US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

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Incident Code

CS1408

Incident date

August 23, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Six members of the Lafi family were among up to 11 civilians reported killed in air raids on the city of Mayadin, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Assad regime or even Russia were responsible.

Although Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four civilians from one family were killed, five civilians from the same family were identified. Other sources such as Jisir TV and Shaam News claimed six civilians from the same family were killed.

A Facebook post by Step News Agency holds the US-led Coalition responsible for the attack, however, multiple other sources did not identify the culprit.

Activists for Smart News described an “unidentified aircraft” that targeted a neighbourhood of Mayadeen under the control of the so-called Islamic State Organisation. The Smart report also noted that details of the incident were limited, due to the security measures on the internet, imposed by the so-called Islamic State Organisation.

According to Shaam News Network, “several civilians houses” were targeted, and local sources said that civilians were wounded but did not give a figure on how many. Some of the wounded were trapped under rubble, according to local reports.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for the deaths of members of the Al-Lafi family.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, however, it was unclear whether the warplanes responsible for the strike belonged to the Coalition or Russia.

@MOAZALSHAMY and @1thayir put the death toll as high as 11 and blamed “intensive military raids”.

In April 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible, noting: “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 incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Noor Ragheb Awwad Al-Lafi
Age unknown killed
Minar Ragheb Awad Al-Lafi
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Ragheb Awwad Al-Lafi
Age unknown killed
Amer Ragheb Al-Lafi’s wife Donia Ali Al-Atish
Adult female killed
Son of Amer Ragheb Al-Lafi
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Ragheb Awwad Lafi, killed along with members of his family in an airstrike on Mayadin. August 23rd 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the city of Al Maydeen (الميادين), for which the coordinates are: 35.016667, 40.444167. Sources mention the incident happened in the vicinity of Al Tawba mosque (التوبة), of which the exact location is unknown, others mention the Al Jisir (bridge) area, for which the coordinates are: 35.020000, 40.468611.

  • Sources mention the incident happened in the vicinity of Al Tawba mosque (التوبة), of which the exact location is unknown, others mention the Al Jisir (bridge) area

    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
    Other
  • Stated location
    near Al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU317758
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019

  • Aug. 23, 2017, near Al Mayadin, 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 August 23rd – 24th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three ISIS headquarters and an ISIS-held building.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI179

Incident date

January 18, 2016

Location

المعارض المنفيس, Mosul, Exhibitions area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.344167, 43.188333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources claimed that 11 civilians were killed and 6 others wounded after Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted cars in the Exhibitions area east of Mosul.

According to the National Iraqi News Agency, residents in the city’s Exhibitions area said the casualties occurred when aircraft fired on vehicles: “The bodies of civilians were handed over to the forensic medicine department, while those injured were taken to hospitals in Mosul.” Al Mustaqbal also noted the event, though their story appears to be based on NINA’s report.

Al Araby said that 10 civilians died in the event while a further 11 were injured, noting that local sources “did not know whether the bombing had inflicted casualties (on Daesh) or not.”

Responding to a request for clarification, the UK MoD told Airwars: “There is no credible indication of potential UK involvement” in the alleged event of January 18th.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying it had not conducted strikes in the near vicinity: “Jan. 18, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported for January 18th-19th 2016 that “Near Mosul, five strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, four ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL cash collection point.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1279

Incident date

July 26, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.45343, 40.91704 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 11 civilians – many from the same family- died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, local media reported. While most reports pointed towards the US-led Coalition, a number did not identify the warplanes responsible, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the culprit had been the Coalition, Russia or even the Assad regime. The Observatory added that two members of IS were killed.

Sharqiya Voice put the death toll at three, though most sources – blaming the Coalition – reported that 10 non-combatants died in strikes which hit the following locations:

Share’ Al-A’am

The house of Maolood Karkaz

The Post office

Al Thawra School

The area near the Al-Hana hospital

Seventy Street

Micro Syria, SPM, Jisrtv and Euphrates Post all pointed towards the Coalition, adding that the death toll was likely to grow as a large number of people were still missing, trapped under the rubble as local mosques put out calls for the donation of blood. Euhprates Post added that “planes are still in the air”.

Fasial al-Sayyid, a resident of the city of Abu Kamal, told 7al that international Coalition aircraft targeted more than seven different locations inside the city, including the post office, al-Thawra school and al-Arbaeen street, killing 10 civilians, including women and children. Others were left in critical condition, meaning the death toll is likely to rise.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least nine civilians died from the same family, including three children and one woman.

The Syrian Observatory also said that and IS car was struck and that two members of IS died. It added, however, that it was unclear whether the warplane responsible had belonged to the Coalition or to Russia or to the Syrian regime.

Euphrates Post put the death toll as high as 11, including five children and two women.

In June 2018, the Coalition confirmed responsibility for two deaths in this event, their report noted: “During a strike destroyed Daesh financial exchange facility, two civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hassan al-Karkaz
Age unknown male killed
Waled al-karkaz
Age unknown killed

Family members (5)

Abu Mohammed al-Diri family 1
Age unknown killed
Abu Mohammed al-Diri family 2
Age unknown killed
Abu Mohammed al-Diri family 3
Age unknown killed
Abu Mohammed al-Diri family 4
Age unknown killed
Abu Mohammed al-Diri family 5
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Mohand Almadad
Age unknown killed
Amal Amjad al-Sufi
4 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1–5 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Amal Amjad al-Sufi, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Abu Kamal, July 26th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • 'Deir al-Zour witnessed yesterday [jULY 26TH] two horrific massacres in the city of Mayadeen, which killed 15 martyrs and more than 15 wounded, and the second in the city of Albuqmal, which killed 10 martyrs and more than 25 wounded'

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 34.452778, 40.917778

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
    2
  • Stated location
    near Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU761141
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • July 26, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report. During a strike destroyed Daesh financial exchange facility, two civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 26th-27th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three ISIS well-heads.” And “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed an ISIS financial exchange facility and a VBIED factory.“

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the last week (20th-27th) France reports carrying out two strikes in Raqqah, destroying two ISIL combat positions. Task Force (TF) Wagram carried out 21 artillery strikes in Mosul. The overall record of air activity since September 19th 2014 amounts to 1,324 strikes, 2,092 targets destroyed and 6,857 sorties.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah, Daech continue de perdre du terrain, jour après jour, face aux Forces Démocratiques Syriennes. Les combattants terroristes continuent néanmoins de disposer de solides positions défensives dans le cœur de la ville, à partir desquelles ils mènent des contre-attaques régulières et des actions de harcèlement. En Irak, Les forces de sécurités irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation de la ville de Mossoul, face à des équipes isolées de combattants qui continuent de mener des actions symboliques de harcèlement. Dans le même temps, Daech consolide ses positions autour de Tal Afar, pour tenter de résister à l’offensive prochaine de la Coalition pour libérer aussi cette ville. Daech poursuit par ailleurs ses actions de diversion et de harcèlement, en se concentrant dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah. Certaines actions ont également été menées cette semaine dans l’Ouest de l’Irak, dans la région de Rutbah. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 45 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 06 de ravitaillement en vol. Un C135-FR récemment déployé a en effet réalisé de nombreuses missions en quelques jours à peine, soutenant ainsi, à son niveau, la bascule des efforts de la Coalition vers les autres bastions de Daech. Deux frappes ont été menées dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, détruisant deux positions de combattants ennemies, au contact des troupes alliées engagées. De ces positions, des tireurs de Daech tenaient sous leur feu les soldats alliés à une centaine de mètres à peine. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a réalisé 21 missions de tir dont 07 de harcèlement et 14 d’éclairement. Ces missions interdisent une offensive de contre des terroristes vers Mossoul. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 324 frappes, 2 092 objectifs détruits et 6 857 sorties. Le bilan global de l’activité artillerie atteint 1 331 missions.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 26 July – a Reaper destroyed a terrorist truck in eastern Syria..A Royal Air Force Reaper flew an armed reconnaissance mission over eastern Syria on Wednesday 26 July. A group of armed terrorists were observed boarding a truck, and the Reaper’s crew tracked the vehicle as it headed west along a desert road, some 20 miles south-south-east of Hasakah, before engaging with a Hellfire missile once it was in an isolated location. The missile scored a direct hit which destroyed the truck.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1–5 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI069

Incident date

May 31, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A single source claimed that 11 civilians “including women and children” died when coalition aircraft struck targets to the east of Mosul. No further details were given.

In July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence: “May 31, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:24:"insufficient_information";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Two coalition airstrikes were confirmed in the vicinity for May 30th-31st 2015: “Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL mortar system and land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL heavy machine gun.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI204

Incident date

March 22, 2016

Location

Mosul, University of Mosul residencies, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3810326, 43.1546992 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a fresh day of reported Coalition airstrikes on Mosul University, local sources said three university professors and some of their families were killed and many other civilians wounded, after jets hit academic residences. Up to 15 Daesh fighters also reportedly died.

Heavy Coalition activity above the city was reported from dawn onwards. Yagen was among the news outlets reporting that strikes on “professors’ residences” killed eight civilians. Radio Zuhor claimed that “One university professor recognized his wife from her hand only, specifically a wedding ring, after her body was torn to shreds.”

ARA News reported an eyewitness within Mosul as saying that “dozens of Daesh elements have been killed in an intense aerial bombardment by Coalition aircraft targeting the University of Mosul – where the organization responded by using anti-aircraft from inside residential neighbourhoods, while indifferent to the consequences.”

Multiple sources published five victim names, included their families members. Most of the victims were professors that are working at the University or staff members.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition deemed the incident non-credible due to insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “Mar. 22, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, 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.”

Based on available evidence, Airwars continues to assess this event as Fair – and has requested additional clarification from the Coalition.

This strike was the subject of a 2023 investigation by NOS, Nieuwsuur and NRC, in collaboration with Airwars, which revised its location to the following coordinates: 36.382227, 43.137122.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Dr. Ziad
Adult male (via Radio Zuhor) killed
The wife of Dr. Ziad
Adult female (via Radio Zuhor) killed
Chile 1
Child (via Radio Zuhor) killed
Chile 2
Child (via Radio Zuhor) killed
Chile 3
Child (via Radio Zuhor) killed

Family members (3)

Professor Dr. Dhafer Ramadan Al Badrani
Adult male (via Radio Zuhor) killed
The wife of Professor Dr. Dhafer Ramadan Al Badrani
Adult female (via Radio Zuhor) killed
Daughter. Dr Al Badrani
female (via Radio Zuhor) killed

The victims were named as:

Professor Fadia Muwaffaq al-Hayali
Adult female killed
Qusay Muthafar Jalaleddin
Adult female killed
Haitham
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 11
  • (2–4 children3–6 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Professor Dhafer Ramadan Al Badrani, reported killed in alleged Coalition strike on Mosul March 22nd (via Bashar al Talib)
  • An image of the victim Qusay Muthafar Jalaleddin, jurisdiction and professor of the Arabic language and Arabic literature, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike on Mosul (via Ein al Mosul news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building struck in the vicinity of the University of Mosul (جامعة الموصل). In 2016, Airwars listed the location of the strike at the following coordinates: 36.3810326, 43.1546992. A 2023 report by NOS, Nieuwsuur and NRC, in collaboration with Airwars, revised the location of the strike to the following exact coordinates: 36.382227, 43.137122.

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 Mosul, Iraq
    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 March 22nd-23rd 2016, the Coalition reports that “Near Mosul, three strikes [1 French] struck an ISIL headquarters, an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL assembly area and an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 11
  • (2–4 children3–6 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS520

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.751769, 39.61639 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven non-combatants died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Maadan town in the Raqqa countryside, according to local media.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported a “massacre” by the Coalition which killed 11 members of “the family of Satif Hussein al Suwairi“.

Both the Shaam News Network and Baladi also reported the death of 11 from the same family, blaming the Coalition. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – also pointing towards the Coalition – put the death toll at nine including women and children.

The Violations Documentation Center listed 11 victims (all adult males) – killed in a Coalition strike – as Family of Steif Husein al-Soweiri

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ma’dan (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV5455156948
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, a VBIED, a garage, an IED and a weapons facility; and damaged a bridge.” For February 21st-22nd, they reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions and three tactical vehicles; and damaged two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1455

Incident date

September 8, 2017

Location

النهضة, Nahdah neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9560544, 38.9925385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 11 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a school in Raqqah’s Al Nahda neighbourhood, local media reported.

Baladi and Al Hasaka Rasd put the death toll at nine – both blaming the US-led Coalition.

According to RT Arabic, “The Syrian government has accused the international coalition of committing a new massacre against the citizens of Syria and killing 11 civilians, including 3 children, in a raid on a school in the northern city of Raqqa.

The US-led coalition aircraft ‘targeted a school in Al-Nahda neighborhood in the western part of the city of Al-Raqqa, where a number of families were sheltering’ said the state-run SANA news agency, quoting unnamed sources. SANA claimed that the bombing resulted in ‘the deaths of 11 civilians, including the family of a man and his wife and three children, in addition to a number of wounded.’”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

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 September 7th – 8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes destroyed 11 ISIS fighting positions and a command and control node and suppressed three fighting positions.” It was additionally reported that “On Sept. 7, near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions, 15 vehicles, four VBIEDs and suppressed four fighting positions.”

For September 8th - 9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 40 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, four logistics node, two vehicles, an ISIS communication line, a mortar system, a command and control node and suppressed four fighting positions.” It was additionally reported that “On Sept. 8, near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 vehicles, six logistics nodes, four fighting positions, and an IED; and suppressed three fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

'Thursday 7 September - Tornados destroyed a truck, a fuel depot and a terrorist accommodation block in northern Iraq, while Typhoons attacked a machine-gun team in Raqqa ... On Thursday 7 September, Tornados patrolled over northern Iraq . A couple of miles north-east of Hawijah , a truck carrying a group of extremists was successfully targeted using a Brimstone missile. Our aircraft were then tasked with the destruction of a fuel depot near Sharqat where Daesh had been spotted refueling truck-bombs, as well. Both were struck with Paveway IVs. Over Raqqa , Typhoons flew further to the Syrian Democratic Forces, successfully bombing a light machine-gun position. '

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

'Friday 8 September - has Reaper killed two terrorists setting up an ambush north-east of Dayr az Zawr in Syria , and eliminated Reviews another group in a small building nearby ... A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft Conducted armed reconnaissance over a Largely desert area Some twenty miles North-East Dayr Az Zawr on Friday 8 September. Two terrorists were tracked on a motorcycle as they gathered weapons and headed out to an apparent ambush position. They were both killed by a single Hellfire missile. Not far away, another small group of terrorists were seen entering a small building, and also eliminated with a Hellfire.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI001

Incident date

August 16, 2014

Location

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3206914, 41.8641115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the German news agency DPA, the first known civilian victims of US bombing in the campaign occurred on August 16th, eight days into the air war. According to DPA, witnesses informed the agency’s reporter that “11 civilian were killed by a US airstrike when they chased [ISIL] fighters in Sinjar but its rockets missed them, targeting civilian houses and killing 11 persons west of Mosul.”

Al Jazeera also reported that 11 non-combatants had died, adding that additional civilians may also have been killed on US strikes after August 8th: “Medical sources from the city’s hospital in Mosul said that the bodies of more than two dozen people from IS killed by US raids on northern Iraq were received.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Local reports of the incident only mention residental buildings in Sinjar ( سنجار ) district, Nineveh province. The coordinates for Sinjar town are: 36.3206914, 41.8641115  

  • Sinjar ( سنجار ) district outlined in red

    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
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Sinjar, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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

A single US airstrike was confirmed in Sinjar August 15th, with six in the vicinity of Mosul Dam the following day. For August 15th-16th 2014: “U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Iraq yesterday, with remotely piloted aircraft successfully conducting airstrikes on two armed vehicles south of the village of Sinjar. After receiving reports from Kurdish forces that ISIL terrorists were attacking civilians in Kawju, a village located south of Sinjar, U.S. aircraft identified and followed an ISIL armed vehicle to a roadside area. At approximately 10:10 a.m. EDT [1910 local], U.S. aircraft struck and destroyed two vehicles in the area.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]