Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS032

Incident date

December 2, 2014

Location

المريعية, Marbaʼīyah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2726894, 40.2245951 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian males, both residents of the village of Al-Mrey’iya, were reported by SOHR to have been killed in a coalition airstrike. They were named as Hassan Al Ali Al Zahiya and Moyyed Mohammad Al Assaf.

The Committee for the Defence of Democracy, Freedoms and Human Rights also named the two men as civilians – but said that Moyyed Mohammad Al Assaf was killed in an airstrike at Al Shadadi on December 1st, while Hassan Al Ali Al Zahiya was reportedly “killed in the ‘countryside of Deir Ezzor” the following day.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Al Ali Al Zahiya
Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs killed
Moyyed Mohammad Al Assaf
Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al-Mrey’iya, Deir Ezzor (المريعية), for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 35.2726894, 40.2245951. 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-Mrey’iyah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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

The coalition has confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity between December 3rd-5th 2014, though has not conceded any non-combatant casualties: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, an airstrike destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL excavator and struck a ISIL training camp.” Between December 1st-3rd, the coalition has only publicly reported airstrikes for the Kobane area.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS049

Incident date

February 2, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Major coalition air raids on the oil fields around Shadadi reportedly led to the deaths of up to four non-combatants. Residents described a significant attack, with one site reporting: “Among the most prominent oil fields targeted were Al Rawees and Al Howyaziah east of Shadadi. The fires are also still burning in Kabiba close to the gas factory, north of Shadadi. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the flames and sound of explosions were seen and heard dozens of kilometers from the bombing site. The villages near the oil fields have seen a large displacement of civilians who left for fear of further raids, as the coalition’s flights are still being seen and heard flying overhead.“

According to SNHR, a 70 year old man died with his two daughters, aged 27 and 25, when their mud-built home near to an oil field was bombed. Eyewitness and near neighbour Mahmoud al-Hadidya told the group: “The home has been completely destroyed, killing Ibrahim with his two daughters… and had turned their bodies to pieces. We found Ibrahim’s hand next to the house, and we were collecting bits of flesh and body parts until the early hours of the following morning.”

Another eyewitness, named by ARA news as local resident Suleiman Al Awda, said “the raid caused the death of Ibrahim Almusjul and all members of his family, after targeting of the Gona oil fields near his home by coalition aircraft.” The family was buried in Hadidiya Cemetery. There were additional claims that “dozens” of civilians were injured in the coalition attack.

CENTCOM investigators were made aware of the alleged deaths within 24 hours, a declassified report later revealed, noting that “Coalition aircraft reportedly killed a family in an attack on their house near the Ghunah oilfields“.

However it was swiftly concluded that the claims were “not credible.” In a highly-redacted section of the report, it was also noted that the Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar “assesses not enough information to confirm credibility.”

 

The incident occured at 19:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ibrahim al-Mussul
70 years old male Surname also someimes pronounced as al Musjul killed
Jozah Ibrahim Al-Mussul
27 years old female Ibrahim's daughter killed
Zahra Ibrahim Al-Mussul
25 years old female Ibrahim's second daughter killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women1–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Video showing alleged coalition raids on the oil fields near al Shadadi in southern Hassakah. [Via: SOHR 4th February 2015]
  • Grainy photo published by SOHR on 3rd February 2015 purportedly showing 'International-Arab coalition bombing in areas in South and south East of al Hassakah which led to injured and reported deaths.'
  • Victim Ibrahim al-Mussul, almost 70 years old. [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]

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
    Ash Shadadah, Al Hasakah ProviNe, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Coalition aircraft reportedly killed a family in an attack on their nouse near the Ghunah oilfields in northern Ash Shaddah. Not credible. After assessing the information on the four targets XXX XXXX CADC agrees that it is not a credible allegation. Not enough information.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 2nd 2015, the Coalition publicly reported that "Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck multiple ISIL oil pump jacks and destroyed four ISIL mobile drilling rigs."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women1–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS965a

Incident date

June 11, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.952293, 39.021907 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A female child was killed by artillery shelling from the US-led Coalition. The Coalition later conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across this event and CS965 and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965.

This civilian was initially listed as killed in an airstrike which killed eight civilians from three families – including named victim – with dozens also left wounded. It has since been uncovered by Amnesty field research that this victim was killed by shrapnel which entered the home while she was on the 2nd floor.

According to the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, the “Wife of Ala Ahmad Ali Hamsho, Suhaila Mohammed Dhibo, was killed. Her husband was downstairs  waiting for Suhaila who was upstairs on second floor getting ready leave and go to her family due to too much shelling”.

The mother-in-law – Houda – provided testimony to Amnesty International saying “Suhaila was upstairs getting some belonging while my son waited for her downstairs. They were going to leave and go to her father because there was a lot of artillery shelling in the area.”

A number of sources alleged that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible for the strikes with the Syrian Network blaming SDF mortars. However, the Coalition also reported that it conducted artillery fire in the Raqqa.

In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts.”

Both this event and CS965 are classed as credible events.

The incident occured at 23:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Suhaila Hamsho
16 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

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:

  • 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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV017790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

  • June 12, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts. [The Coalition conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across CS965, CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965]. 

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, two vehicles, and two ISIS boats; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and suppressed a sniper team.” And that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two fighting positions.”

It also reported for the same days that "Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions and four vehicles."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI055

Incident date

April 3, 2015

Location

الوائلية, Al Waelyiah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Abdarahman Alloizi MP, a deputy in the Iraqi parliament, claimed that as many as 26 civilians from one family died, when the coalition struck a house near Mosul, in the village of Al Waeliyah.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    26
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Waelyiah (الوائلية), “West of Mosul”, Nineveh Province (the Arabic spelling is only an approximation as the original Arabic language source has been taken offline). The coordinates for Mosul are: 36.34585235, 43.09857692

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

The coalition has confirmed a major strike in the vicinity of Mosul for April 3rd-4th 2015: “Near Mosul, an airstrike struck one large ISIL unit, one ISIL tactical unit and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL machine guns, an ISIL bulldozer, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL rifle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    26
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI440

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Location

الدواسة, Mosul: West, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.332586, 43.1388688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were claims that up to 34 civilians died and 20 or more were injured following Coalition or Iraqi strikes on western Mosul.

The Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that airstrikes had targeted residential neighborhoods and killed 32 people, including women and children. Yaqein news also put the death toll at 32.

Shebab newsagency said that “33 people were killed, including women and children, when an airstrike targeted the west of Mosul amid intensified fighting between, on the one hand,  Iraqi forces and the militia collaborating with them, and ISIL on the other hand, on the edge of the Tigris River in the city centre.”

Al Rawed posted an Al A’Amaq [ISIL propaganda] video showing “the damage left behind by US aircraft [as it] bombed residential areas on the left side of the city of Mosul”. The witness in the video said that two civilian houses and a wool factory had just been targeted by a US missile.

The Coalition announced on March 4th that it was conducting an assessment into an event on Mosul for January 26th.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: ‘In the evening of 26 January, 27 women and children were reportedly killed and 11 other civilians, including four children and one woman, were wounded in an airstrike targeting an ISIL compound in the Qasir al-Mitran neighbourhood of western Mosul.’

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted “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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 32
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ 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
  • Stated location
    in Western Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF311230
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • Jan. 26, 2017, in Western Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it wasdetermined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 25th-26th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed three mortar systems and two watercraft; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
For January 26th-27th it noted: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed two ISIL headquarters, twoVBIED facilities, two barges, a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, a VBIED, and an anti-air artillery system; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 32
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS077

Incident date

June 11, 2015

Location

الموحسن, Al Muhassan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2257487, 40.3109038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A lawyer and muezzin of the village mosque,  died in an alleged Coalition strike which damaged the building according to reports.

The victim’s two brothers Juma’a and Saleh had also previously been killed during clashes with regime forces.

 

The incident was first reported on June 11, 2015 at 1:59 pm by Dayr Ez Zawr 24.

The victims were named as:

Khalalf Hmaoud al-Hosain al-Samir
Adult male A lawyer and muezzin of the village mosque 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]

  • A tweet reporting the death of the 'lawyer Khalalf Hmaoud al-Hosain al-Samir' who is described as the Muezzin at a mosque in Muhassan. He is also described as brother to 'two martyrs', 11th June 2015 [Via: Deir Ezzor 24]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Muhassan (الموحسن), Deir Ezzor, for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 35.2257487, 40.3109038. Based on satellite imagery in which structural damage can be seen (see below), a possible location of the incident is: 35.2107911, 40.3474268

  • Structural damage seen on satellite imagery (left: 11 November, 2014; right: 6 October, 2016)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Muhasan, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU192988
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 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 June 10th-11th 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Dayr Az Zawr, four airstrikes struck four ISIL crude oil collection points.”

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

CS1914

Incident date

March 20, 2019

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of the young woman “Alaa Mahmoud Al-Shakran” displaced from the city of Palmyra, as a result of alleged Coalition on the town of Al-Baghouz on March 20th.

According to a post by Revo.palmyra3, this brings the number of fatalities to four civilians displaced from Palmyra including two women and one child in the same week. 

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible. Their monhtly civilian casualty report noted: “The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alaa Mahmoud Al-Shakran
Age unknown female Described as "young" killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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]

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
  • Stated location
    near Al Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • Mar. 20, 2019, near Al Baghouz, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Between March 10 - 23, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 250 strikes consisting of 398 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 193 strikes consisting of 338 engagements, engaged 346 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 104 vehicles, 63 supply routes, 39 fighting positions, 31 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, nine tactical vehicles, six fuel tankers, four weapons caches, two command and control nodes, one tunnel, one tanker for petroleum oil and lubricants, one mortar system, and one checkpoint.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

CS100

Incident date

July 12, 2015

Location

مزرعة الأسدية, Al Assadiyah near Ar Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.966983, 38.703728

Airwars assessment

A boy named as Amjad Mohammed was reportedly killed along with eleven alleged Daesh militants, in a fresh coalition airstrike on the outskirts of Ar Raqaa.

According to SOHR, the child may have belonged to ‘Cubs of the Caliphate’ – an Islamic State indoctrination unit for young children in the city. One report claimed he died as a result of “airstrikes carried out by coalition warplanes on the farms of al-Asadiyyeh area, to the north of Raqqah city.” Another report said he was begging near a bridge in the north of the city when it was struck by the coalition.

Separately, an adult male non-combatant named as Sari Ibrahim Al A’akar also reportedly died as the result of a coalition strike on Mankalan bridge.

In an unusual move, the coalition reported that while both its own aircraft and those of the Assad regime had bombed Raqaa on July 11th-12th, “The nearest Coalition airstrike to Ar Raqqa city-center was 6.75 km away and targeted four bridges.”

Islamic State later published a propaganda video in which it said one adult male non-combatant had died in the US airstrikes. The organisation said that all bridges into the city had been destroyed, forcing locals to use side roads to get in and out.

In July 2017 the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “July 12, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report: 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.”

Given reports from the time, Airwars contionues to assess this event as likely – though is seeking additional claridication from the Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amjad Mohammed Al Shahaha
8 years old male From al Assadiya farm killed
Sari Ibrahim Al A’akar
Adult male died as a result of a raid on Mankalan bridge. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from 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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 11th-12th 2015 CJTF-OIR additionally notes that: “Near Ar Raqqah, six airstrikes struck five ISIL staging areas and an ISIL personnel carrier destroying an ISIL t-wall and two ISIL excavators.” An additional note pointed out that: “Separately, Syrian aircraft conducted airstrikes within Ar Raqqah near the timeframe of Coalition forces. These Syrian airstrikes were not coordinated with the Coalition. The nearest Coalition airstrike to Ar Raqqa city-center was 6.75 km away and targeted four bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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 (9) [ collapse]