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

CS472

Incident date

February 3, 2017

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.904042, 36.726111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A confirmed US airstrike on a militant group reportedly linked to Al Qaeda also possibly killed or injured a number of civilians.

According to Step News, 12 or more members of new group Hai’at Tahrir al Sham were killed in a raid targeting a meeting on the edges of Sarmin.

As Step News explained, “Hai’at Tahrir al Sham was formed on 28th of the past month under the leadership of Abu Jaber al Sheikh and it includes many factions most notably Fatah al Sham Front and Nour al Din al Zanki movement, and came after the attacks carried out by the front on several factions in rural Idlib and Aleppo, notably Soukour al Sham which has recently come  under the banner of Ahrar al-Sham movement.”

While most reports said only fighters died, both LCCSY and Ara News also reported civilian casualties.

The Pentagon confirmed on February 8th that it had carried out the attack, though made no reference to civilian harm.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “February 3, 2017, in Sarmin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2475/S422 37SBV948575”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A unilateral targeted US strike targeted a meeting of a new militant group near Sarmin - but may also have caused civilian casualties (via Step News)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Sarmin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV948575
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • February 3, 2017, in Sarmin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2475/S422 37SBV948575

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Pentagon reports that “On Feb. 3, one U.S. strike killed 10 terrorists in a building being used as an al-Qaida meeting place.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Known target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS511

Incident date

February 20, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Qitar street, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between seven and ten civilians including three children and three women died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on Qitar street, according to local sources. While the majority of reports attributed the incident to the Coalition, one report alleged that Russia was responsible. The Coalition later reported that “no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of eight civilians and the injury of more than eight in a raid “on al Qitar street targeting one of the warehouses near al Baraka bakery.” When contacted by Airwars, they said that the strike on Qitar street was the same one as on al Maari school (listed above). Other sources, however, reported it as a separate strike.

Ara News blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at nine including women and children.

According to Syria News Desk, three children were among eight killed in an alleged Coalition raid which completely destroyed four houses and the train station building.

Smart and Shaam News also pointed to the Coalition, as did Baladi, who put the death toll as high as ten.

However, RFS Media Office was alone in attributing the incident to Russia. They also said that eight non-combatants died but provided little detail.

On April 30th 2017 the Coalition flagged the event as ‘not credible’, noting: “Feb. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jawdat Haidar Abd al Aziz
Child male killed
Ahmad al Steif
Age unknown male killed
Rashid Khalil Hussein al Salib
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Jawdat Haidar Abd al Aziz, killed in an airstrike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a strike on Qitar street, February 20th (via RBSS)
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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0074379361
    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.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1318

Incident date

July 13, 2017

Location

مدرسة سيف الدولة, Ar Raqqah: Near Saif Al Dawla school, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.93955, 39.01868 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians died including different generations of the same family in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa.

All sources pointed towards the Coalition carrying out an air or artillery strike. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa.

The date has been changed due to further Amnesty field research confirming the date to be July 13th.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, it “managed to document the death of seven citizens. They include a man, two of his sons, his daughter and his grandson, as a result of the strikes carried out by warplanes of the International Coalition.”

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, it was reported that “A double airstrike killed six members of the Shabshoul family and four of their neighbours. The first strike killed Noora Shabshoul and her 1-year-old son and a neighbour. The second strike killed four other family members and three neighbours who had rushed over to rescue the victims of the first Strike.”

Randa, the mother, gave a testimony to Amnesty stating that “We were in our home, 16 of us, the whole family. Didn’t the surveillance planes see that this was a house full of civilians? And why did they bomb again when neighbours came to help after the first bombing?”

The incident occured at 20:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Abdul Rahman Al Shabshool also known as Abu Aboud Al Sheikh Fahman
61 years old male husband of interviewee killed
Nour Abdulrahman Al Shabshool
21 years old female daughter of Abdul killed
Ibrahim Abdul Rahman Al Shabshool
20 years old male son of Abdul killed
Zakaria Ali Rahman Shabshoul
19 years old male son of Abdul killed
AbdulSattar Ali Rahman Shabshoul
15 years old male son of Abdul killed
Saad al Shabshol
1 year 10 days old years old male grandson of Abdul killed

Family members (4)

Radwan Mohammed Ghurab
45 years old male neighbours who came to help after first strike killed
Firas Khabur
20 years old neighbours who came to help after first strike killed
Abdo al-Asfar
28-30 years old male neighbours who came to help after first strike killed
Anwar Moslah al-Deif
18 years old male lived in the house opposite, neighbours who came to help after first strike killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 children1 woman7 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Saad al Shabshol, aged one, killed along with several members of his family in an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa, August 2nd 2017. (via SN4HR)
  • Abdul Rahman Al-Shibshoul (Abu Aboud Al-Sheikh Fahman), killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 2nd August 2017. (via Hmoud Abu AlAmir posted in Regards of Al - Raqqa Governorate)
  • Victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 2nd August 2017. (via Hmoud Abu AlAmir posted in Regards of Al - Raqqa Governorate)
  • Abdelrahman Ali Rahman Shabshoul (via Amnesty International)
  • AbdulSatter Ali Rahman Shabshoul (via Amnesty International)
  • Ibrahim Ali Rahman Shabshoul (via Amnesty International)
  • Noora Ali Rahman Shabshoul (via Amnesty International)
  • Saad Ali Rahman Shabshoul (via Amnesty International)
  • Zakaria Ali Rahman Shabshoul (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Building that was destroyed just before the strike on July 6, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • Building that was destroyed just after the strike on July 19, 2017

    Imagery:
    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:

  • 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
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV025784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 2nd-3rd: “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two vehicles, a supply cache, a VBIED, a mortar position, an ISIS UAS site, and a generator.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 2, near Raqqah, Syria, 20 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two supply caches, a tactical vehicle, a tunnel, a VBIED factory, and a command and control node.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 2 August – Typhoons destroyed a Daesh strongpoint in Raqqa…Typhoons provided further close air support to the SDF on Wednesday 2 August; they found themselves coming under sustained heavy machine-gun and sniper fire from a building in Raqqa, but were able to pinpoint the Daesh position, allowing our aircraft to attack with a Paveway IV.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 children1 woman7 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI818

Incident date

July 30, 2017

Location

الحويجة, Hawija, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local press sources said that 10 civilians from the same family were killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit their house in the Hawija district on Sunday 30th July.

Kawsar Agency and Team of Correspondents said that the family died as a result of US shelling on their home.

According to Team of Correspondents, the ten victims were mostly children, while Iraqi Spring Media Centre said most of the dead were women and children.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–6 children2 women)
  • 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 that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a residential building in the city of Hawija (الحويجه). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available, Airwars was unable to verify the location of this building. The generic coordinates of the city of Hawija (الحويجه) are: 35.325244, 43.767258.

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 Hawija, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE8832609514
    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 July 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–6 children2 women)
  • 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

CS215

Incident date

May 20, 2016

Location

أرشاف, Al Arshaf, Intersection of roads, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.51888, 37.271389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to ten civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition evening strike at Al Arshaf village on the outskirts of Ekhitrin town, in the northern Aleppo countryside.

Syria Urgent initially said 6 civilians died – 4 women and two men – with another four injured “following an American raid.” The Syrian Observatory placed the death toll at seven, saying all the victims came from one family. And Shaam News said ten died, including 5 women.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “On Friday evening 20 May 2016 International coalition warplanes launched missiles at the northern eastern parts of Arshaf Town [near subway Akhtarin] in the norther suburbs of Aleppo governorate under the control of ISIS, killing 8 people including 3 children and two women, seven others were injured.”

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes near Aleppo that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

VDC later named the following victims, most from one family:

Khadijeh Jamal Rajab – girl

Ineam Jamal Rajab – girl

Mohammad Rajab – man

Bashar Mohammad Bashar – man

Aysha Rajab – woman

Israe Mohammad Rajab – girl

Jamal Rajab – man

Salha Mohammad Jomea – woman

2 unidentified adult males

In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible based on available information: “May 20, 2016, near Arshaf, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

However, based on information published at the time, Airwars continues to assess this event as Fair.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Khadijeh Jamal Rajab
Child female killed
Ineam Jamal Rajab
Child female killed
Mohammad Rajab
Adult male killed
Aysha Rajab
Adult female killed
Israe Mohammad Rajab
Child female killed
Jamal Rajab
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Bashar Mohammad Bashar
Adult male killed
Salha Mohammad Jomea
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (3 children2–5 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translate: Urgent: 4 women, two men killed and 4 others injured following American raid on the village of Arshaf in northern Aleppo countryside (via Age-_Syria)
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 Arshaf, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information 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

The Coalition reports the following for Ma’ra in Aleppo governorate for May 20th-21st 2016: “Near Mar’a, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and three ISIL command and control nodes.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 20 May – Tornados destroyed two Daesh headquarters north of Aleppo in Syria, while Typhoons provided close air support to Iraqi ground forces around Fallujah…Intelligence analysis pinpointed two Daesh headquarters in north-west Syria, located 10 and 25 miles respectively north of Aleppo near the fighting along the Mar’a Line. A pair of Tornado GR4s were tasked with their destruction on Friday 20 May. One of the command posts was in a very solidly constructed building, this was targeted with two Enhanced Paveway II 1000lb bombs. A pair of 500lb Paveway IVs were used against the second headquarters. Both targets were destroyed by direct hits.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (3 children2–5 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI011

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

البوعجيل, Bojeel, Salah al-Din, Iraq

Geolocation

34.577822, 43.724728 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reports claimed that Coalition strike hit a mosque during Friday prayers in the town of Al Bojeel, to the east of Tikrit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel village, East of Tikrit. The coordinates for (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel are: 34.577822, 43.724728

  • Al Bojeel ( البوعجيل )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No publicly reported Coalition strike appeared to match the event. However for October 17th-18th 2014 it was reported that “five airstrikes occurred south and west of Bayji and struck two ISIL units, destroyed one ISIL armed vehicle, an ISIL heavy weapon, an ISIL machine gun position, an ISIL building and three ISIL guard shacks and damaged one ISIL guard shack.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS221

Incident date

June 1, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Ten named civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes on the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of Raqqa.

According to the local Civil Defence, “four civilians were martyred due to successive airstrikes by coalition warplanes on Mashlab neighbourhood according to local source.” The Syrian Observatory reported 10 civilian deaths from airstrikes in Al Mashlab and elsewhere in Raqqa, though did not attribute responsibility.

Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered also reported 10 deaths, most of whom it named: “The raids targeted the following sites: The houses of Ali Bashir, Mohammad Alkajwan and Ahmed al-Huwaidi, Al-Halisat mosque and the shops of Alkajwan family.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime, putting the death toll at 10 including one child and two women.

Al Raqqa also said the regime were responsible, as did the Pride Revolution.

A Tweet by Aleppo Now alleged the Coalition were responsible: “coalition planes target al mashlab neighbourhood in raqqa – the biggest centre for Daesh – with several raids.”

RBSS published a number of reports on “warplanes” targeting the Al Mashlab neighbourhood, but did not say who the planes belonged to.

They said that the following areas were targeted:

“1 – the hospitality areaof al Sheikh Ali Al Bashir

2 – the house of Hammoud al Kajwan

3- the house of Mr. Ahmad al Huwaidi

4- near al Kajwan shops.”

However, Raqqa News Network said that this was a Russian incident:

“Treacherous Russian warplanes launched four raids on the city of Raqqa targeting the neighborhood of al Mashlab.”

While the Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the vicinity of raw on June 1st, these appear to have targeted nearby oil facilities rather than the city itself. Both the Assad regime and Russia may also have been responsible.

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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ali Alkajwan
Age unknown male killed
Ali Alkajwan's nephew
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Mohammed Jerkh
Age unknown male killed
Walid Jerkh
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

A woman from Mustafa Al Obied family
Age unknown female killed
A woman from Mustafa Al Obied family
Age unknown female killed

Family members (1)

Hammoud al Kajwan and his family
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed al-Huwaidi
Age unknown male killed
Hassan Alharweel
Age unknown male killed
Tamer Marzouk
Age unknown male killed
Issa Alkajwan
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Alkajwan
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Alharweel
Adult male killed
Adel al Jarakh
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 women)
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad al Huwaidi (via RBSS)
  • Translation: regime planes launched 4 raids this afternoon targeting al Mashlab neighbourhood which led to the death of an entire family. (via Newsffffff)
  • Translation: raqqa - coalition planes target al mashlab neighbourhood in raqqa - the biggest centre for Daesh - with several raids.

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
    37SEV043777
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • June 1, 2016, 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. 2966/CS221 37SEV043777

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for June 1st-2nd 2016 that “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes destroyed six ISIL oil pump jacks and an ISIL crane.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 women)
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI490

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Location

الجوسق, Mosul, Al-Jawsaq, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3280482, 43.1503701 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that 38 civilians were killed and injured in Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling on Jawsaq neighborhood in Western Mosul.

Press sources had told Yaqein that “the army shelling on Jawasaq neighborhood of western Mosul resulted in the deaths and injuries [which] have not been counted yet” and that “Jawasaq neighborhood is witnessing fierce clashes between the army and [ISIL] militants.” It furthermore spoke of heavy battles in the southwest area of Mosul, together with heavy bombardment and government shelling to recapture the west of the city.

The source continued that “there are fears of troops committing collective massacres against civilians with the continuation of the storm [battle] to recapture the west of Mosul on the right coast.”

Hamid Hadeed said on Twitter that ten people were killed in the raids, and 28 others were injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    28
  • 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 (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 February 26th-27th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, fives strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and two ISIS staging areas; destroyed eight fighting positions, six mortar systems, five vehicles, three VBIEDs, two roadblocks, two ISIS-held buildings, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two VBIED facilities, two weapons caches, a tactical vehicle, a sniper position, a supply cache, a bulldozer and a tunnel entrance; damaged nine supply routes and a front-end loader; and suppressed 18 mortar teams and five ISIS tactical units.”

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
    28
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]