Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1617

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

A civilian male died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah city, local media reported.

There is limited information at present, Airwars will update the entry when new details arise.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud al-Aswad
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mahmoud al-Aswad, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, 10th October 2017. (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to the 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
    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
Official source

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI867

Incident date

October 10, 2017

Location

Rawah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.473919, 41.915991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of sources reported that civilians were killed or injured following a coalition or Iraqi forces strike which targeted several areas in Rawa, west of Anbar province.

Yaqein reported heavy bombardments on Rawa by the alleged Coalition aircraft, resulting in civilian casualties and injured as well as substantial damage to homes and vehicles, along with ISIS forces. It noted that international airstrikes resulted in the killing of 10 terrorists and the destruction of 7 vehicles and a number of houses in Rawa, west of Al-Anbar, the military information cell said in a statement on Tuesday.

However, in a later report, the news agency implied that artillery might have been responsible, noting heavy shelling by the international coalition. Similarly, a local report alleged Artillery bombing on Al Qaim city and Rawa in preparation for an offensive.

A local report named one of the civilians who killed in the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Anas Malik Salamah
Adult male Via Ahmed Abd Samed page on FB killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Anas Malik Salamah, killed following alleged Coalition or Iraq forces on Rawah, Anbar (Via Ahmed Abd Samed page on FB)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Rawa (راوة), for which the coordinates are: 34.473919, 41.915991. 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Rawah, Iraq
    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
Official source

For October 9th – 10th the Coalition reported “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.”

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
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1618a

Incident date

October 10, 2017

Location

Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.958656, 39.010066 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty.

The report states that “An artillery shell struck a house where a family displaced from another neighbourhood was sheltering, killing a woman, Kafa’ Hassan al-‘Arab.”

Husband of the victim and survivor of the strike, Mohammed, told Amnesty in a testimony that “We tried to flee the city but could not. That day there was heavy air and artillery shelling. We were all huddled together in a room. A shell hit the house. It killed my wife and injured me and our three children.”

According to field notes, the victim and her family were IDPs; their home was near Tal-Abyad Street. They were all at home when the strike occurred at Hay al-Ward, near Hamza mosque; the husband and three children survived with injures.

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as 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 7:30 pm and 7:45 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Kafa’ Hassan al-‘Arab
34 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Kafa Hassan al-Arab, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 10th October 2017. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

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
    37SEV009794
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • Oct. 10, 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
Official source

Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed a
logistical node.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

Incident Code

CS1634

Incident date

October 8, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.951883, 39.022188 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fourteen civilians were allegedly killed on the 8th of October by Coalition airstrikes near the Old Mosque in Raqqa.

On December 14th, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported “the bodies of the martyrs Mohammed Hassan Aarouni and Alaa Mohammed Aarouni were found with his family and Ibrahim Mohammed Aarouni and his family under the rubble in the city of Raqqa after they died as a result of an air strike carried out by coalition aircraft during the control campaign several months ago.”

It was unclear at what point during the Raqqa campaign that the victims died.

Since this reportage Amnesty International has conducted on the ground field research which suggested the airstrike occurred on the 8th. However, on 2017/07/07-2017/07/19 no new visible damage was seen via Google Earth on this specific date. The date needs further research.

Amnesty research specified that Ala’Eddine Mohammed Aarouni, his wife Aisha, and their two sons Dia’ and Ziad were killed at 12.30 pm in their home. It was described by Amnesty as a four story building where the family lived on they were on the second floor. The building was building not destroyed; only struck flat.

The building was – according to Amnesty – struck by a missile.

Mohammad, the son of a victim told Amnesty in a testimony that “My father and his wife were hosting my aunt, who is blind and and my uncle and his family. The missile targeted their apartment. The building was not destroyed. I can’t understand why my family was targeted.”

Ten others were killed with the family, and are named below.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

Family members (12)

Ala’Eddine Mohammed Aarouni
44 years old male teacher killed
Aisha
35 years old female his wife killed
Dia’
1 years old male son of Ala’Eddine killed
Ziad
1 month years old male son of Ala’Eddine killed
Aunt Hana’ Moh Aarouni
50 years old female blind killed
Uncle Ibrahim Moh Aarouni
40 years old male killed
Fatima Hassan Aarouni
30s years old female Ibrahim's wife killed
Ghaida’
6 years old female child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed
Sidra
7 years old female child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed
Yaman
2 years old female child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed
Moh
10 years old male child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed
Aghiad
8 years old male child of Fatima and Ibrahim killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hassan Aarouni
Age unknown male not named by Amnesty but most likely related killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (7 children3 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Building struck, however no visible damage around the date specified by Amnesty International.

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
    37SEV020786
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019

  • Oct. 8, 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

"No coalition actions".

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (7 children3 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CS1610

Incident date

October 8, 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

A young civilian male (possibly a teenage boy) named as Khalil Ibrahim al-Shehab (pictured) reportedly died of his wounds following US-led Coalition airstrikes on the city of Raqqah “several days earlier”, local sources alleged.

There is very limited information, and Airwars will update when any new details become available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Ibrahim al-Shehab
Child male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Khalil Ibrahim al-Shehab (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة‎), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to the 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
    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
Official source

For October 7th – 8th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 51 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 50 fighting positions, a tactical vehicle, six vehicles, one VBIED, and four command and control networks.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI865 RS2613

Incident date

October 8, 2017

Location

Al Qaim, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to many reported, two brothers were killed in Al Qaim or al Hari in Syria, near the Iraqi border. Reports were contested: one source implied that Iraqi aircraft may have been responsible, while a number of sources identified Russia as the culprit, one source attributed the attack to the Coalition and others did not apportion blame. The Coalition itself has reported airstrikes in the vicinity at the time.

The Euphrates Post reported that the two brothers were killed as a result of an air strike targeting the city of Al-Qaim in Iraq today.

It is important to note that a number of sources reported that the brothers were killed in a village southeast of Abu Kamal, either by Coalition or Russian aircraft. A tweet by @Yousef339y noted: Russian occupation aircraft bombing the village of Hari on the border with Iraq.

Additionally, an adult man was reported killed in the same attack as the Al-Zein brothers.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria stated that the three civilians were killed by international coalition forces.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Nasser Al-Zein
Child male Via Lawhat Bukmalna‎ FB account killed
Ahmed Nasser Al-Zein
Child male Via Lawhat Bukmalna‎ FB account killed

The victims were named as:

Anwar Hajem
Adult male Via Asaad Al Sattam killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Mohammed Nasser Al-Zein, killed following an alleged coalition or Iraq forces strike on Al Qaim, Anbar (via Lawhat Bukmalna)
  • A picture of Ahmed Nasser Al-Zein , killed following an alleged coalition or Iraq forces strike on Al Qaim, Anbar (via Lawhat Bukmalna‎)
  • Another picture of Ahmed Nasser Al-Zein , killed following an alleged coalition or Iraq forces strike on Al Qaim, Anbar (via Mohamed Sharif al-Khabour FB)
  • A picture of Anwar Hajem al-Satem, killed following an alleged coalition or Iraq forces strike on Al Qaim, Anbar (via Asaad Al Sattam)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Qaim (القائم), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684. Due to the 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • 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

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 7th – 8th the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a headquarters and a vehicle.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1609

Incident date

October 8–9, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqa, Tawasiyah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9633318, 38.9806321 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed after alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the al-Tawasu’iyah neighbourhood of Raqqah city according to multiple local sources.

Reportedly, “massive destruction of residential buildings and public property” followed the strikes, with sources also suspecting that many more civilians were wounded. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

The date of the event was unclear: between October 8th and 9th.

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” it was reported that Anas Barazi died in an airstrike on the same day but on the Qunaitir Building, with 25 others. It is possible, although not reported by Amnesty, that Juma’a also died in that strike. See S1411a for more details.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Juma’a al-Hussein al-Barazi
Adult male Uncle killed

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Tawasiyah (التوسعیة), for which the coordinates are: 35.9633318, 38.9806321

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Tawasiyah (التوسعیة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
Official source

For October 8th – 9th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed 15 fighting positions, 11 vehicles, one VBIED, one machine gun, and four command and control networks.” It additionally reported that “Near Raqqah, 2 strikes damaged an ISIS fighting position; and disrupted a line of communication.”

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1606

Incident date

October 8, 2017

Location

Diriyah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.947222, 38.991389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five members of one family died in Raqqah city following alleged “shelling” according to local reports.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, four of their children survived and “were taken to a house on the main road at the junction between Hitteen farm and Rabi’at al Atfal.

No sources apportioned blame. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently was the sole source that reference weapons, namely “shelling”.

No further details are presently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Omar Mahmoud Ghalia
Adult male Father killed
Hanan Sharif
Adult female Mother killed
Adnan Omar Ghalia
Child male Son killed
Elaf Omar Ghalia
Child male Son killed
Angham Khairou Ghalia
Child female Daughter killed

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • The family of Omar Ghalia lost relatives to alleged shelling in Raqqah on October 8th (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Diri’ya (الدرعیة) in the city of Raqqa. This neighbourhood covers a relatively large area, for which the generic coordinates are: 35,947222, 38,991389.

  • Two possible locations for the neighbourhood of Diri’ya (الدرعیة)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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
Official source

For October 7th – 8th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 51 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 50 fighting positions, a tactical vehicle, six vehicles, one VBIED, and four command and control networks.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 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]