Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CI469

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul Airport, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition said in its July report that an allegation on social media of civilian casualties had been assessed as Not Credible.

According to the report “Feb. 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. A similar report of possible civilian casualties less than a kilometer away is still being assessed.”

Coalition officials said the alleged event took place in the vicnity of 38SLF 33392 18801.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3339218801
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. A similar report of possible civilian casualties less than a kilometer away is still being assessed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 18th-19th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed four ISIS headquarters, four watercraft, three engineering equipment pieces, three command and control nodes, two artillery systems, a vehicle, an excavator, a fighting position, an ISIS-held building, and an ISIS support facility; damaged nine supply routes and three tunnels; and suppressed 11 mortar teams, and an artillery team.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R1672

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Location

جاسم, Jassem, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.991344, 36.060136 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported about a major incident in the city of Jassem, Dara’a, that reportedly killed up to nine civilians, including children and women, and wounded between two and 20. Several sources described the incident as a “massacre”.

Local reports varied, spanning between five to nine reported civilian casualties, while most said that five were killed.  For example, Step News reported that “five civilians were killed in an initial toll and others were wounded in the ranks of civilians, including women and children”. Meanwhile, Qasioun News reported that “The Russian fighter jets committed a massacre as a result of air raids on residential areas in the city of Jassim in the Jaidur area in the northern Daraa countryside, resulting in 7 civilian deaths and dozens of injuries, some of whom were seriously wounded and transferred to nearby medical points”,

Eleven of the sources, hence the majority, attributed the incident to Russia. These were among others  LCCSY, Syrian PC and Step News Agency. Meanwhile, five sources (SN4HR, SOHR, SNN  RFS and Muheet) blamed the Syrian regime. The remaining sources did not identify a cultprit.

LCCSY, SyrianPC and Dara Martyrs identified seven of the victims by name, listed below.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hisham Mohammed Khaled Al-Hajji
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Khair Issa Al-Hajji
Adult male killed
Mahmoud Fayez Hamza Al - Hajji
Age unknown killed
Mohamed Kheir Ismail El Nasser
Age unknown male killed
Ismail Hassan Hajjaj
Age unknown male killed
Hamza Ismail Hajjaj
Age unknown male killed
Mouhammad Ahmad Hennawi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • News report about the lethal shelling of Jassam, Dara'a, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Al-Arabiya)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage from the immediate, chaotic aftermath of the contested aerial shelling of Jasssem, Dara'a (via Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Kassem, Dara'a, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Dara Martyrs)
  • Footage from the immediate aftermath of the contested aerial shelling of Jasssem, Dara'a (via SMO News)
  • Aftermath of the contested aerial shelling of Jasssem, Dara'a (via Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Aftermath of the contested aerial shelling of Jasssem, Dara'a (@sameer88967 twitter)
  • Mohammed Khair Issa Al-Hajji was reportedly killed by the contested airstrikes in Kassem, Dara'a (via Jaassemcity)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Jassem (جاسم), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.991344, 36.060136. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI479

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Location

حي النجار, Mosul, Al Najar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.359375, 43.093826 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown allegation, the Coalition reported in June 2017 that following a self-reported event in Mosul, it had been determined that no civilians had been harmed.

According to the June report, “Feb. 23, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The Coalition provided the following co-ordinates to Airwars – 36.359375, 43.093826 – which placed the incident in al Najar, at least 5km from the other two Mosul neighbourhoods where civilian harm was alleged that day.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • 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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2897425496
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 22nd – 23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three mortar systems, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIED factories, a supply cache, a fighting position, a front-end loader, an excavator, a dump truck, a generator trailer, a weapons cache and a vehicle; damaged 15 supply routes and three tunnels; and suppressed 17 mortar teams and an artillery team.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1828

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.955207, 36.708289 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as four civilians were killed – including a child –  and 28 more were wounded, following an alleged airstrike on Binnish, which struck a market, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming the Syrian regime, and other blaming Russia.

Due to the extent of damage in the aftermath, there is much footage showing civilians being dug up from the rubble hours after the raid.

Residential homes and the main market in Binnish were reportedly struck and destroyed.

According to @ZakariaNassani, the aerial bombardment consisted of 11 raids on the town.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–28
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The immediate aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via Ahmad Fallah)
  • White helmets clearing the rubble and finding another wounded civilian buried in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via Edlib Media Center)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian is pulled from the rubble during a news bulletin reporting on the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via Al Jazeera mubasher)
  • A civilian is pulled from the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via @ZakariaNassani)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian is pulled from the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via @ZakariaNassani)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via @ZakariaNassani)
  • Am injured civilian following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via @ZakariaNassani)
  • A civilian is pulled from the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    White helmets clearing the rubble and finding another wounded civilian buried in the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via Baladi network)
  • The market in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via @HalabTodayTV)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via @HalabTodayTV)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binnish, 12th January 2017. (via @HalabTodayTV)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

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  • Tagged visual material from sources.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–28
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS545

Incident date

March 1, 2017

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.905278, 38.963889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and five civilians died and nine others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ksrat Sheikh al Juma’a, according to single source Smart News.

There was some confusion in reporting. In the first paragraph, Smart said that one civilian died, but in the second paragraph put the death toll at five. A second report by Smart, however, said that one person died in a strike “believed to be by the international Coalition.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 Kasrat Juma’a, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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
Official source

For February 28th-March 1st, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed six watercraft, an ISIS training camp, and an ISIS maintenance facility.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

France reports that in the last week it carried out 29 sorties and 9 strikes destroying 12 ISIL targets. In Iraq, all 8 strikes were carried out in support of operations in Mosul. They targeted mortar positions and defensive positions in the city as well as in the outskirts of Badush. In Syria, in the Raqqah region, a Rafale patrol was engaged on a ground support mission to neutralize ISIL fighters leading an attack against the SDF.

‘Opération Chammal En Syrie le recul de Daech se poursuit. Après avoir dû se retirer d’Al Bab la semaine passée, l’organisation terroriste a perdu cette semaine le contrôle de la ville de Palmyre, tandis que la manœuvre d’isolement de Raqqah au Nord de l’Euphrate est sur le point de s’achever. En Irak, Daech tente d’entretenir l’insécurité en poursuivant sa campagne d’actions asymétriques, en particulier dans l’Anbar, dans une logique de dispersion des forces engagées contre elle. En périphérie de Mossoul Ouest, la manœuvre d’encerclement menée par les forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) progresse dans sa partie occidentale. Les combats qui ont lieu depuis le début de la semaine autour de la localité de Badush au Nord-Ouest de la ville en sont la conséquence. Dans la partie sud de Mossoul Ouest, les FSI poursuivent également leur progression dans le centre urbain et se trouvent désormais aux portes du centre historique. Avançant toujours le long du Tigre depuis l’aéroport, les combattants de la police fédérale et de l’ICTS sécurisent méthodiquement chaque quartier, faisant face à une défense féroce des combattants terroristes. Dans le même temps, Daech maintient ses actions de harcèlement contre la partie orientale de Mossoul, en réalisant des tirs de mortiers sporadiques et aveugles. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 29 sorties aériennes dont 26 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 3 de recueil de renseignement. 9 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français, elles ont permis la destruction de 12 objectifs. En Irak, les 8 frappes ont toutes été réalisées en appui des opérations sur Mossoul. Elles s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’appui des troupes irakiennes engagées dans l’offensive visant à reprendre la partie ouest de Mossoul. Elles ont ciblé des positions de mortier et des positions défensives dans la ville de Mossoul elle-même, ainsi que dans la périphérie de Badush. En Syrie, dans la région de Raqqah, une patrouille de Rafale a été engagée en mission d’appui des troupes au sol pour neutraliser des combattants de Daech menant une attaque contre des forces démocratiques syriennes. Appui feu – Task Force Wagram Cette semaine, l’effort du détachement de la Task Force (TF) Wagram, désormais regroupée sur une même emprise au nord de Mossoul, s’est intensifié. Les appuis ont marqué l’effort au profit des troupes engagées au sol dans la région de Badush. 53 missions ont été réalisées cette semaine. Elles comprennent 22 actions de neutralisation, destruction ou harcèlement visant soit à détruire des positions défensives adverses, soit à empêcher tout mouvement des groupes de combattants de Daech. 31 missions d’éclairement ont également été effectuées afin d’entraver les tentatives d’infiltration de la part de groupes de combattants terroristes cherchant à mener des actions de harcèlement nocturne contre les FSI.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1987

Incident date

March 19, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.649360 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Raids carried out by warplanes led to the deaths of four civilians including a woman and two children and wounded a further 12 people, sources said. It is unclear who was responsible for these attacks, with some reports blaming the Russians and others accusing the regime.

Syrian Mirror reported: “Russian warplanes targeted the eastern neighborhood in the city of Khan Sheikhan in the southern countryside of Idlib with vacuum rockets, which led to the massacre of five civilians, including a woman and two children, in addition to the injury of 10 others”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Rwaida Daiob
Adult female killed
Gina Daiob
5 years old female killed
Roa’a Daiob
12 years old female killed

The victims were named as:

Fawaz Al - Khalid
Age unknown injured
Osama Alwan
Age unknown male injured
Wafaa Taan
30 years old injured
Alaa Ta'an
25 years old injured
Rawda Ta'an
55 years old injured
Safa Taan
32 years old injured
Shahla Hamdan
Age unknown injured
Osama Ta'an
Age unknown injured
Mohammed Abdul Qader Al-Qasim Al-Hudairi
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Arakeel
Adult male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 19th (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 19th (via White Helmets)
  • Scenes following the airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 19th (via SO4HR)
  • Scenes following the airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 19th (via SO4HR)
  • Scenes following the airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 19th (via SO4HR)
  • Scenes following the airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 19th (via SO4HR)
  • Scenes following the airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 19th (via SO4HR)
  • Scenes following the airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 19th (via SO4HR)
  • Scenes following the airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 19th (via SO4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan Sheikhoun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.440813, 36.649360. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    5 – 7
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS556

Incident date

March 8, 2017

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.882222, 39.048611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or more civilians were reported killed and five injured in alleged Coalition strikes on Ratlah and al Aekershi.

According to Smart News, likely Coalition aircraft “launched raids on the villages of Ratlah (about 15 km south of Raqqa city) and al Aekershi (about 20 km east of Raqqa), killing two civilians and wounding five others who were transported by boats to the Raqqa National Hospital, according to a local source.”

The Syrian Mirror reported that “Field Activists said three civilians were killed and six others injured due to aerial bombing and on the towns of Ratla and al A’kershi and they were transferred to the Raqqa National Hospital.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 (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 Ratla and Aekershi (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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
Official source

For March 7th-8th the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three fighting positions, two tunnels, a vehicle repair facility, and a tactical vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM370

Incident date

January 29, 2023

Location

between Tawakal and Garasjered, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Geolocation

1.822314, 44.586645 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

1.779953, 44.635645 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

136 al-Shabaab fighters were killed and up to 98 others were injured in an operation carried out by the Somali government and international partners between Tawakal and Garasjered in Lower Shabelle region on January 29, 2023.

BBC News quoted the Somali government who said that 136 al-Shabaab fighters, including top commanders, were killed in a joint operation carried out with Somalia’s international partners.

Caasimada Online News quoted Deputy Minister of Information, Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala added that 90 other members of al-Shabaab were also wounded and that the operation took place in a jungle between Tawakal and Garasjered, 12km west of Janale district in the Lower Shabelle region. A tweet from @JournalistAadan put the number of injuries at 98.

Caasimada Online News also provided the names of some of the high-ranking leaders: Salman Dhere, responsible for the group’s coastal operations, and Moallim Salahey, who was in charge of attacks on the towns of Awdhegle, Qoryolay, and Janale. Moallim Hashi, a leader in charge of the group’s operations in the Lower Shabelle region. The government claimed to also have destroyed a weapons cache, vehicles, and equipment for explosive devices.

While none of the source directly implicate the US in this operation, reference to international partners has in the past included US forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    136
  • Belligerents reported injured
    90–98

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Garasjered and Tawakal. The generic coordinates for Garasjered are: 1.822314, 44.586645. The generic coordinates for Tawakal are: 1.779953, 44.635645. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    136
  • Belligerents reported injured
    90–98

Sources (5) [ collapse]