US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
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Incident Code

CS1151a

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Location

الحسينية, Al Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.358711, 40.151682 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Coalition airstrikes allegedly struck the towns of Al Husseiniya, Baghiliya, Mara’iyah around the same time. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that International Coalition warplanes shelled areas in Al-Husseiniya, killing two men in in Al-Husseiniya and wounding an unknown number of others.

Not other details are known.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV046134
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • July 3, 2017, in Al Hussainiya, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3119/CS1151a 37SFV046134

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 31 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS well-head.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS738 CS192

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949949, 39.007363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a second day of airstrikes on Raqqa, 43 civilians were reported killed and 60 injured – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one report suggesting this may be a Coalition incident.

The Daesh agency Al A’maq said there had been nine raids by Russia on various “crowded” neighborhoods in the city, killing 43 and wounding 60. They published graphic footage of the event. Al Jazeera also blamed Russia, reporting that warplanes had carried out nine raids, killing more thna 40 and injuring dozens more.

An initial report by Shaam News Network spoke of a “terrible massacre against unarmed civilians conducted by air raids thought to be Russian“. However, a second report said this was either a Russian or Coalition incident: “…the city came under dozens of air raids from aircraft believed to be a Russian or an international coalition.” A subsequent report by SNN also referred to the incident in Raqqa on March 18th, adding: “Activists said the air raids targeted civilian areas and public squares directly away from the headquarters of the organization, resulting in 20 martyrs yesterday [March 18th], but today more than 20 have been killed and dozens more wounded, packing the hospitals in the city.” It said that the focus of the airstrikes was “on Karnak Square in Tel Abiyad Street and Al Ferdous neighbourhood, Al Mourour street and Al Sina’iya area and al Thakana“.

Initial reports by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently did not say who who carried out the raids, though  further reports alleged Russia was responsible for nine strikes – killing 43 civilians and wounding 60 more – which targeted the following areas:

1.Alkarnak Square in Tel Abyad Street – targeted with three missiles, one of them behind behind Alandalus bakery, another on the square and a third on Alkarnak mall.

2. Alssinaea area

3. The area next to Alnnawawi mosque.

4. The park of 4th of April, Alsleby building

5. Neighborhood of althukna – Hospitality Palace Road

6. Alfirdaws neighborhood – the Chamber of Commerce – the corner of the children’s park

9. National Hospital

10. Panorama area

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the regime was to blame:”The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has accused the Assad regime of targeting civilian areas in IS-controlled areas. It said that the regime carried out airstrikes against Raqqa, an IS stronghold, on March 18 and 19, killing 32 civilians, including six children. The targets were civilian areas, with no military or weapons facilities in the vicinity.”

Sky News – citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – reported: “At least 39 people, including five children and seven women, were killed in an air strike which targeted several areas in the Syrian city of Raqqa.The Syrian Observatory said it was unclear whether the warplanes were Russian regime.”

Both the BBC and France24 also cited the Observatory in their reports.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Al-Rashed
Age unknown male killed
Zahra al-Faihan, mother of Mohammed Al-Rashed
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Ruba, daughter of Abu Waddah Al-Sukhni
Age unknown female killed
Amira, daughter of Abu Waddah Al-Sukhni
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Issa Al Karat
Adult male Agricultural engineer killed
Abdallah Mahmoud al Nijm
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Al Rawaba
70 years old male killed
Mohammad Khalaf Al Zagheer
Age unknown male From the village of al Assadiya killed
Ammar Al-Mufdi
Age unknown male killed
Um Muhannad
Adult female Wife of Haj Mohammed killed
Aziza Al-Qadro
Age unknown female killed
Hamudi, son of Abu Mohammed
Age unknown male killed
Ali, son of Um Waddah
Age unknown male killed
Tala’at Mohammad Amin Hussein al Assa’ad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 43
  • (5 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The al Lailat building in al Thakana neighbourhood, Raqqa, after it was targeted by a raid on March 19th (via RBSS)
  • 'The agricultural engineer Issa Al Karat martyred in the air raids on the city of Raqqa this morning [Mar 19th]' (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Raqqa (via al-Jazeera)
  • Mohammad Khalaf Al Zagheer, victim of the air strikes targeting Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Abdallah Mahmoud al Nijm, victim died in air strikes fired on Al Mrour Street in Raqqa (via SN4HR)
  • Tala’at Mohammad Amin Hussein al Assa’ad, victim of the air strikes targeting Raqqa (via Palmyra News Network facebook page)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 19t-20th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • March 19, 2016, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2925/CS192 37SEV008784

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 43
  • (5 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS955b

Incident date

June 9, 2017

Location

شارع النور, Al Nour Mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.956623, 38.993065 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five people were killed due to an airstrike that destroyed their home near the Al Nour mosque. Some of their names were initially reported on by several local sources (RBSS, RFS, Step News Agency) in connection to incident CS955a. During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field researchers were able to identify 2 different airstrikes that happened in the area, in which people of 4 different families were killed. This one, on June 9th, 2017 at 12:30 killed 2 children, 2 women and a man and one person was injured. The War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality report notes: “Five people – 2 children, 2 women and a man – were killed when their home was destroyed by an airstrike at 12.30 am. Wathna Turkmani, a midwife, lived on the third floor but was staying with her aunt on the ground floor for fear of airstrikes. Her aunt, Fadwa Al Mammo, was injured and left paralysed.” She told Amnesty investigators: “My seven-year-old daughter and my friend, also a midwife who had been displaced from her home were both killed as well as my cousin and his wife and their baby son. This war killed so many innocent civilians.”

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

The incident occured at 00:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mahmoud Faruq al-Khalaf
31 years old male husband of Salam killed
Salam Matar al-Hind
20s years old female wife of Mahmoud killed
Assad Faruq al-Khalaf
5 months years old male son of Mahmoud and Salam killed

The victims were named as:

Tala Turkmani
7 years old female daughter of Wathna Turkmani killed
Hanan Hamzeh
38 years old female friend of Wathna Turkmani killed
Fadwa Al Mammo
Adult female aunt of Wathna Turkmani injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (47) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Mahmoud Farouk al-Khalafand his four-month child died in an alleged Coalition strike on Al Nour street, June 10th, according to sources (via Raqqa Ahluna)
  • Hanan Mohamed Ali Hassan Hamza, reportedly victim of the alleged Coalition strikes targeting areas near the Mosque Al-Nour, Ragga (via Raqqa Ahluna facebbok)
  • Building near Barazi pharmacy where 5 were killed (via Amnesty International)
  • Aftermath of the place that was targeted by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via Q_Alenzy twitter)
  • Destruction caused by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via Q_Alenzy twitter)
  • Image of the destruction caused by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image of the destruction caused by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image of the destruction caused by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image of the destruction caused by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image of the destruction caused by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image of the destruction caused by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image of the destruction caused by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image of the destruction caused by the alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured or killed civilian caused by alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured or killed civilian caused by alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian victim of by alleged Coalition strikes in Al Noor Street behind Al Barazi Pharmacy in Al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Al-nour mosque, before and after the alleged Coalition strikes (via Sound and picture facebook)
  • A picture showing the destruction of Al-Nour mosque and the area near Al-Barazi pharmacy (via Sharqiya voice facebook)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before the strike on July 2, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • After the strike on July 6, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

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 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 June 9th-10th: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, a VBIED, and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally added that “On June 9, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two VBIEDs, two weapons caches, and an ISIS staging area.”

For June 10th-11th: “Near Raqqah, 17 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, four vehicles, two ISIS front-end loaders, two ISIS headquarters, an ISIS UAS and an ISIS barge.” It additionally reported that “On June 10, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged 9 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, a tunnel, a weapons storage facility, and a command and control node; damaged an ISIS factory; and suppressed a sniper.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Saturday 10 June – In Raqqa, a Reaper struck a group of terrorists engaged in a fire fight with Syrian Democratic Forces, and Typhoons hit two tunnel entrances…The following day [June 10th] , a Reaper intervened in a fire fight in western Raqqa between the SDF and a group of Daesh fighters. The Reaper hit the latter with a very effective Hellfire attack. The same day, Paveway-armed Typhoons struck two entrances to a network of tunnels built beneath a factory in the north-east of the city.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (47) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS013

Incident date

October 16, 2014

Location

كبيبة, Kabiba, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1244954, 41.0433769 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major night time coalition air raid targeting oil facilities used by Islamic State, five civilians including a 7- or 10-year old boy were reported killed. The dead were later named by various sources.

In a detailed report on the event, SN4HR later noted: “Those civilians are from Kabiba town and they work on selling oil to the traders, owners of the primitive oil refineries and power planes. SN4HR documented the killing of five civilians, including a child that was with his father at the site, in addition to six injured who all were oil traders and tanker drivers. Also the shelling caused fires in many vehicles and cars. Investigations showed that there were ISIS fighters and military vehicles [present] at the time of the attack.”

Six months after the event CENTCOM opened an investigation into the incident at the prompting of the US State Department – which had forwarded a copy of the SN4HR report. A review of full motion video and post strike images was deemed “inconclusive,” with investigators noting that “Information has been preserved if we receive anything further.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Raed Mohammed Eid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Saleh Al-Ahmad Al-Nasser
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mahidi As-Saleh Mohammad Al-Khalil
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Allawi Al-Hams
Age unknown male killed
Laith Al Khalif al Mashieh
Child male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photo which appeared with the news piece about the incident on the Free Syrian Army's website which is no longer available. Airwars couldn't verify whether the photo was in Kabiba or from a previous shelling elsewhere.

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
    Al Hasakeh, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • SNHR. The FMV and post-strike images are iNoNlusive.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1934

Incident date

October 2, 2019

Location

الطيانة, Al Tayyana, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.993798, 40.548059 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two people were killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Tayyana, Deir Ezzor governorate, in the night of October 2nd 2019. Nedaa and Deirezzor24 reported that international coalition forces launched raids and searches in cooperation with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

A reporter of Deir Ezzor 24 noted that an airdrop operation took place and that “the operation targeted a house where a number of ISIS operatives were gathering”.

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

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Tayyana (الطيانة), for which the coordinates are: 34.993798, 40.548059

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU410725
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 2, 2019, in Al Tayyana, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2852/CS1934 37SFU410725

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI021

Incident date

December 13, 2014

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.437441, 43.286666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event previously unreported by Airwars, Coalition reported an unspecified open source as publishing a picture of a dead child “without any identification of original location”.

According to provisional analysis “There was one airstrike in Ramadi on 13 December (strike #1266) which was unlikely to have caused the death.” No further action was recorded by CENTCOM.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Fallujah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Pictures show dead child without any identification of original location. There was one airstrike in Ramadi on 13 Dec (Strike #1266) which was unlikely to have caused the death.

Summary

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

CS1964

Incident date

September 26, 2021

Location

الزر, Al Zir, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.125270, 40.428640 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one young man, a civilian, was killed and two to three other civilians were injured in alleged Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces raids on the village of Al Zir on September 26, 2021. Two to three others were arrested in the raids but it is unclear if they were civilians or members of ISIS.

Euphrates Post reported that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Coalition forces “raided Mishaal al-Qubba’s house in al-Mankar neighborhood in the center of al-Zar village and arrested Malik Khalil al-Munkar and Anas Hamidi al-Munkar, in addition to injuring two other civilians who were near the place”. The home of the al-Qubba family was burned down before the forces withdrew.

Deir Ezzor 24 added that the attacking forces first called through the loudspeaker for the targets in the house to surrender themselves but when they refused, clashes broke out. The wanted persons were allegedly members of ISIS.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the house targeted as “hosting ISIS affiliated members” and added that “three people in the house were wounded” but did not specify if those wounded were members of ISIS.

According to Euphrates Eye, Muhammad Abadi Al-Saleh Al-Mankar, “a civilian who does not belong to any military faction,” died from his injuries sustained during the operation and the SDF handed over his body to his family.

A “Jisr” correspondent also identified Ali Basil Abadi Al-Saleh (likely the same man as mentioned above) as being shot and then arrested by the SDF, and he later died. The family of the young man reported that he was only 18 years old, worked with his brothers raising livestock and had no connections with ISIS.

Euphrates Eye published the identities of men arrested in the raid, referring to them as the “village’s civilians”: Mazen Jassim Al-Mankar (a civilian with a neurological disease) ), Faris Al-Huwaili (a civilian driver of a private car) and Ibn Hijab.

The Coalition spokesperson Col. Wayne Marotto tweeted that “.@Coalition successfully conducted another raid in the vicinity of Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria today resulting in the death of 3 Daesh terrorists, & the detention of 2 associates.” It is possible that the “detention of 2 associates” refers to this incident.

A correspondent for Furat Network pointed out that the operation “involved several helicopters and a warplane that opened the sound barrier, causing panic and fear among the people, while targeting the landing area with heavy machine guns” and Euphrates Eye put the specific count at five coalition helicopters, accompanied by drones. All of the sources attributed the strikes to the Coalition and/or SDF.

In a civilian casualty assessment released November 3, 2023, the Coalition classed this event as a ‘duplicate’, claiming that “This allegation was assessed in allegation 3303 and deemed “not credible.” The allegation was closed as a duplicate due to a lack of any new information that would change the initial assessment.”

The incident occured at approximately 2:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Abadi Al-Saleh Al-Munkar محمد عبادي الصالح المنكار
18 years old male Also referred to as Ali Basil Abadi Al-Saleh killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The young man, Muhammad Abadi Al-Saleh Al-Munkar, allegedly killed by SDF and Coalition forces in a raid on Al Zir on September 26, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Zir (الزر), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.125270, 40.428640. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 3, 2023

  • September 26, 2021, near Al Zir, Syria, via Airwars report. This allegation was assessed in allegation 3303 and deemed “not credible.” The allegation was closed as a duplicate due to a lack of any new information that would change the initial assessment. 3309/CS1964 37SFU3272084763

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

@Coalition successfully conducted another raid in the vicinity of Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria today resulting in the death of 3 Daesh terrorists, & the detention of 2 associates. We will continue to hunt them down, prevent acts of violence & derail their efforts to regroup.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS051

Incident date

February 4, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An internal CENTCOM review cited claims from a redacted Twitter user that “Coalition aircraft killed an entire family in an airstrike on Ar Raqqah ‘in response to the killing of Jordanian pilot Mu’adh al-Kasasibah.’ The allegation was accompanied by an attached photo showing the alleged victims wrapped in white cloth.“

An internal review found that there had been no Coalition strikes at Ar Raqaa since February 2nd 2015, noting that the claims were “Not credible. No further inquiry required.”

A search by Airwars found no additional claims of civilian casualties at the time, though it was reported that the Coalition had stepped up surveillance over the city on February 4th: “Activists reported several coalition surveillance planes flying over the city starting from dawn today, at a time that IS is fortifying its military presence in the city of Raqqa and Tal Abiyad. The organisation has announced a curfew for civilians from 11 pm until dawn.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Social media. Unfounded, no air strikes in vicinity.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]