US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CI430

Incident date

January 17, 2017

Location

الرشيدية, Mosul, Al-Rashidiyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.4125106, 43.0977345 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A local source said that many civilians were killed or injured by Coalition airstrikes on Rashidiyah neighborhood in the north east of Mosul.

Iraqi Turkmen Front Mosul reported that their bodies were still under the rubble. It made appeal to the international Coalition “not to target civilians through inaccurate air raids or indiscriminate shelling of the Turkmen cities” that are under ISIL control.

Another source, Diyalafromheart, reported on Facebook about “victims in the East of Mosul”. However, it blamed the Iraqi Air Force for the bombing.

In its May 2017 casualty report, the Coalition said it had assessed the incident as Non Credible based on a lack of available information: “Jan. 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient information available to determine if civilians were present or harmed in this strike.”

The Coalition confirmed to Airwars that this assessment related to the al Rashidiyah allegation. We continue to grade this as a Contested event.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (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

For January 16th-17th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed a command and control node, aheavy machine gun, a tactical vehicle, 14 fighting positions, two vehicles, a mortar, an ISIL-held building, a VBIED, and an ISIL weapons factory; suppressed an ISIL mortar team and artillery crew; and damaged 32 supply routes and an ISIL defensive berm.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS468 RS1875

Incident date

January 31, 2017

Location

صبيخان, Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.85305, 40.59987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian guard was killed in an air raid on an asphalt plant or nearby oil facility by unidentified aircraft. The Coalition has confirmed striking oil installations in the area that day, although some sources blamed Russia.

According to multiple reports at least two civilians were also injured in the incident. Asharqiya reported, Mr al Khairi was a civilian guard.

In comments attached to a report by Boukamalna, locals said the civilian died when an asphalt plant attached to the facility was struck. Most reports specified only unspecified aircraft. Boukamalna said the Coalition was responsible – while according to Baladi News, “warplanes believed to be Russian and regime” took part.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ 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 Sbeikhan (Al Mayadin), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU4625757914
    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

For January 30th-31st the Coalition stated: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed 10 oil drums, two oil storage tanks and an oil wellhead.“

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS490

Incident date

February 13, 2017

Location

هنيدة, Hunaida, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83234, 38.69938 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported the deaths of four civilians at Hunaida village near Raqqa.

According to Smart News, “Local sources told our Smart reporter that planes likely to be the international coalition, launched raids on the towns of Mansoura and Hunaida in the western countryside, killing four civilians and seriously wounding seven others, including women.”

No other details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 Hunaida (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV7284865394
    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

For February 12th-13th 2017 the Coalition publicly reported “Near Ar Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged eight ISIL tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions and a vehicle; and damaged four supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS511

Incident date

February 20, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Qitar street, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between seven and ten civilians including three children and three women died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on Qitar street, according to local sources. While the majority of reports attributed the incident to the Coalition, one report alleged that Russia was responsible. The Coalition later reported that “no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of eight civilians and the injury of more than eight in a raid “on al Qitar street targeting one of the warehouses near al Baraka bakery.” When contacted by Airwars, they said that the strike on Qitar street was the same one as on al Maari school (listed above). Other sources, however, reported it as a separate strike.

Ara News blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at nine including women and children.

According to Syria News Desk, three children were among eight killed in an alleged Coalition raid which completely destroyed four houses and the train station building.

Smart and Shaam News also pointed to the Coalition, as did Baladi, who put the death toll as high as ten.

However, RFS Media Office was alone in attributing the incident to Russia. They also said that eight non-combatants died but provided little detail.

On April 30th 2017 the Coalition flagged the event as ‘not credible’, noting: “Feb. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, 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.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Jawdat Haidar Abd al Aziz, killed in an airstrike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0074379361
    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

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.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI485

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Location

Mosul, al Mamun, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.30898, 43.10588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq” via a media report. According to the Coalition report, “10. Feb. 25, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as al Ma’mun neighbourhood in Mosul.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2994619884
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 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

For February 24th-25th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS sniper unit; destroyed nine fighting positions, eight mortar systems, five ISIS-held buildings, four command and control nodes, three VBIED facilities, three tactical vehicles, two vehicles, two artillery systems, two anti-air artillery systems, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a UAV storage facility, a front-end loader, a VBIED staging area and a supply cache; damaged 12 supply routes and four ISIS-held buildings; and suppressed 22 mortars and an artillery system.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI510

Incident date

March 5, 2017

Location

الدواسة, Mosul, Dawassa area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.332586, 43.1388688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local and press sources said between 64 and 130 civilians were killed in total and many others injured by different kind of bombing during the Iraqi offensive to control the governmental compound in Dawassa at the right side of Mosul.

Mosul Eye reported that “the number of civilian casualties today has risen to more than 130 civilians [who] have been killed because of the bombings and battles, and 12 victims were exposed to Daesh [ISIL] snipers.”

Yaqein said the Iraqi government was responsible, and spoke of 64 civilians killed.

Iraq News posted two pictures of a father who reportedly lost all his family members in the bombings except his little daughter.

In another post, Iraq News said “US Apache helicopters [were] flying heavily” in support of Iraqi government forces. Iraq Eye also suggested active involvement of the Coalition: “International coalition using Apache helicopters, artillery, mortars and rocket power and smart bombs in the battle of the right coast, which gave Iraqi forces [a] quick advance to liberate [the] more older [neighbourhoods] and the ability to accelerate the resolution of those tough battles.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    64 – 130
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Massive destruction in Dawassa neighbourhood in Mosul (via Moghred_Ninawa, Twitter)
  • A man with his daughter after the alleged bombings (via Yaqein)
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
  • Oct 27, 2017
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 4th-March 5th it said: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and a rocket-propelled grenade team; destroyed nine fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, an ISIS-held building, and a mortar system; damaged 26 supply routes; and suppressed 15 mortar teams.”

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
    64 – 130
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI530

Incident date

March 10, 2017

Location

نابلس, Mosul, Nablus, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.324669, 43.082628 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Security forces and press sources told Al Araby that two children (aged four and seven years old) were found alive under the rubble by Iraqi forces, while their mother was killed. They reported that she died after a Coalition airstrike bombed their home in Nablus neighbourhood in West Mosul, on the Friday night.

It was reported that the “daylong” crying of the mother had drawn the attention of Iraqi troops, who then lifted the ruins and found the two children, who miraculously survived and were taken to a military hospital. However, the source said that the mother (30 years old) had suffered a head trauma which led to her death.

In their August 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 the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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]

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF278216
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020
  • March 10, 2017, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3089/CI530 38SLF278216

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 9th-10th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed 11 vehicles, nine mortar systems, eight fighting positions, five VBIEDs, two medium machine guns, two roadblocks, two watercraft, an anti-air artillery system, a supply cache, an ammunition cache, and a recoilless rifle; damaged 15 supply routes; and suppressed 10 mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

CS581

Incident date

March 16, 2017

Location

سد الفرات, Euphrates Dam, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.857579, 38.559545 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike at the Euphrates Dam near al Tabaqa reportedly killed one named civilian worker.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, “an air raid launched by the international coalition yesterday on the area around the Euphrates Dam in al Tabaqa killing Hamidi al Abd al Majid al Nayef one of the employees at the dam.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamidi al Abd al Majid al Nayef
Adult 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 (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near the Euphrates Dam, Tabaqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37Sdv602682
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018
  • After a review of available information and the strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 15th – 16th: “Near Ar Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, an IED, a weapons storage facility, a storage facility, a VBIED facility, a UAV facility, a logistics facility, and an ammunition cache.”
For March 16th – 17th: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a vehicle, an ISIS-held building, and an oil refinement still.”

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 (4) [ collapse]