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

CS1434

Incident date

September 1, 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

Two civilians were reported killed after suspected US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqa City. Two of those killed were named by Euphrates Post and Hasaka Rasd.

The sources said the two killed were originally from Deir Al-Zour. All sources attributed the deaths to “bombing by the International Coalition”, though no specific location for the deaths was given.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mari’ Hassan al-Haj Hamadou (Abu Mohammed)
Adult male a Lawyer killed
Masleh Shams Al-Din Al-Hamoud (Abu Shams)
Adult male 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Musleh Shamseddine Al-Hamoud (Abu Shams) killed in suspected Coalition strikes on Raqqah, Spetember 1st (via Abou Aboud)
  • Mari Hassan Al-Haj Hamadou killed in suspected Coalition attacks on Raqqah, September 1st (via Ghafar Al Hasan)

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    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
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

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 31st – September 1st the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 10 fighting positions, three logistics nodes, two vehicles and a command and control node.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 31, near Raqqah, Syria, 13 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, three command and control nodes and a tunnel.”

For September 1st - 2nd the Coalition reported "Near Raqqah, 17 strikes [1 British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 16 fighting positions, three logistics nodes, two command and control nodes, and a VBIED" It later reported "On Sept. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 12 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed four command and control nodes, four logistics nodes, three fighting positions, three VBIEDs, and two heavy machine guns", and "Additionally, 10 strikes consisting of 10 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 1-2 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 1, near Raqqah, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 1 September – Typhoons destroyed a terrorist position in Raqqa, whilst a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair struck three targets at a large Daesh complex in western Iraq…Typhoons continued operations over Raqqa on Friday 1 September, when they used a Paveway IV to destroy a Daesh-held building from which fire was being directed at the Syrian Democratic Forces. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair conducted reconnaissance before joining a coalition strike on a large, dispersed terrorist site near Al Qaim in western Iraq. The RAF targets at the complex were accommodation and storage blocks, and an anti-aircraft position. All three were struck by Paveway IVs.’

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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1461

Incident date

September 9, 2017

Location

Sabha and al Jadid crossing, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.258358, 40.330682 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, LCCSY, reported that “two people were injured in the air raids of the International Alliance on the slopes of Al-Sabha and Al Jadid in the eastern countryside”.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Sabha and Jadid river crossings (معبر صبحة والجدید). Two possible locations for these river crossings are: 35.258358, 40.330682 (Jadid) and 35.284181, 40.234852 (Sabha)

  • Two possible locations for the reported river crossings

    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 Sabha and al Jadid crossing, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV210025
    Military Grid Reference System

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 September 8th – 9th the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in the vicnity of Dayr Az Zawr.

For September 9th – 10th the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions and a vehicle.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Saturday 9 September – a Reaper destroyed a motorcycle and trailer carrying three terrorists north-east of Dayr az Zawr… The following day [Sept 9th], another Reaper flew a further patrol in the same area of Syria, and tracked a group of three terrorists on a motorcycle and trailer. The Reaper’s crew waited patiently until the targets were in open countryside before firing a Hellfire which scored a direct hit.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1488

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

العشارة, Al A'shara, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.92, 40.56 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that members of ISIS families died in airstrikes which hit homes in al A’shara/Al Hawa – though none of the reports said who was responsible for the incident. Moreover, there was some dispute over the location of the strike, and whether the homes struck belonged to civilians.

According to Euphrates Post, “Two foreign families belonging to IS were killed as a result of the targeting of two houses by warplanes in Al-Hawi neighborhoods in the city of Al-A’shara.”

However, in the comments section underneath the post, a comment by Amin al Huweish reads: “By God, I don’t know where you get your information from. First of all the strike was not on al Hawi Road. Secondly the raids were on civilian homes and until now no one is reported killed. I am from al A’shara and I know it inch by inch and neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Have some fear of God when spreading news.”

7al also said the strike was on the Al Hawi neighbourhood, resulting in the death of “two European families belonging to the organization [ISIS]”

Two children were named as injured in an airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rahaf Hussein Ali Al-Ma’and
Child injured
Wissam Hussein Ali Al Hassan
Child injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The girl Rahaf Hussein Ali Al-Ma'and was injured following suspected airstrikes on Al-Azhar, Deir Ezzor, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The child Wissam Hussein Ali Al Hassan was injured in suspected airstrikes on Al-Azhar, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The impact on the streets of Al-Ashra following alleged Coalition airstrikes, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • Material destruction in Al-Ashra following suspected Coalition airstrikes, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • A street in Al-Ashra following suspected Coalition airstrikes, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention multiple neighbourhoods (Al Jaber, Al Ahmadali, Al Hawi and Al Hikma street (الحكمة)) in the town of Al Asharah (العشارة), for which the coordinates are: 34.92, 40.56

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 A’shara, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU424528
    Military Grid Reference System

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 September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1515

Incident date

September 22, 2017

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

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported six civilians killed in alleged Coalition strikes on Raqqa city, the source said “the martyrdom of a mother and her five children as a result of the bombing by international coalition aircraft on the city of Al-Raqqa last Friday”

Raqqa24 and Mohammed Othman also named the vicitms and reported that the Coalition was responsible for their deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Zouhour Fayez Al Fathi
Adult female killed
Maria
Child killed
Mo’az
Child killed
Mekdad
Child killed
Mimouna
Child killed
Mawdah
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    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
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

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 September 21st-22nd the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, two vehicles, two logistics nodes, a VBIED and a VBIED factory.” It additionally added that “On Sept. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, 28 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 18 fighting positions, eight vehicles, a tactical vehicle, two IEDs, two supply routes, a logistics node, damaged seven fighting positions and suppressed two fighting positions.”

For September 22nd - 23rd, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 39 strikes [1 British] engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed 41 fighting positions, a command and control node, a supply route and suppressed two fighting positions".

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI859

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

الشجرة, Al Shajarah village, near Al Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.2135540, 43.4075860 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Dozens of civilians, including a whole family, were reported by local media as killed in Al Shajara near Hawija, south of Kirkurk province.

Iraq News Center’s correspondent said the dozens of victims were mostly women and children and situated the incident at the villages of Al-Shajara, Ghareeb and Al-Mistah in the area of Al-Abbas in the west of Hawija district. The source blamed Iraqi government forces. A later report from the same outlet said a family had died in the incident.

Hawija Now reported very violent bombing, though no civilian casualties were mentioned nor the identity of aircraft.

Currently, the culprit is unclear. One allegation against government forces and reports of unidentified aircraft means that no faction can be ruled out at this point. The Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes around Hawijah that day. Airwars will update the entry when new information arises.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Shajara (الشجرة), near Al Huwijah (الحویجه) in the south of Kirkuk province. The coordinates for this village are: 35.2135540, 43.4075860.

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 Shajarah village, Hawijah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 27th – 28th the Coalition reported “Near Huwijah, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six vehicles, an ISIS-held building, a command and control node, an ISIS staging area and a VBIED.”

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
    3 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1570

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Location

البدو, Ar Raqqah: Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.96112, 39.00678 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 44 civilians were killed, from three familes, following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on al Marniadiya Street in al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah, according to local media.

The strike reportedly targeted a residential building (pictured). Raqqah is Being Slaughtered Silently identified some victims. However since Amnesty International  conducted on the ground research in Raqqa and interviewed survivors of the strikes, 26 civilians have been named.

Saad Abu Ahmad, a trader from the al Kanadi exhibition place in Raqqah, now living in Leipzig, commented on the RBSS post: ‘Yes this is my brother and my nephews, my daughter and her kids and my niece the daughter of my brother Ahmad and her husband.”

All sources reported the US-led Coalition culpable.

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” it was stated that “A Coalition airstrike on the evening of 3 October 2017, destroyed a five-storey building in the Harat al-Badu neighbourhood, killing 44 members of the four families who were sheltering there, most of them women and children, the oldest a 90-year-old grandfather and the youngest an 11-days-old baby girl.”

The father of a victim, Mohammad, told Amnesty researchers that “My entire family was wiped out in a moment. My baby girl was only 11 days old. The children; all they knew in their short lives was Daesh (IS) rule and war. Those who came to liberate us killed them all. Why?” Mohammad lost 11 members of his family in two strikes on two apartment blocks in which they were sheltering in Harat al Badu on 3rd October 2017 at around 10.30pm.

Field notes added that “The family had been sheltering on the ground floor or a five storey block of flats. Mohammed had been with them but had left the building 30 minutes previously to assist an injured neighbour. The only other survivor is Mohammed’s brother Rabia Hajj Amin. He is unable to walk as a result of another strike.”

“Those who were staying in the building were in 2 flats on the ground floor and 2 flats on the first floor. We have names of most of the neighbours and relatives, which included three families with no survivors.

Both survivors Mohammad and his brother Rabia Hajj al Amin, reported that “IS had used the roof of the building which was struck and in which the families dies to land an observation drone earlier in the evening on the day of the strike. Approximately two hours later, the building was destroyed. ISIS used nearby buildings to story, medicines, water, food, weapons etc.”

Amnesty field notes added that “To the best of Mohammad’s knowledge, there were no IS in the building at the time of the strike. There was an food storage point run by IS next door, as well as an IS medicines store and weapons store across the road.”

The “Abu Ismael family” – were the second family killed – had been in the other flat on the ground floor.

The “Abu Said family” – the third family killed – were on the first floor when they were killed. We have no vicitims names for this family.

The “Abu Khalil family” – were the fourth family killed – were on the first floor.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, however, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of Amnesty’s civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The incident occured at 22:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Abu Ismael
70s years old male killed
Abu Ismael’s wife
Adult female killed
Abud
Age unknown male Abu Ismael's son killed
Ibrahim
Age unknown male Abu Ismael's son killed
Amr
Age unknown male Abu Ismael's son killed
Aisha
Adult female Abu Ismael's daughter killed
Aisha’s husband
Adult male Aisha's husband killed

Family members (7)

Abu Khalil
Age unknown male killed
Abu Khalil’s wife
Adult female killed
Khalil
Age unknown male Abu Khalil’s son killed
Ibrahim
Age unknown male Abu Khalil’s son killed
Abu Khalil’s daughter 1
Age unknown female killed
Abu Khalil’s daughter 2
Age unknown female killed
Abu Khalil’s daughter 3
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Hajj al Amin
56 years old male Mohammads father killed
Kifah Hajj Khalaf
54 years old female Mohammads mother killed
Aya Saadullah Haj Amin
18 years old female Mohammads wife killed
Rimas Moh Hajj Amin
2 and a half years old female Mohammads daughter killed
Kifah
11 days old years old female Mohammads daughter killed
Amani Haj Amin
31 years old female Mohammads sister killed
Ayman Yahyah
35 years old male Amani's husband killed
Amar Ayman Yahyah
12 years old male Amani and Ayman's child killed
Ahmad Ayman Yahyah
10 years old male Amani and Ayman's child killed
Noor Ayman Yahyah
6 years old female Amani and Ayman's child killed
Jana Ayman Yahyah
1 and a half years old female Amani and Ayman's child killed
Mohammed Kamel Haj Amin
Age unknown male not named by Amnesty killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    44
  • (6–22 children11–15 women11–17 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Site of strike. (via Amnesty)

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 al Badou, 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 October 2nd – 3rd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and three ISIS supply routes.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 2, near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units, destroyed nine fighting positions and damaged five fighting positions.” And that “On Oct. 2, Near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    44
  • (6–22 children11–15 women11–17 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1604

Incident date

October 7, 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

The citizen journalist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, documented the death of Ismail Al Sharif (pictured), following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the city of Raqqah.

At present the location of the incident within the city is unknown. Airwars will add to the entry when any new details arise.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ismail Al Sharif
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ismail Al Sharif allegedly killed in US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    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 October 7th – 8th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 51 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 50 fighting positions, a tactical vehicle, six vehicles, one VBIED, and four command and control networks.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1634

Incident date

October 8, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.951883, 39.022188 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fourteen civilians were allegedly killed on the 8th of October by Coalition airstrikes near the Old Mosque in Raqqa.

On December 14th, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported “the bodies of the martyrs Mohammed Hassan Aarouni and Alaa Mohammed Aarouni were found with his family and Ibrahim Mohammed Aarouni and his family under the rubble in the city of Raqqa after they died as a result of an air strike carried out by coalition aircraft during the control campaign several months ago.”

It was unclear at what point during the Raqqa campaign that the victims died.

Since this reportage Amnesty International has conducted on the ground field research which suggested the airstrike occurred on the 8th. However, on 2017/07/07-2017/07/19 no new visible damage was seen via Google Earth on this specific date. The date needs further research.

Amnesty research specified that Ala’Eddine Mohammed Aarouni, his wife Aisha, and their two sons Dia’ and Ziad were killed at 12.30 pm in their home. It was described by Amnesty as a four story building where the family lived on they were on the second floor. The building was building not destroyed; only struck flat.

The building was – according to Amnesty – struck by a missile.

Mohammad, the son of a victim told Amnesty in a testimony that “My father and his wife were hosting my aunt, who is blind and and my uncle and his family. The missile targeted their apartment. The building was not destroyed. I can’t understand why my family was targeted.”

Ten others were killed with the family, and are named below.

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

Family members (12)

Ala’Eddine Mohammed Aarouni
44 years old male teacher killed
Aisha
35 years old female his wife killed
Dia’
1 years old male son of Ala’Eddine killed
Ziad
1 month years old male son of Ala’Eddine killed
Aunt Hana’ Moh Aarouni
50 years old female blind killed
Uncle Ibrahim Moh Aarouni
40 years old male killed
Fatima Hassan Aarouni
30s years old female Ibrahim's wife killed
Ghaida’
6 years old female child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed
Sidra
7 years old female child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed
Yaman
2 years old female child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed
Moh
10 years old male child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed
Aghiad
8 years old male child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hassan Aarouni
Age unknown male not named by Amnesty but most likely related killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (7 children3 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Building struck, however no visible damage around the date specified by 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Stated location
    in Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV020786
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • Oct. 8, 2017, in Raqqa, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

"No coalition actions".

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (7 children3 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition