Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS1038

Incident date

June 19, 2017

Location

الجسر الجديد, Al Jisr al Jadid, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9320812, 38.9918947 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of civilians – including two women and a child – were killed after alleged Coalition airstrikes struck their house near Al Jisr al Jadeed (the New Bridge), to the south of Raqqa. Several local sources identified the victims by name.

According to RFS, the family were trying to escape the city when they were killed.

One source, @NPress9, claimed that Salem al Hassan al Hamoud and his son were ‘terrorists’ wanted by the Coalition, but that information could not be verified. All other sources reported that they were civilians.

Twelve of the 14 sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible, whereas the remaining two did not apportion blame.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Salem al Hassan al Hamoud
Age unknown male killed
Hassan Salem al Hamoud
Age unknown male killed
Hala Salem al Hamoud
Age unknown female killed
Fahad Salem al Hamoud
Age unknown male killed
Wife of Faisal Maha Mustafa Darwish
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Salem al-Hassan al-Hamoud, killed with members of his family in an alleged Coalition raid on al Jisr al Jadid, June 19th (via Al Ragga Truth)
  • Salem al-Hassan al-Hamoud and his son were reportedly killed by Coalition airstrikes on June 19th 2017 (via Noon Press)
  • Salem al-Hassan al-Hamoud was reportedly killed by Coalition airstrikes on June 19th 2017 (via RBSS)
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 Al Jisr al Jadid, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 18th-19th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed four vehicles, two fighting positions, two mortar systems, a VBIED, a tactical vehicle, and a heavy machine gun.” It additionally reported that “On June 18, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroyed eight fighting positions and a mortar system, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On June 18, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions; damaged eight fighting positions; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

For June 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions and a vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On June 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position and a UAS launch site.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For June 14th-20th, 19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria. Most of them were carried out during the Battle of Mosul, in support of the Iraqi fighters engaged in the fighting to drive ISIL out of its positions in the North of the Medina. The other strikes were carried out in support of the fighting for the capture of Raqqah, and against flows of arms and fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 34 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elle ont été réalisées dans le cadre de la bataille de Mossoul, en appui des combattants irakiens engagés dans les combats pour chasser Daech de ses positions au Nord de la Médina. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en appui des combats pour la prise de Raqqah, et contre des flux d’armes et de combattants en Irak et en Syrie.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0350

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

منزل عائلة عاشور قرب صالة السعادة جنوبي خان يونس, Ashour family home near the al-Saada Hall, south of Khan Yunis, Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On Wednesday, October 18th 2023, at least four civilians, including three women, were reported killed, and dozens of civilians were reported injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Ashour family home near the al-Saada Hall, south of Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip.

Initial reports from local and social media including Safa News, Ma’a News Agency, al-Ray News, Mawtani Radio, and al-Aqsa Voice stated that four were killed, including three women, and that there were “dozens of injuries” in the bombing. A source on social media, Tayseer Ashour, posted that a “number of members” of the Ashour family were killed, attributing the strikes to Israeli forces. Wafa News reported that medical teams and civilian rescue efforts had recovered the bodies of “a number of martyrs and wounded from two homes belonging to the Mahfouz and Ashour families in the city of Khan Yunis” – it is unclear if the casualties from the Mahfouz family were as a result of this alleged strike.

Only one source attributed the strike to Israeli forces, therefore Airwars had graded the Strike Status as a “Single Source Claim”.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS019

Incident date

October 5, 2015

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least six and as many as 17 civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes – reportedly by Russian jets – on the ISIL-occupied city of Al Bab near Aleppo.

According to Qasioun the strikes hit “a popular food market in the city, resulting in mass civilian casualties, and the burning of several cars and shops.Daesh propaganda footage showed massive damage to a residential street.

Although the Syria Media Organisation attributed the attack to regime aircraft, the Russian MoD later confirmed carrying out strikes on the city that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Major damage to civilian streets in Al Bab from alleged Russian airstrike, Oct 5th 2015. (via, Daesh propaganda)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

In its summary for October 5th 2015, the Russian MoD confirmed carrying out strikes at Al Bab: “In the daytime, Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft performed 15 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase. Ten terrorist facilities were engaged. Su-34 eliminated an HQ and a command centre of the ISIS militants near Dayr Hafir and Al-Bab (Aleppo). Direct hits resulted in destruction of buildings sheltering field commanders of terrorists.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1062

Incident date

June 22, 2017

Location

شارع ال ١٦ في حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.960331, 39.022197 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven or eight civilians including women and children from the same family died in an alleged Coalition artillery on 16th Street in Raqqa’s Rumaila neighbourhood, according to local sources.

The date has been changed from the 23rd to the 22nd since Amnesty International conducted field research in Raqqa.

Q_Alenzy reported the death of six members of the Sheiko family when “warplanes” allegedly shelled “their house behind Al-Salihiya library in Rumaila street on Thursday afternoon.” Other sources reported that seven civilians from the same family died, while Jisr TV put the death toll at eight and blamed the Coalition. It has since been discovered by Amnesty field research that the eighth victim was the fetus of Buthaina. She was at the end of her pregnancy when she was killed.

In February 2018 the Coalition made its first assessment of the case, classing it as ‘non credible’.

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report ‘War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality’ later reported that “Six members of the Sheikho family – three children, one woman and two men – were killed in their sleep when their home was struck by an artillery shell at 2.45 am. ”

A survivor of the artillery strike named Mohammed gave a testimony to Amnesty researchers: “I lost my two children. My baby girl was only 25 days old. How can it be acceptable to kill children? This war had no mercy and no humanity and we defenceless civilians paid the price.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the Coalition again assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “June 22, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2736/AI-24/S928 37SEV020795”.

The Coalition provided coordinates accurate to within 100 metres, indicating the location on which it had focused its assessment.

The incident occured at 02:45:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

58 years old male killed
5 years old male grandchild of Ahmed Mustafa Sheikho killed
25 days old years old female killed
Adult female wife of Ahmed Mustafa Sheikho, broke her leg injured
38 years old male nephew killed
30s years old female pregnant wife of Ahmad Moh Sheikho
6 years old male daughter of AHmed and Buthaina killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (4 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Mohammed Ahmad Sheikho, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 22nd June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Ahmad Mohammed Sheikho, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 22nd June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Ahmad Mustafa Sheikho, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 22nd June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Buthaina Abbud, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 22nd June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Layah Mohammed Ahmad Sheikho, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 22nd June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Thaer Ahmad Mohammed Sheikho, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 22nd June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Where the Sheikho family home once stood. (via Amnesty)
  • Where the Sheikho family home once stood. (via Amnesty)
  • Where the Sheikho family home once stood. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes

According to Amnesty research there was no visible change in June this building, 2017/08/04-2017/08/11 (or next door 2017/07/06-2017/07/19).

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008788 or 37SEV020795
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

  • June 22, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2736/AI-24/S928 37SEV020795

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 22nd-23rd the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 12 fighting positions, two vehicles, and an IED cache; and damaged an ISIS supply route.” It additionally reported that On June 22, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.” and that “On June 22, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, a weapons cache, and an ISIS staging area; and damaged 14 fighting positions.”

For June 23rd-24th: “Near Raqqah, 21 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 10 fighting positions, six vehicles, a VBIED, an ISIS staging area, a tactical vehicle, a mortar tube, and a mortar system; damaged an ISIS supply route; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 23, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria in the last week. Most of them were carried out in the battles of Mosul and Raqqah. These strikes were aimed at groups of Daech fighters. The other strikes were carried out in Syria and targeted regrouping and refueling areas used by jihadi fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 16 artillery strikes in Mosul.

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 29 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 2 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elles ont été réalisées dans le cadre des batailles de Mossoul et de Raqqah. Ces frappes visaient des groupes de combattants de Daech. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en Syrie et ont visé des zones de regroupement et de ravitaillements utilisées par les combattants djihadistes.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Friday 23 June – Tornados and Typhoons hit three Daesh sniper teams in Mosul, and a truck-bomb and armoured personnel carrier in Raqqa…The next day [June 23rd], a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair used two Paveway IVs to target successfully a large group of Daesh fighters operating with a truck-bomb and an armoured personnel carrier in Raqqa, while in Mosul a Tornado flight conducted three precision attacks with Brimstone missiles on sniper positions.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (4 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS650

Incident date

October 20, 2023

Location

قرية عقيبة , Akaybah/Ogaybah, Shirawa, Afrin countryside, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Friday, October 20th, two civilians were injured as a result of alleged Turkish military bombing on the town of Akaybah (Ogaybah in Kurdish). They were injured while working in the fields surrounding the town, and were taken to the closest medical center for treatment.

One civilian was identified as 29-year-old Shaima Muhammad Rajab Talib. Sources remain divided over the identity of the second victim. While some reported the wounded to be a man, Farid Mustafa Barakat, others name the civilian as a woman, Farida Mustafa Barakat. Despite confusion over the gender of the injured, sources agree on the civilian’s age: 23 years old. Importantly however, an image included with a written source show two women holding their injuries. Both injuries appeared to be minor.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Turkish forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Shaima Muhammad Rajab Talib شيماء محمد رجب طالب
29 years old female injured
Farida Mustafa Barakat or Farid Mustafa Barakat فريدة مصطفى بركات or فريد مصطفى بركات
23 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Afrin Rankin news facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS122

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Location

الكركات, Al Karkat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.477006, 36.384919 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four children from the same family died after alleged strikes by the regime.

However Al Khul reported that six civilians died “after Russian planes last night targeted the village of Al Karkat near the town of Kala’at al Madik in the western countryside.” And the Shaam News Network reported local activists as saying that a Russian plane had targeted the village with two vacuum missiles, which led to the deaths of non-combatants and widespread destruction of property. The activists also predicted there was likely to be an increase in the number of deaths due to the severity of some injuries, but did not state how many civilians were injured. The Syrian Observatory also blamed Russia for the attack.

Four individually unnamed children of Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad were later reported by the VDC as having been killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed
Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed
Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed
Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (4 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Karkat (الكركات), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.477006, 36.384919. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Regime

 The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four children from the same family died after alleged strikes by the regime.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (4 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1092

Incident date

June 26, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A civilian male was allegedly killed in a Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, Ahmad al Shibli reported.

No further details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saleh Hamid al Harith
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Saleh Hamid al Harith, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 26th June 2017, Ar Raqqah. (via Ammar Alywy)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV007787
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 26th-27th: “Near Raqqah, 18 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 13 fighting positions, two vehicles, a VBIED, a home-made explosives factory, and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged two fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On June 26, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an IED belt.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Monday 26 June – Tornados destroyed a truck-bomb workshop near Al Mayadin in eastern Syria, while Typhoons and Tornados eliminated snipers in Raqqa and Mosul… Two mixed pairs of Tornados and Typhoons, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, meanwhile provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pushing into Raqqa and to the Iraqi troops clearing remaining Daesh positions in west Mosul. A Brimstone missile accounted for a sniper team in Raqqa'.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria in the last week. Most of them were carried out in the battles of Mosul and Raqqah. These strikes were aimed at groups of Daech fighters. The other strikes were carried out in Syria and targeted regrouping and refueling areas used by jihadi fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 16 artillery strikes in Mosul.

‘CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION En Syrie, les Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) sont engagées dans des combats féroces pour reprendre progressivement le contrôle du centre-ville de Raqqah. À l’Est, arrivés en bordure de la muraille d’enceinte de la vieille ville, les FDS sont ralentis sur les autres axes par les stratégies de harcèlement et d’imbrication de Daech déjà mises en œuvre à Mossoul. Les combattants du groupe terroriste s’appuient par ailleurs sur les rues étroites de la vieille ville pour freiner la progression des FDS. En Irak, le recul de Daech se poursuit. Au nord-ouest de l’Irak, les Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) et la 15e division irakienne poursuivent leurs actions pour consolider leur emprise sur la province de Ninive. Daech de son côté continue de concentrer ses actions de diversion dans la poche de Hawijah. À Mossoul, les Forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) continuent leur progression méthodique. Les combattants de Daech sont désormais isolés dans deux poches de résistances distinctes, entre la Médina et le complexe hospitalier. Le 21 juin les djihadistes ont fait sauter la mosquée Al Nouri alors que les FSI s’en approchaient, privant ces dernières d’une prise symbolique. Ils ont également mené plusieurs actions de harcèlement contre les lignes arrière des FSI. Dans les quartiers repris, la sécurisation est lente, progressive et dangereuse pour les FSI. Daech continue de mener des actions sporadiques de harcèlement et tente de maintenir des cellules dormantes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a appuyé cette semaine les opérations de ratissage de la 15e division irakienne à l’ouest de Mossoul. 16 missions de tir ont été réalisées en appui des unités irakiennes dont : 10 missions de harcèlement 6 missions d’éclairement Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a donc conduit plus de 1200 missions de tirs. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 29 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 2 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elles ont été réalisées dans le cadre des batailles de Mossoul et de Raqqah. Ces frappes visaient des groupes de combattants de Daech. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en Syrie et ont visé des zones de regroupement et de ravitaillements utilisées par les combattants djihadistes.’

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0145k

Incident date

October 13, 2023

Location

هبة زقوت, Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On Friday, October 13, 2023, prominent Palestinian visual artist Heba Zaqout (39 years old) was killed, with two of her sons Adam and Mahmoud, in an alleged Israeli strike on the house she was staying in, in a residential area of the Gaza Strip.

Her last message to her friend @danielmkovalik was “We are sitting with the children. There is a bombing. I feel afraid,” alongside images, taken from a window, of plumes of smoke and dust in the near distance and another image of two children crouched by a wall in the dark. Her husband and two other sons, Faisal and Baraa, survived.

One source, Mohammed Lamaa, reported in a post on Facebook that Heba was killed alongside her five sons, however, no other sources corroborated this claim.

Family members and friends of Heba Zaqout made heartfelt tributes and described their grief.

Many posted images of her bright acrylic paintings, some that depicted a woman in a traditional Palestinian dress and others depicting the city of Jerusalem.

Heba Zaqout was born in Gaza City on February 18, 1984. An article in GQ Middle East after her death explained how she painted Gaza as a harmonious and peaceful city with dozens of shrines, temples and churches beautifully coexisting. Her artwork also symbolised peace, return to home and ancient culture. She used social media to showcase her work where she built her following. GQ Middle East described her as a “breadwinner” and said that she “held a profoundly resilient spirit that often manifested in her artwork through symbols of peace and coexistence”.

She posted a YouTube video on September 28, 2023, where she said “We all know that there are political tensions and events that are not simple in Gaza. Through drawing, I try to reflect all negative emotions and empty all negative emotions. I consider art a message that I deliver to the outside world through my expression of the Palestinian cause and identity.” Her sister said that she had hoped an exhibition would be held of her work outside of Gaza.

Days before her death she wrote on her Facebook page “Oh God, we entrust you with hearts grieving with separation. Oh God, heal the brokenness of our hearts and make us patient with your judgement and destiny. O Lord, be with us and strengthen us increase our patience and reward us for our patience. O God, bind our hearts, for they cannot be strong or supported. Except for you.”

Heba’s name has been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

Where the sources identified the belligerent, sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown. The exact location of the incident is also unknown, where sources identified a location, sources only referred to “the Gaza Strip”.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Hiba Zagout هبة زقوت
39 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 949814115
Adam ادم
Child male Hiba's son killed
Mahmoud محمود
Child male Hiba's son killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2–5 children1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (44) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza resists carnival facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mah Hi Zaq facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rased news facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nisreen Yousef facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nisreen Yousef facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nisreen Yousef facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nisreen Yousef facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nisreen Yousef facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mustafa Ghuneim facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mustafa Ghuneim facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Canada Dagmero facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Canada Dagmero facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Canada Dagmero facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samira Ahmad Jalajel facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samira Ahmad Jalajel facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Lamaa facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Lamaa facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @danielmkovalik
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @danielmkovalik
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @danielmkovalik
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @_ZachFoster
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @wafaabdelrahman
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @wafaabdelrahman
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @elenyaart
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @elenyaart
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @elenyaart
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @elenyaart
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @farahkanaan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @BDSmovement
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PhilistiaForeva
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PhilistiaForeva
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ZynabAlAziz
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Middle East Eye News
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Middle East Eye News
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Middle East Eye News
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Middle East Eye News
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: QG Middle East Report
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: QG Middle East Report
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: QG Middle East Report
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: QG Middle East Report
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: QG Middle East Report
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: QG Middle East Report
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: QG Middle East Report
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Guardian News

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2–5 children1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]