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

CS1576

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

Al Shuhadaa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.96377, 39.007897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 13 and 21 civilians reportedly died following airstrikes on al Shuhadaa neighbourhood north of Raqqah city, according to local sources. The civilians were said to have gathered around a water well in the area. This was the second reported attack on the city’s water supply in two days.

Shahba Press said it had documented 13 killed, including seven children and “dozens” wounded, Fifteen were allegedly killed by Al Raqqa Truth. All other sources suspected 13 killed and all bar three directly blamed the US-led Coalition.

UNOCHA also blamed the Coalition, noting in a later report that “On 3 October, airstrikes in Al-Shuhadaa neighbourhood in northern Ar-Raqqa city also hit water wells where a group of civilians were gathering, reportedly killing at least 21 people, including three children, and injuring many others. As a result, the last two wells in the city reportedly became inoperable.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 21
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Shuhadaa mosque (لشهداء حي) near the water tower on Al Qitar street (القطار), for which the approximate coordinates are: 35.963770, 39.007897. Sources mention that strikes “hit water wells where a group of civilians were gathering (…). As a result, the last two wells in the city reportedly became inoperable.”

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Shuhadaa mosque (لشهداء حي) near the water tower on Al Qitar street (القطار).

    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
Official source

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
    13 – 21
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1580a RS2591

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

معبر مائي بين هجين و العباس, Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between ten and 30 civilians were killed, including four named men, and “dozens” more were injured, following a continuation of airstrikes on the river crossing, however this time the crossing linking Hajeen with Al A’bbas town. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, however others blamed the Syrian regime and US-led Coalition.

According to local media, the civilians struck were mostly displaced women and children. It was reported by multiple sources that a father and son were killed on the outskirts of Hajeen after their prayers.

The intensity of the shelling meant it was difficult to retrieve injured and dead civilians from the rubble.

Cluster bombs and 12 missiles were used on the vicinity.

Overall, between 100 and 150 civilians were killed by bombing on multiple water-crossings on this day.

In their August 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hassen Nahar al Werdi
Adult male killed
His son Ahmad Hassan al-Wardi
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Ayyam Farih Al - Hussein Al - Issa.
Adult male killed
Bassil Freih Al - Hussein Al - Issa.
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • (4 men)
  • 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 (48) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Hajin City)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Hajin City)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Abu Kamal)
  • The exact moments an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Ahmed al-Obeidi)
  • News bulletin reporting on an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Al Jazeera)
  • "# Deir al-Azur dozens of martyrs targeting Russian aircraft cluster bombs of the words of civilians less than # Al-Ashra to the south-east bank of the Euphrates River" (via JinaShashaah)
  • News bulletin reporting on an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Radio Alwan)
  • Hassen Nahar al Werdi and his young son Ahmad Hassan al-Wardi, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Abu Abdullah)
  • Hassen Nahar al Werdi and his young son Ahmad Hassan al-Wardi, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Dirzalzor 24)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Ayyam Farih Al - Hussein Al - Issa and Bassil Freih Al - Hussein Al - Issa, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Almayadee)
  • Ayyam Farih Al - Hussein Al - Issa and Bassil Freih Al - Hussein Al - Issa, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates post)

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
    37SFU669400
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Oct. 4, 2017, near Hajin, 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. 3151/CS1580a 37SFU669400

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
    10 – 30
  • (4 men)
  • 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 (48) [ 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
Official source

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

CS1567a

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.959, 38.9999 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”, 19 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa. Although Amnesty researched this incident on the ground, Airwars have decided to grade it “weak” due to the depth of material provided.

The victims were from the Aarouni family and also included neighbours. Five to 13 members of the Aarouni family were killed in a Coalition airstrike on 8th October. See incident CS1634.

The victims in this strike have not been identified. The Amnesty/Airwars report stated that “Some 14 members of the Al-Aarouni family and five of their neighbours were killed by an air strike which hit the building where they were sheltering. The families were displaced from other parts of the city and their neighbours who hosted them and witnessed the strike did not know their full names.”

The neighbour Yaza, told Amnesty in a testimony that “Our next door neighbours had come to stay with us because their house had been bombed the previous day. 19 were killed in that strike.”

The incident occured at 12:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (5–17 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Not yet assessed.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (5–17 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CS1568

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

البدو, Badu, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.96095, 39.006375 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Initially the death of one civilian male was reported in this incident: a doctor named Alaa El Din Hassan Hamam died in Raqqah city following US-led Coalition airstrikes, local sources said. According to a report by Al Rafed, Dr. Alaa El Din Hassan Hamam provided medical assistance for the injured in Raqqah until he died. His brother told Al Rafed: “He and his wife were in the last period providing first aid and dressing and stitching the wounded and injured in their homes according to the available possibilities because of the situation in Raqqah and was trying to bury the martyrs who are the result of artillery shelling and air and the young people with values in the city.” He was unable to be buried as his family fled the city after the airstrike that killed him, his brother added – “Unfortunately they left Al-Raqqa without burying my brother or seeing his body.” All sources blamed the US-led Coalition for his death.

During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field researchers found that 6 other people were killed in this strike. 5 of them were members of the Al Aalu family, who were injured in an earlier strike (more information on that incident here: CS1570), they had fled to the building and were receiving treatment from the doctor. Abu Hamed, a relative and owner of the house together with AbdelMin’aam, told Amnesty researchers about the family: “They had been displaced by the war and were staying in our house. The three elderly people had been injured in a strike elsewhere and the doctor had come to treat them. They were all killed when our house was bombed.”

One invididual, Mohammed AbdelMin’aam al-Hmaidi, brother of the testifying relative Abu Hamed, was reported killed in a separate incident together with his father: CS1602. Airwars has merged these 2 incident under this code, as Amnesty research has found that they were killed in the same strike as Dr. Alaa El Din Hassan Hamam and the Al Aalu family, which would bring the total number of people killed in this strike to 8. The original Airwars report (CS1602) for their deaths read as follows:

“Local media reported that Mohammed Abdel Moneim Al-Humaidi died and his father Abdel-Moneim Al-Humaidi was injured following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah. There was limited information due to only three reports on the incident. Two of three sources attributed the loss of civilian life to US-led Coalition strikes, while the remaining source Marsad Al Hasaka referred only to “bombing”. The two deaths are also mentioned in event CS1594, with some sources claiming the event occurred a day earlier.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Abbud Al-Aalu
77 years old male killed
Hamida Al-Aalu
70+ years old female Abbud's sister killed
Mohammed Al-Aalu
79 years old male Abbud's brother killed
Aisha Al-Aalu
35 years old female pregnant Abbud's niece killed
Omar Al-Aalu
30 years old male Abbud's nephew (Mohammed's son) killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed AbdelMin’aam al-Hmaidi
25 years old brother of Abu Hamed killed
Abdel-Moneim Al-Humaidi
Adult male father of Mohammed AbdelMin’aam al-Hmaidi killed
Dr. Alaa El Din Hassan Hamam
40 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (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]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the Dr. Alaa El Din Hassan Hamam and the aftermath of the attack
  • Another picture of the victim (via Marsad Al Hasaka)
  • Another image of the victim

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the house of Abdel-Moneim Al Hamidi, for which due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. However, reports mention the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو), for which the coordinates are: 35.961778, 39.006083. Amnesty’s field research for the April 2019 joint report with Airwars (War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality) eventually pointed to the exact location: 35.96095, 39.006375.

  • Before the strike on September 29, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • After the strike on October 10, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

For October 2nd – 3rd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and three ISIS supply routes.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 2, near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units, destroyed nine fighting positions and damaged five fighting positions.” And that “On Oct. 2, Near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (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

CS1569

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

al Qitar Street north of city centre, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961828, 39.010559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 45 civilians reportedly died and 15 were wounded following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes to the north of Raqqah city, at the outskirts of the al-Tawassiya area. The victims were “gathered around a water well on Qitar (train) street” collecting water “due to the ongoing water cuts in the city for more than three months” local sources said.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that the two remaining water wells in neighbourhoods controlled by the so-called Islamic State organizations were now out of service.

The lowest claimed death toll at 13 was reported by Raqqa24, the Syrian Network for Human Rights placed the toll at 16 whilst The Syrian Observatory documented 18 killed, including women and children. All other sources alleged 21 killed, with UNOCHA reporting up to 45 killed.

Al Jazeera noted the original report of the incident was released by the so-called Islamic State organization.

Sources who spoke to Al Bawaba said “The raids of the international coalition and the bombing of the Syrian Democratic Forces destroyed the water tanks that went out of service, and was targeting the last bakeries in the city for days.”

All sources suspected the US-led Coalition carried out the airstrike. However the Coalition itself pushed back, with the official spokesman openly attacking an AFP tweet: “To clarify: this is an ALLEGATION from a single source. takes extraordinary efforts to protect civilians & strike valid mil targets”

The UN however directly accused the Coalition of the event, reporting that “In early October, and preceding the SDF reported control over Ar -Raqqa city, intensified airstrikes and heavy shelling continued to result in civilian deaths, widespread destruction, and deteriorating humanitarian conditions for civilians remaining in Ar-Raqqa city. More than 400 airstrikes over a two-day period during the first week of October were reported, with airstrikes reportedly killing more than 70 people in Al Bado and Suhada’a neighborhoods. On 2 October, an airstrike hit a water well located in the outskirts of the Al Tawassoiya area in the north of Raqqa city, reportedly killing 45 civilians.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 45
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Response from the OIR spokesman to the allegation

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a water well on Al Qitar street (القطار). This could refer to a water tower at a water company or administration on that street, located north of the city centre on the outskirts of the neighbourhood of Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة). This was one of the few remaining water towers that was not destroyed at that time, the coordinates for this water tower are: 35.957566, 39.011378.  A second water tower on Al Qitar street was also still standing, the coordinates for this tower are: 35.963037,39.009959.  In addition, other sources mention a “water well in Al Hadiqa Al Bayda which is in Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة) area” 

  • The two water towers on Al Qitar street (القطار) located north of the city centre on the outskirts of the neighbourhood of Al Tawassiya (التوسعیة).

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 2nd – 3rd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and three ISIS supply routes.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 2, near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units, destroyed nine fighting positions and damaged five fighting positions.” And that “On Oct. 2, Near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 45
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1570

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

البدو, Ar Raqqah: Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.96112, 39.00678 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 44 civilians were killed, from three familes, following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on al Marniadiya Street in al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah, according to local media.

The strike reportedly targeted a residential building (pictured). Raqqah is Being Slaughtered Silently identified some victims. However since Amnesty International  conducted on the ground research in Raqqa and interviewed survivors of the strikes, 26 civilians have been named.

Saad Abu Ahmad, a trader from the al Kanadi exhibition place in Raqqah, now living in Leipzig, commented on the RBSS post: ‘Yes this is my brother and my nephews, my daughter and her kids and my niece the daughter of my brother Ahmad and her husband.”

All sources reported the US-led Coalition culpable.

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” it was stated that “A Coalition airstrike on the evening of 3 October 2017, destroyed a five-storey building in the Harat al-Badu neighbourhood, killing 44 members of the four families who were sheltering there, most of them women and children, the oldest a 90-year-old grandfather and the youngest an 11-days-old baby girl.”

The father of a victim, Mohammad, told Amnesty researchers that “My entire family was wiped out in a moment. My baby girl was only 11 days old. The children; all they knew in their short lives was Daesh (IS) rule and war. Those who came to liberate us killed them all. Why?” Mohammad lost 11 members of his family in two strikes on two apartment blocks in which they were sheltering in Harat al Badu on 3rd October 2017 at around 10.30pm.

Field notes added that “The family had been sheltering on the ground floor or a five storey block of flats. Mohammed had been with them but had left the building 30 minutes previously to assist an injured neighbour. The only other survivor is Mohammed’s brother Rabia Hajj Amin. He is unable to walk as a result of another strike.”

“Those who were staying in the building were in 2 flats on the ground floor and 2 flats on the first floor. We have names of most of the neighbours and relatives, which included three families with no survivors.

Both survivors Mohammad and his brother Rabia Hajj al Amin, reported that “IS had used the roof of the building which was struck and in which the families dies to land an observation drone earlier in the evening on the day of the strike. Approximately two hours later, the building was destroyed. ISIS used nearby buildings to story, medicines, water, food, weapons etc.”

Amnesty field notes added that “To the best of Mohammad’s knowledge, there were no IS in the building at the time of the strike. There was an food storage point run by IS next door, as well as an IS medicines store and weapons store across the road.”

The “Abu Ismael family” – were the second family killed – had been in the other flat on the ground floor.

The “Abu Said family” – the third family killed – were on the first floor when they were killed. We have no vicitims names for this family.

The “Abu Khalil family” – were the fourth family killed – were on the first floor.

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

The incident occured at 22:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Abu Ismael
70s years old male killed
Abu Ismael’s wife
Adult female killed
Abud
Age unknown male Abu Ismael's son killed
Ibrahim
Age unknown male Abu Ismael's son killed
Amr
Age unknown male Abu Ismael's son killed
Aisha
Adult female Abu Ismael's daughter killed
Aisha’s husband
Adult male Aisha's husband killed

Family members (7)

Abu Khalil
Age unknown male killed
Abu Khalil’s wife
Adult female killed
Khalil
Age unknown male Abu Khalil’s son killed
Ibrahim
Age unknown male Abu Khalil’s son killed
Abu Khalil’s daughter 1
Age unknown female killed
Abu Khalil’s daughter 2
Age unknown female killed
Abu Khalil’s daughter 3
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Hajj al Amin
56 years old male Mohammads father killed
Kifah Hajj Khalaf
54 years old female Mohammads mother killed
Aya Saadullah Haj Amin
18 years old female Mohammads wife killed
Rimas Moh Hajj Amin
2 and a half years old female Mohammads daughter killed
Kifah
11 days old years old female Mohammads daughter killed
Amani Haj Amin
31 years old female Mohammads sister killed
Ayman Yahyah
35 years old male Amani's husband killed
Amar Ayman Yahyah
12 years old male Amani and Ayman's child killed
Ahmad Ayman Yahyah
10 years old male Amani and Ayman's child killed
Noor Ayman Yahyah
6 years old female Amani and Ayman's child killed
Jana Ayman Yahyah
1 and a half years old female Amani and Ayman's child killed
Mohammed Kamel Haj Amin
Age unknown male not named by Amnesty killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    44
  • (6–22 children11–15 women11–17 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Site of strike. (via Amnesty)

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 Badou, 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
Official source

For October 2nd – 3rd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and three ISIS supply routes.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 2, near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units, destroyed nine fighting positions and damaged five fighting positions.” And that “On Oct. 2, Near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    44
  • (6–22 children11–15 women11–17 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1574

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of: Mrs. Nour Omar Al Haj Hassan, wife of Mahmoud Khalaf al-A’llash and her daughters Sarah and Judy Mahmoud al-A’llash, 3 months old, as a result of air strikes which targeted their home in the city of Mayadeen a few days ago.”

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Nour Omar Al Haj Hassan
Adult female wife of Mahmoud Khalaf al-A’llash killed
Sarah Mahmoud al-A’llash
Child female killed
Judy Mahmoud al-A’llash
1 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Mayadeen (الميادين), 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • 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

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 3rd-4th the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle. Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]