Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CI058

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.32345, 43.77659
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I041a)

Internal monitoring by the Coalition initially identified two possible civilian casualties from an airstrike at Hawijah. The attack, on a High Value target code-named ANDERS MESA, was carried out by an A-10 Warthog.

According to a CENTCOM report declassified in September 2015, “2 civilians unseen in the collateral calls may have been killed or injured as a result of the strike.” A note added that a Task Force was “working with subordinate units to conduct an assessment of the strike.”

On January 15th 2016, CENTCOM publicly conceded that two non combatants had likely died in this US airstrike: “On April 12, 2015, near Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL tactical unit, it was assessed that two unidentified civilians were killed.”

Airwars researchers have not identified any published allegations of civilian casualties from the time, though news reports did report approximately 30 Daesh fighters killed in a strike in the vicinity.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of the event to within a 100 metre box.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Civilians reported killed
2

Geolocation Notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 35.3240179, 43.77335

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
No reason given
Civilian deaths conceded
2
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Al Huwayjah, Iraq
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
38SLE888096
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
Confirmed on January 15th 2016. For April 12th-13th 2015, the Coalition had originally reported that “Near Al Huwayjah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2016-01-15
Original Source
On April 12, 2015, near Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL tactical unit, it was assessed that two unidentified civilians were killed.