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

TS047 CS441

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

بزاعة , Beza’a city, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3829071, 37.56666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians including two children from the same family died in an airstrike on Beza’a city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Turkey or the US-led Coalition.

Aleppo Media Center reported that “the child Hamdo al Bakir and an entire family made up of seven people” died following Turkish raids.

LCCSY instead said that civilians died as result of Turkish bombing on the city, as did Micro Syria. Sawa_sawanews  also blamed Turkey, putting the death toll at nine.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the Coalition. It said that “at least seven civilians died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Beza’a city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, January 12, 2017, SNHR has yet to verify the news.” Al Amawi news also attrubited blame to the Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Daughter of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Child female named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Mohammad, son of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed
Abd al Jawwad Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i
Adult male named by Al Bab al HadathBrother of Abd al Sattar Saleh Al Khodra al Bazi’i killed
Hamdo al Bakir
Child male named by Al Bab al Hadath killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • "The death of Hamdou al-Bakir and a whole family of seven people in the town of Bazaa in the eastern Aleppo countryside following Turkish air strikes targeting the region on Thursday." (via AleppoAMC)
  • Abd al Jawwad Yassin, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)
  • Mohammad the son of Abd al SAttar and a child, the daughter of Abd al Sattar, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)
  • Abd al Sattar Yassin, killed in an alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrike in Beza’a city, 12th January 2017. (via Al bab Al Hadath)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beza’a city ( بزاعة ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3829071, 37.56666. 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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • 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
Official source

Fir Jan 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: "Near Manbij, two strikes damaged a vehicle and a mortar system."

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI065

Incident date

April 29, 2015

Location

حي الجغيفي, Fallujah, Jughaifi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.366667, 43.792778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local reports, coalition airstrikes killed nine civilian non-combatants and injured three more in Al Sharika Street, Aljughaifi neighborhood. The dead were named by the Iraqi Revolution website as “belonging to the family of Khamis Sufook al-Jumaili, killing him and his wife and her sister, their sons and daughters, as well as his brother the householder.”

The Iraqi Spring project named the dead.

 

The incident was first reported on April 30, 2015 at 1:06 pm by Iraqi Spring Media Center.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb
Adult male Named by Iraqi Spring, father killed
Nahida Hilal Theyab
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, mother killed
Najeiya Talal Hadid
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, mother of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb
Salima Sifog
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, sister of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb
Aws Khamis Sifog
Child male Named by Iraqi Spring, son of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb killed
Bushra Khamis Sifog
Child female Named by Iraqi Spring, daughter of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb
Khitam Khamis Sifog
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, daughter of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb killed
Jinan Khamis
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, daughter of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb killed
Sijad Mohamad Ali
Child male Named by Iraqi Spring, son of Jinan Khamis killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (5 children3 women1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Image of destruction posted by Iraqi Spring
  • Image of destruction posted by Iraqi Spring
  • Image of destruction posted by Iraqi Spring
  • Image of destruction posted by Iraqi Spring

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of the alleged victims

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Sharika road in the Al Jughaifi neighbourhood (حي الجغيفي) in the city of Fallujah, Anbar Province, Iraq. The coordinates for the midpoint of Al Jughaifi neighbourhood (حي الجغيفي) are: 33.366667, 43.792778.

  • Al Jughaifi neighbourhood (حي الجغيفي) in the city of Fallujah

    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 Fallujah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

A single strike in the area was reported for April 28th-29th 2015: “Near Fallujah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL trench complex.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (5 children3 women1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS419

Incident date

December 22, 2016

Location

جعبر, Ja'abar, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9246445, 38.5273361 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven or more civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Ja’abar during fighting for control of the town.

According to LCCSY, “Civilian martyrs and wounded by the international coalition aircraft bombed on the outskirts of the village of #Ja’abar #Tabaqa city.”

According to the Syrian Network, “six civilians died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Ja’bar village on Raqqa governorate western suburbs.” Al Jisr put the death toll at eight, while Zaman al Wasl said nine died. Syria News Desk cited a local activist as saying that “the raids led to the destruction of three houses and material damage to four other houses adjacent to the bombing site, in addition to the burning of a tractor and a civilian car and other physical damage to other property.”

The Coalition announced in February 2017 that the incident was being assessed. However it concluded on March 4th that “After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in the strikes conducted in this area on that day.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil al Omar al Khamri
Age unknown male killed
Maya al Khamri
Age unknown female killed
Abd al Latif Ra’afat al Khamri
Age unknown male killed
Alaa Mala Issa Al Barsan
Age unknown male killed
Daif Hassib al Khamri
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Khalaf al Shawakh
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abd Al Latif Ra’afat al Khamri (via RBSS)

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 Ar Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in the strikes conducted in this area on that day.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 21st-22nd the Coalition notes: “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL mortar system and suppressed a tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1110

Incident date

June 28, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.951780, 38.981150 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An August 2017 Amnesty International report initially stated that a civilian casualty incident occurred in Raqqa on June 8th, killing 6 to 9 civilians – including 1 or 2 women and 3 to 5 children. This was later corrected to June 28th – with the Coalition accepting responsibility for eight deaths 13 months later.

Amnesty researchers had conducted an interview with Mohammed, who had witnessed how the house of Jamal al-Aswad, a food vendor aged 52, was struck just after midnight between June 8th and 9th. The interviewee stated that his next door neighbour had definitely perished in the bombing. “[…] but I don’t know if his wife and children were there not. If they were there they are also dead”, he stated to the field researchers.

At the time of the bombing Abu Mahamud al-Tadfi, his wife and children had also been sheltering in the house of Jamal. All were killed in the event, although Mohammed was unable to identify how many children Mahmud exactly had, but “three for sure”.

Although no survivors were found, Amnesty could not assess how many bodies had been under the rubble.

The later report stated that “On the evening of 28 June 2017, the building was destroyed by a Coalition air strike, killing eight people, most of them children.”

Mohammad al Aswad, one of the survivors of the airstrike, stated that it was around 7.30pm on “the fourth day of Eid” [28 June 2017]. He told Amnesty researchers that they “were about to have dinner. I know the time because my brother Jamal who was down in the basement had just asked how long before sunset, when he could break his fast. Ramadan was over but Jamal was fasting that day to make up for a day when he had not been able to fast due to shelling in the neighbourhood. […] The strike came suddenly. I lost consciousness for a while. When I came around it was dark and I discovered I was wounded in my back and my leg.”

In the days that followed, relatives kept going back to the scene of the strike. One of them, Taha Mohammed Othman, told Amnesty International: “On the Thursday [29 June 2017], three of them were alive under the rubble – Jamal, Amal and Mahmoud. We could only see Mahmoud and we could hear the voices of the other two. Mahmoud kept asking, ‘Where’s my Dad? Where’s my sister? Help me, I want water.’ Amal was also crying for help, although we couldn’t see her. We stayed until the shelling became too close. On the Friday it was difficult to come straight away. There were heavy clashes where we lived. IS kept telling us to move to different places (in the Old City). We asked IS for help to rescue the survivors in the basement but they refused and called us apostates. When we finally made it back to the basement on Friday they were all dead.”

Amnesty delegates later went to the scene of the strike with Aswad family members who brought fragments of two munitions: part of the motor of an AGM-114 Hellfire missile and a fin from a US-designed Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a GPS-guided air-delivered bomb.

Raqqa – Reporters Without Borders also mentioned eight civilians killed “in a reported Coalition strike” but this was only after the publication of the Amnesty report.

In July 2018 the Coalition conceded responsibility for the event, noting: “June 28, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report. During a strike on reported Daesh headquarters and fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Eight civilians were unintentionally killed.” 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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Jamal Othman Aswad
Adult male named by Amnesty killed

Family members (7)

Mohammed Othman (Abu Mahmoud)
Adult male named by Amnesty killed
Fatima (Mohammed Othman [Abu Mahmoud]’s wife)
Adult female named by Amnesty killed
Mahmoud
17 years old male named by Amnesty killed
Amal
13 years old named by Amnesty killed
Ahmed
14 years old male named by Amnesty killed
Anas
12 years old named by Amnesty killed
Ammar
8 years old named by Amnesty killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (5 children1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Amal Othman, 13, and her brothers Ammar, 8 and Mahmoud, 17; and Jamal Aswad, 41 – four of the eight victims killed in Coalition airstrike on 28 June 2017 in Raqqa. (via Amnesty International, courtesy of family.)
  • Jamal Othman Aswad (via Amnesty International)
  • Taha Mohammed Othman at the location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location and surroundings of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location and surroundings of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location and surroundings of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)
  • Location of the strike (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Building in which members of the Aswad family were killed seen on satellite imagery before the strike on June 2, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

  • Building in which members of the Aswad family were killed seen on satellite imagery after the strike on July 6, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

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
    8
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV983786
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • During a strike on reported Daesh headquarters and fighting positions near a residential area allegedly caused civilian casualties. Eight civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, 13 strikes [2 British] engaged nine ISIS tactical units, destroyed 10 fighting positions, two vehicles, a UAS, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 28 June – Tornados supported Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, striking two buildings defended by Daesh extremists…On Wednesday 28 June, two Tornado flights operated over Raqqa. At the north-western end of the city, at least one suicide bomber was known to be waiting inside a Daesh-held building, waiting for an opportunity to attack the SDF as they closed in. The building and the terrorists inside were struck with a Paveway IV. A second such weapon demolished a building in the east, from where heavy fire had been directed at the SDF. This successful strike allowed the SDF to resume their advance.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria in the last week. Most of them were carried out in the battles of Mosul and Raqqah. These strikes were aimed at groups of Daech fighters. The other strikes were carried out in Syria and targeted regrouping and refueling areas used by jihadi fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 16 artillery strikes in Mosul.

‘CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION En Syrie, les Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) sont engagées dans des combats féroces pour reprendre progressivement le contrôle du centre-ville de Raqqah. À l’Est, arrivés en bordure de la muraille d’enceinte de la vieille ville, les FDS sont ralentis sur les autres axes par les stratégies de harcèlement et d’imbrication de Daech déjà mises en œuvre à Mossoul. Les combattants du groupe terroriste s’appuient par ailleurs sur les rues étroites de la vieille ville pour freiner la progression des FDS. En Irak, le recul de Daech se poursuit. Au nord-ouest de l’Irak, les Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) et la 15e division irakienne poursuivent leurs actions pour consolider leur emprise sur la province de Ninive. Daech de son côté continue de concentrer ses actions de diversion dans la poche de Hawijah. À Mossoul, les Forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) continuent leur progression méthodique. Les combattants de Daech sont désormais isolés dans deux poches de résistances distinctes, entre la Médina et le complexe hospitalier. Le 21 juin les djihadistes ont fait sauter la mosquée Al Nouri alors que les FSI s’en approchaient, privant ces dernières d’une prise symbolique. Ils ont également mené plusieurs actions de harcèlement contre les lignes arrière des FSI. Dans les quartiers repris, la sécurisation est lente, progressive et dangereuse pour les FSI. Daech continue de mener des actions sporadiques de harcèlement et tente de maintenir des cellules dormantes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a appuyé cette semaine les opérations de ratissage de la 15e division irakienne à l’ouest de Mossoul. 16 missions de tir ont été réalisées en appui des unités irakiennes dont : 10 missions de harcèlement 6 missions d’éclairement Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a donc conduit plus de 1200 missions de tirs. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 29 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 2 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elles ont été réalisées dans le cadre des batailles de Mossoul et de Raqqah. Ces frappes visaient des groupes de combattants de Daech. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en Syrie et ont visé des zones de regroupement et de ravitaillements utilisées par les combattants djihadistes.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • "#Chammal: 19 strikes and 16 artillery missions in Iraq and Syria this week." A tweet documenting the French position on airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, June 28th 2017. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (5 children1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI318

Incident date

November 3, 2016

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

Nine civilians were killed and over 115 claimed wounded, according to ISIL-linked sources.

ISIL-controlled al A’amaq reported that more than 9 civilians died, including four children and a woman, and “about 115 wounded as a result of US airstrikes” in Mosul.

A distressing video posted by the ISIL-controlled outlet initially shows several destroyed buildings in what appeared to be a residential neighbourhood. Later footage depicts wounded people in the hospital, including injured and stunned boys and girls, as well as what appears to be one dead girl.

The only other reports referenced al A’amaq.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    115
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A screenshot of al A'amaq video shows the destroyed buildings. Later footage shows victims.
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 2nd-3rd, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged two tactical units; destroyed an ISIL headquarters building, five storage containers, two mortar systems, two fighting positions, an IED factory, a supply cache, a sniper position, an observation post, and a culvert; and damaged two tunnels, a bridge, and a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    115
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1288

Incident date

July 28, 2017

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0052619, 40.4581082 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians, many from the same family, died in airstrikes which reportedly hit civilian homes in Al Tayba, according to local media. While most sources pointed towards the Coalition, a number did not identify the warplanes responsible, while one report alleged that the Assad regime was to blame.

7al provided the most detail on the event, reporting: “Abu Ayman al-Ali, an activist from Deir al-Zour, told al-Haal website that ‘Coalition aircraft targeted the municipality of Taybeh, located at the eastern entrance of the town of Al-Mayadeen, with more than three raids, which focused on civilian homes in the center of the town during Friday prayers,killing five of them [ie civilians] and wounding more than 18 others, many of whom were left in a critical condition. Much property was also destroyed.’”

According to Russia Today – who blamed the Coalition – seven people from the Al-Atish family died, including five children.

Death counts varied. Alaraby put the number at four, Baladi and eight (also pointing towards the Coalition) and Qasioun at nine, with dozens more wounded.

Al Jazeera said that eight people died in “unidentified airstrikes” which destroyed “several civilian homes”, while Euphrates Post reported that the house of Mejar Mohammed Al – Atish was “completely destroyed”.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights was alone in blaming the Assad regime, reporting that “three children and a woman from the same family were killed when Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles on Al Tayba”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

The daughter of Bandar Mohammed Al-Atish
Child female some sources named son killed
The wife of Mejar Mohammed Al – Atish
Adult female killed
Daughter of of Mejar Mohammed Al-Atish 1
Child female killed
Daughter of of Mejar Mohammed Al-Atish 2
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–4 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18–36
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Taybah, July 28th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Taybah, July 28th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Taybah, July 28th 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 28th-29th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, an oil storage vehicle, and a well-head.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed four ISIS oil stills.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–4 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    18–36
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS348

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Location

تل أسود, Tall Aswad, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29197, 37.98854 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Manbij Mother of All the World initially reported what it said were Coalition strikes on Tal Aswad, targeting a reservoir. In a subsequent report, it said a “massacre” had been committed “against two familes as a result of wrong information from the Kurdish units in the village.” It named four victims.

A report by the Military Committee for Manbij noted that strikes in Tal Aswad had “killed dozens” of members of IS.

The Syrian Netowrk reported three civilians had died “due to International Coalition warplanes” firing missiles on Tal Aswad. Subsequent reports, however, put the toll higher: Baladi Network reported 4 civilians “martyred in international coalition raids”; Aleppo 24 put the toll at 5 civilians killed, including three girls. Halab Today also reported at least 5 victims, including three girls, and identified Dr. al Abd as a veterinarian. The latest post by Manbij Mother of All the World put the total number of dead and injured at 10. The Manbij Documentation Agency reported “7 martyrs.”

However, additional reporting by the Syrian Observatory put the death toll at 5; Halab Today TV said that all three girls were the daughters of Khalaf af Farhan.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Dr. Mahmoud al Mustapha al Abd
31 years years old male Veterinarian killed
Osama al Mustapha al Abd
21 years years old male killed
Dr. Mahmoud's sister
Age unknown female injured
Abboud al Mustapha al Abd
Age unknown male injured
Abboud al Mustapha al Abd's wife
Age unknown female injured
Osama Mustapha al Abd
15 years years old male killed
Mustapha Mahmoud al Abd
37 years years old male killed

Family members (2)

Khalaf al Farhan's daughter
Age unknown female killed
Khalaf al Farhan's daughter
Age unknown female One of her feet was amputated as a result of the bombing injured

The victims were named as:

Mostapha al Mahmoud
4 years years old male killed
Mahmoud al Yasin al Dalik's wife
Age unknown female Died November 24th of wounds sustained in attack killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3–5 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: at least five people killed including a vet and three girls after coalition planes raided the village of Tal Aswad south of Manbij in the Aleppo countryside
  • One of the victims of the air strike (via Manbij mother of all the world)
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 Tal Aswad, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported “Near Manbij, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.” For October 24th-25th, the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions, a mortar system, and a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3–5 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS954

Incident date

June 8, 2017

Location

الرقة, Raqqa, Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An August 2017 Amnesty International report documented a civilian casualty incident in Raqqa, in which 9 members of the same family were killed on June 8th, 2017. The neighbour of the family had told the organization’s field researchers that in the early evening, Abdallah Allawi, his wife Muntaha, and their seven sons, aged between three and 18, were killed when their home was shelled and destroyed.

Amnesty mentioned that the house could have been targeted by either air or artillery strikes. The interviewed neighbour had stated that the family’s house had been hit by an airstrike, but this was based on the presumption that only an air bombardment could have completely destroyed the building.

Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilian casualties with the same first or last names.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdallah Allawi
Adult male killed
Muntaha
Adult female wife of Abdallah Allawi killed
Nine sons of Abdallah Allawi
Child male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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
    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
  • Sep 1, 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 June 7th-8th: “Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 fighting positions, three vehicles, two ISIS staging areas, an ISIS excavator, an ISIS weapons cache, and an ISIS training camp.” It also added that “On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed six fighting positions and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS minefield.”

For June 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles and a mortar system.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Friday 9 June – Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa…On Friday 9 June, Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]