Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS1298

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95538, 39.00887 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 Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa.

Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike to suppress an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

Coalition officials told Airwars that this report referred to CS1298.

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

The coordinates indicate that the incident was near the Dar al Shifa hospital.

This incident may be related to CS1295, however there is not enough locational detail in that allegation to tell.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS of this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • July, 29, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report. During a Coalition strike to suppress an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 29th – 30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and three vehicles.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1299

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94637, 39.00776 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 Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa.

Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

Coalition officials told Airwars that their report referred to this incident.

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

This incident may be related to CS1295, however there is not enough locational detail in that allegation to tell.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV007780
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • July 29, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report. During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 29th – 30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and three vehicles.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1294

Incident date

July 28, 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

Multiple reports said that 99 civilians died and approximately 120 had been wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa within the last 72 hours. These numbers, however, are general numbers and Airwars has not, so far, been able to break them down to specific locations.

Al Hasaka Rasd, @raassaf77, @freedom_raqqa1, @mogthdarqqat, @alksndr111, @Mohamma26725093 produced carbon copies of the same report giving these figures.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “there were nearly 100 martyrs and hundreds wounded in days by daily massacres in the city of Raqqa by the Coalition and the SDF.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 99
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–120
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (7) [ 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
    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 July 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and suppressed a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units, destroyed an anti-air artillery system, and damaged seven fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 28 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair struck a Daesh position in Raqqa…Another mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair assisted the SDF in Raqqa on Friday 28 July, and a Paveway IV was used to destroy a terrorist position.’

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 99
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–120
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM082

Incident date

July 28, 2017

Location

Southern Somalia, Somalia

Geolocation

1.856515, 42.984748 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. No casualties were reported.

An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal “is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities.” It therefore did not proactively release information about all of its strikes. It was limited to confirming or denying US operations took place when asked directly for those strikes that were not cleared to be reported in press releases.

The spokesperson would not say specifically where the attacks hit, telling the Bureau the best they could say was all the unreported strikes were conducted in southern Somalia, “for operational security reasons”.

No additional public information is presently known about this event. The assumed target was al Shabaab.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident only mention that the strike occurred in Southern Somalia, for which the generic coordinates are: 1.856515, 42.984748. Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

Via email from Africom to BIJ, November 17th, 2017:

"The best I can do on the strikes that were not on your list, for operational security reasons, is say they were all conducted in southern Somalia."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2372

Incident date

July 28, 2017

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.31407, 40.23865 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed and an unspecified number were wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes on Mrat town in Deir Ezzor countryside, local media reported.

Only two sources attributed their blame to Russia, while others did not attribute blame. One named “military aircraft”.

The strikes “targeted the house of Denous al-Besha’an” causing three civilian deaths, according to Freedierazourradio.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ 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 July 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1287

Incident date

July 28, 2017

Location

حي الثكنة, Al Thakana, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9478905, 39.0067863 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male died in Raqqa’s Al Thaakan neigbourhood – though it was unclear whether Coalition artillery or an SDF mortar were to blame.

Ahmad Al Rfaai posted in the on Documentary of victims of Ar Raqqa Facebook group, saying that Haj Ahmad Lyla Salim al-Ali was his grandfather and died in his home after it was struck by a mortar on July 28th.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed shelling by the SDF in the Al Thkakana/Barracks area for the man’s death, while Al Hasaka Rasd reported that he died following an artillery bombardment by “Kurdish militias” on the Barracks neighbourhood.

While Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa, the SDF are reportedly using mortars, meaning that they could well be responsible for the victim’s death.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haj Ahmad Lyla Salim al-Ali
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Haj Ahmad Lyla Salim al-Ali, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 28th July 2017. (via Ahmad Al Rfaai posted on Documentary of victims of Ar Raqqa group)
  • Haj Ahmad Lyla Salim al-Ali, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 28th July 2017. (via Ahmad Al Rfaai posted on Documentary of victims of Ar Raqqa group)
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
  • Stated location
    near al-Thakana neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV004780
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • July 28, 2017, near al-Thakana neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and suppressed a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units, destroyed an anti-air artillery system, and damaged seven fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 28 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair struck a Daesh position in Raqqa…Another mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair assisted the SDF in Raqqa on Friday 28 July, and a Paveway IV was used to destroy a terrorist position.’

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1288

Incident date

July 28, 2017

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0052619, 40.4581082 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians, many from the same family, died in airstrikes which reportedly hit civilian homes in Al Tayba, according to local media. While most sources pointed towards the Coalition, a number did not identify the warplanes responsible, while one report alleged that the Assad regime was to blame.

7al provided the most detail on the event, reporting: “Abu Ayman al-Ali, an activist from Deir al-Zour, told al-Haal website that ‘Coalition aircraft targeted the municipality of Taybeh, located at the eastern entrance of the town of Al-Mayadeen, with more than three raids, which focused on civilian homes in the center of the town during Friday prayers,killing five of them [ie civilians] and wounding more than 18 others, many of whom were left in a critical condition. Much property was also destroyed.’”

According to Russia Today – who blamed the Coalition – seven people from the Al-Atish family died, including five children.

Death counts varied. Alaraby put the number at four, Baladi and eight (also pointing towards the Coalition) and Qasioun at nine, with dozens more wounded.

Al Jazeera said that eight people died in “unidentified airstrikes” which destroyed “several civilian homes”, while Euphrates Post reported that the house of Mejar Mohammed Al – Atish was “completely destroyed”.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights was alone in blaming the Assad regime, reporting that “three children and a woman from the same family were killed when Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles on Al Tayba”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

The daughter of Bandar Mohammed Al-Atish
Child female some sources named son killed
The wife of Mejar Mohammed Al – Atish
Adult female killed
Daughter of of Mejar Mohammed Al-Atish 1
Child female killed
Daughter of of Mejar Mohammed Al-Atish 2
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–4 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18–36
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Taybah, July 28th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Taybah, July 28th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Taybah, July 28th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

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 July 28th-29th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, an oil storage vehicle, and a well-head.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed four ISIS oil stills.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–4 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18–36
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1289

Incident date

July 28, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One named civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a home which had reportedly been seized by ISIS and was being used as a prison, local sources reported.

Sources said that the home of Farouq Al-Mashouh was being used as an ISIS prison. Euphrates Post and SHRC named Laith Allawi al-Jabr, one of the detainees, as killed in the strike. Other sources said civilians were also wounded.

According to Deir Ezzor 24, “the warplanes raided the town of Mayadin in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Azur. The first raid targeted the house of Farouk al-Mashouh, known as the former mufti’s house, which had been turned into a prison. This led to the martyrdom of a number of prisoners, including the martyr Laith Allawi al-Jabr”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two civilians were killed when International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on al Mayadeen city in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs on July 28, 2017.”

RFS Media Office said that “unknown planes” carried out the strike.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Laith Allawi al-Jabr
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 28th-29th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, an oil storage vehicle, and a well-head.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed four ISIS oil stills.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]