Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS1313

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

مقلة, Muqla, banks of Euphrates, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.797703, 39.497702 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on boats on the Euphrates river near the village of Makla, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame for the casualties.

According to Sound and Picture, “Coalition aircraft targeted civilian boats along the banks of the Euphrates, causing civilian injuries from the village of Makla, east of Raqqa. Coalition aircraft had dropped leaflets calling upon civilians to leave areas under the control of Daesh.”

However, Baladi reported that raids had been conducted by both Coalition and Russian jets on the Euphrates River, killing and wounding an unspecified number of civilians in Makla.

The incident was first reported on August 1, 2017 at 1:30 pm by @Raqqa24.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted civilian boats on the Euphrates, near the village of Makla (مقلة), which is located on the river banks. The coordinates for the village of Makla (مقلة) are: 35.797703, 39.497702  

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 Makla, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV450611
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 August 1st-2nd: “Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two ISIS headquarters, an IED, an ammunition cache, and a fuel supply point.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, two ammunition caches, and a VBIED factory; and damaged a fighting position.” And that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units, destroyed two staging areas and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged a VBIED factory.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI820a

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

near Qadiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.43144, 42.63615 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the US-led Coalition admitted on Sep. 27, 2018 that it had killed two civilians and injured two others.

The monthly civilian casualty report read: “August 1, 2017, near Qadiya, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike two civilians were injured and two civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

  • Marker showing the MGRS coordinate, accurate to 100 m, provided by CJTF–OIR

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Bing

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
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Qadiya, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF881344
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • August 1, 2017, near Qadiya, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike two civilians were injured and two civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

On Aug. 1, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed a piece of ISIS engineering equipment and a front-end loader.
Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a VBIED.
Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four front-end loaders, a supply cache and a command and control node.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CS1314

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Raqqa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was named as killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike by multiple local sources.

According to Palmyra Revolution Coordination Committee, “Mr. Abdul Razzaq Ali Kanawi, displaced from the city of Palmyra, was killed when his house was targeted by aircraft of the international coalition in the city of Raqqa yesterday. Some of his family members are still under the rubble of the house.”

Other sources also added that Abdul Razzaq Ali al-Kannawi‘s family had not been found and were likely still trapped under the rubble.

The incident was first reported on August 1, 2017 at 9:55 pm by Raqqa24.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Razzaq Ali al-Kannawi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mr. Abdul Razzaq Ali Kanawi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 1st August 2017. (via Palmyra revolution coordination committee)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention city of Raqqa (الرقة)‎, for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further  

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    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
  • May 31, 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 August 1st-2nd: “Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two ISIS headquarters, an IED, an ammunition cache, and a fuel supply point.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, two ammunition caches, and a VBIED factory; and damaged a fighting position.” And that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units, destroyed two staging areas and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged a VBIED factory.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1316a RS2379

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

الخميسية, Al-Khamesiya, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.764585, 39.564181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A “number” of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike in al Khamissiya, east of Raqqa City – though it was not clear who was responsible. Some sources attributed responsibility to the Coalition, some to Russia and some to Assad’s regime.

Raqqa24 reported that there was “mass destruction” in al Khamissiya from Coalition aircraft – they did not however report any civilian harm.

The only known source that mentioned any allegations of civilian harm was Sound and Picture who stated that “a number of civilians were killed and wounded in Russian raids on a camp in the village”.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights placed blame on joint Russian forces and regime operations. They reported:

“Russian warplanes and aircraft of the regime carried out dozens of strikes with rockets and explosive barrels targeting the city of Muadan and the villages of Al-Khamisiyah, Jaber and Qubba al-Buhamd”.

Explosive barrels are weapons that are known to be used by Assad’s regime.

It was not clear how many civilians were killed or wounded in the attack.

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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 April 1st - 31st 2017.

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
    37SEV511575
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Aug. 1, 2017, in Al Khamesiya, 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. 3140/CS1316a 37SEV511575

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 10 engagements against
ISIS targets.
• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed three ISIS well-heads.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS oil refinery.
• Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting
positions, two ISIS headquarters, an IED, an ammunition cache, and a fuel supply point.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1315

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

حي التوسعية, Al Tawwassoui'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

Eleven members of the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa’s Al Tawwassoui’ya neighbourhood, according to local media.

AlRaqqa Ahlna, Sohaeb Al Haskwi and Haska Rasd reported the deaths of 10 civilians, naming 3.

However, the majority of sources put the death toll at 12: Haitham Khaldun Sheikh Makhlaf, along with 11 members of his family – “mostly women and children”.

The incident was first reported on August 1, 2017 at 5:30 pm by @freedom_Raqqa1.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hammadi al Makhlaf
Adult male killed
Wife of Hammadi al Makhlaf
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Haitham Khaldun Sheikh Makhlaf
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 14
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Haitham Khaldun Sheikh Makhlaf, killed along with 11 members of his family in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 1st August 2017. (via @freedom_Raqqa1)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Tawwassoui’ya (حي التوسعية) in the city of Raqqa (الرقة‎), for which the coordinates are: 35.9633318, 38.9806321. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Tawasiyah (التوسعیة)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 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 August 1st-2nd: “Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two ISIS headquarters, an IED, an ammunition cache, and a fuel supply point.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, two ammunition caches, and a VBIED factory; and damaged a fighting position.” And that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units, destroyed two staging areas and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged a VBIED factory.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 14
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1316

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.81, 40.694722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and four civilians including a child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Kashkiya village, Deir Ezzor, according to local sources.

7al reported: “Abu Ayman al-Ali, an activist from the village of Deir al-Zour, told al-Hal, said that ‘raids by international coalition forces targeted civilian houses in the center of al-Kashkiya town.”

Jisir TV said that a girl was killed and others were injured, while other sources reported the death of a child and wounding of several other civilians

Syrialivemap put the death toll at four but didn’t say who was responsible. Similarly, some other sources didn’t identify the “warplanes” that carried out the attack.

The incident was first reported on August 1, 2017 at 10:23 pm by @Newsjorf.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the centre of the village of Al Kashkiya (الكشكية), Deir Ezzor governorate, for which the coordinates are: 34.81, 40.694722. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further    

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    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 Kashkiya, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU541550
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 August 1st-2nd: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS oil refinery.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 1, near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed 16 ISIS oil stills and an oil tanker truck.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ054

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

درنة, Dhar al-Hamr, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.730556, 22.605556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes hit residential homes in Derna, according to a local report.

Libya 24 reported that the LNA bombed in the vicinity of Kasarah in Derna, striking houses belonging to the Burebihah family.

The report did not mention whether civilians were inside at the time of the strike, or whether there were any casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEMTr094

Incident date

July 31, 2017

Location

الخثلة, Al Khathla, Marib, Yemen

Geolocation

15.175453, 45.182058 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US drone strike reportedly killed five alleged AQAP militants, including foreign fighters, in Al Khathla village in the Juba area of Marib governorate, early on July 31st 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

According to AFP, a Yemeni security official said that five alleged militants were killed in a drone strike “likely to have been carried out by the United States”. The official said that “foreigners” were among those killed in the strike, which targeted a gathering of people “known to belong to Al-Qaeda”, though no further information was available on specific nationalities.

Some sources suggested that the strike took place on a house in the village, though others, including Aden al-Ghad, suggested the five were instead killed while travelling in a car. Yemen Press reported that, according to local sources, three drone strikes targeted the vehicle. Al Hakea noted that the village had previously been targeted i na US raid on May 23rd.

One local language Twitter source, @ali_alabd_, asserted that a “reformist leader”, named as “Blasney”, was killed in the strike along with four other militants, though no other sources corroborated this.

According to one source, SMA News, “a number of other” militants were wounded in the strike, which it reported took place as militants met in a house. As such, Airwars has assessed that a minimum of two militants were reportedly injured in the strike.

In an email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, US Central Command said there had been no US strikes in Marib province at that time. This did not preclude the possibility of a CIA action, however.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (43) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention either a vehicle or a residential building being struck in the village of Al Khathla (الخثلة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Khathla are: 15.175453, 45.182058.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (43) [ collapse]