Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

RS1863

Incident date

January 26, 2017

Location

حوايج بومصعة, Hawaij Bu Mas'a, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0528105, 40.4941326 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecific number of civilians were wounded following an alleged Russian raid on Hawaij Bu Mas’a. There are no reports of any civilian deaths. Additionally, all reporting blamed Russia for the strikes.

There are no other details at this time.

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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 specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI438

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Location

Wadi Hajjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly injured by ISF (or possibly Coalition) mortars according to eyewitness interviews by Amnesty International.

A previously unpublished assessment which Amnesty shared with Airwars reads as follows: “On 25 January an ISF mortar [Airwars note: presumed – but possibly US, see below] landed on their house in Wadi Hajjar and caused it to collapse. XX believes it was an ISF mortar as he saw a drone in the skies above the house five minutes before the explosion. The house was completely destroyed. The target was likely to have been the neighbouring house, which had been taken over by ISIS. ISIS had also taken over their house 20 days previously. They had had no choice in the matter and had mainly hidden in the basement since then.

XX’s mother – “I have a five year old son whose legs were broken (when the house collapsed due to the mortar strike).” It also opened a wound on her 17 year old daughter’s head. XX’s 17 year old wife suffered a shrapnel wound to her back.”

US forces used heavy mortars in support of ISF during the battle for West Mosul. However it is unclear on which date these began. A senior Coalition official told Airwars that “Mortar fire is not recorded as a strike so we do not have data to provide on specifically where and when they have been used. I spoke to the unit on the ground though, and due the positioning of Coalition forces to support the liberation of East Mosul and the limited range of the mortars, it is very doubtful they were fired prior to the initiation of the liberation of West Mosul.”

While it appears most likely this reported event was a result of ISF actions, it remains possible that it was a Coalition event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 24th-25th 2017, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed four mortar systems, two vehicles, two weapons caches, an ISIL headquarters, an anti-air artillery system, a fighting position, a supply cache, a tunnel entrance, a VBIED, a VBIED facility, an ISIL guard post, an ISIL-held building, and an IED factory; damaged a supply route; and suppressed an ISIL mortar team.”

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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS458

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Location

سحل الخشب, Sahil al Khashab, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.87441, 38.63985 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reported injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Sahil al Khashab.

According to Raqqa is Benig Slaughtered, “several civilians were injured following the targeting by the international coalition planes the village of Sahil al Khashab with an air raid.” All other sources reported similar.

 

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: raqqa - civilians injured following international coalition raids on the village of Sahel al Khashab in the western countryside.
  • Translation: international coalition planes launched a raid targeting the village of Sahil al Khashab north of al Tabaqa which led to several people being injured.
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Sahil al-Khashab village, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018
  • After reviewing all the available evidence, the preponderance of the evidence did not indicate that the alleged civilian casualties were caused by Coalition operations.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 24th-25th 2017, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 11 ISIL tactical units and destroyed 16 oil pump jacks, six oil storage tanks, six fighting positions, four tactical vehicles, two watercraft, a bunker, a VBIED, and a VBIED factory.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Wednesday 25 January – Typhoons supported Syrian Democratic Forces west of Raqqa, striking a group of terrorists and an armoured personnel carrier… Operations by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near Raqqa also continue to receive support. On Wednesday 25 January, the SDF reported that they were taking fire from a group of Daesh fighters with an armoured personnel carrier, to the west of Raqqa, on the north-eastern shores of Lake Assad. Despite challenging weather conditions and the proximity of the SDF to the targets, two Typhoons used a pair of Paveway IV precision guided bombs which removed the threat. Daesh targets have been less common since their defeat in eastern Mosul. As a result, no RAF attacks were required in the latter part of the week. Our aircraft, however, continued intensive armed reconnaissance patrols to gather intelligence on suspected terrorist positions and movement, and to be ready to strike should the situation require. Sentinel aircraft have also flown a number of surveillance missions, similarly gathering valuable information on Daesh. Hercules transports have also continued their essential role in providing logistical support required to British forces in the Middle East, particularly for the training and liaison teams deployed as part of the Coalition’s efforts to help the Iraqi security forces further improve their capabilities.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

[In the past week, France reports seven strikes destroying nine ISIL targets: six in Iraq in Mosul – concentrated on the edge of the city, and one strike in Syria, near Raqqa, against ISIL defenses near the Tabqah dam to destroy a combat site in which a tank was concealed. Task Force Wagram carried out 22 missions in Mosul.]

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL Au Levant, Daech continue de reculer globalement. En Irak, 3 mois après le lancement de la bataille de Mossoul, Daech perd pied dans les quartiers de la rive Est du Tigre, mais consolide ses positions sur la rive Ouest. L’organisation parvient encore à conserver un certain espace de manœuvre pour organiser des bascules de combattants, régénérer ses forces et empêcher les forces irakiennes d’enfermer ses combattants dans une poche. Dans le reste du pays, les forces irakiennes ont consolidé leurs positions pour empêcher les actions asymétriques des terroristes. En vallée de l’Euphrate, les forces irakiennes ont consolidé leurs positions au Nord d’Haditah dans l’objectif d’interdire aux combattants de Daech de s’infiltrer en direction de Bagdad. En Syrie, Daech cherche à tirer profit de la multitude d’acteurs prenant part au conflit pour essayer d’obtenir des gains tactiques sur le terrain. L’organisation mène de rudes combats dans les zones qu’elle considère comme son sanctuaire. Ainsi, dans la région de Raqqah, l’organisation terroriste mène une défense de plus en plus agressive à mesure que les forces kurdes s’approchent du barrage de Tabqah. A Der Eiz Zor, les combats sont intenses entre les combattants de Daech et les forces du régime syrien. Avancée sur la bataille de Mossoul La défense de Daech dans la partie Est de la ville de Mossoul est grandement affaiblie. Alors qu’au début de l’offensive les FSI subissaient près de dix attaques à la voiture piégée par jour, le rythme de ces attaques est désormais de dix par semaine. Alors que les combats se concentrent dans le quartier d’Al Rashidiyyiah, la quasi-totalité de la rive Est est désormais entre les mains des soldats irakiens qui procèdent aux opérations de sécurisation des quartiers récemment conquis. Dans un combat retardateur, Daech défend âprement la ville de Tall Kayf située immédiatement au Nord de Mossoul. Daech cherche ainsi à continuer à gagner du temps pour regrouper ses combattants dans l’ouest de la ville et valoriser ses positions. Actualité des opérations – pilier appui : Appui aérien Depuis le 18 janvier 2016, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont poursuivi leurs missions aériennes contre Daech en réalisant 46 sorties dont 40 reconnaissances armées et d’appui au sol, 4 de recueil de renseignement et 2 de ravitaillement. Les 7 frappes réalisées par les avions français ont permis de détruire 9 objectifs. Les frappes des aéronefs français se sont concentrées sur la périphérie de la ville de Mossoul. Il s’agit d’affaiblir les positions de l’organisation à l’extérieur de la ville pour réduire la capacité opérationnelle de Daech. Dans la région de Raqqah, une frappe a été menée contre les défenses de Daech à proximité du barrage de Tabqah pour détruire un emplacement de combat dans lequel un char était dissimulé. Appui feu (TF Wagram) : cette semaine la TF Wagram a réalisé 22 missions de tirs en appui des forces irakiennes. Ces missions se sont réparties en 13 missions d’éclairement et 9 missions d’interdiction, destruction ou semonce. Ces dernières étaient plus particulièrement dédiées à l’appui des unités irakiennes engagées dans la reprise de la ville de Tall Kayf. Elles ont également visé à interdire à Daech le franchissement du fleuve Tigre alors que ses combattants cherchaient à ravitailler les premières lignes.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS459 TS062

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two named children died in either Turkish or Coalition airstrikes on Tadef.
According to the Syrian Network “The children So’ad and Jonaid Fares Al Ali died after International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Tadef town in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.”

However according to al Bab News, “Turkish planes launched three raids at dawn today killing two from the family of Faress al Ali who is from the rescue teams in al Bab. His daughter Souad al Ali, 15 years old and his son Juneid Al Ali, 9 years old and he [the father] was injured. Several buildings were totally destroyed.”

Al Bab 24 noted on the same day “a violent air and artillery bombardment from the Russian and Nusairi [sectarian term refering to Alawites] and Turkish [armies] in coordination targeting al Bab, Tadef, Baza’a and several village nearby al Bab hit with no casualties recorded thank God.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also blamed Turkey, but put the death count at three, reporting that “three from the same family including a woman with her grand daughter and son died in the town of Tadif near al-Bab city”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Child female killed
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the air strike (via Al Bab 24)
  • Aftermath of the air strike (via Al Bab 24)
  • The names of the victims of the strike.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tadif (تادف), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.34857, 37.531501. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Taadif (Aleppo), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA6822823612
    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 January 24th-25th 2017, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed three fighting positions, and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS062

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two named children died in either Turkish or Coalition airstrikes on Tadef.
According to the Syrian Network “The children So’ad and Jonaid Fares Al Ali died after International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Tadef town in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.”

However according to al Bab News, “Turkish planes launched three raids at dawn today killing two from the family of Faress al Ali who is from the rescue teams in al Bab. His daughter Souad al Ali, 15 years old and his son Juneid Al Ali, 9 years old and he [the father] was injured. Several buildings were totally destroyed.”

Al Bab 24 noted on the same day “a violent air and artillery bombardment from the Russian and Nusairi [sectarian term refering to Alawites] and Turkish [armies] in coordination targeting al Bab, Tadef, Baza’a and several village nearby al Bab hit with no casualties recorded thank God.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also blamed Turkey, but put the death count at three, reporting that “three from the same family including a woman with her grand daughter and son died in the town of Tadif near al-Bab city”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Souad Al Ali
15 years old male
Juneid Al Ali
9 years old

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS061

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and eight civilians including three women and up to two children died in alleged Turkish shelling on Al Bab, according to sources on the ground.

Alsharq Alarabi named three female civilians as killed in “shelling” on Al Bab, but didn’t identify the culprit.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “eight civilians were killed by the Turkish bombardment in al Bab and Tadef, including two women and two children, while others were wounded.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Nafos
Age unknown female named by Alsharq Alarabi killed
The wife of Khaled Mohammed Al-Sheikh
Adult named by Alsharq Alarabi killed
The daughter of Khalid Mohammed Sheikh
Child female named by Alsharq Alarabi killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (1 child1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab city (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (1 child1–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1860

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Location

حي العمال, Oummal neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3222686, 40.1443005 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians were killed – including an entire family of seven – and dozens more were injured following an alleged Russian airstrike on Oummal neighbourhood, local media reported. All sources reported that Russia was to blame for the strike.

A later source confirmed that the family of seven were found under the rubble three days after the airstrike initially took place. This was due to the collapse of huge residential buildings.

Allegedly missiles struck the vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Adult female killed
Child child of Mrs Susan Mohammad Al Za’al killed
Child male child of Mrs Susan Mohammad Al Za’al killed
Child child of Mrs Susan Mohammad Al Za’al killed
child of Mrs Susan Mohammad Al Za’al killed
Adult female killed
Child male son of Mrs. Hadil Nijm al Deen al Mudhi killed

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Eid al-Abdullah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (4–5 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

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 specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (4–5 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS457

Incident date

January 24, 2017

Location

ابو جدي, Abu Jeddi, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.72742, 38.76671 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One named civilian died during clashes between Kurdish and ISIL forces at Abu Jeddi.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “a man from Abu Jedi village in the northern countryside of Al-Tabaqa west of Al-Raqqah was killed in bombing by warplanes yesterday on the area, it is believed that the warplanes belong to the International Coalition.” RBSS named the victim as Hamid al Bakri.

According to Step News, “The outskirts of Tel Al Samin in the northern countryside has seen clashes between IS and SDF since this morning. international coalition aircraft launched several air raids on several villages in the western and northern rural areas, including Abu Jeddi north of al Tabaqa killing one civilian and wounding others.”

In what may be a reference to this event, the Coalition reported on March 4th that it was assessing a possible civilian casualty event at Abu Jeddi – though it gave the date as January 25th. A month later it noted: “Jan. 25, 2017, near Abu Jadi, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Given the date disparity and apparently well documented Coalition airstrikes on the village on January 24th, Airwars continues to list this as a likely event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hamid al Bakri (via RBSS)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 1, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 23rd-24th the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed a UAV tower, an ISIL decoy tank, and an IED factory.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]