Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CI343

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375659, 42.451536
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I292)

Dozens of civilians were killed or wounded in Tal Afar due to airstrikes and shelling, according to many local sources.

Yaqein reported that scores of unarmed civilians were killed by Coalition strikes as well as selling by government-aligned militias. A source told Yaqein that Tal Afar hospital is currently teeming with dozens of people injured due to indiscriminate shelling of the [Coalition] alliance and militia.

Several other outlets, including News of Iraq, reported both airstrikes as well as shelling from Popular Mobilization units.

Al Jazeera said that dozens of civilians were killed or wounded, but also reported that the Iraqi Defense Ministry said that the Iraqi Air Force was involved in bombing raids.

Fursan al Malhama noted fighting in the area involving government-aligned militias and claimed that 15 militia members had been killed.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–12

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tall Afar (تل عفر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.375659, 42.451536. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Tal Afar, Iraq
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For November 17th-18th, the Coalition reported no strikes “near Tal Afar” but did report “Near Kisik, one strike destroyed a mortar system and suppressed a bunker” and “Near Sinjar, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.“ For November 18th-19th, the Coalition reported no strikes “near Tal Afar” but did report “Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL-held building and a mortar system.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-08-04
Original Source
After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.
Iraq Government Forces Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Iraq Government Forces
Iraq Government Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (1)