Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS017

Incident date

October 28, 2014

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.59539, 39.128559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An internal Coalition report, citing web sources, noted claims that civilian casualties had been alleged at Slouk “on a strike on some grain silos.” The aircraft was likely to have been a US armed drone, due to the Hellfire missile used.

An initial investigation concluded that there had been no civilians injured: “The only strike that corresponded with the report was a strike on a tank about 70km N of Raqaa. Review of the aircrew’s video showed that the strike conducted with [] AGM-114, struck the target. No civilians were present on the video, either pre- or post-strike… No further inquiry required.”

A search of public records by Airwars found that the location of the Coalition’s strike did appear to be Slouk. As Raialyoum reported at the time: “The strikes [which were attributed instead to October 29th]continued in the northern countryside, targeting granaries [silos] around Slouk 80km north of Raqqa city. These are believed to be used by IS as stores for heavy weapons that were captured from Brigade 80. The raid resulted in the destruction of part of the silos, and an IS tank parked nearby.”

An Islamic State propaganda video released on November 2nd 2014 alleged that civilians had died in the attack, showing the corpses of what it said were two petrol sellers. However no reference was made to grain silos.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    NE of Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • The only strike that corresponded was on a tank about 70 km N of Raqqah. Review of the aircrew’s video showed that the strike, conducted with AGM 114, struck the target. No civilians were present either pre- or post-strike. An internal review of a strike during the initial deliberate strikes in Syria prior to 29 September on the area IVO grain silos in Idlib had already been conducted, determined not to have been CIVCAS.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI013

Incident date

October 26, 2014

Location

عوينات, Uwaynat, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.683056, 42.400556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were claims that coalition air raids resulted in the deaths of between 10 and 20 civilians in a village 110km northwest of Mosul called Aouinat.

Al Rafidain reported: “Press sources in Mosul confirmed that the bombing, which targeted the village of Aouinat killed ten civilians and destroyed at least two houses.

The forensic medicine department in the province confirmed that they had received the ten bodies; while local sources said that the outcome of the bombing exceeded twenty dead as well as a large number of injured, pointing out that the raids by international occupation forces has been going on for several days.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Local reports of the incident mention (عوينات) Aouinat, North West of Mosul. The coordinates for (عوينات) Aouinat are: 36.683056, 42.400556. The strike destroyed two houses. Due to the limited satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • (عوينات) Aouinat

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Awinat, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 25th-26th 2014, the coalition noted: “Six airstrikes west of the Mosul Dam area struck two small ISIL units, damaged an ISIL building and destroyed four ISIL vehicles and an ISIL artillery piece. Three airstrikes southwest of the Mosul Dam area struck a large ISIL unit and a small ISIL unit, and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and two ISIL buildings.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI012

Incident date

October 25, 2014

Location

حاج علي, Hajj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.734251, 43.3181477 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported by medical sources in the city to have been “accidentally killed” in an airstrike on a “Daesh stronghold in Qayyarah, Mosul“. However the Wameedh Sabah blog reported a security source as saying that the casualties were inflicted by an Iraq Army airstrike.

Up to 81 alleged militants were also reported killed in coalition strikes in Al Hajj Ali.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Haj Ali in the Qayyarah district, South of Mosul. The location for ( حاج علي ) Hajj Ali village is: 35.734251,43.3181477

  • Hajj Ali (حاج علي)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • 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 Haj Ali, Qayyarah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Twenty coalition airstrikes were confirmed in the vicinity of Mosul between October 24th-26th 2014, including by the US and France.

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS015

Incident date

October 18, 2014

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies, claims that one civilian, from Al Shadadi, Hasaka, in a coalition airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohssein Khalaf Al Abeed Al Khoshman Al Fadel
Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

A single source only mentions Al Shadadi town. The coordinates for ( الشدادي ) Al Shadadi are: 36.056316, 40.730438

  • ( الشدادي ) Al Shadadi

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • 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 al-Shadadi, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition reports multiple airstrikes in Syria October 17th-19th 2014 targeting ISIL oil installations, though no event precisely matches. According to Airwars’ Syrian researcher, the most likely possible match would be three bombings reported at Khusham: “Khusham is on the Euphrates SW of Hassaka. Since the strikes were NE of Khusham, and depending on how far, the actual location could well be Shadadi.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI010

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

عوينات, Awinat, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.68037, 42.39686 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to news agency NINA, a “US air strike on the village of Aouinat northwest of Mosul killed five civilians, according to a source in forensic medicine in Mosul.” The Al Rafidain website (in a report dated ten days after the event) placed the death toll higher at between 10 and 20, saying two houses had been destroyed by the coalition.

The quarterly UN Report for Iraq also noted that “Air strikes carried out on 17 October north of Mosul allegedly killed at least 26 civilians.” These were only generally attributed to Iraqi security forces and their allies – which might include “US-led coalition airstrikes.” However, the Guardian later reported that following an agreement with the international coalition, Iraqi aircraft were not carrying out airstrikes north of Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Aouinat / Tal Awinat (تل عوينات) village, north west of Mosul. The coordinates of the village: 36.68037, 42.39686  

  • Aouinat ( تل عوينات )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Awinat, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF671625
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition has confirmed five airstrikes to the west of Mosul Dam (itself north west of the city) on October 17th-18th 2014: “Five airstrikes occurred west of the Mosul Dam and damaged an ISIL building and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL HMMWV and struck three small ISIL ground units.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS014

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An airstrike on a gas station near the Konoco gas refinery reportedly killed between three and four civilians.

A subsequent investigation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights later noted: “Around 7:00pm the international alliance warplanes targeted a gas station and an oil well in Deir Ezzor countryside which is located near Khasham town. the oil well is for Konico gas plant and it is three KM away from it. the shelling caused fires in a number of tanks. The airstrike killed three civilians who used to work in the oil trading field. Usually, many people come to this well to buy petrol and oil. Also we documented 11 injured including critical cases in addition to six who are still missing. Furthermore some ISIS military vehicles were damaged.”

Three killed civilians were later named by the VDC.

According to SN4HR and VDC, a fourth non-combatant, from Al-Jurathi town, was killed in a related coalition airstrike nearby.

Prompted by the US State Department six months later, CENTCOM re-examined claims of civilians killed at Khesham. Weapon system video from the time was reviewed and air crews interviewed.

Investigators finally concluded that there was “Insufficient evidence to determine CIVCAS.” Yet at the same time, they admitted to “limited video analysis” and “ntermittent visual contact with the ground.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Ash-Shaher
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adnan Al-Abd Al-Eid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Ahmad Ali Al-Afien
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Hamza Hamoud Al-Ghazi
Adult male Listed by VDC, from Al-Jurathi town killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (4 men)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Khasham, Deir ez Zor Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Insufficient evidence to determine CIVCAS. CFACC reviewed WSV. INTEL determined that the location was under strict ISIL control. The target was validated through the JTCB. Crews reported they did not observe any personnel on their targeting pod prior to weapon release. Given the limited video analysis available the CFACC assesses there is insufficient information to make a characterisation. Intermittent visual contact with the ground showed no personnel present in the target area. // CAOC conducted a deliberate strike on 16 Oct 14 on the Barghooth Crude Oil Collection Point

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (4 men)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI011

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

البوعجيل, Bojeel, Salah al-Din, Iraq

Geolocation

34.577822, 43.724728 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reports claimed that Coalition strike hit a mosque during Friday prayers in the town of Al Bojeel, to the east of Tikrit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel village, East of Tikrit. The coordinates for (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel are: 34.577822, 43.724728

  • Al Bojeel ( البوعجيل )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • 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 Abu Ujail, Tikrit, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No publicly reported Coalition strike appeared to match the event. However for October 17th-18th 2014 it was reported that “five airstrikes occurred south and west of Bayji and struck two ISIL units, destroyed one ISIL armed vehicle, an ISIL heavy weapon, an ISIL machine gun position, an ISIL building and three ISIL guard shacks and damaged one ISIL guard shack.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS013

Incident date

October 16, 2014

Location

كبيبة, Kabiba, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1244954, 41.0433769 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major night time coalition air raid targeting oil facilities used by Islamic State, five civilians including a 7- or 10-year old boy were reported killed. The dead were later named by various sources.

In a detailed report on the event, SN4HR later noted: “Those civilians are from Kabiba town and they work on selling oil to the traders, owners of the primitive oil refineries and power planes. SN4HR documented the killing of five civilians, including a child that was with his father at the site, in addition to six injured who all were oil traders and tanker drivers. Also the shelling caused fires in many vehicles and cars. Investigations showed that there were ISIS fighters and military vehicles [present] at the time of the attack.”

Six months after the event CENTCOM opened an investigation into the incident at the prompting of the US State Department – which had forwarded a copy of the SN4HR report. A review of full motion video and post strike images was deemed “inconclusive,” with investigators noting that “Information has been preserved if we receive anything further.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Raed Mohammed Eid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Saleh Al-Ahmad Al-Nasser
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mahidi As-Saleh Mohammad Al-Khalil
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Allawi Al-Hams
Age unknown male killed
Laith Al Khalif al Mashieh
Child male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photo which appeared with the news piece about the incident on the Free Syrian Army's website which is no longer available. Airwars couldn't verify whether the photo was in Kabiba or from a previous shelling elsewhere.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Hasakeh, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • SNHR. The FMV and post-strike images are iNoNlusive.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]