US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CI864a

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Location

القائم‎, Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.38762, 40.97318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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

Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike against an ISIS weapon’s facility it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

On the same day in Al Qaim, Airwars monitored a locally reported civilian casualty event (CI864), in which it was claimed that a man named, Talib Jabbar Ziedan Hathool, died from a US airstrike on his uncle’s house. The Coalition suggested to Airwars in February 2019 that these were unlikely to be referring to the same the event based on the descriptions.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Qaim
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU814069
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017
  • Oct. 5, 2017 near Al Qaim, Iraq via self-report. During a Coalition strike against an ISIS weapon’s facility it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Oct.5, Coalition military forces conducted 44 strikes consisting of 65 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 22 engagements against ISIS targets.

Near Al Bashir, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a weapons cache.
Near Huwijah, eight strikes [1 or more Aus] engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine VBIEDs, four vehicles, three weapons caches, and an ISIS-held building.
Near Ramadi, one strike destroyed an ISIS bunker.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Thursday 5 October – Typhoons attacked a terrorist base in eastern Syria…Intelligence had confirmed that a group of three buildings in eastern Syria, some forty miles south-east of Hasakah and close to a border crossing into Iraq, was being used as a base by Daesh. Two Typhoons conducted a carefully planned attack on Thursday 5 October, each of the three buildings being struck with a Paveway IV.

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

CS1590a

Incident date

October 1–5, 2017

Location

Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.96345, 39.00068 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, between 11 and 23 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty.

The report summarised that “A coalition airstrike destroyed a one-storey house close to the railway line killing five children and their parents and four neighbours.”

The house was near Sharia al Qitar (close to the railway line – hence then name “Railway Street”) and had a courtyard, according to the field notes.

Iman, Zuhair’s daughter, survived the strike. She said IS fighters were two streets over, on Sharia al Qitar itself. Civilians were prohibited from going there as it was the siege line. She went on to tell Amnesty in a testimony that “As well as my family and the four neighbours, the strike also killed a Kurdish family of 12. They were displaced and I don’t know their names. They were mostly women and children.”

The Kurdish family were allegedly displaced people; their names are unknown but they were all women and children. Iman saw two young children pulled from the rubble.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Zuhair Juma al Khalaf
60 or older years old male killed
Rabaa’
30-35 years old female Zuhair's wife killed
Mohannad
6 years old male Zuhair’s & Rabaa’s son killed
Abir
5 years old female Zuhair’s & Rabaa’s daughter killed
Yasmine
3 years old female Zuhair’s & Rabaa’s daughter killed
Osama
10 years old male son of second wife killed
Amal
8 years old female daughter of second wife killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad
Age unknown male neighbour killed
Maha
Adult female neighbour killed
Um Ahmad
Adult female neighbour killed
Unidentified girl
Child female neighbour killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 23
  • (6 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Not yet assessed.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 23
  • (6 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

CS1583 RS2590

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

البوكمال الباغوز , Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.467345, 40.932505 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a “massacre” between seven and 55 civilians died, and “dozens” were left injured, following suspected airstrikes on the Al Bagouz water crossing, between Bagouz village and Abu Kamal city, on the northern bank of the Euphrates river. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes, with some alleging the US-led Coalition were to blame, others blamed Russia and SN4HR even blamed the Syrian regime.

Despite this, nearly all sources blamed Russia. Activists told Smart “Russian-made warplanes” conducted the attacks, Jisr TV referred to “Russian occupation aircraft”. Baqras did not apportion blame, though provided a list of three of the victims.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed blame to the Syrian Regime, and documented “at least 7” killed following “warplane missiles”. Baladi totalled nine killed, as did Smart, which both cited Russia as responsible. Most other sources put the death toll between 17 and 35, Euphrates Post however put the death toll as high as 55.

Sources estimated that between 100 and 150 civilians were killed over the series of strikes on river crossings in that vicinity.

Many of the bodies were unidentified according to VDC, due to burns and decapitation.

Local media reported that it was difficult to rescue civilians trapped in the rubble due to the intensity of the fire.

It is unclear from the sources who was responsible, however the Coalition did confirm strikes in the vicinity of Abu Kamal that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 55
  • (7 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (63) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Barakat Abdul Hamid Ibrahim, killed in Russian and Coalition airstrikes on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties in the aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via@kmal961)
  • Rivers run with blood in aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via@MGhorab3)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Muhaned al Weka’a)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Haijin al Maheba)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Haijin al Maheba)
  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via @wassilaoulmi)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Syria direct News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Syria direct News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Sound and picture)
    The aftermath of an airstrike in eastern Syria in October 2017
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Sound and picture)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Huweija al Khanafer water crossing (حویجة الخنافر) between the villages Al Bukamal (البوكمال) and Al Baghouz (الباغوز). The coordinates for this crossing are: 34.467345, 40.932505.

  • The Huweija al Khanafer water crossing (حویجة الخنافر) between Al Bukamal (البوكمال) and Al Baghouz (الباغوز)

    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 Haweij al Khanafer, 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

For October 4th – 5th the Coalition reported No strikes near Al Bukamal.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 55
  • (7 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (63) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1581

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported the death of one civilian, Hamed Khabas al-Aliwi, in an airstrike on his home. Sources, reporting on October 8th, said that the victim was killed “a few days ago”.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamed Khabas al-Aliwi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hamed Khabbas al-Alew, reportedly killed in a strike on his home in Al Mayadin, oct 4-6th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident only mention the city of Al Mayadin (ميادين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.016667, 40.444167. Due to the 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
    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 al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 3rd – 4th the Coalition reported “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1579

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

البدو, Al Badou, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians, including four children and two women, reportedly died following alleged US-led Coalition air strikes on al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah city.

Details of the death toll were initially provided by one source only, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which blamed the Coalition. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered also referred to air raids carried out by the Coalition on the neighbourhood, in conjunction with “intense artillery shelling”, with the source noting that the attacks occurred amid extensive bombardment of the neighbourhoods “Tawasu’iya, Bedou, Shihada’a, train street”. Moreover, RBSS documented “more than 117 air raids and about 1,500 artillery shells targeted the city during the past three days”.

Later reports said that Sadeed Al-Hallaq his wife, seven children, his father and his mother were killed. All sources attributed the incident to the US-led Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sadeed Al-Hallaq
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 11
  • (4–7 children2 women2 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 (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البد), for which the coordinates are: 35.961778, 39.006083.

  • The neighbourhood of Al Badou (البد) in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 3rd – 4th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 fighting positions, two vehicles, and a logistics node; and suppressed four fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three ISIS fighting positions and a VBIED.” And that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS communication system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 11
  • (4–7 children2 women2 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1580

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

التوسعية, Al Tawosoui'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

Fifteen to 16 civilians or more died in an aerial attack reportedly conducted by the US-led Coalition on Al Tawaswiya neighbourhood, Raqqah city, according to local sources.

Saeed Ahmed Al Jum’a, his family and another family of relatives were documented killed by the source Marsad Al Hassaka, amongst other reports.

According to Smart activists, “the Tawasu’iya neighborhoods, the Bedouins and the White Garden area have been hit by about 20 coalition raids and 60 artillery and missile rounds from SDF”.

All sources attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition. Airwars will amend the entry when any new information arises.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saeed Ahmed Al Jum’a
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (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 (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة), for which the coordinates are: 35.9633318, 38.9806321. The area refers to several neighbourhoods on the North West of Raqqah (الرقة‎), however, due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

  • Al Tawassiya neighbourhood (التوسعیة) in the North West of Raqqah (الرقة‎)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 3rd – 4th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 fighting positions, two vehicles, and a logistics node; and suppressed four fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three ISIS fighting positions and a VBIED.” And that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS communication system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1577

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

al Hadika al Baidaa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A civilian named as Farid Sheikho from Jumaili neighbourhood was killed following “artillery shelling” on al Haldika al Baidaa (The White Garden) area in Raqqa, according to multiple local sources.

Airwars understands that only the US-led Coalition was using artillery at the time on Raqqah. There is limited information presently available, and this entry will be amended when new details arise.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Farid Sheikho
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

  • Raqqa24 reporting on the death of Farid Sheikho

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area surrounding the Al Hadika al Baidaa garden (الحدیقة البیضاء), for which the coordinates are: 35.960556, 38.9975. Satellite imagery available to Airwars from October 5th 2017 shows structural damage to buildings in the area, for which the coordinates are: 35.9596411, 38.9992332

  • Reports of the incident mention the area surrounding the Al Hadika al Baidaa garden (الحدیقة البیضاء). Satellite imagery available to Airwars from October 5th 2017 shows structural damage to buildings in the area marked by a red circle.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 3rd – 4th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 fighting positions, two vehicles, and a logistics node; and suppressed four fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three ISIS fighting positions and a VBIED.” And that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS communication system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

CS1578

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian named as Hussein al-Ibrahim al Hassan died following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqah city, local media reported. Raqqa Media Center cited “artillery bombardment” as the cause of his death.

Airwars understands only the US-led Coaliiton had access to artillery at Raqqah.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein al-Ibrahim al Hassan
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident only mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to the 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
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 3rd – 4th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 fighting positions, two vehicles, and a logistics node; and suppressed four fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three ISIS fighting positions and a VBIED.” And that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS communication system.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]