US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

CS1537

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

Al Badou area, 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 an unspecififed number of civilians were wounded in a strike near the water company or water foundation in Raqqah’s al Badou neighbourhood.

The Step News Agency blamed the Coalition, while other sources also reported a raid on the area but did not apportion blame.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    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, Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the water company (مؤسسة المیاه) in the Al Badou neighbourhood (البدو) and the National Hospital in the city of Raqqa. The coordinates for the water company are: 35.957479, 39.011271; and the coordinates for the National Hospital are: 35.949994, 39.003815.

  • The water company (مؤسسة المیاه) in the Al Badou neighbourhood (البدو) and the National Hospital in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Badou, 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
Official source

For September 27th-28th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 33 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 23 fighting positions, a vehicle, and an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed three ISIS tactical units.” It additionally reported that “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions.” And that “On Sept. 27, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle, a logistics node and a headquarters.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1565

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Location

التوسعية, Al Tawassiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 16 to 45 people were killed in a mass civilian casualty incident on al Tawassi’ya neighbourhood, Raqqah city. Some reports said that a shelter in the Traffic park area had been struck, while others said two buildings were hit.

The lowest overall death toll of “at least 19” came from the Syrian Network for Human Rights; the second highest was 40 killed, including women and children, documented by Raqqa Post. All other sources documented 45 deaths. Every source blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack.

The Euphrates Post reported that 16 civilians from one family died in a “massacre” reportedly carried out by the Coalition on a “residential building” in al Tawassi’ya.

The airstrikes reportedly targeted buildings in an area in which civilians were situated according to Amir al-Abbad, an Al Jazeera correspondent.

Further detail was provided by @Q_Alensy who alleged that two buildings in the neighbourhood, west of Baladi Stadium were targeted by the Coalition resulting in the loss of civilian life. UNOCHA noted in a later report that “On 2 October, an airstrike hit a water well located in the outskirts of the Al-Tawassoiya area in the north of Ar-Raqqa city, reportedly killing 45 civilians.”

On February 13th, Reporters without Borders stated “a number of bodies” were recovered from the Al Tawassi’ya neighbourhood, near Al-Ansar mosque. After a query from an Airwars researcher, the local source confirmed that over 45 civilians had been killed. The organization later sent Airwars photos of the bodies that had been pulled from under the rubble.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19 – 45
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photos of bodies pulled from al Tawassouiya neighbourhood (via Reporters Without Borders)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Tawwasiya (التوسعیة), for which generic coordinates are: 35.9633318, 38.9806321. Reports also mention strikes on residential buildings close to the Traffic park, near the Al Ansar mosque (الأنصار), for which the coordinates are: 35.959724, 39.001615.

  • Airstrikes struck residential buildings close to the Traffic park near the Al-Ansar mosque (الأنصار)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

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
    19 – 45
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1597

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Location

التوسعية, Ar Raqqah: Tawwassoui'ya 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

Six civilians died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Tawaswiya neighbourhood, according to local media.

The citizen journalist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently documented: Omar Al-Ashqar, Yasser Bakour, Khalid Al Hussein and a girl whose name was not mentioned, as the victims.

News of their death came amidst reports of considerable aerial bombardment by the Coalition, activists told Smart “the Tawaswiya neighborhoods, the Bedouins and the White Garden” were hit by “about 20 coalition raids and 60 artillery and missile rounds from SD”.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee listed further victims.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Al-Ashqar
Adult male also known as Abu Lamis killed
Yasser Bakour
Age unknown male killed
Khalid Al Hussein
Age unknown male killed
Juma'a al-Hussein al-Barazi
Age unknown Name dby SHRC
Anas Ahmed al-Barazi
Age unknown Named by SHRC

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 child3 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة) in the city of Raqqa. The generic coordinates for this neighbourhood are: 35.9633318, 38.9806321.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة)

    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
    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
Official source

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
  • (1 child3 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1628

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

البدو, Raqqa city: Baidou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.959, 38.9999 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

13 civilians were killed – including nine from one family – due to the “bombing of the International Air Force on the city of Raqqa during the battle for control of the city”. Kurdish news agency Hawar later published an interview with a survivor named as Yazan Abdulrahman Mohammad, in which it was stated that in fact named nine family members had died in the event. According to the report itself, the family died during ISIS shelling of the building in which they were sheltering. However in the accompanying video interview, Mr Mohammad in fact blames their deaths on a “missile from a plane.” Field research done by Amnesty International reported that four of the victims were neighbours. Amnesty reported that nine family members died along with four neighbours in an airstrike on a four storey house in Hadeeqat al Bayda. This was their family home however the neighbours were Internally Displaced People.

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 interviewed Yazan about this incident and established the exact location of it. The report notes: “An airstrike on a four-storey building in the Hadeeqat al Bayda neighbourhood killed nine members of the Subhi family and four of their neighhours.” Yazan said the following: “Every one in my family was killed in the strike, as well as our next door neighbours, who had come to stay with us because their house had been bombed the previous day. 19 were killed in that strike.” The strike of the previous day, in which 19 members of the next door neighbours were killed can be found under the following incident code: CS1634. The investigation also found that the strike took place at 5pm on October 3rd, 2017, rather than on October 17, as Airwars had initially reported.

The incident occured at 17:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Abdelrahman Mohammed Ali Ibn Mohamed Subhi
56 years old male Yazan's father killed
Fatima Aziz Imu
49 years old female Wife of Abdelrahman Mohammed Ali Ibn Mohamed Subhi killed
Badria A’Rahman Mohammed Ali
45 years old female Sister of Badria A’Rahman Mohammed Ali killed
Safyah A’Rahman Mohammed Ali
55 years old female Sister of Abdelrahman Mohammed Ali Ibn Mohamed Subhi killed
Mohammed Subhi
77 years old male Father of Abdul Rahman killed
Hassan A’Rahman Mohammed Ali
12 years old male Son of Abdelrahman and Fatima, brother of Yazan killed
Marwa
12 years old female Daughter of Safyah A’Rahman Mohammed Ali killed
Walaa
10 years old female Daughter of Safyah A’Rahman Mohammed Ali killed
Fatima Barakah
73 years old female Abdelrahman's mother killed

Family members (3)

Abu Abdo
47 years old male neighbour staying with Subhi killed
Aya
17 years old female Abu Abdo's daughter killed
Mohammed
12 years old male Abu Abdo's son killed

The victims were named as:

Walid Abu Mohammed
37 years old male eighbour staying with Subhi killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (5 children4 women4 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]

  • Abdul Rahman Mohammed Ali and his wife, Fatima Amo, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqah, 16th October 2017 (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Building in which 13 civilians were killed, before the strike (September 29, 2017)

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • Building in which 13 civilians were killed, after the strike (October 10, 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 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

  • October 16, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 16th-17th it noted: “Near Raqqah, three strikes suppressed three ISIS communication lines.” The last reported strikes prior to this were on October 12th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (5 children4 women4 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

CS1657 RS2668

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two named civilians died and up to 23 others were wounded in an airstrike on al Busayrah according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame.

Baladi, Jisr TV and Sharqiya Voice all blamed the Coalition.

Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of the young man Abdul Muttalib Mohammed Hassan Al-Ali and the injury of his cousins: Abdul Qadir Taleb al-Hassan (critical injury), Yasser Abdul Samad Al Hassan and Abd al-Shafi Saleh al-Hassan. All casualties were the result of air strikes targeting the house of Abdul Samad Dawood al-Hassan”.

However 7al blamed Russia for carrying out six raids, putting the death toll at “two young people” and injury of 23 more.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aboud Talib Dawood Hassan Al Ali Ahmad Al Khalid
Adult male killed
The cousin of Martyr Abdul Muttali
Age unknown killed
Abdul Qadir Taleb al-Hassan
Age unknown male cousin of Aboud injured
Yasser Abdul Samad Al Hassan
Age unknown male cousin of Aboud injured
Abd al-Shafi Saleh al-Hassan
Age unknown male cousin of Aboud injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–23
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aboud Talib Dawood Hassan Al Ali Ahmad Al Khalid, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Busayrah, 1st November 2017. (via Deir free tweet)
  • A victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Busayrah, 1st November 2017. (via Euphrates)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of al Busayrah (البصيرة), 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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 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
Official source

For November 1st-2nd: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle. Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroying a fighting position and damaging a line of communication.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–23
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1720

Incident date

February 2, 2018

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.74226, 40.76953 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported the death of eleven civilians and seven or more wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra village, northwest of the town of Hajin.

A tweet from @BassamJaara was the only source with an estimated tally of more than 30 casualties, claiming that: “More than 30 people, mostly children and women, were killed by US air strikes on the village of Al-Bahra northwest of the Hajeen city of Deir Al-Zour yesterday.” A tweet by @CkmKZSiHpiYW0c1 mentioned “dozens” of civilians were injured by an “aerial bombardment of international coalition”.

Most other sources however, reported instead eleven slain and seven injured civilians – with some reports specifically mentioning “US airstrikes”.

According to a number of local reports, the strikes hit a hospital in the rural town. This was later also noted by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which said that the airstrikes rendered the makeshift hospital inoperable.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

In May 2019, the Coalition appear to have re-assessed this allegation, still resulting in a non-credible assessment. Their report noted, “after a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Photo of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra (via Ahmad Al Shbli).
  • The aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on a hospital in Al Bahra (via Ahmad Al Shbli).
  • A stills image from an ISIS proaganda video said to show Coalition strikes on al Bahra February 2nd 2018
  • Image from the SNHR published by Bellingcat showing the aftermath of an alleged coalition attack on a hospital in al-Bahra in Deir Ezzor on February 2nd, 2018.

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
    Other
  • Stated location
    near al-Bahra, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU619458
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • Feb. 2, 2018, near al-Bahra, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

  • Feb. 2, 2018, near al-Bahra, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 2nd the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 2 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS targets.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 30
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1750

Incident date

May 12, 2018

Location

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.03078, 41.05519 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to ten civilians were killed, including five women and four children, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hadaj.

A tweet by @NDhoms1 was the only source stating that “10 civilians, including 8 women and children” died. All other sources specifically mentioned the death of “five women and four children” as a result of a Coalition raid. A report by Eldorar made mention of “several others” injured in the attack.

Both Alikhbaria.Sy – a pro-regime news organisation – and RT Arabic mentioned the strike on Hadaj and the above-mentioned incident in al Hammadi, CS1749, in the same report.

However, the US-led Coalition publicly reported no air or artillery strikes in Hassakah governorate for this date.

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 incident was first reported on May 12, 2018 at 5:00 am by .

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (4 children5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'Washington-based international coalition planes are committing a massacre in the village of Hadaj in the southern countryside of province, killing 10 civilians, including 8 women and children'

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hadaj (هداج), for which the coordinates are: 36.030780, 41.055190

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
    37SFV851893
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • May 12, 2018, in Hadaj, 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. 3168/CS1750 37SFV851893

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 12th, the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in the Hasaka governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (4 children5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

CS1781

Incident date

July 16, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten or thirteen civilians, including women and children, were killed when the village of al Baghouz was targeted by alleged Coalition airstrikes, two local sources said.

According to Sound and Picture, Coalition aircraft targeted a “civilian gathering” on the morning of July 16th and reported an initial toll of “10 martyrs from one family, mostly children and women.”

Step News Agency also identified the Coalition as the culprit, but reported a higher tally of thirteen civilians killed and an unspecified number of civilians injured, “including serious cases”. A correspondent for the media outlet specifically noted that the incident took place “after the bombing of al Sousse” – referencing event CS1780.

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 incident occured between 7:00 am and 12:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 13
  • (3 children3 women)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident (first reported at noon, July 16) mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a civilian gathering in the town of al Baghouz, for which the coordinates are: 34.4641667, 40.9452778

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
    37SFU786153
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • July 16, 2018, in Baghouz, 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. 3172/CS1781 37SFU786153

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition publicly reported at the time that: “On July 16 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of four engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, four strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed one Daesh vehicle, two Daesh supply routes and one Daesh-held building."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

From July 11th to 17th, France report that Task Force Wagram carried out six artillery ‘shooting missions’ in the Euphrates Valley. In total since the start of the offensive on May 1st, it’s conducted 195 shooting missions. Aircraft conducted 24 sorties but there were no airstrikes.

‘IRAK – SYRIE – CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie En Syrie, l’offensive contre les deux dernières emprises territoriales de Daech a marqué un temps d’arrêt durant quelques jours, afin de stabiliser les zones récemment libérées. L’objectif des forces démocratiques syriennes reste d’éviter que des éléments de Daech ne se laissent dépasser et tentent de conduire des actions sur leurs arrières. L’offensive a depuis repris. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak Pour contrer l’organisation terroriste, plusieurs opérations sont menées par les forces de sécurité irakienne en Ninive et dans le désert de l’Anbar. Elles ont permis cette semaine la destruction de plusieurs tunnels, la mise hors de combat de dizaines de terroristes et la neutralisation de nombreux engins explosifs improvisés. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes Élaboré à la demande de l’état-major de la 6e division irakienne, un stage « combat en zone urbaine » a été conduit par la Task Force Monsabert du 9 au 12 juillet. Le format retenu pour cette instruction résulte de l’analyse des retours d’expériences français et irakiens sur l’importance de la maîtrise des actes élémentaires du combat en zone urbaine. Cette formation couvre les techniques de progression, de sécurisation de bâtiment, ainsi que l’ensemble des savoir-faire caractéristiques du combat en zone urbaine. Ce stage, qui s’inscrit dans une dynamique de long terme, devrait contribuer chaque mois à la formation de quinze soldats des bataillons commando de la 24e brigade. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate Les artilleurs de la Task Force Wagram demeurent engagés en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Depuis le lancement de l’offensive le 1er mai, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 195 missions de tirs, dont 6 sur la semaine écoulée (bilan du 11 au 17 juillet inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1854 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des operations Sur la semaine écoulée, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 24 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 11 au 17 juillet inclus). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8238 sorties / 1453 frappes / 2244 objectifs neutralisés.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 13
  • (3 children3 women)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]