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

Incident Code

CS1304 RS2374

Incident date

July 31, 2017

Location

قرية الكشمة, Al Kasham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.811111, 40.600833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians were reported injured in airstrikes on Al Kasham village according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible, with allegations against the Coalition, Russia and the Syrian regime.

According to Euphrates Post, one male also died in a Russian strike on the village. The source also named the following two civilians among those injured: “the son of Mohammed is in critical condition; The wife of Eid Al Hakoum is in critical condition.”

Fresh Syria and Almanar blamed the Coalition for carrying out a strike which reportedly injured “a number of civilians”. According to Euphrates Post – which did not identify the culprit – said a strike hit “the house of Hilou al-Mansi and Mohammed al-Farhan”.

However the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Moscow were to blame. The Observatory reported: “About 10 civilians including children were confirmed injured as a result of the bombing by warplanes. It is unknown whether the planes belonged to Russia or the international Coalition”. Jisirtv also pointed towards Russia.

One source, Akhbaraalaan, attributed the event to the Assad regime, reporting that “the Syrian air force launched air strikes on areas in al-Kashmeh area in the western suburb of Deir al-Zour, causing injuries, including children and women.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ayman Mohammed Farhan Abdul, killed in alleged Russian and Coalition airstrikes on Al Kasham, 31st July 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

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 Kamsheh (Dayr Az Zawr), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV1716807013
    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

For July 31st – August 1st: “ Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed 13 ISIS oil stills, an oil storage barrel and an ISIS chemical weapons factory.“

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Monday 31 July – Typhoons attacked a Daesh defensive position and two sniper teams in Raqqa…Royal Air Force Tornado, Typhoon and Reaper aircraft have continued to fly daily armed reconnaissance missions against Daesh over Syria and Iraq, and have delivered a number of air strikes against terrorist targets in Raqqa. On Monday 31 July, two flights of Typhoons, based at RAF Akrotiri, delivered successful attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs against a defensive position from which Daesh were firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and against two sniper teams.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 1st – 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1332

Incident date

August 4, 2017

Location

شارع النور, Al Noor street, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.952, 39.0008 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female civilian was named as killed in a “bombardment” on Al Noor street, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently.

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Aug. 4, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mu’minah Khalil al-Ali al-Saleh
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 Al Noor Street (شارع النور), Raqqa, for which the coordinates are: 35.9520, 39.0008.

  • Al Noor Street (شارع النور) in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018
  • Aug. 4, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 4th-5th the Coalition reported that “On Aug. 4, near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, a staging area, and a tunnel..” It also stated that “On Aug. 4, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions; and damaged a fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 4 August – Typhoons struck an ammunition factory and three sniper positions in Raqqa…An improvised ammunition factory had been identified in a large single-storey building in Raqqa, and this was struck with two Paveway IVs from Typhoons on Friday 4 August. The Typhoons then conducted two further strikes with Paveways against sniper positions, while a second Typhoon flight dealt with a third sniper team.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1685

Incident date

November 26, 2017

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child died in a casualty event in Al Baghouz, according to local media.

The Al Sharq al Souri agency reported on November 28th that the victim died from wounds sustained by an artillery shell in the village of Al-Baghouz two days ago.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee also blamed an artillery shell for the child’s death. It didn’t say who was responsible, meaning that the Coalition cannot be ruled out.

However, according to DE 24, the vicitm died as a result of an artillery bombardment by Assad’s forces.

The coalition report says after a review of available information, it was assessed that no Coalition strikes 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:

Child male via DE 24 facebook killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Baghouz (الباغوز), for which the coordinates are: 34.4641667, 40.9452778

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
    Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU786153
    Military Grid Reference System

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition report says after a review of available information, it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1800

Incident date

September 19, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of an adult civilian male, Hussein al-Humeidahin al Bagouz. There was however a discrepancy in the reports. While some local sources attributed the civilian’s death to (SDF) artillery shelling, one source claimed that he was killed by a sniper.

Euphrates Post reported for example the “martyrdom of Hussein al-Humeidah after artillery shelling by the SDF on the town of Al-Bagouz this morning.”

Al Boukamal Direct added that Mr al-Humeidah had refused to leave his home to flee intense fighting in al Bagouz. However another source said Mr al-Humeidah had instead been shephering his sheep at the time of his death.

Other media also reported heavy fighting between so-called Islamic State and the SDF. Al Shafaa stated on its Facebook page that in the “early hours of the morning” columns of smoke were rising from al Baguoz and “the sounds of artillery did not calm down during most of the daylight hours”. Sound and Picture added that dozens of ISIS fighters were killed in clashes with SDF militia.

The reports of artillery shelling seemed to contradict the report from Fajr al Boukamal, who detailed that al-Humeidah was killed by sniper fire “while he was in a field shepherding his sheep”. Fajr al Boukamal is however alone in saying this.

In the second of their September 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 the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haj Hussein Al Humaidah Al Khalaf Al Hassan Al Nasser
Adult male Local shepherd killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1–0 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Haj Hussein Al Humaidah Al Khalaf Al Hassan Al Nasser, reportedly killed in al Bagouz either by artillery shelling or by a sniper (via Euphrates Post)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU786153
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Sep. 19, 2018, in Al Bagouz Fawqani, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3190/CS1800 37SFU786153

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 19th, the US-led Coalition reported the following:
“On September 19 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes consisting of 26 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Albu Kamal, 18 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed three ISIS fighting positions, two ISIS command and control center, one ISIS vehicle, one ISIS vehicle-borne IED, one ISIS rocket launcher, one ISIS Structure, two ISIS staging areas, one ISIS machine gun, six ISIS supply routes and one ISIS tunnel and damaged two ISIS sites and suppressed one ISIS staging area.”

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

[After August saw few weapons fired, the NL MoD reported airstrikes for the fourth consecutive week. For September 19th-25th, aircraft deployed weapons in three missions, targeting ISIS fighters, a weapon cache and a logistical storage unit near Abu Kamal.]

Nieuwsbericht | 26-09-2018 | 12:00 In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 8 missies. Die zijn gevlogen boven de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal. Er zijn 3 keer wapens ingezet. ISIS-strijders, een wapenopstelling en een logistieke opslagplaats waren het doelwit. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 19 tot 25 september 2018.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1–0 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1878

Incident date

December 26, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ali Jassem Khudair al-Suwaiyi, a civilian non combatant male from the town of Al-Soussa, was alleged killed as a result of an airstrike and/ or shelling on civilian houses, according to sources on the ground. 

Deir Ezzor 24 for example reported “The killing of Ali Jassem Khader al-Suwaiy as a result of the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on the town of # Soussa in the eastern countryside of # Deir al-Azur.”

No additional details are presently known.

In its December 2020 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Jassem Khudair al-Suwaiyi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Ali Jassem Khudair al-Suwaiyi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike (via Euphrates Post).
  • Ali Jassem Khudair al-Suwaiyi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike (via Deir Ezzor 24).
  • Ali al-Jassim al-Khudair al-Suwayi, alleged killed in a Coalition airstrike (via Sousseh).

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
    in al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU805225
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 15, 2020
  • .Dec. 26, 2018, in al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to assess its credibility. 3259/CS1878 37SFU805225

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

NOTE: In late December 2019 and after 52 months, the US-led Coalition ended the reporting of dates and locations of its military actions.

Between Dec. 16 and Dec. 29, CJTF-OIR conducted 469 strikes consisting of 1,001 engagements in Syria, and conducted nine strikes consisting of 14 engagements in Iraq.

In Syria, 469 strikes engaged 666 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 291 fighting positions, 153 staging areas, 67 supply routes, 27 command and control nodes, 27 petroleum oil lubricant storage facilities, 25 vehicles, 14 tunnels, 14 weapons cache, 13 improvised explosive device facilities, seven heavy weapons systems, six pieces of heavy equipment, seven buildings, five petroleum oil and lubricant tankers, five bridges, four armored vehicles, two caves, two vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, two motorcycles, two vehicle borne improvised explosive device facilities, three mortar launching sites, one boat, one barge, and one unmanned aircraft system; and damaged seven fighting positions, four staging areas, two vehicles, one armored vehicle, one command and control node and one heavy weapon system; and suppressed 70 fighting positions, 12 vehicles, 10 staging areas and one armored vehicles.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

From 26 December to 1 January, France report Task Force Wagram has carried out 34 fire missions from Iraq (22 lighting, 12 destruction). Aircraft conducted 18 sorties and condcued 5 strikes on support of SDF forces.

Point de situation des opérations Armée française - Opérations militaires·Thursday, 3 January 2019 CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie Dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, les forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS), après avoir achevé la sécurisation de la ville d’Hajine la semaine dernière, poursuivent leur offensive le long du fleuve en direction de As Susah. Daech, qui a piégé le terrain, dispose d’une capacité de résistance affaiblie. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la situation est inchangée. Daech conserve une capacité de nuisance en menant des actions clandestines, notamment dans le désert de l'Anbar et sur le plateau d’Hawija. Les opérations des forces de sécurité irakiennes se poursuivent, avec un effort marqué dans les zones montagneuses et désertiques, ainsi qu’à la frontière pour contrer toute tentative d’action de Daech depuis la Syrie. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. Par l’opération Chammal, les armées françaises demeurent engagées, les modalités de l’engagement tenant compte en permanence des réalités du terrain. La priorité demeure de vaincre militairement cette organisation terroriste, et empêcher sa résurgence alors qu’elle passe à la clandestinité. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie les forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. La TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 34 missions de tir (22 d'éclairement, 12 de destruction – bilan du 26 décembre au 1er janvier inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2418 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les militaires de la base aérienne projetée en Jordanie ont accueilli la ministre des armées et le chef d’état-major de l’Armée de l’air à l’occasion du réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre. Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis ont poursuivi leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 26 décembre au 1er janvier inclus). Les Rafale ont conduit 5 frappes cette semaine en appui des forces démocratiques syriennes. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8768 sorties / 1512 frappes / 2321 objectifs neutralisés. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne, qui est en charge de la sécurisation de l’ouest du grand Bagdad, alors qu’après l’ouverture partielle de la « zone verte » entamée le 10 décembre, le gouvernement irakien a poursuivi cette semaine son effort de normalisation des conditions de vie dans la capitale en démontant plusieurs checkpoints, en abattant des murs de sécurité, et en rouvrant des routes fermées à la circulation depuis 2003. La TF Narvik, poursuit sa mission de formation et de conseil de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS) et prépare les prochains stages.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

In the last 10 days of the year, 15 missions were flown. Weapons were deployed ten times and targeted ISIS fighting positions and warehouses.

In de laatste 10 dagen van het jaar zijn er nog 15 missies gevlogen. Hierbij zijn 10 keer wapens ingezet, tegen gevechtsopstellingen en opslagplaatsen van Islamitische Staat.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Wednesday 26 December – Typhoons and Tornados struck five terrorist-held buildings and cratered a road south-east of Hajin to prevent Daesh moving along it...a pair of Typhoons cratered the road with Paveway IVs on Wednesday 26 December. The Typhoons then joined a Tornado flight in destroying three Daesh-occupied buildings: the Typhoons dealt with one target, the Tornados struck the other two. The Tornados remained on station to provide further assistance if required by the SDF, and subsequently attacked a further two buildings from which the terrorists were firing.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1317b

Incident date

August 2, 2017

Location

الفردوس, near Raqqa, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.95719, 39.00111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Raqqa.

In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted the following: “the Coalition conducted one artillery strike on ISIS defensive fighting positions. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike”

It was later clarified to Airwars that this incident of civilian harm was found during the assessment of Airwars allegation CS1317 and had not been previously reported to the Coalition.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV001792
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2017
  • August 2, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conduced two airstrikes and one artillery strike. The airstrikes targeted one ISIS weapons cache and one ISIS command and control facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed in each of these strikes. On the same day the Coalition conducted one artillery strike on ISIS defensive fighting positions. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike. Regrettably, these three strikes resulted in the unintentional death of three total civilians.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1273a

Incident date

July 24–25, 2017

Location

Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.95725, 39.010135 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strike in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty.

The report stated that “Islam Moh Amero, (F), three, was killed in her home by shrapnel from an artillery strike on the street. Her father was injured in the same strike.”

The mother, Umm Islam, told Amnesty in a testimony that “Even keeping her indoors did not protect her. We could not protect our children. We couldn’t know where the shells would fall next.”

The satellite imagery shows no damage to the vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Islam Moh Amero
3 years old female killed
Islam's father
Adult male injured by shrapnel injured

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Not yet assessed.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Incident Code

CS055

Incident date

February 18, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Al Maryajib crossroads, in area 47, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.2752788, 41.2818146 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that one civilian male was killed in a coalition airstrike at al Shadadi. According to Thiqah he was in the area by chance when coalition aircraft struck: “One civilian was killed and others wounded yesterday (Thursday), when coalition aircraft bombed several areas of the rural southern city of Al-Hasakah.” Activists in the city confirmed the death of one man after a coalition airstrike on “Junction Al Mreijab in the 47 area of the city.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an alleged Coalition airstrike on “Al Maryajib crossroads, in area 47”, near Al-Shadadi (الشدادي), Al Hasakah Governorate, Syria. Due to limited satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to locate the Al Maryajib / Mmrayjab junction. “Area 47” is likely a reference to Highway 47: the Sinjar – Shadadi road, which begins at the Iraq – Syria border. Location of Highway 47 close to the Iraq – Syria border: 36.2752788, 41.2818146

  • Highway 47

    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 al-Maryajib crossroad, al-Shadadi, al-Hassakah, Syria
    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

Air strikes were confirmed in the vicinity on both February 17th-18th and February 18th-19th 2015, with the coalition reporting respectively that “Near Al Hasakah, an airstrike struck multiple ISIL oil pump jacks” and that “Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck multiple ISIL oil pump jacks and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint.“

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 (4) [ collapse]