north Raqqa – killing three civilians and four IS and wounding seven civilians and three militants, in addition to the destruction of a number of houses, shops and other property.” Step News placed the civilian death toll at five,

Al A’Amaq initially reported that shops were destroyed in what it said were Coalition airstrikes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hazima (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 16th-17th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed an artillery system, a mortar system, and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI355

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.32504, 43.155519 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sixteen civilians, including women and children, were killed in the alleged Coalition raid in the south of Mosul, according to a single source – Iraqi Spring Media Center.

Amsiraq published pictures of damaged buildings in south Iraq which it said had been caused by Coalition and government shelling. There was no mention of civilian casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Images posted by the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq (AMS) that shows the destructions caused by Coalition and government shelling (via AMS)

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
  • 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 28th-29th, the Coalition reported ” Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed five mortar systems, three ISILheld buildings, three vehicles, three VBIEDs, two front-end loaders, a VBIED factory, and a command and control node; suppressed three tactical units; and damaged five supply routes and two pieces of road construction equipment.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI395

Incident date

January 6, 2017

Location

حي الزراعي, Mosul, Agricultural, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3559188, 43.1460571 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources and relatives of victims said that more than 20 civilians from three families were killed, including children and women, after Coalition airstrikes targeted their houses in front of Saddam mosque at the entrance of Farms district, north of Mosul.

Mosul Ateka reported that “18 people were killed in the Farms district after three houses were bombed in that area.” In comments below the post it was said that Al Haj Riad and his wife and his son Mahfouz House Haj Hamou were among the victims, which was reportedly carried out by the Coalition. In a later post by Mosul Ateka, including photos, Haj Riad Adnan and his wife and his son Imran Riad Adnan were also reported as killed in the strikes.

Nineveh Media Center said that “a medical source confirms the deaths of more than two dozen people as a result of aerial bombardment [which] targeted the wrong homes of unarmed civilians in the agricultural district of the northern city of Mosul.” Ajel Al Mosul (Facebook) also reported the incident, and spoke of 20 civilians killed in the raids in the farms neighbourhood. Sunni Muslim (Facebook) posted a video showing “The effects of the international coalition aircraft bombed the Farms district in the left side of the city of Mosul.”

In a later investigation into the event, AFP interviewed eyewitness Abdulrahman Riyadh who said tyhe strike came at dawn on January 6th: ““Everything collapsed around me. I pushed the debris around me, I got up and I asked my brother if he was still alive. He was wounded in the leg. I told him to come into my bed and I started looking for my little brother, my father and my mother. I screamed but nobody answered.”

On March 4th the Coalition announced that it was assessing the event: “Currently, 19 reports of civilian casualties are still being assessed… Jan. 6, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.” An official confirmed to Airwars that this was a reference to the al Zirai allegation.

On April 30th the Coalition flagged the event as ‘not credible’ noting: “Jan. 6, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Based on available evidence Airwars continues to assess this event as fair.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: ‘In the morning of 6 January, airstrikes targeting an ISIL gathering in the Ziraie neighbourhood of central Mosul killed 17 civilians, including seven women and four children, and wounded 11 others, including four women and two children.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Al Haj Riad
Adult male killed
Mahfouz House Haj Hamou
Age unknown male Son of Al Haj Riad killed
Imran Riad Adnan
Child male Son of Al Haj Riad killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 20
  • (2–4 children2–7 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A photo of Imran Riad Adnan, killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Mosul on January 4th 2017 (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Haj Riad Adnan (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Another image of Imran Riad Adnan (via Mosul Ateka)
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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2982730681
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 5th-6th, the Coalition noted: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed three ISIL-held buildings, three supply caches, two mortar systems, a fighting position, and a VBIED; damaged 24 supply routes; and suppressed two mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 20
  • (2–4 children2–7 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS439 RS1827

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 25 fighters of the militant group Fatah al Sham were killed – as well as a civilian policeman – and as many as six other people were injured, following an alleged airstrike in Saraqib. It is not clear whether or not the injured were civilians or members of Fatah al Sham. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame, with many blaming the US led Coalition, and a few others blaming Russian warplanes. Some sources do not identify the aircraft.

Two cars and three bikes were the target of this raid, on a motorway leading out of Saraqib. One source named the vicinity as Jobas Junction. Another source reported that it was near a bridge.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “explosions were heard in the Saraqeb area east of Idlib, which sources said resulted from targeting by unidentified aircraft of SUVs, carrying members of a jihadi” group believed to be Fatah al Sham [formerly al Nusra], during which at least five people were killed and injured.”

LCCSY said the cars were targeted near the motorway, while Syria News Desk said seven militants were killed and two injured when two vehicles were destroyed. Step News named two militant leaders killed as Abu Anas al Masri and Abu A’krama al Tunisi. Three of the group were allegedly bothers.

Syria News reported there were two main raids, the first targeting of a pick-up vehicle belonging to Fath Al Sham Militia, near the Abu al-Thuhur bridge east of the town of Sarqib. This allegedly left five victims. The second was said to have targeted a car south of the city of Sarqib on the international highway.

Another source however claims that there were six strikes within an hour. According to Idlib Media Centre, the police officer was killed in a strike when he went to investigate the first three strikes. 

AleppoAMC called it a high impact missile attack.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ziyad Juma’a al Ahmad
Adult male police officer killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Victims in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via @MoudaAlomar)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via SOHR )
  • Footage showing the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Orient)
  • The exact moment the alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike hit Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Amjad Bakir)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via @fadirihawi)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via @fadirihawi)
  • Ziyad Juma'a al Ahmad. killed in an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via @AbdulhaiMekhbat)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 10th-12th 2017, the Coalition reported no airstrikes in Idlib governorate. However unilateral US strikes against Fatah al Sham are no longer reported by the Coalition.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI449

Incident date

February 6, 2017

Location

Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3502851, 43.1098795 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that between 20 and 42 civilians were killed, including women and children, and dozens injured after Coalition airstrikes and governmental forces targeted residential neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul.

While Iraq Amsi spoke of “about 20 civilians dead and wounded”, Iraqi Spring put the death toll much higher, at 42, and said “mostly women and children” were killed.

Bahzad Ahmed said on Facebook that the Coalition had targeted Daesh, “including prominent leaders”, between Zenjili and Al Thawra (Revolution) neighbourhoods.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 42
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 5th-6th 2017 the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, three strikes destroyed 23 ISIL-held buildings, an ISIL headquarters and a front-end loader; and damaged 14 supply routes and a tunnel.”

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 – 42
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS498 TS081

Incident date

February 16, 2017

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.5179666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 18 and 50 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bab, according to local sources. While the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that ten civilians including two children and four women died in an alleged Coalition airstrie, other sources blamed Tiurkey.

A second report by SN4HR said that “International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on the makeshift hospital in Al Bab city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, severely damaging its building and rendering it inoperable”.

However, Syria News Desk reported that the “Turkish army targeted the eastern neighborhoods in al Bab with several air strikes and artillery shells, resulting in deaths of 23 civilians, including children”.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “Ibrahim Adel Al Shehabi, a dentist, died along with his children in Der’ Al Furat forces artillery (supported by Turkish forces) shells fired on Al Bab city.”

They also reported the death of three civilians from the same family including a woman.

The Syrian Observatory also attributed the incident to Turkey, reporting that “a massacre was carried out by the Turkish forces, it is not the first one, and may not be the last, but it is a ring in a long series of massacres committed in al-Bab city. This time the victims of the massacre were 10 civilians from two families. They are a doctor and two of his sons under the age of 18, in addition to three men and three women and a child under the age of 18 from the same family. All of them were killed in the continuous Turkish artillery shelling and aerial bombardment on al-Bab city”.

Syria News Desk said that 23 or 25 civilians died from Turkish shelling.

France 24 wrote that 34 civilians were killed, 17 of them children.

Hara FM quoted the ISIS propaganda outlet Al A’amaq who gave the highest death toll at 50.

Al Jazeera did not mention civilian harm but said 77 targets in Al Bab were hit by the Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ibrahim Adel al Shihabi
Adult male killed
Sahib Ibrahim al Shihabi
Age unknown male killed
Hathifa Ibrahim al Shihabi
Age unknown male killed

Family members (10)

Adnan Ibrahim Falaha
Age unknown male killed
Adnan Ibrahim Falaha's sister
Age unknown female killed
Adnan Ibrahim Falaha's wife
Age unknown female killed
Hamdo Ibrahim Falaha's wife
Age unknown female killed
Ibrahim Hamdo al Falaha
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Hamdo al Falaha's wife
Age unknown female killed
Adnan Hamdo al Falaha
Child male killed
Saad Hamdo al Falaha
Child male killed
Adnan Ibrahim Falaha
Age unknown male killed
Mutassam Ibrahim Falaha
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Saleh Dib al Shirkat
Age unknown male killed
Jihad Saleh Dib al Shirkat
Age unknown male killed
Saleh mohammad Dib al Shirkat's wife
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Mahmoud al Baki
Age unknown male killed
Abd al Basset Kadro al Dibo
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (2 children5 women)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    'A’maq: 50 civilian martyrs by shelling on the door of the eastern suburb of Aleppo'
  • 'Photos of the city # of al bab of the eastern end of the mountain shows clear smoke poles in the city because of the clashes and shelling currently underway, and there is no truth to the news that the city is liberated or free of civilians.' (via Al bab city and its neighbourhood coordination)
  • 'Photos of the city # of al bab of the eastern end of the mountain shows clear smoke poles in the city because of the clashes and shelling currently underway, and there is no truth to the news that the city is liberated or free of civilians.' (via Al bab city and its neighbourhood coordination)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al-Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.5179666. 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 (Aleppo), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV5821365352
    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 February 16th-17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Bab, one strike destroyed a decoy tactical vehicle.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (2 children5 women)
  • 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

CS521

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Smart news agency reported: “A local source from al Tabaqa city said earlier in the day, that warplanes likely to be the international coalition launched raids on the Al Manghiya neighborhood in the third district in the city, killing one IS member and seriously wounding three civilians in the neighborhood of Almanghiya.” No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
  • Stated location
    near Al Thawrah (Tabaqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV5905065690
    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 February 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, a VBIED, a garage, an IED and a weapons facility; and damaged a bridge.” For February 21st-22nd, they reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions and three tactical vehicles; and damaged two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]