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

CS1426

Incident date

August 28, 2017

Location

Tarif, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.546614, 39.858012 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One named civilian died and others were wounded in airstrikes on Tarif in the western suburbs of Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Assad regime or Russia were to blame.

Step News Agency blamed the Coalition and said that white phosphorous was used. It named one victim, adding that three houses were destroyed in the strike.The victim was also named by @DeirEzzor24 and Hasaka Rasd.

However, The majority of sources (Fresh Syria, Smart News and Micro Syria) pointed towards the regime.

According to Micro Syria, “the aircraft bombed at dawn today the houses of civilians in the town under the control of the Islamic State, killing civilians and wounding others. Sources did not specify the number of deaths, but noted the destruction of three houses completely.”

But Jisrtv and Baladi said that the strikes was likely carried out by Russian warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Ramadan Habash
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the contested Coalition or Russian airstrike in Deir Ezzor, 28th August 2017. (via @SalamaAlhussein)
    xxx

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Tarif (طريف) village. Open source maps give the location for Tarif (طريف) as: 35.531451, 39.903867.

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 Tarif, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 28th-29th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an explosives facility and a weapons cache.” and “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS front-end loader.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 28, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS chemical weapons cache.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.(@EtatMajorFR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI840

Incident date

September 7, 2017

Location

Rawah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.473919, 41.915991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that an unidentified aircraft carried out an airstrike on a residential district in Rawa, killing up to seven civilians and wounding three more.

Yaqin was the only source to attribute responsibility, blaming Iraqi forces, There was shelling by government aircraft targeting residential areas in the district of Rawa, west of Anbar, killing seven civilians from one family, mostly children.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the destruction following an airstrike on a residential district in Rawa, killing at least seven civilians and three injured (via Al-rafiden news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an unknown residential neighbourhood in the town of Rawa (رواة), for which the coordinates are: 34.473919,41.915991

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 Rawah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 6th – 7th the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed two ISIS front-end loaders.”

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
    6 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1479

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An adult civilian male (pictured) died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah, local sources said.

There is limited information, however all sources cited the Coalition as the culprit. Mr Hareth’s death was reported on October 7th, though it was stated he had died “nearly a month ago.” Airwars has tentatively placed the data range at September 10th to 15th, and will amend the entry when new information arises.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Hareth
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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ibrahim Hareth (via raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 9th – 10th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 34 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 21 fighting positions, 16 vehicles, four heavy machine guns, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and engineering equipment; and suppressed six fighting positions.
Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, two logistics nodes, and a vehicle; and suppressed two fighting positions."
For September 11th – 12th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 31 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, 17 vehicles, three logistics nodes, an ISIS headquarters, an IED, and a command and control node. For September 12th – 13th the Coalition reported.
Near Raqqah, 56 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 56 fighting positions, three logistics nodes, and two vehicles; and suppressed a fighting position."
For September 13th – 14th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 29 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 21 fighting positions, a VBIED, and an ISIS UAS; and suppressed four ISIS tactical units."
For September 14th – 15th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three vehicles, and a command and control node; and suppressed two fighting positions"
For September 15th-16th the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine ISIS supply routes, eight fighting positions, a vehicle, a logistics node and suppressed two fighting positions.
On Sept. 14, near Raqqah, Syria, 31 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed 25 fighting positions, 25 vehicles, three ISIS supply routes, two logistics nodes, ISIS engineering equipment, and an IED."

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1508

Incident date

September 18, 2017

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

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “International Coalition warplanes bombed Al-Raqqah city after midnight on Monday – Tuesday. This resulted in the death of two persons at least and the injury of others”.

The monitor said fighting was taking place “in areas in the vicinity of the centre of Al-Raqqah city, and in the north-east of the city and areas in the western section of it.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة‎), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 17th – 18th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units, destroyed 44 vehicles and 13 fighting positions, damaged 13 supply routes and a VBIED, and suppressed two fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 17, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes destroyed six ISIS fighting positions and a logistics node.” And that “On Sept. 17, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed seven fighting positions.”

For September 19th - 20th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed 28 fighting positions, three vehicles, two ISIS communications infrastructure items and an ISIS headquarters" It later added "On Sept. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 42 strikes engaged 23 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 23 fighting positions, eight vehicles, three VBIEDs, two ISIS UAS systems, and a command and control node; and suppressed four fighting positions" and "On Sept. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 15 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed 17 vehicles, 13 fighting positions, and suppressed a fighting position"

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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

CS1534

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

White Garden area, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.960556, 38.9975 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 29 and 35 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the al Hadika al Baidaa area of Raqqah, according to local media.

@24Raqqa put the death toll at 29, “including women and children”.

But according to Raqqa Now and Almanar, more than 35 died. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    29 – 35
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area around the White Garden/Al Hadika Al Bayda (الحدیقة البیضا) in the city of Raqqa. The coordinates for this area are: 35.960556, 38.9975.

  • Al Hadika Al Bayda (الحدیقة البیضا) area in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 35 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 26 fighting positions, four vehicles, four ISIS supply routes, a heavy machine gun and suppressed five ISIS tactical units.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 26, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 16 VBIEDs, three vehicles, two ISIS supply routes, a fighting position and suppressed two fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    29 – 35
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1562

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Location

التوسعية, Al Tawassoy’ia neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9633318, 38.9806321 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On January 30th several sources reported the exhumation of a whole family from under the ruins of their own house in Al Tawassoy’ia neighbourhood of Raqqah city. According to all reports, Mohammed Anwar al-Jabeen, his wife and four children, “Bashar, Abboud, Bushra, Ibrahim” died as a result of bombing by the US-led Coalition.

The date of the death of the victims remained unidentified for many years until the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” was published reporting that the family had been killed in an incident on 8th October 2017, where the family were killed with a total of 26 deaths following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Qunaitir Building. They have therefore been removed from this incident and reside in S1411a.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

Summary

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

  • Mohammed Anwar al-Jabeen
  • Mohammed Anwar al-Jabeen, his wife and four children

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 1st – 2nd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed 16 fighting positions, 11 vehicles; and disrupted two supply routes.” It additionally added that “Near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

CS1594

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Location

بتاني, Ar Raqqah: Bitani roundabout, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.960554, 39.011972 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of six, the mother Amal al Huwaidi and her five children died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the al Batani roundabout area in al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah city.

The source Mohammed Alabdullah did not apportion blame, however all others alleged the US-led Coalition responsible.

The family were, according to Amnesty International fieldnotes, realted to the al-Sayer family and the Al-Sheikh family, 22 of whom were killed in August 2017 due to Coalition airstrikes.

Research stated that “Amal Hammuda al-Huwaidi, a 42-year-old widow and her five children, aged 12 to five, were killed when an air strike destroyed the upper floor of the house where she and her family were sheltering. Her parents and her sister-in-law were on the ground floor of the same house and were not harmed.”

Khaled, the brother who survived the airstrikes gave a testimony to Amnesty International questioning “How can it be acceptable to bomb a house full of women and children? Such actions are unacceptable. Was it a mistake? Nobody had apologised for it.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

42 years old female teacher and widow killed
12 years old male Amal's child killed
11 years old male Amal's child killed
6 years old female Amal's child killed
5 years old male Amal's child killed
8 years old female Amal's child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Abdel Rahman, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 6th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Amal Huwaidi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 6th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Hamed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 6th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Houda, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 6th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Children of Amal Huwaidi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 6th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • House of Amal Huwaidi and her children. (via Amnesty)
  • House of Amal Huwaidi and her children. (via Amnesty)
  • House of Amal Huwaidi and her children. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 5th-6th, the Coalition reported that “Near Raqqah, 29 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed 23 fighting positions, two vehicles, a supply route, an IED, damaged a vehicle and suppressed three fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 5, near Raqqah, Syria, 10 strikes disrupted three ISIS supply routes, damaged five fighting positions, destroyed one fighting position, and suppressed one fighting position and one ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On Oct 5, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike damaged an ISIS fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1626

Incident date

October 15, 2017

Location

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.15618, 40.42716 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A young man died following alleged airstrikes on the village of al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor governorate, according to local media.

Reports said that up to five other civilians died in addition to Abdul and that people were fleeing the town while air raids were carried out. A later report from Sharqiya Voice named two families of the sons of Hassan Al-Ali Al-Ta’imat as killed.

It is not clear who was responsible for the offensive as sources did not apportion blame. Deir Ezzor 24 reported aircraft launched raids in an attempt to move to areas of control the SDF.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes – which may be Russian or belonging to the Coalition – bombed areas in the al-Bokamal city which are located on the Syrian – Iraqi border in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, causing the death of an Iraqi family who took refuge in the ISIS-controlled city. The family consisted of six people including a woman and three children.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Via Deir Ezzor 24 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention internally displaced people being struck as they fled the town of Al Busayrah (البصیرة), for which the coordinates are: 35.15618, 40.42716. 

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 Busayrah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 14th-15th the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in Deir Ezzor.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]