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
Country
Iraq
Syria
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Incident Code

CS1455

Incident date

September 8, 2017

Location

النهضة, Nahdah neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9560544, 38.9925385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 11 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a school in Raqqah’s Al Nahda neighbourhood, local media reported.

Baladi and Al Hasaka Rasd put the death toll at nine – both blaming the US-led Coalition.

According to RT Arabic, “The Syrian government has accused the international coalition of committing a new massacre against the citizens of Syria and killing 11 civilians, including 3 children, in a raid on a school in the northern city of Raqqa.

The US-led coalition aircraft ‘targeted a school in Al-Nahda neighborhood in the western part of the city of Al-Raqqa, where a number of families were sheltering’ said the state-run SANA news agency, quoting unnamed sources. SANA claimed that the bombing resulted in ‘the deaths of 11 civilians, including the family of a man and his wife and three children, in addition to a number of wounded.’”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

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 September 7th – 8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes destroyed 11 ISIS fighting positions and a command and control node and suppressed three fighting positions.” It was additionally reported that “On Sept. 7, near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions, 15 vehicles, four VBIEDs and suppressed four fighting positions.”

For September 8th - 9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 40 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, four logistics node, two vehicles, an ISIS communication line, a mortar system, a command and control node and suppressed four fighting positions.” It was additionally reported that “On Sept. 8, near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 vehicles, six logistics nodes, four fighting positions, and an IED; and suppressed three fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

'Thursday 7 September - Tornados destroyed a truck, a fuel depot and a terrorist accommodation block in northern Iraq, while Typhoons attacked a machine-gun team in Raqqa ... On Thursday 7 September, Tornados patrolled over northern Iraq . A couple of miles north-east of Hawijah , a truck carrying a group of extremists was successfully targeted using a Brimstone missile. Our aircraft were then tasked with the destruction of a fuel depot near Sharqat where Daesh had been spotted refueling truck-bombs, as well. Both were struck with Paveway IVs. Over Raqqa , Typhoons flew further to the Syrian Democratic Forces, successfully bombing a light machine-gun position. '

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

'Friday 8 September - has Reaper killed two terrorists setting up an ambush north-east of Dayr az Zawr in Syria , and eliminated Reviews another group in a small building nearby ... A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft Conducted armed reconnaissance over a Largely desert area Some twenty miles North-East Dayr Az Zawr on Friday 8 September. Two terrorists were tracked on a motorcycle as they gathered weapons and headed out to an apparent ambush position. They were both killed by a single Hellfire missile. Not far away, another small group of terrorists were seen entering a small building, and also eliminated with a Hellfire.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1482 RS2440

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

طابية شامية, Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2508364, 40.2988037 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that five people were killed following airstrikes on Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Three of those who died were named in two separate reports from Euphrates Post.

Sources said the location of the incident was the “water crossing” at Tabiyeh Shamieh. According to the Syrian Observatory some civilians were “permanently disabled” following the strikes, “while others who were injured are still critical” with the death toll expected to rise. The Observatory referred to both Russian and Coalition planes at work in the vicinity, though did not specify who was to blame for the Tabiyeh Shamieh incident specifically.

There remains significant confusion in reporting. Euphrates Post and Sydusyria alleged Russian forces of being solely responsible; Step and Shaam News Network did not specify a culprit – Shaam claimed “all planes were bombing” whilst Step described a “bombardment of dozens of raids”.

Smart reported Russia had targeted the area in, conjunction with the Regime, The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged the US-led Coalition responsible for the attack and resultant loss of civilian life.

A Smart report quoted a statement from the Russians, “The ministry said in a statement that the Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino submarines in the eastern part of the Mediterranean had targeted “locations” of the Islamic State in the south-eastern Deir es-Zour countryside (without specifying the location)”. It is unclear whether this statement relates to the incident at Tabiyeh Shamieh water crossing.

Shaam said that none of the planes (Russia, Coalition or the Regime) “have taken any notice of the lives of children, women and the elderly” as they bomb areas besieged by so-called Islamic State in Deir al-Ghazal countryside.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalila Mohammed Al-Mutlaq
Age unknown female killed
Fatima Taha Aliawi al Obeid
Age unknown killed
Muhammad al-Mutlaq Abu Jassim
Adult male killed
Abdullah Taha al-Aleiwi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women2 men)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Muhammad al-Mutlaq Abu Jassim, killed in an airstrike onTabiyeh Shamieh, Sept 14th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a river crossing near the village of Tabiyeh Shamieh (طابیة شامیة), for which the coordinates are: 35.2508364, 40.2988037. A river crossing west of the village can be found here: 35.258551, 40.279398. One source also mentions a water well, which points to another possible location of a river crossing near a water pumping station: 35.259401, 40.290508

  • Two possible river crossings in the vicinity of the village of Tabiyeh Shamieh (طابیة شامیة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 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
    Not yet assessed

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 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women2 men)
  • 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

CS1511

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Location

Al Nahda neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9560544, 38.9925385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah’s Al Nahda neighbourhood, according to local media.

The victims were named by multiple sources.

Palmyra Media Centre reported the rest of the family were presently unaccounted for.

In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible, noting “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.

The victims were named as:

Najah Abdo Al Talib
Adult female killed
Amal Abdo Al Talib
Adult female killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Nahda (النهضة), in the city of Raqqa. The generic coordinates for that neighbourhood are: 35.9560544, 38.9925385.

  • The neighbourhood of Al Nahda (النهضة) 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
    Other
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV993791
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 27, 2019

  • Sep. 19, 2017, near Raqqa, 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
Official source

For September 18th-19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, six strikes destroyed 25 ISIS vehicles, five fighting positions, a command and control node and a logistics node.” It additionally reported that “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 that “On Sept. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position.”

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. Additionally, 16 strikes consisting of 20 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 19 that closed within the last 24 hours. 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
  • (2 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 (7) [ collapse]

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]