Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CI594

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336937, 43.073451
Accuracy: Within 1m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I465a)

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of seven civilians in an event on the western outskirts of Mosul. The action was later revealed to be a US strike.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike against an ISIS formation, it was assessed that seven civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a one-metre box. The location given placed the event in a house in the Al Tanak neighbourhood. The house is located near the Yarmouk Secondary School for Boys.

None of the six strikes reported by Airwars that day in Mosul were located in the Al Tanak neighbourhood or in its vicinity.

The Australian Defence Force published information about the event on September 30, 2017: “On 30 March 2017, Coalition forces conducted airstrikes in support of Iraqi ground forces against suspected Daesh military forces in Mosul. No Australian aircraft were involved in the incident. ADF personnel were involved in the Coalition approval process. Based on the information available, an airstrike was authorised and tragically seven civilians were unintentially killed or injured. ADF personnel self -reported the incident in accordance with ADF policy. The personnel involved, using the information available to them, acted in compliance with the laws of armed conflict and Australian rules of engagement.”

In its May 2019 report to Congress of US-only civilian harm events for 2017, the Pentagon included this incident.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
7

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
7
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Mosul, Iraq
Location accuracy
1 m
MGRS coordinate
38SLF2709623043
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For March 29th-30th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed two command and control nodes, two mortar systems, a fighting position, and a UAV facility; damaged 19 supply routes; and suppressed 10 ISIS mortar teams and seven ISIS tactical units.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-09-29
Original Source
March 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike against an ISIS formation, it was assessed that seven civilians were unintentionally killed.

Media From Sources (1)