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

TS047 CS441

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

بزاعة , Beza’a city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3829071, 37.56666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians including two children from the same family died in an airstrike on Beza’a city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Turkey or the US-led Coalition.

Aleppo Media Center reported that “the child Hamdo al Bakir and an entire family made up of seven people” died following Turkish raids.

LCCSY instead said that civilians died as result of Turkish bombing on the city, as did Micro Syria. Sawa_sawanews  also blamed Turkey, putting the death toll at nine.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the Coalition. It said that “at least seven civilians died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Beza’a city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, January 12, 2017, SNHR has yet to verify the news.” Al Amawi news also attrubited blame to the Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Daughter of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Child female named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Mohammad, son of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Abd al Jawwad Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al HadathBrother of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i killed
Hamdo al Bakir
Child male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • "The death of Hamdou al-Bakir and a whole family of seven people in the town of Bazaa in the eastern Aleppo countryside following Turkish air strikes targeting the region on Thursday." (via AleppoAMC)
  • Abd al Jawwad Yassin, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)
  • Mohammad the son of Abd al SAttar and a child, the daughter of Abd al Sattar, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)
  • Abd al Sattar Yassin, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beza’a city ( بزاعة ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3829071, 37.56666. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Fir Jan 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: "Near Manbij, two strikes damaged a vehicle and a mortar system."

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1620a

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.953579, 39.012285 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported on an incident previously unidentified by Airwars.

An uncle and nephew were killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit them whilst they were on a motorbike. The airstrike occurred between 3 and 4pm, and there were no reported injured civilians.

According to the brother of the victim, Abdelmin’am, in a testimony he gave to Amnesty researchers, “My brother was going on an errand with my sister’s son; they were riding a small motorbike and were both killed in a coalition strike. I don’t know what was the target, and they could not know either.”

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The incident occured between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Zakaria Hmeidi
22 years old male son of sister of Mahmoud killed
Mahmoud Abdellatif Hmeidi
55 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Location reported by Amnesty during field research “Jerdawi shop (sajjad shop) on Tal Abyad Street cross with Amassi Street.”

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
  • Stated location
    in Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV011788
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • Oct. 11, 2017, in Raqqa, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Near Ar Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, damaged nine fighting positions, destroyed 11 fighting positions, 12 vehicles, two communication nodes and one ISIS supply route.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

RS950 CS243

Incident date

June 27, 2016

Location

الخفسة, Al Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2308082, 38.021965 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 13 civilians died in airstrikes on Al Khafssa, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the US-led Coalition or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The majority of sources, including HNN, @AJABreaking and @HalabNewsN blamed Russia.

The Step News Agency, also attributed the event to Russia, put the death toll at seven, including two children and one woman. It added that the victims were from the same family.

Abarahpress said that as many as 13 had died, but similar to a number of other sources, did not identify the culprit.

However, Breakingnews reported the Coalition carried out strikes targeting ISIS in Al Khafssa. @RadioAlKul blamed the Coalition for seven deaths.

According to Manbij Mother of the World, “Coalition planes bomb the area of al Khafsa east of the cemetery with two missiles at exactly 02:00 am. There is news of a massacre in which an entire displaced family has been killed. We await further details from our correspondent.“

One source, Syrianewsdesk, said the regime was responsible, putting the death count at five non-combatants.

In the second of their March 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A video listing those killed following alleged airstrikes, at 0’41” : "7 unidentified victims in an air raid on al Khafsa" (Youtube via Halab TV Today)
  • June27PDF

    SN4HR report entitled ‘No less than 240 Massacres in the First half of 2016 - including 33 massacres in June (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • June27PDFArabic

    SN4HR report entitled ‘No less than 240 Massacres in the First half of 2016 - including 33 massacres in June (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA121099
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • June 27, 2016, in Al Khafsa, 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. 2995/CS243 37SDA121099

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 26th - 27th:

* Near Manbij, seven strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL tunnels and damaged an ISIL fighting position and denied ISIL access to terrain.

For June 27th - 28th:

* Near Manbij, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL anti-tank guided weapon and damaged three ISIL fighting positions.

Update from UK MoD for Monday 27 June:

‘Monday 27 June – Typhoons provided close air support to Syrian democratic forces fighting in Manbij…On Monday 27 June, while Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s conducted reconnaissance missions to gather intelligence on Daesh activity, Typhoon FGR4s and Reaper remotely piloted aircraft provided support to both Syrian democratic forces and Iraqi units. The same day, in Syria, a pair of Typhoons conducted a successful attack with Paveway IV guided bombs against a Daesh strongpoint on the south-western outskirts of Manbij.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1922

Incident date

July 4, 2019

Location

شاميكو, Shamikou, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.582778, 40.568889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed, and another injured, in a collision with a vehicle belonging to the US-led Coalition in Al-Hasakah on July 4th.

Haleb Today TV documented that those wounded and injured were two children, stating that a correspondent from Aleppo Today reported “a child killed and another seriously injured in a traffic accident between the patrol of the International Coalition and a motorcycle on which two children were traveling, near the village of Shomukh rural western Hasaka.”

According to this source, “the correspondent added that the child Hani Al Afin – 12 years old – was killed after the incident, while the child Yasser Abdul-Baki – 15 years – had a concussion, and required the amputation of one of his fingers in addition to various wounds in the body.”

While other sources referred to those harmed in the incident as children, Smart News alleged that “one person died and another was injured in a collision between a vehicle of the International Coalition and a motorcycle west of the city of Hasaka.”

Meanwhile, Syria TV News reported that “a civilian was killed and another wounded Thursday when their motorbike was run over by a vehicle belonging to the International Coalition in the province of Hasaka, northeast of Syria.”

Kurdstreet News and Rojava052 stated that the vehicle involved in the incident was a “French patrol of the International Coalition.”

In its January 2021 monthly civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition determined this event to be ‘non credible’, asserting: “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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Yasser Abdul-Baki
15 years old years old male injured
Hani Al Afin
12 years old years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Use of objects and other means
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image caption translation: "A civilian was killed and another was injured in a traffic accident on the Hasaka road. Kurdish media reported that an international Coalition convoy collided with civilians on their motorcycle on the Hasaka road - Ain Issa, killing one of them and injuring the other." (via Jist TV).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a traffic accident on the highway connecting Hasaka (الحسكة) to Ayn Issa (عين عيسى). Some sources mention the junction east of the village of Shamikou (شاميكو) as the location of the incident. The generic coordinates for the village are: 36.582778, 40.568889. Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    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
    in Shamikou, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFA403497
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 6, 2021

  • Jun. 4, 2019, in Shamikou, 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. 3279/CS1922 37SFA403497

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Use of objects and other means
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI014

Incident date

November 4, 2014

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged coalition airstrike reportedly hit a market at Al Qaim in western Anbar, killing at least 3 people and injuring up to 35. Two of the victims were named as as Mohamed Ahmed and Ahmed Munir Khitab. Significant damage was reported at the scene. However, the coalition denies carrying out any airstrike in the vicinity on this date.

According to one eyewitness, the attack happened after Islamic State militants in the vicinity fired on coalition aircraft: “The reckless action of the militants led to the death and injuries of more than 37 people, all of them civilians, and causing substantial material damage in the shops.”Al Jazeera cited witnesses as saying that 15 died and 35 were injured in an ‘international coalition’ strike, adding that according to one source, “the aircraft bombed once then bombed a second time once people had gathered to look for the victims.” NINA placed the number of injured significantly lower, at 14.

The attack was denounced by Sheikh Najm Al Alyawi, a member of the council of tribes of the district, who said in a press release “The people of the district strongly denounce the bombing by warplanes of the main market in Al Qaim, western Anbar province, which resulted in the death and injury of dozens of innocent citizens.”

The United Nations cited the incident in its quarterly report on Iraq, noting: “It was also alleged that on 4 November, an air strike hit a market in al-Qaim, western Anbar, killing at least five civilians and wounding at least 27 more.” The attack was generally attributed to Iraqi government forces and their allies, which might include the coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohamed Ahmed
Age unknown male Listed by Herak killed
Ahmed Munir Khitab
Age unknown male Listed by Herak killed
Imad Hadi
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Ahmed Abboud
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Ra’ed Nuri
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Nouri Afar
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Mohammad Yousuf
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Hakim Marwan
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Amash Jassim
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Bilal Abdul-Jabbar
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Subhi Jamil
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Ali Naseer
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Mohamed Wadah
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Zia Abboud
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Yousef Salem
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Saif Abdul Hadi
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Qusay Rahim
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Hamad Talal
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Osman Yusuf
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Walid Youssef
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Amal Eid
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Mua’az Nuri
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Raed Nuri
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Abdul Rahman Hamid
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Mohammed Shaker
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Rifa’at Radi
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Atheer A’thal
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Alaa Jassim
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Yasser Sabbar
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Ammar Yasir
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Osama Haitham
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Muhannad Mohammed Ahmed
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Wassfiya Jawhar
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Mu’awya Muhannad
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Walid Youssef
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Adnan Mohamed Ahmed
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured
Mua’az Sabah Awad
Age unknown male Listed by Herak injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 15
  • (0–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–35
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged strike (via Herak)
  • Another image of the alleged incident (via Herak)
  • Another image of the alleged incident (via Herak)
  • Another image of the alleged incident (via Herak)
  • Another image of the alleged incident (via Herak)
  • Another image of the alleged incident (via Herak)
  • Another image of the alleged incident (via Herak)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the alleged Coalition strike hit a market in the city of Al-Qaim, for which the coordinates for its midpoint are: 34.3957715,40.9943684. One source reports a “market in the Rumanna (رمانة) area,” which is just North of the Euphrates river, opposite the city of Al-Qaim. The coordinates for the midpoint of this area are: 34.3930610, 41.0779810

  • Location of a "market in the Rumanna (رمانة) area,” North of the Euphrates river opposite the city of Al-Qaim

    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 al-Qaiem, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU833078
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 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

No coalition reports of airstrikes on Al Qaim or the vicinity for November 3rd-5th 2014. A spokesman also later told Airwars that “no Coalition airstrikes have taken place in the vicinity” on the date in question.

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 15
  • (0–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–35
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS039

Incident date

December 28, 2014

Location

جرابلس, Jarabulus, Cultural center, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.820528, 38.012028 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An 8.30pm coalition bombing raid on Jarablos – a major Islamic State hub – destroyed a cultural centre being used as an ISIL headquarters in the town. According to Aleppo News, “According to activists, the strikes caused great devastation in the building in addition to the destruction of two civilian houses in the vicinity. Witnesses confirmed that the targeted building was inhabited by many of the elements of the organization (ISIS) which led to the deaths of most of them and seriously injuring the rest.”

‘Dozens’ of militants were reportedly killed. However civilians were also reportedly being detained at the location. Two women casualties of the coalition strike were named as 30 year old Hiba Raei and Jorieh Hamdan. A third victim, a member of the local KazKaz family, was also cited. He may be Fawaz Al Taha (an 18 year old male reportedly killed by the coalition at either al Bab or Jarablos on December 28th.)

VDC also cited local residents as saying that “an unconfirmed number of detainees were killed during this attack” adding that “several ISIL leaders, one of whom was French (his name could not be obtained) were killed as well. Moreover, Abu Omer al-Shami, the prison governor, who is known as Abu Hadid, appeared to have been injured. Eyewitnesses also said that an F-16 fighter aircraft of the International Coalition appears to have carried out the attack.”

In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The incident occured at 20:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Hiba Raei
30 years old female killed
Jorieh Hamdan
Adult female
Fawaz Al Taha
18 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Description (from 0’12”): “the death and injury of dozens of members of ISIL following four strikes on the cultural centre in Jarablos” There is no mention of civilian casualties.
  • Aftermath of the alleged strike (via SNHR)
  • Location of the cultural centre (via VDC)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jarablos (جرابلس), Aleppo governorate and that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the “cultural centre” building, identified by SNHR as a theatre (المسرح القائم), causing damage to two residential building in the vicinity. The coordinates for Jarablos “cultural centre / theatre” (جرابلس) are: 36.820528, 38.012028

  • Satellite image showing visible damage to the Jarablus “cultural center” building, dated June 4th, 2016

    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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA117751
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Dec. 28, 2014, in Jarabulus. Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2389/CS039 37SDA117751

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

While the coalition initially denied any airstrikes in Aleppo governorate on the night of December 28th 2014, it later conceded to McClatchy that it had bombed Jarablos, in an airstrike it initially described as being “near Kobani” (also see previous event.)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1983

Incident date

September 20, 2022

Location

قرية البيدر, Al Baydar in Al Karama village, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.859327, 39.310004 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, a man and his minor son, were killed and another man, who is alleged to be a civilian or a member of ISIS, was injured during an airdrop operation carried out by the Coalition and the SDF in the village of Al Baydar on September 20, 2022.

According to the Euphrates Post, Muhammad Al-Shalash and his son Abadi Al-Shalash were killed during a raid carried out by the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) along with the Coalition in the village of Al Baydar.

Eye of Euphrates added that the father and son were shot when the American forces and the SDF were trying to arrest a displaced person from the countryside of Aleppo and residing in the village who had fled to the home of the Al-Shalash family and was firing at the raiding forces. The correspondent added that a third civilian was wounded by a bullet and taken to the hospital and that the intended person was arrested during the raid.

@AlkneterOthman tweeted that the wounded person is the other son of Muhammad and Baladi News provided the name of the wounded son as Muhammad Al-Shalash, detailing that he was taken to Raqqa hospital for treatment of his injuries. According to Nedaa Post, the wounded son Muhammad was the intended person to be arrested and was arrested on charges of “working in the ranks of ISIS cells in the area”. The three men had only been in the area for ten days and were displaced from a village in northern Aleppo.

Shaam News disputed that the injured person was a member of ISIS, referring to him as a civilian, and reporting that the SDF “raided the house because it received information about the names of wanted persons, who are relatives of the owner of the house that they raided, but instead of raiding the house of the wanted persons, they mistakenly raided another house.”

@DeirEzzore identified Abadi, the son that was killed, as being a minor, and reported that the raid occurred at approximately 3:30 in the morning. @DeirEzzore added that the father and son were from “the Al-Bureij clan – Al-Aliat”.

All of the sources referred to the incident as a joint operation between the SDF and Coalition, with some sources blaming the shooting on the SDF while others attributed the shooting to the Coalition.

The incident occured at approximately 3:30 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Muhammad Al-Shalash محمد الشلاش
Adult male killed
Abadi Al-Shalash عبادي الشلاش
male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Baydar (البيدر), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.859327, 39.310004. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–1

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS056

Incident date

February 22, 2015

Location

سليمة, Salima, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.5842441, 41.6493416 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of sources report that up to 10 civilians, including possibly children, were killed after the coalition mistakenly bombed the wrong village. According to the Stepagency site: “Today six children and a few other civilians were killed in the village of Salima after the coalition planes bombed the village by mistake as it was supposed to bomb the village of Khuza’a, which lies next door and where fierce battles are taking place between IS and Kurdish militia. A number of other civilians were martyred when the coalition bombed the villages of Lazzaka and al Taweel.”

Other sources reported only two non-combatants killed.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be not 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.”

 

The incident occured around dusk.

The victims were named as:

Sarhan Khodar Al Abbas
Adult male killed
Ali Hijab Al Abbas
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (6 children2 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the strike to have occurred in the village of Salima (قرية سليمة), near Al-Shadadi (الشدادي ), Al Hasaka, in the “evening”. The coordinates for the midpoint of Salima (قرية سليمة) are: 36.5842441, 41.6493416. The incident was first reported at 00:05, Feb. 23rd, 2015 local time by Step Agency

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 Salima, al-Shadadi, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGA369518
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • Feb. 22, 2015, near Salima, al-Shadadi, 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition has confirmed 13 airstrikes in the vicinity. It reports that for February 21st-22nd 2015, “Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (6 children2 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 (6) [ collapse]