US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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US-led Coalition
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Iraq
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Incident Code

CS1635

Incident date

October 17, 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

Euphrates Post, amongst other sources, reported that “the bodies of Ramadhan Sheikh’s family were found in the rubble after being lost for nearly two months in the city of Raqqa. They’re from Jabila neighbourhood in Deir Ezzor”.

DCHRS listed eight victims, including Mr Ramadhan Sheikh, his wife and six of his children.

It is currently unclear at what point during the Raqqah campaign that the victims died. Despite this, Mohammed Ramadhan Sheikh Mohammed (60), has since been identified by a testimony with a relative of a victim that he died on the 27th of September 2017 alongside three other men. It is unclear when his wife and six children were killed. See Airwars incident CS1536 for details.

Ismail Akkush was also named in Airwars incident CS1535, with two other victims. He has also been removed from this incident.

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” (https://raqqa.amnesty.org/), stated that “An air strike killed four men who were burying their neighbour, Mohammed al-Wadi (47), who had been killed by Islamic State fighters the previous day, in another neighbour’s garden. During the war the dead were buried in parks and gardens, as it was impossible to reach the cemetery, which was outside Raqqa.” The garden belonged to Abdul Rahman al-Qantar.

The father of Abdallah al-Wadi gave a testimony to Amnesty International stating that, “My son was shot dead by Daesh (IS) fighters and the following morning four neighbours were burying him in the garden of a nearby house when an air strike killed all four of them.”

Amnesty International field notes claim that a “small impact radius missile” was fired on the vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

the wife of Ramadan al-Sheikh
Adult female killed
Child of Mr Ramadhan Sheikh 1
Child killed
Child of Mr Ramadhan Sheikh 2
Child killed
Child of Mr Ramadhan Sheikh 3
Child killed
Child of Mr Ramadhan Sheikh 4
Child killed
Child of Mr Ramadhan Sheikh 5
Child killed
Child of Mr Ramadhan Sheikh 6
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (6 children1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • 'The bodies of Ramadhan Sheikh's family were found in the rubble after being lost for nearly two months in the city of Raqqa. They’re from Jabila neighbourhood in Deir Ezzor' Via Euphrates Post
  • Mr. Ramadan Al-Sheikh's family were found underneath this rubble in Raqqa some two months after the battle finished (via Sharqiya Voice)

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 35.94804, 39.01182

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Unknown when deaths occurred.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (6 children1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI871

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3631, 41.0922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Al Qaim, Iraq.

Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike which destroyed one ISIS VBIED production facility, two ISIS support buildings and ISIS weapons cache it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

Airwars researchers later found one local source that also reported the bombing of three ISIS locations and seven cars.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 34.3957715, 40.9943684.  

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Qaim, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU924044
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • Oct. 17, 2017 near Al Qaim, Iraq via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed one ISIS VBIED production facility, two ISIS support buildings and ISIS weapons cache it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 16th-17th the Coalition stated that “Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed a VBIED factory.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1637

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

Al Heif neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.944, 39.008 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that 10 bodies were recovered in the Al Heif neighbourhood of Raqqa, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area around the Abu Al Heif gas station (كازیة أبو الهیف), for which the coordinates are: 35.944, 39.008.

  • Reports of the incident mention the area of Abu Al Heif gas station (كازیة أبو الهیف) in the neighbourhood of Al Heif

    Imagery:
    © 2018 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

Date of event currently unknown.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1645a RS2643

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

الغبرة, Al-Ghabra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.537778, 40.9125 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes struck a residential neighbourhood and popular market in Al-Ghabra – according to local media. As many as four civilians were killed and others were injured.

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the airstrikes, some attributing blame to Russian warplanes while others blamed the Syrian regime.  Some sources attributed blame to “military aircraft” or “warplanes”, therefore not stating a belligerent.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – who blamed the Coalition – one person was killed and two people were wounded including a child with several injuries.

Smart News reported a higher death toll and specified that that the raids killed two women, one man and one child and wounded others. Four victims were identified.

The strikes reportedly occurred after afternoon prayers.

Boukamalna, reported that “Hawija al-Ghabra junction” was also struck in the raids and a car transporting two civilians was hit.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, 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:

The wife of Faisal Al - Hardan
Adult female killed
The daughter of Hamoud al-Mujbil
Adult female killed
Hashim Abdul Hakim Al Hamdawi
Age unknown male
Ayham Hammoud Majabal al-Hilal
14 years old male died from wounds killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • 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
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a market struck by airstrikes in Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of a market struck by airstrikes in Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of a market struck by airstrikes in Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Hashim Abdul Hakim Al Hamdawi from the city of Albukamal , killed in an airstrike on Al-Ghabra, 17th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military 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
    37SFU755234
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Al-Ghabra, 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. 3162/CS1645a 37SFU755234

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • 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
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1638

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

Al Hadika al Baidaa neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9605703, 38.9976883 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that 21 bodies including women and children were recovered from the Hadika al Baidaa (White Garden) neighbourhood of Raqqa, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred.

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
    21
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)

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
    37SDV997795
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3153/CS1638 37SDV997795

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Date of event currently unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1639

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

Al Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961778, 39.006083 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that four bodies Al Badou neighbourhood of Raqqa, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred.

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
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)

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
    37SEV005797
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3154/CS1639 37SEV005797

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Date of event currently unknown.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1640

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

البدو, Clinics in Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.961778, 39.006083 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that four bodies were recovered from the Comprehensive Clinics area of Raqqa, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred.

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
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)
  • Bodies uncovered at the site of a mass grave. It is unclear when or how they died. (via Marsad Ar Raqqa)

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
    37SEV005797
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3155/CS1640 37SEV005797

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Date of event currently unknown

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1641

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Location

الملعب الاسود, Ar Raqqah: Baladi stadium, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.956944, 39.005833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Raqqa RWB reported that three bodies were recovered near Al Mala’ab (the stadium) in Raqqa, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred. According to the report the “initial response team” was unable to identify the names due to “SDF prohibiting filming and getting close to the area“.

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
    3
  • 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 (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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV005791
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Oct. 17, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3157/CS1641 37SEV005791

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Date of event currently unknown

Summary

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