Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI872

Incident date

October 26, 2017

Location

Al Qaim (Romana area), Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.39381, 41.07954 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sources reported the deaths of 22 civilians and dozens of wounded as a result of an airstrike on the Romana area in Al Qaim. Local media outlets Yaqein and Dhiqar also reported the bombing. Both quoted a military source confirming the airstrike.

However, Yaqein, as well as Dhiqar, mentioned both the Coalition and the Iraqi air force as the culprit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the shelling of the Al Qaim, Romana area, Anbar (via Yaqein)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Romana (منطقة الرمانة), Qaim, west of the province of Anbar. The generic coordinates for the town of Romana (منطقة الرمانة) are: 34.39381, 41.07954. Due to limited information and satellite imagery 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 al Qaeim, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 25th-26th the Coalition reported: “Near Al Qaim, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area and destroyed 10 supply routes, a VBIED facility, an ISIS vehicle and a command and control node.”

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
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1649 ISSY002

Incident date

October 23, 2017

Location

سحم الجولان, Sahm al Jolan, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.781247, 35.935592 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of up to seven civilians, including three women and two children, and up to ten ISIS affiliated militants from Jaish Khalid bin al Walid, as a result of either Coalition or Israeli airstrikes on Sahm al Jolan.

The Daraa Martys Documentation Office reported Coalition airstrikes on Sahm al Jolan, “where two consecutive missiles targeted a residential neighborhood in the town of Sahm al Jolan”. According to the report, the neighbourhood in the western Dara’a countryside was under the control of the “Khalid Bin Al Waleed Army”. The office documented “7 martyrs”, including two women and two children, as well as a number of wounded individuals in addition to three fighters who were also killed in the attack.

Hayat News and RT both reported 10 fighters killed and identified Israeli jets as the culprit instead of the Coalition. Both reports noted that in addition to the ten fighters, two women who were believed to be wives of militants were killed. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also attributed the strikes to Israel but quoting them, Jewish Press reported that “there was no concrete evidence indicating Israel had carried out the attack”.

Sahm al Jolan listed two unidentified children “killed after an attack by an international coalition aircraft on the town”. Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office was the only source who had identified by name a civilian casualty. According to a center report of October 28th, Sabah Ibrahim al-Masalmeh “died of her wounds after being hit by a raid by the international coalition aircraft on the town of Sahm al Jolan”.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sabah Ibrahim al-Masalmeh صباح إبراهيم المسالمة
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–10

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sahm al Jolan (سحم الجولان), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.781247, 35.935592. 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
  • MGRS coordinate
    36SYB749310
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Oct. 23, 2017, in Sahm al Jolan, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3163/CS1649 36SYB749310

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For both October 22nd-23rd and October 23rd-24th the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in the Dara’a governorate.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–10

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1646

Incident date

October 18, 2017

Location

الشحيل, Al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0865, 40.45232 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to four civilians were killed in an airstrike on Al Shaheel, according to local media, though sources were conflicted as to who was to blame.

Two men were killed identified by name by multiple sources.

Al Sharqiya Observatory said that the victims died from wounds sustained in a Coalition strike. Sharqiya Voice also named a victim but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for his death.

The victim was also named by Euphrates Post, who said that he was killed in air strikes targeting the town of Al-Shuhail near Al-Hassan Mosque and Al-Khabassa Mosque.

Marsad al Hassaka and Euphrates Post reported that two displaced men from Deir Ezzor also died.

According to Deir Ezzor 24 and Sharqiya Voice, Russian warplanes carried out up to seven raids on Al Shaheel.

Smart News Agency said that four civilians died at the hands of unidentified fighter jets.

The incident was first reported on October 18, 2017 at 1:00 pm by .

The victims were named as:

Adult male via Sharqiya voice killed
Adult male via Euphrats Post killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Hassan (الحسن) and Al Khabassa (الخباصة) mosques in the village of Al Saheel (الشحیل). Due to limited information available to Airwars, the exact locations of these mosques remain unknown, however, the generic coordinates for the village are: 35.0865, 40.45232.

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 al Shaheel, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 17th-18th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two VBEID factories and an ISIS headquarters.“

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1625

Incident date

October 14, 2017

Location

السعدة, Al Sa'ada village, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.6627357, 40.7212543 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported unspecified civilian casualties following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes near Al Sa’ada village in the vicinity of Markada, Hasaka governorate, in the early hours of Sunday. People of the villages of Al-Harith, Al-Sa’dah Al-Gharbia, Al-Ashiteh Al-Gharbi, and Jana’a, all close to Markada, were reportedly displaced as a result of the air raids, Euphrates Post said.

Deir Ezzor Media Center [pro-SDF], quoted an eyewitness close to one of the villages: The shelling led to the destruction of Daesh convoys in the villages mentioned except for the village of West Shaada, where the shelling resulted in the fall of a house on one of its residents and spread a state of panic in the village. This, in turn, led to the displacement of the villagers towards Shaddadi. The source attributed the strikes to aircraft belonging to the International Alliance.

Presently, it is unclear how many civilians were affected, though several reports said that there were civilian casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ 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 al Sa’ada village, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 14th – 15th the Coalition reported Near Ash Shadaddi, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1620 RS2629

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

المجاودة, Al Mjawda, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.150000, 40.270000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, up to 12 civilians were killed in an airstrike on the town of Mjawda. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others attributed blame to the US-led Coalition.

Both the Violations Documentation Center and Euphrates Post identified eight victims of the attack – while VDC-SY identified the Coalition as the culprit, Euphrates stated that Russian aircraft were behind the attack.

According to a tweet by @ahraralmyadein, aircraft had deployed 15 missiles on the town.

SyrianPC reported warplanes launched more than 20 air raids on villages and towns in eastern Deir Ezzor. According to the outlet, Russian warplanes committed the most terrible massacres against civilians in the east of countryside of Deir al-Azzur, as part of his fierce campaign against the region.

Euphrates Post, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Baladi News confirmed that Russia was the culprit, with the latter outlet noting that: Seven civilians were killed on Wednesday by aerial bombardment of aircraft believed to be Russian. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the highest tally of 12 civilians killed, including three women and a child – while Albokmal News specifically stated in a tweet that “there are no casualties.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Adult male Via Euphrates Post killed
Adult female Via Euphrates Post killed
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed
Age unknown male Via Euphrates Post killed
Adult female Via Euphrates Post killed
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed
Age unknown female Via Euphrates Post killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • (1–4 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike on the town of Mjawda, October 11, 2017 (Via Baladi news)
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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Oct. 11, 2017, in Al Mjawda, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3156/CS1620 No MGRS Given

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 10th – 11th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two ISIS vehicles and two trailers.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 12
  • (1–4 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1619 RS2624

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Thirteen civilians reportedly died, including seven children and five women, following an attack on Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, while others blamed Russia.

At present, the culpable party remains unclear. The majority of sources alleged or suspected that Russia was responsible. However, the US-led Coalition received one allegation. Moreover, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: it was not known whether the warplanes that targeted Abu Kamal city belong to the Coalition or the Russians. In addition, Euphrates Post’s initial assessment referred to explosive barrel bombs, and so the Regime also cannot be ruled out as a suspect.

13 Victims were listed by Euphrates Post as well as a family member by the name of Ja’far Al Rawa.

Baladi placed the death toll lower than most saying that “Eight civilians, including children and women from one family, were killed on Wednesday by coalition shelling targeting their home near Omar Mosque in the town of Abu Kamal, east of Deir al-Zour.” The source added that the aircraft targeted the city in a number of raids; centred on the vicinity of Aisha hospital and near the Mosque of Al-Hadi and Omar Mosque in Abu Kamal.

Al Jazeera said that one girl remained trapped under the rubble, with other reports suggesting many others were wounded, some in a critical condition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (13)

Adult male Via Euphrates Post killed
Adult female Via Euphrates Post killed
female Via Euphrates Post killed
Age unknown female via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Adult female killed
Child female

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 14
  • (6 children6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A picture reveals the destruction of a civilian house following an airstrike on Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, on October 11, 2017 (Via Euphrates Post)
  • A picture shows the destruction and smoke rising from the scene of reported Coalition or Russia airstrike on Abu Kamal, Deir Ez-Zor, October 11, 2017 (via Syria NPC)
  • A picture shows the destruction in a civilian house following Coalition or Russia airstrike on Abu Kamal, Deir Ez-Zor, October 11, 2017 (via Syria hr)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Abu Kamal (البوكمال), for which the coordinates are: 34.466049, 40.907593. One source mentions that residential houses were struck in the vicinity of the Omar (عمر) mosque, however, due to limited 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 Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 10th – 11th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two ISIS vehicles and two trailers.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 14
  • (6 children6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1620a

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.953579, 39.012285 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported on an incident previously unidentified by Airwars.

An uncle and nephew were killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit them whilst they were on a motorbike. The airstrike occurred between 3 and 4pm, and there were no reported injured civilians.

According to the brother of the victim, Abdelmin’am, in a testimony he gave to Amnesty researchers, “My brother was going on an errand with my sister’s son; they were riding a small motorbike and were both killed in a coalition strike. I don’t know what was the target, and they could not know either.”

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The incident occured between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

22 years old male son of sister of Mahmoud killed
55 years old male killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Location reported by Amnesty during field research “Jerdawi shop (sajjad shop) on Tal Abyad Street cross with Amassi Street.”

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
  • Stated location
    in Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV011788
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019
  • Oct. 11, 2017, in Raqqa, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Ar Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, damaged nine fighting positions, destroyed 11 fighting positions, 12 vehicles, two communication nodes and one ISIS supply route.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1618

Incident date

October 10, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two named civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at a water well in Raqqah, according to local media – though the date of the incident is currently unclear.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (reporting on October 13th), one young man, Bebars Ismail al-Habash, died “a few days ago” in a bombing targeting a well.

Alshabaka111 named two victims and blamed “indiscriminate US aircraft” for their deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bebars Ismail al-Habash
Age unknown killed
Ismail Habash
Age unknown killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a well being struck in the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة‎). Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the exact location of the well. The generic coordinates for the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة‎) are:  35.9505639, 39.0094148.

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 10th – 11th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed a logistical node.” It additionally reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.”

Summary

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