US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
2984 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

CS1054b

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Location

Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.958455, 38.991499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven civilians from one family were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Originally the names of the victims were published under incident number CS1054, however Amnesty research assessed that there were two separate strikes, this one occurring at 11pm, while the other occurred at 6pm.

Amnesty has placed the strike on the 21st despite Aadel Hayoun – a resident and survivor of another strike – suggesting that the strike occurred “a month before I left Raqqa and I left on 17 September”. This would place the Duehi strike in mid-August 2017. All other sources and information gathered allude that the strike occurred on the 21st.

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” states that, “Eleven members of the Dueihi family – seven children, two women and two men – were killed when the five-story building where the family was sheltering was destroyed in a coalition air strike.”

The family was – according to interviewees – residing on the ground floor of the building.

Isra, a relative of one of the victims told Amnesty in a testimony that “The building where the Dueihi family was staying was bombed and they were all killed. We fled our home immediately after and it was then that all the men in my family were killed in another air strike.”

In their June 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

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

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Mohammed Abdel al Duehi
Age unknown male killed
Mohannad Abdel al-Karim Duehi
35 years old male killed
Fatima
25 years old female Mohannad's wife killed
Abdelkarim
Child male Mohannad and Fatima's son killed
Son of Mohannad and Fatima
Child male killed
Daughter of Mohannad and Fatima
Child female killed
Firaz’s wife
Adult female Firaz was Mohannad’s brother who had previously died killed
Child 1
Child female child of Firaz and his wife killed
Child 2
Child female child of Firaz and his wife killed
Child 3
Child female child of Firaz and his wife killed
Child 4
Child male child of Firaz and his wife killed
Child 5
Child male child of Firaz and his wife killed

The victims were named as:

Unknown male 1
Adult male killed
Unknown male 2
Adult male killed
Unknown male 3
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (7 children2 women2 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • An unnamed victim of airstrikes on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. It is unclear which strike this victim belonged too. (via RBSS)
  • Khaled al-Marbad, killed in an alleged Coalition raid, June 21st 2017. (via Al Ragga truth)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 21st June 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Abdul Aziz al-Duwaihi, 9, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Hamza Al Duwehi, 13, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Judy al Duwehi, 15, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Mohammed al Ahmed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Mohammed al Azari, 9, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Muhannad Abdel Karim al Duwehi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Razan al Azarii, 7, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Sabah al Duwehi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Sabah al Duwehi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Sara al Azari, 11, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, June 21st 2017. (via RBSS)

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:

  • 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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV992793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • June 21, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3114/CS1054b 37SDV992793

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Not yet assessed.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (7 children2 women2 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI132

Incident date

November 2, 2015

Location

سنجار, Sinjar, Um Al Theban, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Eleven civilians were reportedly killed at Um Al Theban while crossing between Syria and Iraq, in what was claimed to be a Coalition airstrike. The incident is presently poorly reported.

In its July 2017 report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of having conducted no strikes in the vicinity: “Nov. 2, 2015, near Sinjar, Iraq, via Airwars report: 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. “

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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 Sinjar, 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
Official source

The Coalition has confirmed heavy airstrikes in the Sinjar area at ths time. For November 1st-2nd 2015 it was reported that “Near Sinjar, five strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL weapons cache, and two ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI221

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Location

حاج علي, Haj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.734251, 43.3181477 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 11 civilians were allegedly killed in a reported Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Qayyarah.

According to the Iraqi Revolution site, the 11 died at Haj Ali, also the scene of a major incident the previous day. However, no additional information is presently known.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared the UK strikes near Qayyarah that day, the MoD told Airwars: “We cannot make any definitive assessment of possible UK presence from the evidence you have provided, but I can confirm that there was no indication of any civilian casualties in our own detailed assessments of the impact of each of our strikes over the period concerned.”

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (4) [ 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE475563
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • April 7, 2016, in Haj Ali, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2937/CI221 38SLE475563

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports that for April 7th-8th 2016 “Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions.”

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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI354

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Location

راوة, Rawa [exact location], Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.4720334, 41.9184422 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 10 members of one family were reported killed by an alleged Coalition raid, according to local sources.

Iraqi Spring reported that a man, a woman and 8 children from a single family were killed by a Coalition attack on civilian homes in Rawa.

Several other outlets also reported between 9-10 dead from the same family.

JBCNews named the couple who killed along with 9 of their children who were all under 12 years old.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi
Adult male Via jbc news killed
Ganiha Jassim Mohammed Salami
Adult female Via jbc news killed
Child of Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi 1
Child Via jbc news killed
Child of Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi 2
Child Via jbc news killed
Child of Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi 3
Child Via jbc news
Child of Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi 4
Child Via jbc news killed
Child of Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi 5
Child Via jbc news killed
Child of Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi 6
Child Via jbc news killed
Child of Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi 7
Child Via jbc news killed
Child of Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi 8
Child Via jbc news killed
Child of Mohamed Ramadan Ali Rawi 9
Child Via jbc news killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (8–9 children1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo shows smoke rising from the scene following the alleged airstrike where at least 10 members of one family were reported killed (Via news ofiraq3)
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 Rawa, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 28th-29th, the Coalition reported “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a bunker.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (8–9 children1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS612

Incident date

March 23, 2017

Location

السبخة, Sabka, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.810278, 39.263889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and ten civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at noon on Sabkha, according to local media.

Baladi blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at three. According to Alrafed, more than ten non-combatants died, though the source didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Alaraby, RFS, Shaam News Network and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights all attributed the incident to the Coalition. Syriapost1 said that in addition to the three killed, three others were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Al-Salouh Al-Murbid
Age unknown male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Ali Al-khalaf Al-Ali
Age unknown male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Saif Al-Jadou’
Age unknown named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (14) [ 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 Sabka, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 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. (1048)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 23rd-24th: “Near Ar Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, five vehicles, three IEDS, two tunnels, and a VBIED; damaged five supply routes and a bridge; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI339

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least ten civilians were killed by strikes in Anbar province, according to local sources.

Yaqein reported that 10 civilians were killed and others injured, including women and children by both Coalition and Iraqi Air Force planes.

One additional report, posted by @amsiiraq, referred to dozens of dead and wounded, and also cited the Coalition as well as government forces for the aerial attack west of Ramadi.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ 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 Al Qa'im, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 14th-15th, the Coalition reported “Near Haditha, one strike destroyed an ISIL mortar system” and “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIL bunker.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS857

Incident date

May 24, 2017

Location

حمرة ناصر, Hamra Nasser, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.91555, 39.1675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 10 civilians were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Hamra Nasser village, according to local source Ahmad al Shibli.

Al Hassaka Rasd reported that “international coalition planes carried out a massacre in Hamra Nasser killing the family of Hamoud al Ali al Issa in its entirety”.

According to RFS, “The SDF forces took control of the village of Hamra Nasser 5 km east of al-Rigga after three days of clashes with elements of Dahesh and the support of the coalition air force forces, which led to the killing of an entire family”.

In their June 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Hamoud al Ali al Issa
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV151745
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • May 24, 2017, in Hamrat Nasir, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3101/CS857 37SEV151745

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions and a mortar system.” It also later noted that “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed eight command and control nodes and destroyed a VBIED facility” and that “Near Raqqah, Syria, May 23, two strikes destroyed three command and control nodes.”
For May 24th-25h, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 15 strikes [1 British] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; and destroyed five fighting positions, four ISIS dump trucks, four vehicles, two artillery systems, a front-end loader, and a weapons cache." It added that "Near Raqqah, Syria, May 24, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed six fighting positions, a mortar system, and a vehicle."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

"Wednesday 24 May – a Reaper attacked near Raqqa, whilst Tornados prosecuted four Daesh targets in Mosul…A Reaper, conducting surveillance south-west of Raqqa on Wednesday 24 May, kept watch on a small group of terrorists and was able to conduct a successful attack with a Hellfire missile. In Mosul, when advancing Iraqi security forces found themselves facing two buildings defended by a Daesh heavy machine-gun, a sniper team and at least one individual in a suicide-bomb vest, they called for assistance from a flight of Tornados. Our aircraft delivered a very precise simultaneous attack with two Paveway IVs which destroyed both terrorist strongpoints. The Tornados then hit a third terrorist position, again with a Paveway, whilst a second flight bombed a fourth position."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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]

Incident Code

CS1621a

Incident date

October 12, 2017

Location

البدو, Baidou, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958649, 39.007077 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that between 25 and 35 or more civilians died in US-led Coalition airstrikes carried out at midday which struck two residential buildings in Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa. Despite this, Amnesty field research has since been conducted which only reported the deaths of 16 civilians, spread over two strikes.

The Coalition initially confirmed having unintentionally killed three civilians in this strike – later updating this assessment to 16 killed. The majority of other sources placed the death toll at 35 and all sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

This assessment documents the victims of the second strike which killed ten civilians. The second can be found under CS1621.

Jisr TV reported, “The agency A’maq [IS propaganda] said the American raids targeted the Bedouin neighborhood, which resulted in the death toll”. It added that this came “after the resumption of military operations yesterday, following the failure of negotiations to exit ISIS out of Raqqa in return for not targeting them”. This account was reiterated in a later report by Step News Agency.

SDU Syria said “the planes also raided other areas of the city”, whilst Raqqa 24 noted an unknown number of civilians were wounded following the attacks.

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, stated that “Fayad Mohammed, a man in his 80s known as Abu Saif, and 15 members of his family and neighbours were among those killed in a double Coalition air strikes which destroyed the Fayyad family home and a neighbour’s house across the road. He had refused to leave the home where he had lived for 50 years when the Raqqa military campaign began.”

A relative of the victim told Amnesty in a testimony that “He insisted that he had lived here for 50 years and would not be evicted by these people (IS) who had taken control of the city and who he considered illiterate, ignorant and extremists.”

Ali Habib, one of the survivors of the attack, stated “I felt the roof of the house collapse on me… I called my wife, my mother, my daughter, but nobody answered… I realised that everybody was dead. I realised that everybody was dead. Then my boy, Mohammed, called out and that gave me the strength to free myself from the rubble and go to him. He had been thrown some 10m away by the explosion. We were both injured. I fainted and when I regained consciousness I heard voices on the other side of the rubble which was all around me and my boy and I called for help and eventually people removed some of the rubble and pulled us out.”

Ammar Amero, a neighbour who was in the area and helped recover the bodies from the rubble, told Amnesty International: “It must have been the last house they hit before the bombardments stopped at 5am. I found the bottom half of Abu Saif in the rubble. Um Abdalla was also visible in the rubble but her legs were trapped under it. She was dead.”

Raqqa RWB later reported that workmen were “rebuilding the Fayad family home, which was destroyed in a Coalition air strike”. The local source agreed that 16 civilians had been killed in the attack.

In March 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “(4.) Oct. 12, 2017 near Al Badu, Raqqah, Syria via social media report. During a Coalition strike to engage an ISIS-defensive fighting position it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV005796 (Military grid reference with 100 m accuracy).

In July 2018, following the publication of the Amnesty report, the Coalition again assessed the event, this time noting that “October 12, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Sixteen civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The coordinates, within 100m, were this time given as 37SEV006793 – or 35° 57.485′ N 39° 0.399′ E. Officials confirmed to Airwars that this related to event S1432.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Hsein al-Hamad al-Fares ibn Mousa
60 years old male Fayad's brother in law killed
Ammar al-Hamad al-Fares ibn Husein
32 years old male Hsein's son killed
Reem al-Maddad Bint As’ad
32 years old female killed
Razqiya Al-Habib bint Ali
1 year 6 months years old female Reem's baby daughter killed
Yousra Abd-al-Aziz bint Ismail
54 years old female Reem's mother in law killed
Abu Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Yassin
Age unknown male killed
Abu Abdallah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • "A’maq: more than 25 from Raqqa people were killed due to American airstrikes in Bedou neighbourhood." 12th october 2017. (via Photo of the A’maq)
  • “WAR-OF-ANNIHILATION“.-DEVASTATING-TOLL-ON-CIVILIANS-RAQQA-SYRIA

    Amnesty report on the confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty International)

  • Civilian casualties of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • The aftermath of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Satellite imagery of a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 12th October 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Ammar Hsein Mousa al-Fares, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Hussein Fares, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Reem Asaad al Maddad, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Rizqiya Ali Habib, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Yousra Aziz bint Ismail, killed in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, October 12th 2017. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو), for which the coordinates are: 35.95809, 39.00665.

  • Reports of the incident mention residential buildings being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected 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
    10
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006793
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Sixteen civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 12th – 13th the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units, suppressed one fighting position, destroyed two communications nodes, 10 fighting positions, one vehicle and one ISIS supply road.” And additionally that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed three ISIS lines of communication and one fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Thursday 12 October – Tornados struck two Daesh-held buildings in Raqqah, and bombed a terrorist camp in the western Iraqi desert…On Thursday 12 October, over western Iraq, another Tornado flight dropped four Paveways on a Daesh camp in the desert, some 60 miles south-west of Ramadi….This included two Tornado GR4s providing close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqah on Thursday 12 October. A Paveway IV guided bomb was deployed to target the upper storeys of a building from which a Daesh sniper was firing, and a second weapon struck another building from which terrorists were engaged in a combat with the SDF.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]