Thread by @iainoverton

1/ 🚨 New analysis by @AOAV reveals at least 29 civilians were killed in 9 RAF airstrikes in Iraq & Syria between 2016-2018, 10 more civilian deaths than previously concluded. RAF only accept one civilian death during this period. #RAF #CivilianCasualties

aoav.org.uk/2023/10-more-c…

2/ 📊 AOAV's investigation cross-referenced 950 strike reports from RAF press releases with Pentagon airstrike data, Airwars data, & AOAV's explosive violence monitor. The strikes occurred between March 2016 & March 2018, with five in Iraq & four in Syria, mostly around Mosul.

3/ 🎯 The RAF has only accepted responsibility for one civilian death in 2018, despite AOAV identifying nine airstrike incidents likely to have caused civilian deaths during Operation Shader. This highlights concerns over RAF transparency. #OperationShader #Accountability

4/ ⚠️ AOAV's findings indicate a potential 10-16 additional civilian deaths linked to RAF strikes across five more strikes in 2016 & 2017 (four in Iraq, one in Syria). These incidents were considered "likely" to have caused civilian deaths by the US Pentagon. #UnreportedDeaths

5/ 📰 The RAF has claimed participation in 3 incidents (possibly 4) where a total of 18 civilians were killed

6/ 🚫 Despite their admission of participation, the RAF still refuses to take responsibility for these civilian deaths. The lack of transparency and accountability raises further doubts about the RAF's casualty recording process. #Refusal #Transparency

7/ 🔍 Seven out of nine total strikes in the report were 'self-reported,' meaning military personnel involved in the strike, British or otherwise, immediately warned the chain of command about potential civilian casualties. #SelfReported #CivilianCasualties

8/ ❓ AOAV's research underscores the need for the RAF to answer major questions. The initial RAF publicly-available strike reports frequently lack crucial details, making it difficult for journalists and civil society to hold air combat missions to account. #Accountability