Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI183

Incident date

January 26, 2016

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple reports, an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hawijah resulted in at least 13 civilian deaths.

Al Jazeera reported that 16 died in the incident, which it attributed to the Coalition. The Al Amaq Agency (which often distributes Islamic State propaganda) reported that 13 civilians died in a ‘Coalition strike’ while 11 were injured. Local reporter Hamid Hadeed claimed that a family of six were among the dead. Images from the impact site appear to show significant damage to a building.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes in Kirkuk province that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 16
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Breaking: At least 16 civilians, including a family of six, were killed in a bombardment of coalition aircraft in Hawijah district, southwest of Kirkuk(via @HamidHadeed tweet)
  • The pictures of the aftermath of the alleged coalition airstrike and also geolocation (Jan 26, 2016) on IS-held Hawija Iraq (via @trbrtc tweet)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that on January 25th-26th 2016 “Near Al Huwayjah, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 16
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]