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

CS1843

Incident date

November 19, 2018

Location

حويزية, Huweiziya village, al Shadadi, Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, 13-year-old Ali Matar al-Hammad was killed by a cluster bomb that was left behind after previous bombing on the village of Hweiziyah in rural Shaddadi, south of Hasaka. Several sources including Step News Agency blamed the Coalition. 

However according to a number of tweets from amongst others @Syria_News5 and @SyriaNewsNetwrk, the cluster bomb was left behind after clashes between SDF and Daesh. 

The Coalition is not known to have used cluster munitions in Syria – indicating that the remnant munition might also have come from prior Syrian government or Russian military actions.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2020, the US-led Coalition asserted that “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:

Ali Matar al-Hammad
13 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (11) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in al Shadadi, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    38RQV021296
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020

  • 14.Nov. 19, 2018, in al Shadadi, Syria, via Airwars. 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. 3234/CS1843 38RQV021296

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 19th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 19 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of nine engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, six strikes destroyed five supply routes.

[Note however that this report relates to a remnant munition from a previous military action]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1896

Incident date

February 6–7, 2019

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil - possibly Al-Khayasah neighborhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.08742, 40.45023 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the house of Majid al-Salama in Al Shahil on the night of February 6th-7th. Baladi News blamed “US helicopters from the International Alliance, backed by high-flying jet fighters” for the airstrike. Other sources claim he was killed by gunfire. Three civilians were later admitted to have been wounded by US fire.

The house was reportedly inhabited by displaced people from the town of Al Baghouz. A man was reportedly killed and his wife and two children arrested by SDF forces. However US officials later insisted the dead man was a “combatant.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed at the time that a man ‘in the second decade of his life’ was shot dead and found near an irrigation canal in the town of Al Shahil, while other sources reported the man was killed in the airstrike and found “near the landing site used by international coalition forces”.

Mena Monitor – which cited no civilian casualties – reported that “international coalition forces on Thursday [February 7th] carried out an air landing on the house of Majid al-Salama in Al-Khayasah neighborhood in Al Shahil city in the suburb of Deir Ezzor. Field sources said that the operation resulted in the arrest of three people displaced from the town of Al Baghouz, which is governed by Daesh.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report published in November 2019, the Coalition confirmed injuring three civilians in the vicinity of this locale around this time, noting that “February 6, 2019, near Al Busayrah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition ground forces conducted an assault against a Daesh facility. Regrettably three civilians were unintentionally wounded as a result of the action.”

Following an email exchange, Coalition officials accepted that this was the same event – asserting that ” In light of that information and your notes, we have confirmed that these are directly related events, however we have also confirmed that the individual in this allegation was a combatant.”

In May 2020 in its annual report on civilian harm to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to be a US-only action.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation, possibly referring to the reported civilian fatality, is in the process of being assessed.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Man alleged killed in a Coalition airstrike on Al Shahil (via Euphrates Post).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Man alleged killed in a Coalition airstrike on Al Shahil (via Euphrates Post).
  • Man alleged killed a Coalition airstrike on Al Shahil (via Basam Ali).
  • Table of US-only civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria for 2019, declared by the Pentagon to Congress in May 2020.

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
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    3
  • Stated location
    near Al Busayrah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU322837
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 15, 2019

  • February 6, 2019, near Al Busayrah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition ground forces conducted an assault against a Daesh facility. Regrettably three civilians were unintentionally wounded as a result of the action.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Between Jan. 27 - Feb. 9, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 199 strikes consisting of 326 engagements against ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq.In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 179 strikes consisting of 303 engagements, engaged 146 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 131 supply routes, 53 fighting positions, 31 staging areas, 14 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 13 engineering equipment, 11 explosive belts, nine tankers for petroleum oil and lubricants, eight tactical vehicles, five command and control nodes, four buildings, three aircrafts operations areas, three tunnels, two petroleum oil and lubricant storage facilities, two manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive devices, two artilleries, two weapons caches and one armored vehicle.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS009

Incident date

September 24–29, 2014

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

A number of sources including the Syrian Martyrs website reported that a woman was killed in a Coalition airstrike on Ar Raqqah. She was reported as being a resident of the city.

The3 Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also reported her death fropm Coalition actions – though said this occured on September 24th: ” Fawzia al-Jadou, from Raqqa, was martyred by the bombing of the international coalition forces, on 24/9/2014.”

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Ms. Fawzia al-Jadou died due to extreme panic which led to an attack that stopped her breathing and killed her.”

A Syrian Network for Human Rights report relating to this event can no longer be traced.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fawzia Al Ghaddou
Adult female Named by Syrian Martyrs and DCHRS killed

Summary

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition has confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity on September 28th-29th 2014: “Two airstrikes were conducted on ISIL compounds near Ar Raqqah.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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

Incident Code

CS1194a

Incident date

July 12, 2017

Location

Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.957233, 38.994399 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.

According to the report, “Abdallah Ahmad Hammadi, 20 was killed in an artillery strike by a well when he went to fetch water. A month later his parents and twin brother, Abderrahman, were killed by another artillery shell which struck their family home.”

The daughter of the victim, Maha, told Amnesty in a testimony that “Only me and my sister survived. We have no one left. My brother Abdallah was killed by the well when he went to fetch water, then my parents and my brother Aabderrahman, Abdallah’s twin, were killed when our home was hit by a shell.”

Three other members of the Hammadi family were killed in a Coalition artillery strike on August 16th 2017. See CS1379a for more details.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Abdallah Ahmad Hammadi
20 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdallah Ahmad Al Hammadi, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 12th July 2017. (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 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI135

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Heavy Coalition airstrikes on Mosul resulted in a number of civilian casualties, according to reports.

Face Iraq said medical sources in the city reported no fatalities. However three civilians were said to have been injured after an airstrike hit a Daesh prison in the western Badush area of the city. And one student was said to have been killed while walking home from college when he was caught up in a strike.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF294240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • November 5, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2855/CI135 38SLF294240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 4th-5th 2015, the Coalition reports that “Near Mosul, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS306

Incident date

September 7, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.18986, 40.62009 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM reported on 13 September 2016 that non-combatants may have been killed or injured after a non-ISIL vehicle strayed into a strike kill box. “In a strike on Sep. 7, near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, on an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft,” CENTCOM reported.

Two months later it confirmed one civilian death, noting that “near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL oil collection point, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.”

No civilian deaths were reported at the time, though fierce clashes were reported on the day in the vicinity of Shadadah, including strikes by unidentified aircraft. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered reported that “warplanes target al Sina’a and al Huweika neighbourhoods as well as the area surrounding the military airport and the southern entrance to the city.” Other strikes were reported at the al Hamidiya neighbourhood and at al Husseiniyah and the 7km area.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated this to the nearest city at 35.3353632, 40.1380348

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU475953
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • September 7, 2016, near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL oil collection point, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 7th-8th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Dayz Az Zawr, one strike destroyed four ISIL oil tanker trucks.”

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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS439 RS1827

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 25 fighters of the militant group Fatah al Sham were killed – as well as a civilian policeman – and as many as six other people were injured, following an alleged airstrike in Saraqib. It is not clear whether or not the injured were civilians or members of Fatah al Sham. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame, with many blaming the US led Coalition, and a few others blaming Russian warplanes. Some sources do not identify the aircraft.

Two cars and three bikes were the target of this raid, on a motorway leading out of Saraqib. One source named the vicinity as Jobas Junction. Another source reported that it was near a bridge.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “explosions were heard in the Saraqeb area east of Idlib, which sources said resulted from targeting by unidentified aircraft of SUVs, carrying members of a jihadi” group believed to be Fatah al Sham [formerly al Nusra], during which at least five people were killed and injured.”

LCCSY said the cars were targeted near the motorway, while Syria News Desk said seven militants were killed and two injured when two vehicles were destroyed. Step News named two militant leaders killed as Abu Anas al Masri and Abu A’krama al Tunisi. Three of the group were allegedly bothers.

Syria News reported there were two main raids, the first targeting of a pick-up vehicle belonging to Fath Al Sham Militia, near the Abu al-Thuhur bridge east of the town of Sarqib. This allegedly left five victims. The second was said to have targeted a car south of the city of Sarqib on the international highway.

Another source however claims that there were six strikes within an hour. According to Idlib Media Centre, the police officer was killed in a strike when he went to investigate the first three strikes. 

AleppoAMC called it a high impact missile attack.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ziyad Juma’a al Ahmad
Adult male police officer killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Victims in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via @MoudaAlomar)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via SOHR )
  • Footage showing the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Orient)
  • The exact moment the alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike hit Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Amjad Bakir)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via @fadirihawi)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via @fadirihawi)
  • Ziyad Juma'a al Ahmad. killed in an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via @AbdulhaiMekhbat)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 10th-12th 2017, the Coalition reported no airstrikes in Idlib governorate. However unilateral US strikes against Fatah al Sham are no longer reported by the Coalition.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS451

Incident date

January 20, 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

A civilian woman was killed following air raids by an unidentified belligerent on Raqqa city.

According to LCCSY and other, “Mrs. Dalal Zare’ al Haj Ta’ama was martyred following raids on the city. The martyr is from Deir Ezzor province.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dalal Zare’ al Haj Ta’ama
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: raqqa: Mrs Dalal Zare’ Al Haj Ta’ama martyred as a result of the raids on the city. The martyr is from Deir Ezzor
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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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 January 19th-20th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Ar Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units, six fighting positions, a house borne IED, a tactical vehicle, a checkpoint, and two tunnels; suppressed four ISIL tactical units; and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]