US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS1890

Incident date

January 22, 2019

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz: Sheikh Hamad neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.46385, 40.94231 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a Coalition airstrike struck a civilian vehicle moving out of ISIS controlled areas at the intersection of Sheikh Hamad on the outskirts of the town Al Baghouz, east of Deir Ezzor, shortly before midnight.

The Coalition described an admission of six civilian deaths at Baghhouz on this date as “related incidents”, with the Pentagon later confirming it as a US action.

Dozens of families were reported to be leaving the town to other surrounding areas to escape the intensive shelling. A named woman was reported killed and her two daughters injured when their car was hit. Sources pointed out that the airstrike caused the destruction of several other cars as well, with more people reported wounded. There was therefore speculation that the death toll was expected to go up.

The Washington Post later reported that “the United States said Friday that it had launched an investigation into the death of a mother and the injury of two of her children when their car was allegedly hit by an airstrike.”

In December 2019, the Coalition conceded six civilian deaths on this date in the vicinity, stating that “January 22, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh facilities and vehicles. Regrettably, six civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of this strike. 2660 37SFU784153”.

Asked by Airwars whether this might be a match for this event, Coalition officials said that “The information provided in CS1890 leads us to believe that these are related incidents.”

In May 2020, this event was declared to be a US-only civilian harm event – though wrongly attributed to January 23rd 2019 – in the Pentagon-s annual report to Congress.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The incident occured at approximately 11:59 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Dima al-Okidi
Adult female killed
Shahd
Child female Child of Dima al-Okidi injured
Mustafa
Child male Child of Dima al-Okidi injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The children of Dima al-Okidi, wife of Hassan Hassan Al-Abdullah, named Mustafa and Shahd were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghouz (via @deirezzor24).
  • Table of US-only civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria for 2019, declared by the Pentagon to Congress in May 2020.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 34.458659, 40.954199.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    6
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU784153
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • January 22, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh facilities and vehicles. Regrettably, six civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.2660 37SFU784153

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Between Jan. 13 - 26, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 645 strikes consisting of 1,360 engagements in Syria, and conducted nine strikes consisting of 12 engagements in Iraq.

In Syria, 645 strikes engaged 394 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 244 fighting positions, 172 supply routes, 85 staging areas, 21 vehicles, 17 buildings, 15 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 14 mortar launching sites, 13 manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive devices, 12 command and control nodes, nine tunnels, eight weapons catches, seven pieces of engineering equipment, five launching sites for unmanned aircraft systems, two weapons storage facilities, two mortar tubes, two improvised explosive devices, one unmanned aircraft system, one machine gun, one logistic node and one check point.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For January 16th - 22nd, France report and 9 strikes in the Hajin region of Syria. Task Force Wagram carried out, from the Iraqi territory, 28 firing missions.

Point de situation des opérations Armée française - Opérations militaires·Thursday, 24 January 2019 CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE A l’occasion de ses vœux, le président de la République a évoqué la situation au Levant, rappelant que Daesh est désormais privé de territoire en Irak, et sur le point de l’être en Syrie. Il a par ailleurs souligné les efforts des forces armées françaises, matérialisés d’une part par les campagnes aériennes et l’appui de l’artillerie, et d’autre part par la formation dispensée aux forces armées irakiennes Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie La progression des forces démocratiques syriennes dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, dont l’offensive est appuyée par une couverture aérienne et l’appui de l’artillerie de la Task Force Wagram, se poursuit et se rapproche de la frontière séparant l’Irak et la Syrie. Poursuite des actions en Irak En Irak, la situation sécuritaire est stable. Les forces de sécurité irakiennes ont maintenu un rythme opérationnel de contrôle de zones élevé, notamment à proximité de la frontière irako-syrienne. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. 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 (TF) Wagram appuient, depuis l’Irak, les forces démocratiques syriennes engagées contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. La TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 28 missions de tir (02 éclairements, 26 appui – bilan du 16 au 22 janvier inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, en octobre 2016, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2476 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 22 sorties aériennes (bilan du 16 au 22 janvier inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit 9 frappes dans la région d’Hajine. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne, en charge de la sécurisation de l’ouest du grand Bagdad. Elle conseille également ponctuellement les brigades qui lui sont subordonnées. Récemment, les équipes EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), spécialisées dans la neutralisation d’engins explosifs de tous types, ont conseillé des cadres irakiens dans la préparation et la mise en œuvre d’explosifs. Elles les ont accompagnés au cours d’une mission de destruction de plusieurs tonnes de munitions découvertes, dont des engins explosifs improvisés posés par Daech d’une part, et des munitions périmées d’autre part. Ces formations spécifiques font partie des missions de la TF Monsabert qui participe directement à l’amélioration de la capacité opérationnelle de l’armée irakienne. La TF Narvik, poursuit sa mission de formation et de conseil de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Dans ce cadre, pour la toute première fois, un stage de Combat Corps à Corps de haute intensité (C4) est actuellement délivré à l’Académie des forces spéciales irakiennes, à la demande du commandement irakien. Celui-ci, tirant les leçons de la campagne contre Daech, veut doter ses troupes des meilleures techniques en matière de combat rapproché.  L’objectif est de former des cadres irakiens, mais aussi de transmettre des savoir-faire pédagogiques qui permettront aux futurs moniteurs d’instruire leurs hommes.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1801a

Incident date

September 30, 2018

Location

Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.54567, 40.9562 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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

In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted the following: ” Coalition aircraft engaged multiple ISIS vehicles, including a machine-gun equipped pick-up truck engaging friendly forces with machine gun fire. The ISIS vehicles were destroyed in the attack but regrettably a civilian was also unintentionally killed when his vehicle entered the target area after the weapons were released.”

Airwars is aware of another event near al Sousah on this day that allegedly killed one civilian (CS1801) that has not yet been assessed by the Coalition. However, that allegation details artillery and the Coalition have confirmed to us that this incident was an airstrike with a precision munition.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Sousah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU795244
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • September 30, 2018, near Al Sousah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft engaged multiple ISIS vehicles, including a machine-gun equipped pick-up truck engaging friendly forces with machine gun fire. The ISIS vehicles were destroyed in the attack but regrettably a civilian was also unintentionally killed when his vehicle entered the target area after the weapons were released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Sept. 30 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 17 engagements against ISIS
targets.
• Near Abu Kamal, 10 strikes engaged 14 tactical units, and destroyed two command and control centers,
one truck, one up-armored vehicle, four fighting positions and two supply routes.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI154

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed and three civilians injured in an alleged Coalition strike at Mosul.

Mosul Nawen and Iraqi Spring claimed the attack was carried out by a drone, on the east side the city (‘left bank’).

In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “Dec. 9, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 8th-9th 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS197

Incident date

April 5, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A former Syrian table tennis champion and national coach named as Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban was reported by VDC as having died “Due to coalition air force’s shelling.”

The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria later published a detailed obituary: “The teacher Mukhles Khreiban was martyred yesterday on Tuesday evening in the province of Idlib in a raid by an unmanned drone accroding to information received from Idlib. Mukhles Khreiban was born in 1953 … he was a member of the Syrian world championship team and participated in the 1980 world championship in Korea .. He worked nationally as a coach and was number one in the game. Many of the stars of football were trained by him. He also worked as a member of the Technical Committee of Table Tennis in the province and was a former member of the trainers committee for the Syrian Table Tennis Federation.. His son has been detained in Assad’s prisons for nearly 4 years. He has four boys and three girls. The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria extends heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyr hero, We belong to God and to Him we return.”

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban (via VDC)
  • Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban (via The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria).

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV867775
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • Apr. 5, 2016, in Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 2929/CS197 37SBV867775

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

No strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity for April 4th-5th.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS376

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that an unspecified number of civilian casualties were caused by a Coalition strike on al Tabaqa.

According to Smart News, “A number of civilians died and wounded on Wednesday-Thursday night due to aerial bombing of the international coalition on Tabaqa city in the western countryside of Raqqa.”

No other details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 16th-17th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed an artillery system, a mortar system, and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS397

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95809, 39.00554 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in Raqqa.

Their January 2017 civilian casualty reported noted “During a strike on ISIL fighters in a moving vehicle it is assessed that one civilian pedestrian was unintentionally killed by the munition’s strike blast.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for the event, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV005793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • Nov. 26, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria: During a strike on ISIL fighters in a moving vehicle it is assessed that one civilian pedestrian was unintentionally killed by the munition’s strike blast.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 25th-26th, the Coalition originally reported “Near Ar Raqqah, six strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units and a storage facility; destroyed two vehicles, a command and control node, and a fighting position.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS448

Incident date

January 18, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and three others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Tabaqa, according to local media.

Shaam News Network said that three civilians were wounded in a Coalition strike. LCCSY named Nour Riyad al Ayyash, from Deir Ezzor, as a victim. An Eye on Raqqa also named the victim and blamed the Coalition, as did Syria2011 and the Syrian Popular Movement. RBSS didn’t say who was responsible for his death.

According to the IS propaganda outlet Al Raed La Yakzub Ahlahu, the Coalition carried out three raids on Al Tabaqa that day.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male From Deir Ezzor killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: al tabaqa - the young man Nour Riyadh al Ayyash martyred following the air raids
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Tabaqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 17th-18th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed a VBIED, a checkpoint, a command and control node; damaged two supply routes; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Wednesday 18 January – Tornados destroyed a terrorist armed truck near Al Bab in Syria…Surveillance and strike operations have also been maintained against Daesh in Syria, and on Wednesday 18 January, Tornados conducted an armed reconnaissance patrol near Al Bab, where they used a Paveway IV to destroy an armed truck which Daesh had attempted to conceal in a vehicle shelter.’

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS508

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Location

Khatouniya & Salhabiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.940907, 38.7607956

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and two others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Khatouniya and al Salhabiya, according to a single source.

Smart reported that “a local source said Coalition aircraft bombed the villages of Khatouniya and Salhabiya in the western Raqqa countryside which resulted in the killing of one civilian and injuring two shepherds in the area one of them is in a serious condition.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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 Khatouniya and Salhabiya (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV8059978590
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 18th-19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed four oil storage tanks, three fighting positions, two ISIS-held buildings, two vehicles, a weapons cache, an oil refinement still and a communications station.” For February 19th-20th, they reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS headquarters, a vehicle, a command and control node, a VBIED, a VBIED facility, an artillery system, and a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]