Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI357

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Location

Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.36459, 43.1954 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians near Mosul.

Their January 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike on ISIL fighters it is assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area just prior to the munition’s impact.”

This incident may be related to CI356.

Al Rafidain published a video on the day (probably originating from ISIL) which showed significant damage to a west Mosul neighbourhood, along with dead and injured civilians. Local journalist Zyaad Alsenjary claimed civilian homes had been targeted.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bloody video shows the aftermath of the bombing of coalition allegedly aircraft on the industrial area on the right side of Mosul (via @rafidenchannel)

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
    3
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF381259
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • Nov. 29, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: During a strike on ISIL fighters it is assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area just prior to the munition’s impact.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 28th-29th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed five mortar systems, three ISILheld buildings, three vehicles, three VBIEDs, two front-end loaders, a VBIED factory, and a command and control node; suppressed three tactical units; and damaged five supply routes and two pieces of road construction equipment.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]