Civilian Casualties

(1 child)

تل الشاير, Road near Tal al Shayer, Al Hassakah, Syria

LOCATION

Local sources said that three brothers from the same family – reportedly civilians – were killed and one other was injured in a Coalition airstrike near the town of Tal al Shayer. Most sources stated that the three “martyrs” were all from the same family and in a “civilian car” when they were targeted. Many

Summary

(3 men)

US-led Coalition

4 named, 1 familiy identified

السراجية, Al Sarajiya, Al Hassakah, Syria

CJTF–OIR for July 1, 2018 – July 2, 2018

Original

Annotated

Report Date

July 2, 2018

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners have accelerated offensive activity against Daesh targets in designated parts of Iraq and Syria.

Since the May 1 start of Operation Roundup, Syrian Democratic Forces resumed major offensive operations in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. Since then, the SDF has continued to gain ground through offensive operations coupled with precision Coalition strike support.

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and its partner forces continue to exert pressure on Daesh senior leaders and associates in order to degrade, disrupt and dismantle Daesh structures and remove terrorists throughout Iraq and Syria. Daesh morale is sinking on the frontlines as privileged Daesh leaders increasingly abandon their own fighters on the battlefield, taking resources with them as they flee.

Over the coming weeks, Operation Roundup will continue to build momentum against Daesh remnants remaining in the Iraq-Syria border region and the MERV. The Coalition remains committed to the lasting defeat of Daesh here, increasing peace and stability in the region and protecting all our homelands from the Daesh threat.

Weekly Strike Summary

Between June 25 and July 1, Coalition military forces conducted 29 strikes consisting of 39 engagements in Iraq and Syria.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Syria on July 1, 2018.

On July 1 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

• Near Al Asad, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed three Daesh caves.

On June 30 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of four engagements against Daesh targets.

• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed one Daesh vehicle.

• Near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed one Daesh vehicle-borne IED.

On June 30 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

• Near Makhmur, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh-held building.

• Near Al Qaim, two strikes destroyed two Daesh supply routes.

On June 29 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

• Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh vehicle.

• Near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed four Daesh IEDs.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on June 29, 2018.

On June 28 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against Daesh targets.

• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two Daesh IED belts.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on June 28, 2018.

On June 27 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of six engagements against Daesh targets.

• Near Abu Kamal, five strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed two Daesh vehicles and two Daesh supply routes.

• Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed two Daesh vehicles, one Daesh logistics hub and one Daesh-held building.

On June 27 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

• Near Rutbah, two strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed two Daesh vehicles.

• Near Jalawla’, one strike destroyed one Daesh-held building and three Daesh caves.

On June 26 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of eight engagements against Daesh targets.

• Near Abu Kamal, five strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed two Daesh supply routes, one Daesh-held building and two Daesh vehicles.

• Near Al Shadaddi, three strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed three Daesh vehicles and one Daesh logistics hub.

On June 26 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of eight engagements against Daesh targets.

• Near Al Asad, one strike destroyed 15 Daesh caves.

• Near Al Hawijah, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh-held building.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq or Syria on June 25, 2018.

Report Date

July 2, 2018

Report Summary

29 total strikes
9 in Iraq
20 in Syria

Report Summary

29 total strikes
9 in Iraq (14263 – 14271)
20 in Syria (15478 – 15497)

Confirmed Actions

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners have accelerated offensive activity against Daesh targets in designated parts of Iraq and Syria.

Since the May 1 start of Operation Roundup, Syrian Democratic Forces resumed major offensive operations in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. Since then, the SDF has continued to gain ground through offensive operations coupled with precision Coalition strike support.

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and its partner forces continue to exert pressure on Daesh senior leaders and associates in order to degrade, disrupt and dismantle Daesh structures and remove terrorists throughout Iraq and Syria. Daesh morale is sinking on the frontlines as privileged Daesh leaders increasingly abandon their own fighters on the battlefield, taking resources with them as they flee.

Over the coming weeks, Operation Roundup will continue to build momentum against Daesh remnants remaining in the Iraq-Syria border region and the MERV. The Coalition remains committed to the lasting defeat of Daesh here, increasing peace and stability in the region and protecting all our homelands from the Daesh threat.

Weekly Strike Summary

Between June 25 and July 1, Coalition military forces conducted 29 strikes consisting of 39 engagements in Iraq and Syria.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Syria on July 1, 2018.

July 1, 2018

Iraq: 1 strikes

On July 1 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Al Asad, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed three Daesh caves.

June 30, 2018

Syria: 2 strikes

Iraq: 3 strikes

On June 30 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of four engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed one Daesh vehicle.

Near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed one Daesh vehicle-borne IED.

On June 30 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Makhmur, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh-held building.

Near Al Qaim, two strikes destroyed two Daesh supply routes.

June 29, 2018

Syria: 3 strikes

On June 29 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh vehicle.

Near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed four Daesh IEDs.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on June 29, 2018.

June 28, 2018

Syria: 1 strikes

On June 28 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against Daesh targets.

Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two Daesh IED belts.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on June 28, 2018.

June 27, 2018

Syria: 6 strikes

Iraq: 3 strikes

On June 27 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of six engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Abu Kamal, five strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed two Daesh vehicles and two Daesh supply routes.

Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed two Daesh vehicles, one Daesh logistics hub and one Daesh-held building.

On June 27 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Rutbah, two strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed two Daesh vehicles.

Near Jalawla’, one strike destroyed one Daesh-held building and three Daesh caves.

June 26, 2018

Syria: 8 strikes

Iraq: 2 strikes

On June 26 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of eight engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Abu Kamal, five strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed two Daesh supply routes, one Daesh-held building and two Daesh vehicles.

Near Al Shadaddi, three strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed three Daesh vehicles and one Daesh logistics hub.

On June 26 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of eight engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Al Asad, one strike destroyed 15 Daesh caves.

Near Al Hawijah, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh-held building.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq or Syria on June 25, 2018.

French MoD for July 1, 2018 – July 2, 2018

Original

Annotated

Report Date

July 2, 2018

Notes

From June 27th to July 3rd, Task Force Wagram conducted six shooting missions against the last pockets of ISIS in the Euphrates Valley. Since the launch of the offensive on May 1st, it’s conducted 168 shooting missions. Over the last week, French aircraft carried out 21 sorties – but once again no strikes were conducted.

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL

SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE

Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie

En Syrie, l’offensive contre les deux dernières emprises territoriales de Daech se poursuit sans que Daech n’oppose de véritable résistance.

Menée par les forces démocratiques syriennes, coordonnée avec les forces de sécurité irakiennes et appuyée par la coalition, elle a déjà permis de reprendre près de 600 km2 de territoire à Daech depuis son lancement le 1er mai.

Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak

En Irak, les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation sur l’ensemble du territoire. Les zones d’effort prioritaires restent Bagdad, la région de Ninive et le désert de l’Anbar. Les saisies d’armes et de munitions y sont régulières.

ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE

Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes

La Task Force Narvik poursuit ses stages au profit de l’Iraki Counter Terrorisme Service (ICTS). Près de 200 stagiaires sont actuellement formés aux techniques de lutte contre les engins explosifs, de maniement et d’entretien d’armements lourds, de déplacement tactique en convoi, de secourisme au combat et de tir de précision.

La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate

Les artilleurs de la Task Force Wagram demeurent engagés en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate.

Depuis le lancement de l’offensive le 1er mai, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 168 missions de tirs, dont 6 sur la semaine écoulée (bilan du 27 juin au 03 juillet inclus).

Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1827 missions de tirs.

Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations

Sur la semaine écoulée, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 21 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 27 juin au 03 juillet inclus). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée.

Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 :

8195 sorties / 1450 frappes / 2241 objectifs neutralisés.

Report Date

July 2, 2018

Notes

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL

SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE

Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie

En Syrie, l’offensive contre les deux dernières emprises territoriales de Daech se poursuit sans que Daech n’oppose de véritable résistance.

Menée par les forces démocratiques syriennes, coordonnée avec les forces de sécurité irakiennes et appuyée par la coalition, elle a déjà permis de reprendre près de 600 km2 de territoire à Daech depuis son lancement le 1er mai.

Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak

En Irak, les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation sur l’ensemble du territoire. Les zones d’effort prioritaires restent Bagdad, la région de Ninive et le désert de l’Anbar. Les saisies d’armes et de munitions y sont régulières.

ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE

Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes

La Task Force Narvik poursuit ses stages au profit de l’Iraki Counter Terrorisme Service (ICTS). Près de 200 stagiaires sont actuellement formés aux techniques de lutte contre les engins explosifs, de maniement et d’entretien d’armements lourds, de déplacement tactique en convoi, de secourisme au combat et de tir de précision.

La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate

Les artilleurs de la Task Force Wagram demeurent engagés en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate.

Depuis le lancement de l’offensive le 1er mai, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 168 missions de tirs, dont 6 sur la semaine écoulée (bilan du 27 juin au 03 juillet inclus).

Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1827 missions de tirs.

Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations

Sur la semaine écoulée, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 21 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 27 juin au 03 juillet inclus). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée.

Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 :

8195 sorties / 1450 frappes / 2241 objectifs neutralisés.

LOCATION

According to local sources, a civilian identified as Sayed Khader Mohammed was killed in an artillery bombardment on the village of al Sarajiya. Three sources, apparent carbon copies of each other, reported that a civilian was killed “as a result of artillery bombardment”, but did not identify a culprit. Samidon Press stated that the individual

Summary

(1 man)

معرّبة , Ma’arba, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

A single source reported 14 killed, including two women, in alleged Russian and Syrian airstrikes on the town of Maraba, east of Daraa. Step News Agency also reported the wounding of “others” in the strikes.

Summary

(2 women)

LOCATION

طفس, Tafas, Daraa, Syria

Four people were reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taffas in Dara’a, Syria on July 1st, 2018. Violations Documentation Center in Syria said that Jihad Qaseem al-Horani, Moaz Jaber al-Rebdawi, Hosain Ali al-Bardan and Mohammad Ahmad al-Natoura, all civilians from Tafas, were killed in Russian forces or Syrian regime and

Summary

(4 men)

Belligerents reported killed

المسيفرة, al Massifra, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

An elderly woman was reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al Musayfrah in Dara’a on July 1st, 2018 according to local sources. Hajja Aisha Muhammad Taha Al-Zoubi was reported killed. Fatima Hamidi posted on Facebook “The martyrdom of hajja Aisha Al-Muhammad in the town of Al-Musayfrah, after her body was

Summary

(1 woman)

السهوة, al Sahwa, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Up to 19 civilians including three women and at least two Lebanese nationals were reported killed in alleged Russian forces, Iranian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Sahwa in Dara’a on June 30th, 2018. Dara’a Martyrs reported that “the warplanes of the regime forces targeted Al-Sahwah town in the eastern countryside of Daraa with

Summary

15 – 17

(3 women12 men)

Russian Military, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime

15 named, 4 families identified

معربة, Ma'arba, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Up to 17 civilians, 9 of which are from the same family, were reported killed as a result of alleged Russian raids on their houses in Ma’raba in Dara’a, Syria on June 30th, 2018 according to local sources. Step Agency said “The killing of 14 civilians, including two women and wounding others as a result

Summary

14 – 17

(1 woman13 men)

2–5

14 named, 2 families identified

غصم, Ghasam, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Up to 22 civilians including children, a woman and a civil defense volunteer were killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara’a, Syria on June 30th, 2018, according to local sources. The sources also added that it was difficult to count the numbers of those killed and

Summary

Airstrike and/or Artillery

Civilian infrastructure

School

1 – 22

(1 child1 woman1 man)

LOCATION

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria

A woman was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Nawa in Dara’a, Syria on June 30th, 2018. Violations Documentation Center identified the woman as Amerah Muhammad Kheir al-Johmane. Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported “The death of a woman and the injury of others as a result

Summary

كحيل, Kahil, Daraa, Syria

CJTF–OIR for June 29, 2018 – June 30, 2018

Original

Annotated

Report Date

June 30, 2018

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners have accelerated offensive activity against Daesh targets in designated parts of Iraq and Syria.

Weekly Strike Summary

Between June 25 and July 1, Coalition military forces conducted 29 strikes consisting of 39 engagements in Iraq and Syria.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Syria on July 1, 2018.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on June 29, 2018.

On June 28 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against Daesh targets.

• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two Daesh IED belts.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on June 28, 2018.

There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq or Syria on June 25, 2018.

Report Date

June 30, 2018

Report Summary

3 total strikes
1 in Iraq
2 in Syria

Report Summary

3 total strikes
0 in Iraq (14259)
3 in Syria (15474 – 15476)

Confirmed Actions

July 1, 2018

Iraq: 1 strikes

On July 1 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Al Asad, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed three Daesh caves.

June 30, 2018

Syria: 2 strikes

On June 30 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of four engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed one Daesh vehicle.

Near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed one Daesh vehicle-borne IED.

On June 30 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.

After more than a year of denials, Coalition admits killing 40 civilians in controversial strike

Published

June 29, 2018

Written by

Samuel Oakford

Web link

The US-led Coalition against so-called Islamic State has quietly admitted to killing at least 40 civilians in a March 2017 strike near Raqqa, finally acknowledging what a UN inquiry and human rights groups have long said was among the bloodiest incidents of the four year bombing campaign.

The overnight raid on March 20th-21st 2017 targeted a school sheltering displaced civilians in the town of al Mansoura. A Human Rights Watch (HRW) field investigation published in September 2017 said that ISIS members and their families were also present in the building, though were separate from large numbers of displaced people who had sought safety inside.

After interviewing locals, HRW researchers were able to name 40 civilians who died in the raid, a number it stressed was a minimum, and doubtless far below the true toll. Others have placed the civilian toll that night at 150 or more deaths.

The Coalition directly cited Human Rights Watch in its admission, included in a monthly civilian casualty review released June 28th. The report stated that the incident was “reopened after the receipt of new evidence from Human Rights Watch.” The Coalition then determined that “During a strike on Daesh militant multifunctional center allegedly caused civilian casualties. Forty civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The admitted number of 40 fatalities appeared to be based on the Human Rights Watch findings, though it was unclear what additional steps the Coalition had taken which had led them to reverse repeated denials issued over the previous 16 months. The al Mansoura raid now represents the second largest death toll admitted to by the Coalition, after an attack days earlier in March 2017 in Mosul which killed over 100 civilians.

“The updated assessment of the Mansoura allegation was based largely on a video report from Human Rights Watch,” a senior Coalition official told Airwars. “HRW visited the site and interviewed individuals present during the strike and after. Their accounts included specific details regarding the strike more likely to be known by somebody who had been present. Compelling, detailed, and accurate firsthand accounts tend to weigh heavily in favor of a finding of ‘credible.'”

“It’s positive that they are acknowledging this now, but it’s an incomplete step,” said HRW’s Nadim Houry. “We are not getting more clarity about how they are doing these investigations.”

Human Rights Watch investigation into al Mansoura

UN Commission: 150 civilians killed in attack

From the start, the Coalition had strongly pushed back against reports of civilian harm at the Al Badiya school building. A week after the attack – and before any official assessment or investigation had concluded – the then Coalition commander Lt. Gen Stephen J. Townsend told reporters there was no reason to believe civilians had perished.

“We had multiple corroborating intelligence sources from various types of intelligence that told us the enemy was using that school,” Townsend said on March 28th, 2017. “And we observed it. And we saw what we expected to see. We struck it.”

“Afterwards, we got an allegation that it wasn’t ISIS fighters in there… it was instead refugees of some sort in the school,” Townsend explained to reporters. “Yet, not seeing any corroborating evidence of that. In fact, everything we’ve seen since then suggests that it was the 30 or so ISIS fighters we expected to be there.”

Townsend would later take aim at Airwars, claiming that reports of civilian casualties due to Coalition strikes were “vastly inflated.” The al Mansoura allegation, like a growing number related to the assault on Raqqa, was later officially determined to be ‘non-credible’ by the Coalition’s civilian casualty investigative unit.

In March 2018, the UN’s Commission of Inquiry for Syria released its own findings concerning the incident, stating that 150 civilians were in fact killed in the attack. Unlike Human Rights Watch, the Commission was unable to visit the site (it is banned from the country by the Assad government), but instead conducted a number of remote interviews from outside Syria. The Commission reported that Coalition personnel should have been aware of the large internally displaced person (IDP) presence at the site.

An Airwars survey of local reporting in the lead up to the attack – provided shortly afterwards to the Coalition – had also turned up several reports indicating a significant IDP presence in the vicinity of al Mansoura. After the Commission released its findings, the Coalition for the first time showed a willingness to re-open the case, telling Airwars it would do so “if credible or compelling additional information can be obtained.”

The al Mansoura strike proved further controversial due to the discovery of the involvement of German reconnaissance aircraft. A number of Coalition members, while not carrying out strikes on their own, nevertheless provide intelligence and logistical capabilities to assist bombings by other nations. Whatever pre-strike surveillance the Coalition conducted at al Mansoura proved insufficient to protect civilians at the site, the alliance’s admission of 40 deaths now shows.

“It is not enough to just say we killed some civilians. No one is saying it was intentional, but that is not the point of conducting the investigation,” said HRW’s Nadim Houry. “Where did things go wrong? What steps have they taken to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future?”

Casualty reports for the al Mansoura event monitored by Airwars varied widely, from several dozen deaths to claims of as many as 400 people killed. Nadim Houry says that 40 fatalities, including 16 children, was HRW’s baseline after visiting the site twice. “40 are the ones that we were actually able to identify, but the actual number is much higher,” he said.

Human Rights Watch also investigated a nearby incident that occurred less than 48 hours later, when at least 44 civilians including 14 children were allegedly killed after bombs hit a market in Tabqa, west of Raqqa city. That March 22nd 2017 incident remains unconfirmed by the Coalition.

Concerns at Raqqa

In a further concession to international NGOs, the Coalition also acknowledges in its latest report the findings of a recent Amnesty International field investigation into civilian harm at Raqqa.

The Amnesty field study, War of Annihilation, looked at four families devastated by the recent fighting for Raqqa. “Between them, they lost 90 relatives and neighbours – 39 from a single family – almost all of them killed by Coalition air strikes,” Amnesty reported.

The Coalition initially greeted the report with hostility. However, it has now opened assessments into five cases based on Amnesty’s findings, while rejecting a sixth. “The Coalition takes these and all allegations seriously, and this month’s civilian casualty report reflects the current status of six cases pertaining to Amnesty’s recent report,” the US-led alliance now notes.

Despite @amnesty’s allegations on @CJTFOIR conduct, they never discussed the article w/us & didn’t thoroughly research things we said. They failed to check the public record & get facts straight. We are open to criticism, but they didn’t make the effort to understand what we do

— OIR Spokesperson (@OIRSpox) June 5, 2018

The Coalition’s initial response to Amnesty’s field study was hostile

The fight to capture Raqqa from ISIS did not officially begin until June 6th 2017. Overall, more than 2,000 non combatants were credibly reported killed by all parties to that battle – with mass graves still being discovered.

Airwars estimates that at least 1,400 civilians perished in Coalition air and artillery strikes before the city’s capture in mid-October. More than 21,000 munitions were fired on Raqqa in just five months – many times more than were released across all of Afghanistan by international forces for all of 2017.

Despite this ferocious assault, the Coalition has admitted to very few deaths in Raqqa – even as its civilian casualty unit churns through and discards allegations. Only 26 fatalities have so far been conceded.

In the same monthly report that saw the al Mansoura strike acknowledged, the Coalition classed more than 120 civilian harm allegations relating to the battle of Raqqa as ‘non-credible.’ In the last two months alone, the Coalition has evaluated almost 200 civilian harm events from the battle and rated them all in this way.

Overall, the Coalition has only admitted to 4% of more than 450 locally reported civilian casualty events for the battle of Raqqa. Airwars instead rates more than 70 per cent of those cases as Fair – that is, with two or more credible local reports, and Coalition strikes confirmed in the near vicinity.

“Since March 2018, the Coalition has not assessed a single incident of civilian harm in the Battle of Raqqa as Credible. In other words, they have dismissed all the reports we and others have submitted to them, the majority of which we had significant confidence in,” said Sophie Dyer of the Airwars advocacy team. “This disparity between the local reports we have gathered, and the Coalition’s own assessments – which are heavily reliant on post strike video analysis and observable harm – is greatly troubling.”

Asked why so few casualty claims for Raqqa are being assessed as Credible, a senior Coalition official provided Airwars with the following statement: “A number of factors go into the assessment of an allegation: the quality of the information and detail provided in the allegation, the nature of the strike and the evidence available, for example. Each allegation is assessed with fresh eyes based on the available evidence without regard to previous assessments and without any credibility percentages in mind.

“If any allegation or any grouping of allegations is assessed as ‘non-credible,’ it is because each individual allegation either didn’t correlate to any Coalition strikes, didn’t contain sufficient information to make an assessment, or that an assessment based on all reasonably available information did not corroborate the allegation.”

LOCATION

Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted the village of Kahil, east of Dara’a, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, the strikes led to civilian casualties. Shaam News Network reported that “the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Dara’a

Summary

LOCATION

طفس, Tafas, Daraa, Syria

Alleged Russian, Syrian regime and/or Iranian air and/or artillery strikes targeted the town of Tafas, Dara’a countryside, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, civilians were injured and killed. Shaam News Network reported that “the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods

Summary

Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military

LOCATION

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria

Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted the city of Nawa, Dara’a governorate, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, civilians were injured and killed. @abode125 tweeted that “Russian aviation targeted the city of Nawa and Tafas in the western countryside of Dara’a.” Step News posted a video of the damage after the

Summary

تل شهاب, Tal Shihab, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Two male civilians were killed in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on the town of Tal Shihab on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. @asfyhbjinnkhvgz reported the deaths of Ayman Ahmed Al Amyan and journalist Ali Al Rifai Abu Hussein in Tal Shihab. Hamza Al Shaheed wrote on Facebook that Al Rifai had been killed in

Summary

(2 men)

ام المياذن, Um Al Mayathen, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Local sources reported a number of killed and injured civilians in Um Al Mayathen in Dara’a, Syria on June 29th, 2018 as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes. Shaam Network said “The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the

Summary

الغارية الشرقية, al Ghariya al Sharqiya, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Local sources reported deaths and injuries among civilians as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Ghariya al Sharqiya in Dara’a on June 29th, 2018. Shaam Network reported that “The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighborhoods of

Summary

الغارية الغربية, al Ghariya al Gharbiya, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Local sources reported deaths and injuries among civilians in Al Ghariya Al Gharbiya in Dara’a on June 29th, 2018. Shaam Network said that “The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighborhoods of Daraa and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafs, Kahil,

Summary

صيدا, Sayda, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

At least two civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Sayda in the eastern suburbs of Dara’a governorate, on June 28th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was possibly injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least two

Summary

(1 child)

المسيفرة, Al Massifra, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Massifra on June 29th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. SNN wrote that “the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa and on the

Summary

الجيزة, Al Jiza, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Up to two civilians, including a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Jiza in the eastern suburbs of Dara’a, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least two civilians,

Summary

1 – 2

(1 woman)

1 named

شيخ سعد, Al Sheikh Saad, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Sheikh Saad on June 29th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. SNN wrote that “the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa and on

Summary

سهوة القمح, Sawha Al Qameh, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Four civilians from the same family, including two women, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Sawha al Qamah, Dara’a governorate, on June 28th, 2018, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The SNHR wrote that “four civilians from the same family, including two women, were

Summary

(2 women)

الغارية الشرقية, Al Ghariya Al Sharqiya, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

At least two men were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Ghariya Al Sharqiya, Dara’a governorate, on June 28th, 2018, according to local sources. Step News reported that “many were dead and wounded, including children.” Step News reported: “Many dead and wounded, including children, killed by the targeting of the town

Summary

2 – 10

(2 children2 men)

5–10

داعل, Da'el town, Daraa, Syria

LOCATION

Local sources reported that up to five civilians were killed and 15 others injured in alleged Russian raids with four rockets on Da’el in Dara’a on June 28th, 2018. SMART reported that “Four civilians, including two women, were killed and others wounded as a result of raids by Russian planes on residential neighborhoods in the

Summary

4 – 5

(1–2 women3 men)

2–15

LOCATION

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria

Up to 13 civilians were reported killed and dozens including women and children critically injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on residential areas and a convoy of displaced people who were heading from Nawa to Qunaitera in Dara’a on June 28th, 2018 according to reports from local sources. @HalabTodayTV said that Russian warplanes targeted a convoy

Summary

6 – 13

(1 child1 woman)

12–20