Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS968

Incident date

June 10–12, 2017

Location

نهر الفرات، الرقة, Euphrates river, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.93375, 39.0133 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians died when their boat was struck by the Coalition as they attempted to flee Raqqa, local media said.

In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh barge. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed and 10 others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity of the strike.”

The United States later said this was one of its military actions.

According to the Euphrates Post at the time, “the coalition aircraft targets small ferries and boats transporting civilians between the banks of the Euphrates River, resulting in the martyrdom of a young man and his wife.”

Step News Agency, also blaming the Coalition, said that “two young men died” when their boat was struck as they tried to escape – which appears to be the same event.

In an August report by Amnesty International, a woman was interviewed who stated that her cousin Yasser along with two women and a man had been killed in an airstrike around June 10th. This event is likely related, as the victim was transporting people across the river. The interviewee stated that “A plane hit the boat and killed him and two women and a man he was transporting. He had taken me and my family across the river a few days earlier. That is what he did, he helped people to flee.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

There has been some confusion as to the exact date of this incident. Amnesty research was inconclusive on the date, so it has reported it as being ‘around the 10th’, whilst Airwars public sources pointed towards the 12th. The Coalition has also reported the 10th for this incident, so we have included a date range.

In its annual; civilian harm report to Congress in May 2020, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Nida’a Khalil al Kirri
Age unknown female killed
Yasser Khalil al Kirri
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 35.932126, 39.006111 The MGRS released by the Coalition in the first assessment was: 37SEV044776 The MGRS released by the Coalition in the second assessment was: 37SEV012766

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:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    10
  • Stated location
    near Euphrates River, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV012766
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 27, 2019
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • June 12, 2017, near Euphrates River, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

  • Jun. 10, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Amnesty International report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh barge. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed and 10 others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity of the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, two vehicles, and two ISIS boats; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and suppressed a sniper team.” And that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two fighting positions.”

For June 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions and four vehicles.” It additionally reported that “On June 12, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, an IED factory, an ISIS staging area, an ammo cache, and a command and control node.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS965b

Incident date

June 11, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.950754, 39.02297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were killed in Coalition artillery strikes. The Coalition conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across CS965, CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965.

These civilians were initially listed as being victims of an airstrike which killed eight civilians from three families with dozens also left wounded. It has since been uncovered by Amnesty field research that the victims were killed in their home due to artillery shelling.

The Amnesty and Airwars joint April 2019 report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality, stated that “Mahmoud Abdallah Abu Hayf, 50, and his two children and his niece and his cousin were killed by an artillery strike outside the house where the family was sheltering. Neighbours told Amnesty International that after they were killed another eight shell landed in the street.”

Salha, a survivor of the strike told Amnesty in a testimony that “My husband was out with the children and when the shelling started he hurried home. They were struck and killed by the front door. My mother and my brother and other relatives were injured in the strike.”

A number of sources alleged that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible for the strikes with the Syrian Network blaming SDF mortars. However, the Coalition also reported that it conducted artillery fire in the Raqqa.

In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts.”

Both this event and CS965a are classed as Credible in our database.

The incident occured at 19:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

50 years old male killed
5 years old female child of Mahmoud killed
6 years old male child of Mahmoud killed
6 years old female niece killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (1)

52 years old male killed

Family members (4)

Adult female injured
4 years old injured
7 years old injured
17 years old injured

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Muhannad Qadri al Daham
Child male not from Amnesty dataset killed
Noura al Hussein
Adult female not from Amnesty dataset killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Jana al-Ali Al Hassan was reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Naya Mahmoud Ismail Abu al-Hayf was reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Naya Mahmoud Ismail Abu al-Hayf and Adnan Abu Hayf were reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Mahmoud Abu Hayf was reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Jana al-Hassan was reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Coalition or SDF shelling reportedly killed several children (via Mohab Nasser)
  • Coalition or SDF shelling reportedly killed Mahmoud Abu Hayf and his two children, Naya Mahmoud Ismail Abu al-Hayf and Adnan Abu Hayf during strikes in Saif al-Dawla in al-Raqqa (via @MousaAlomar)
  • Adnan Aby Hayf, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Jana Hassa Ali, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmud Abu Hayf, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmud Abu Hayf, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmud Abu Hayf and his children, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Naya Abu Hayf, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Naya and Adnan, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV017790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

  • June 12, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts. [The Coalition conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across CS965, CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965]. 

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, two vehicles, and two ISIS boats; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and suppressed a sniper team.” And that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two fighting positions.”

It also reported for the same days that "Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions and four vehicles."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.’

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS965a

Incident date

June 11, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.952293, 39.021907 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A female child was killed by artillery shelling from the US-led Coalition. The Coalition later conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across this event and CS965 and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965.

This civilian was initially listed as killed in an airstrike which killed eight civilians from three families – including named victim – with dozens also left wounded. It has since been uncovered by Amnesty field research that this victim was killed by shrapnel which entered the home while she was on the 2nd floor.

According to the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, the “Wife of Ala Ahmad Ali Hamsho, Suhaila Mohammed Dhibo, was killed. Her husband was downstairs  waiting for Suhaila who was upstairs on second floor getting ready leave and go to her family due to too much shelling”.

The mother-in-law – Houda – provided testimony to Amnesty International saying “Suhaila was upstairs getting some belonging while my son waited for her downstairs. They were going to leave and go to her father because there was a lot of artillery shelling in the area.”

A number of sources alleged that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible for the strikes with the Syrian Network blaming SDF mortars. However, the Coalition also reported that it conducted artillery fire in the Raqqa.

In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts.”

Both this event and CS965 are classed as credible events.

The incident occured at 23:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

16 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

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:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV017790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

  • June 12, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts. [The Coalition conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across CS965, CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965]. 

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, two vehicles, and two ISIS boats; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and suppressed a sniper team.” And that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two fighting positions.”

It also reported for the same days that "Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions and four vehicles."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS952

Incident date

June 9, 2017

Location

الصناعة, Ar Raqqah: Sina'a neighbourhood (Mukhtalata, unknown location), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.947746, 39.032995 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians including four children and two women died in a declared Coalition airstrike on the al Mukhtalata area in Raqqa’a al Sina’a neighbourhood, local media reported.

According to the Syrian Press Center, “Coalition forces continue to commit the worst massacres against civilians in the city of Raqqa, under the pretext of eliminating terrorism. A massacre that killed eight martyrs and many wounded were carried out after targeting a mixed area with several air strikes. The International Alliance aircraft committed a massacre, two days ago, in Al Mukhtalata area in the industrial district in the city of Raqqa, which led to the deaths of 8 civilians, including four children and a woman.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who also blamed the Coalition, put the death toll at eight, including four children and two women.

Multiple sources – all attributing the event to the Coalition – named eight victims. 

The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported that an entire family of eight were killed when their family home was hit. On the ground field research reported that Najma, sister of Faddawi and his daughter Najahm, says strike was 15th. However, Ramadhan says it was Thursday at 9pm. She was at her cousin’s across the road.

Najma’s testimony stated “We were together and then I went to my cousins’ house across the road and my brother’s house was bombed and they were all killed. Why did they kill innocent people?”

Originally deemed to be non-credible by the Coalition, their assessment was revised on March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report that “Coalition aircraft
conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a building. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.”

The incident occured at 21:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

60s years old male killed
50s years old female wife of Faddawi Majim al-Nasser killed
35 years old male son of Faddawi Majim al-Nasser killed
20s years old female wife of Mahmoud killed
5 years old male killed
4 years old female killed
8 years old female killed
20 days old years old female killed

The victims were named as:

Eidah Mohammed Rahil
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children2 women2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Aida Mohammed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Faddawi Majim Al-Naser & wife Aida Mohammed, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Faddawi Majim Al-Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Hisham Al Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmoud Majim Al Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Nour Al Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Reem Al Nasser, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmoud Majim Al Nasser with his three children Hisham, Nour & Reem, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, 9th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Victims house. (via Amnesty)
  • Victims house. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

A building was struck at 35.947746, 39.032995. According to Amnesty research it was the family home of said victims.

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEC0297578153
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

  • Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on ISIS terrorists in a building. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike. 2688 37SEC0297578153

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 9th-10th: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, a VBIED, and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.“ It additionally added that “On June 9, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two VBIEDs, two weapons caches, and an ISIS staging area.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children2 women2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI752

Incident date

June 7, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.346628, 43.113637 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed the death of a civilian in an incident near Mosul in June 2017.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian, not observed near the target before the engagement, was unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the event in southern Zanjili.

Australia has conceded harm in this event. An ADF briefing issued on September 29th 2017 noted:

“On 7 June 2017, one Australian aircraft conducted an airstrike in support of Iraqi Security Forces who were under direct fire from enemy fighters in Mosul. Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel were also involved in the Coalition approval process.

“A single precision guided munition was released, striking the target and destroying a section of a building used by Daesh as a defensive fighting position. During the post-airstrike review process, ADF personnel reported it was possible that a civilian
may have been present in the strike location. The personnel involved, using the information available to them, acted in compliance with the laws of armed conflict and Australian rules of engagement.”

It additionally noted: “The second incident occurred on 7 June 2017 in West Mosul. West Mosul was an incredibly dangerous area with Daesh taking over Iraqi civilian homes, booby trapping the buildings and using them as defensive fighting positions. The Iraqi Security Forces were conducting clearance operations which required removing Daesh fighters street by street.

“During the operation to re-take West Mosul, Iraqi Security Forces were regularly engaged by Daesh fighters using small arms, heavy machine guns, mortars and rocket propelled grenade launchers. On the 07 June, Australian F/A-18 aircraft supported Iraqi Security Forces who were under direct fire from Daesh fighters using small arms. A thorough assessment of the target, a residential building that was occupied by Daesh fighters, was conducted to ensure all feasible precautions were taken to minimise harm to civilians, and ISF operating in the area, and to reduce potential damage to property.
A strike was conducted on the Daesh fighting position with one precision guided, low collateral, munition.

“No civilians were observed in the area prior to the strike, however after the routine post-strike review and analysis process, ADF personnel assessed that it was possible that civilians may have been present in the location of the strike when people were observed to leave the rear of the target building. In accordance with our own processes, the ADF personnel reported the incident to the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) for further assessment including a thorough legal review.
Consistent with our normal procedures, ADF personnel were involved in the Coalition strike approval process for this mission.

“Based on the information available, OIR assessed that it was more likely than not a civilian was seriously injured or killed as a result of the strike against Daesh fighters on 7 June, however the report also noted that all feasible precautions were taken to prevent civilian casualties prior to the strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The Coalition p[rovided Airwars with the exact coordinates of a strike which it says killed one civilian

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3072424047
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017
  • June 7, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian, not observed near the target before the engagement, was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 6th-7th the Coalition reported: “Near Rawah [20km from Anah], two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four ISIS staging areas, an ISIS headquarters, and an ISIS warehouse.“ It additionally added that on June 6th “Near Rawah, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS930a ISSY001a

Incident date

June 7, 2017

Location

الشجرة, Al Shajra, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.773896, 35.882991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that alleged airstrikes struck a building in Al Shajra town which several sources referred to as an “Islamic Court” while others described it as the headquarters of the “Islamic Army of Khalid Bin Al-Walid” – a faction that has been accused of being associated with the “Islamic State”. Sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Israel was responsible for the airstrikes.

Four airstrikes were reported to have launched eight “rockets” after midnight. The same airplanes allegedly continued and struck the town of Joomla, near the Jordanian-Israeli border.

Three leaders of the “Army of Khalid Bin Al-Walid” were reported killed in the attack, including the General Commander Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, military commander Abu Uday al-Homsi and Abu Dujana al-Adlabi. Between ten and 20 other people were reported killed but it is unclear how many of these were combatants.

According to the Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office, among the fatalities were three women. Additionally, the Shaam News Network reported that the event resulted in the deaths of a number of “martyrs” and wounded civilians.

According to Almadon news, civilians were informed to evacuate areas controlled by the “Khaled bin al-Walid Army” within 72 hours, and warned that imminent shelling could target the area.

Shaam News reported a statement by the “Army of Khalid Bin Al-Walid” that it “did not hear the sounds of aircraft hovering in the air and did not monitor any move to fly in the western countryside before or after the target, indicating that the targeting may have been a long-range missile, or perhaps the targeting has been inside a bombing operation.”

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, 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.

While the majority of sources attributed the strikes to the Coalition, a tweet from @omar_alharir, an independent journalist in Syria, and Enab Baladi News blamed Israel for carrying out the airstrikes.The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center also wrote that according to Enab Baladi, “the day before the attack, the army of Khaled bin Al-Olid executed a group of senior activists on charges of collaborating with Israel and assassinating the commanders of the organization”.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (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
    13–20

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, leader of the "Khalid bin al-Walid Army", was reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Shajra town on June 7th 2017 (via Enab Baladi).
  • Smoke circling up after an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the town of al Shajra on June 7th 2017 (via @AbozaidMohammed).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Shajra (الشجرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.773896, 35.882991. 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
    36SYB699299
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • June 7, 2017, in Ash Shajra, 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. 3105/CS930a 36SYB699299

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

No Coalition strikes reported.

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
    3
  • (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
    13–20

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS965

Incident date

June 6, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.959065, 38.999199 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man was killed, and his son was injured in Coalition airstrikes which struck the street near his home. The Coalition later conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across this event and CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted here.

This civilian was initially listed in an airstrike which killed eight civilians from three families – including Hamsho – with dozens also left wounded. It has since been uncovered by Amnesty field research that this victim died of his injures, eight days after shrapnel entered his home on the 7th floor of a building where he was reading by a window.

In addition to this, his son was inured – off Fardous Street opposite Shokan estate agent. His wife confirmed it was early morning of Tue 12 Ramadhan (6 June) however the victim died eight days later.

In a testimony given to Amnesty International by Kawthar – wife of the victim – she stated that “My husband was reading by the window and was hit by shrapnel from the airstrike outside; He remained in a coma for eight days and then died. My son was in the next room and was also injured. ”

A number of sources alleged that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible for the strikes with the Syrian Network blaming SDF mortars. However, the Coalition also reported that it conducted artillery fire in the Raqqa.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

43 years old male a taylor by trade, died after 8 days in a coma killed
Child male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 6th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)
  • The home of Ghassan Ibrahim Hamsho. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

On Google Earth 2017/05/31-2017/06/11, only minor damage is visible. By 2017/08/19-2017/08/25 major damage is visible.

  • 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:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Fair
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    24
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV017790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

  • June 12, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, two vehicles, and two ISIS boats; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and suppressed a sniper team.” And that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two fighting positions.”

It also reported for the same days that "Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions and four vehicles."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS917

Incident date

June 4, 2017

Location

أبو النيتل, Abu al Naital, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.455, 40.68048 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on Abu al Naital, local media reported.

In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of the strike.” The United States later claimed responsibility for the action.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes believed to belong to the international coalition bombed places in the village of Abu al-Nitel in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor and targeted oil burners, destroying a large number of them, killing a man and injuring others. The warplanes also targeted places in al-Sor area, but there is no information about causalities so far”

However, multiple sources named a male as a victim of a Coalition strike on “oil burners” (primitive refineries in the area. DeiralzuPN added that Al Qubaisi’s son was also seriously wounded in the raid.

Qasioun put the death toll higher, at three (with others wounded) – and also blamed the Coalition.

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohamamd Al Qubaisi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 35.458889, 40.677222

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    in Abu al Naital, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV525248
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2019
  • June 4, 2017, in Abu al Naital, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 4th-5th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes destroyed 90 ISIS oil barrels, 10 ISIS oil refinery stills, five vehicles, four ISIS oil separation tanks and three ISIS well heads.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (13) [ collapse]