Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS158

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Location

تشرين, Tishreen, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34864, 38.221 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown casualty event, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike at Tishreen near Manbij.

According to the official release, “On Dec. 24, 2015, in Tishreen, Syria, near Manbij, during a strike on two ISIL fighters in a vehicle, it is assessed that one civilian on a motorcycle was killed riding up to the target area after weapons were already in flight.”

Local media reported that Syrian rebels captured Tishreen from Islamic State that day. According to Step News, “The international coalition launched three raids on residential areas in the area of Tishreen Dam in the Manbij countryside which led to material damage to a bakery and a mosque in the city, though the human cost is not known.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3895748, 38.1604528

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • tweet linking to video [no longer available] showing the automatic bakery in Tishreen dam area, Manbij, eastern Aleppo after it was destroyed by warplanes. 24th December 2015
  • Step news tweet reporting news of SDF gaining control of Tishreen Dam following 'intense clashes with Islamic state', 24th December 2015

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    in Tishreen, Syria, near Manbij
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA301229
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016
  • On Dec. 24, 2015, in Tishreen, Syria, near Manbij, during a strike on two ISIL fighters in a vehicle, it is assessed that one civilian on a motorcycle was killed riding up to the target area after weapons were already in flight.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]