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

CS1400

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95809, 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 one civilian near Raqqa, Syria.

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    37SEV007793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • Aug. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report. During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS weapons cache, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 36 strikes engaged 22 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions and seven command and control nodes.” That “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an IED, and a command and control node.” And that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 20 August – Tornados and Typhoons hit a target in Raqqa, a group of terrorists and vehicles in eastern Syria, and five Daesh positions around Tal Afar…On Sunday 20 August, Typhoons bombed a further Daesh position in Raqqa. In eastern Syria, Tornados targeted a group of terrorists deployed near the border with Iraq – two Paveways hit their trucks and killed several of the extremists.

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

CI832

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

تل عفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.378878, 42.447143 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 deaths of two civilians in an incident near Tal Afar, Iraq.

Their January 2018 civilian casualty report noted “During a Coalition strike which killed at least two ISIS members and destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system being prepared to fire it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently crossed into the blast area after the weapons had been fired from Coalition aircraft.”

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

Airwars had monitored mass casualty reports on August 20th (see I631 above), which may relate to this confirmed event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Tal Afar, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF710290
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • Aug. 20, 2017 near Tal Afar, Iraq via self-report. During a Coalition strike which killed at least two ISIS members and destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system being prepared to fire it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently crossed into the blast area after the weapons had been fired from Coalition aircraft.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 18th-19th the Coalition reported “Near Tal Afar, three strikes destroyed 24 vehicles, two tunnels, two weapons caches, two front-end loaders, a command and control node, a staging area, an explosives factory, an explosives cache, and a fighting position, and damaged three bridges and two supply routes.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1399

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

السخاني, Ar Raqqah: Sukhani neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.951373, 39.016984 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On January 31st, several local sources reported on the exhumation of the bodies of Mahmoud al-Dalli Abu Riyad (nicknamed Mahmoud al-Iraqi), his wife Suad al-Bayati and his daughter Mariam al-Dalli. According to most reports, the family was killed in a bombing by the “international Coalition”.

It is currently unclear at what specific date during the Raqqa campaign the victims died. However, a tweet by @asharqasouri mentions the family has been missing since the “ninth month of last year” – indicating that the incident may be linked to the CS1398 incident mentioned above. Airwars will continue research to pinpoint the exact date of the airstrike.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mahmud Muhammad al-Hamd al-Dalli,
Adult male Mahmoud al-Iraqi killed
Suad al-Bayati
Adult female Mahmud Muhammad al-Hamd al-Dalli,'s wife killed
Mariam al-Dalli
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mahmud Muhammad al-Hamd al-Dalli (via Media Without Borders)
  • Suad al-Bayati (via Media Without Borders)

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV015785
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • Aug. 20, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3147/CS1399 37SEV015785

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 36 strikes engaged 22 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions and seven command and control nodes.” That “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an IED, and a command and control node.” And that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 20 August – Tornados and Typhoons hit a target in Raqqa, a group of terrorists and vehicles in eastern Syria, and five Daesh positions around Tal Afar…On Sunday 20 August, Typhoons bombed a further Daesh position in Raqqa. In eastern Syria, Tornados targeted a group of terrorists deployed near the border with Iraq – two Paveways hit their trucks and killed several of the extremists.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1397

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between 50 and 118 civilians were killed, including many women and children, in the city of Raqqa in the last 48-72 hours. The sources blamed US-led Coalition airstrikes for the significant number of life lost over the short period. According to @AhmadShbli, seven whole families were part of those killed.

Smart news agency reported “in Raqqa, 50 civilians were killed and about 60 wounded on Tuesday night by an air strike likely to be the international coalition and the gunners of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) “.

According to Euphrates Post and @kalimahorra1 “most” of the 118 victims killed over a 48 hour period were women and children.

This is a general civilian casualty entry, it may encompass numbers from other incidents.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 118
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • # Raqqa: 118 martyrs, many of them children and children have been killed by coalition aircraft bombed the city of Raqqa in the past 48 hours.

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 19th-20th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.“

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 118
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1396

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

دوار النعيم, Naim roundabout, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95447, 39.009392 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty event, between 23 and 50 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in the Bedo neighborhood of Raqqa, local media reported.

However, in May 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed the civilian harm allegations as non-credible, noting “after a 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.”

In the main, sources estimate the death toll at “more than 40”. However, a Tweet by @Q_Alenezy suggested that there could be “more than 50” dead, as people were still trapped under rubble.

The incident was described by some sources, including Step News Agency, as “one of the largest massacres since the start of the battle”. Nearly all sources tracked held the US-led Coalition responsible for the airstrikes and the subsequent loss of civilian life.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at 23. However, most other sources said that up to 40 civilians had died – mostly women and children. Sound and Picture said that 42 had been killed.

Activists that spoke to Smart News said “the bombing targeted a residential building in the Bedu neighbourhood, near Na’im roundabout, which the organization used as a platform for executions, and that bodies were still under the rubble”. The death toll, sources said, is likely to rise due to the people still trapped under the destroyed buildings.

Local residents were able to save three people who were next to the building, according to a correspondent cited in Sound and Picture.

The Euphrates Post published a series of photographs of the homes destroyed; the houses of Musa al Mashhadani, Khalil al-Mahbash and Fadel Moussa and Darda.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Met’eb Al-Hammoud,
30 years years old male injured
Ziad Fawaz Hindawi
26 years years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple locations around the Al Naim roundabout (دوار النعيم), for which the coordinates are: 35.95447, 39.009392. The video posted by Euphrates Post shows damage to buildings at the following coordinates: 35.957969, 39.007720.

  • Damage to a building in the Badou neighbourhood (left: August 19, 2017; right: August 25, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 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-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006792
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019

  • Aug. 20, 2017, near al-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a 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 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 36 strikes engaged 22 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions and seven command and control nodes.” That “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an IED, and a command and control node.” And that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1394

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

المرور, Ar Raqqah: Mouroor neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949975, 38.992238 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Coalition air raids on Raqqa resulted in the deaths of 9 civilians, including 4 children. The US-led alliance later admitted responsibility for the deaths, following an Amnesty International field investigation.

Amnesty researchers interviewed Munira Hashish who lost 18 members of her family, nine of whom were killed in a Coalition air strike. She stated: “It was when they (the Coalition planes) saw us that they struck. The strike occurred straight after we re-entered the house. It happened just after the call for midday prayer. I remember hearing the call to prayer, then the strike happened. My brothers Hussein and Mohammed and their kids and the neighbours were all killed. Those who were not killed were injured. The only one who survived unharmed is my grandchild, a baby aged four months. I was holding him in my arms and he was not hurt.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently had originally reported that 21 civilians, including all members of the Hashish family, were killed in a Coalition airstrike on a home in the Muroor neighbourhood of Raqqa. The report however noted that the incident took place on August 19th and also included family members that, according to the Amnesty report, were in fact “mined by IS, and […] killed by a mortar seemingly launched by the SDF.”

The case was also included in the April 2019 Amnesty/Airwars joint report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality (raqqa.amnesty.org): “Munira Hashish and her family lived in Dara’iya, a low-income neighbourhood in western Raqqa. The family was not well off; Munira’s husband, Hussein Ibrahim Hashish, supported the family as best he could by selling vegetables out of a cart. Despite repeated attempts to flee, the Hashish family lost 18 members, mostly women and children, over a two-week period in August. A Coalition air strike killed nine, seven died as they tried to flee via a road which had been mined by IS, and two others were killed by a mortar launched by SDF. “Those who stayed died and those who tried to run away died. We couldn’t afford to pay the smugglers; we were trapped,” Munira Hashish told us. After seven family members were killed by mines set by IS and later nine more were killed by a Coalition air strike, the family was finally able to escape “by walking over the blood of those who were blown up as they tried to flee ahead of us.,” she said.”

In July 2018 the Coalition accepted responsibility, noting: “August 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on a reported Daesh position near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Nine 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 (15)

Mohammed Ali Hashish
Age unknown male killed
Amal Al Ali Al Hashish
Child female killed
Nour al-Ayoun Ali Hashish
Child male killed
Ali Mohammed al-Hashish
Child male killed
Hussein Al-Ali Al-Hashish
Age unknown male killed
Mahdiah Ibrahim Hashish
Age unknown female killed
Ahmed Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Ismael Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Mustafa Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Ibrahim Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Mohammed Hussein Hashish
Child male killed
Fatima Hussein Hashish
Child female killed
Ali Hussein Hashish
Age unknown male killed
Badia Hamoud Al Ali
Age unknown female killed
Hassan Hussein Al-Ali Hashish
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Hazar Al-Ali
Age unknown male killed
Hussein Hassan Ali
Child male killed
A girl from Hassan Ali's family
Child female killed

Family members (2)

Nidal Mohammed
Age unknown male killed
Manar Nidal Mohammed
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Abdul-Issa Al-Antar
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Al-Hussein family (via Amnesty)
  • Hsein Hassan Hashish was left an orphan and had to have his foot amputated following the attack (via Amnesty International)
  • Moh Ali Hashish and family (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's son (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's son (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's children (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's children (via Amnesty International)
  • Munira's children (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Artillery fragment near the Hashish house (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • The building in which members of the Hashish family died, seen before the strike on August 19, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

  • The building in which members of the Hashish family died, seen after the strike on August 25, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    9
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV993784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • August 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on a reported Daesh position near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Nine civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 36 strikes engaged 22 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions and seven command and control nodes.” That “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an IED, and a command and control node.” And that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 20 August – Tornados and Typhoons hit a target in Raqqa, a group of terrorists and vehicles in eastern Syria, and five Daesh positions around Tal Afar…On Sunday 20 August, Typhoons bombed a further Daesh position in Raqqa. In eastern Syria, Tornados targeted a group of terrorists deployed near the border with Iraq – two Paveways hit their trucks and killed several of the extremists.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1395

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

حديقة المرورية, Al Hadika al Mororia, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.960866, 39.004469 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media sources reported that Ghassan al-Shammati was killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrike in Raqqa.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed the US for the attack, whilst Hasaka Rasd referred to “artillery bombardment” as the form of attack.

According to Hnoda4474, the victim died “after the bombing by Coalition aircraft in the area of the traffic park”. The source added that the man was “a resident of Al-Mansour Street”.

Airwars understands that only the US-led Coalition have access to artillery in Raqqa.

Mr al Shammati’s brother Hassan was also reported to have died of a heart attack, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghassan al-Shammati
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area around the Traffic Park (حديقة المرورية) in the city of Raqqah, for which the coordinates are: 35.960866, 39.004469.

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 Raqqah, Syria
    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

For August 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 36 strikes engaged 22 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions and seven command and control nodes.” That “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an IED, and a command and control node.” And that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1393

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Location

Al Sa'a, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.946408, 39.013233 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported that two civilians died following airstrikes on Raqqa. Ibrahim Ali al-Bakar (born 1954) and his son Khalil Ibrahim al-Bakar (born 1985) were named as the victims. RBSS blamed the US-led Coalition for the incident.

According to a Facebook post by Amer Alywy the father and son were killed with “artillery shelling” near “Al Sa’a”, however all other sources said they died “as as result of bombing” by the US-led Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ibrahim Ali al-Bakar
Adult male Born in 1954 killed
Khalil Ibrahim al-Bakar
Adult male Ibrahim Ali al-Bakar's son, born in 1985 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ibrahim Ali al-Bakar, who was killed along with his son in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, on Aug 21st, according to RBSS.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Clocktower Square area of Raqqah, for which the exact coordinates are: 35.946408, 39.013233.

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
  • Jun 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 18th-19th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 20 fighting positions, an anti-air artillery system, and a command and control node.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 20 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units, destroyed 14 fighting positions, and damaged a tunnel entrance.” And that “On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions.” Also that “On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Saturday 19 August – Typhoons bombed a truck on the move near Bayji, while Tornados attacked a terrorist position in Raqqa...A Typhoon flight faced a challenging target on Saturday 19 August – a fast-moving truck carrying a group of terrorists across the desert in Iraq, west of Bayji. Despite the vehicle’s speed, a Paveway IV was guided accurately onto the target, destroying it. Tornados continued to provide close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, destroying a terrorist strongpoint.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions.

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 (5) [ collapse]