Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS439 RS1827

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 25 fighters of the militant group Fatah al Sham were killed – as well as a civilian policeman – and as many as six other people were injured, following an alleged airstrike in Saraqib. It is not clear whether or not the injured were civilians or members of Fatah al Sham. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame, with many blaming the US led Coalition, and a few others blaming Russian warplanes. Some sources do not identify the aircraft.

Two cars and three bikes were the target of this raid, on a motorway leading out of Saraqib. One source named the vicinity as Jobas Junction. Another source reported that it was near a bridge.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “explosions were heard in the Saraqeb area east of Idlib, which sources said resulted from targeting by unidentified aircraft of SUVs, carrying members of a jihadi” group believed to be Fatah al Sham [formerly al Nusra], during which at least five people were killed and injured.”

LCCSY said the cars were targeted near the motorway, while Syria News Desk said seven militants were killed and two injured when two vehicles were destroyed. Step News named two militant leaders killed as Abu Anas al Masri and Abu A’krama al Tunisi. Three of the group were allegedly bothers.

Syria News reported there were two main raids, the first targeting of a pick-up vehicle belonging to Fath Al Sham Militia, near the Abu al-Thuhur bridge east of the town of Sarqib. This allegedly left five victims. The second was said to have targeted a car south of the city of Sarqib on the international highway.

Another source however claims that there were six strikes within an hour. According to Idlib Media Centre, the police officer was killed in a strike when he went to investigate the first three strikes. 

AleppoAMC called it a high impact missile attack.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ziyad Juma’a al Ahmad
Adult male police officer killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Victims in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via @MoudaAlomar)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via SOHR )
  • Footage showing the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Orient)
  • The exact moment the alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike hit Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Amjad Bakir)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via @fadirihawi)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via @fadirihawi)
  • Ziyad Juma'a al Ahmad. killed in an alleged Coalition and Russian airstrike on Saraquib, 12th January 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via Zaitonmag)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Coalition airstrike on Saraqib, 11th January 2017. (via @AbdulhaiMekhbat)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 10th-12th 2017, the Coalition reported no airstrikes in Idlib governorate. However unilateral US strikes against Fatah al Sham are no longer reported by the Coalition.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS356

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Location

معرة مصرين, Maraat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.01152, 36.67183 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes variously blamed on the Coalition, on Russia and on the Assad regime targeted Fatah al Sham positions in Maarat Mislin, reportedly also killing four civilians and injuring at least two more.

Initial reports – which said the town was struck three times – claimed either Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. The Syrian Network for example reported that “4 persons at least were killed and others were injured by bombing by warplane over areas in the town of Ma’arrat Misrin in the northern countryside of Idlib, the sources said that they targeted the headquarters area of Fath al-Sham Front.” Shahba Press said ten people were injured.

However a statement issued on March 9th by Fatah al Sham blamed the Coalition: “On Wednesday 2nd November 2016 the protector of internatonal crime the oppressive America targeted one of the centres of al Mujahidin in Maarat Misrin in the Idlib countryside which destroyed the place completely killing all the mujahidin who were inside. The most notable of the martyrs were:

-Adel Abu Mohammad al Ansari

-Abu Hamza al Masri [administrator]

May God receive them in his paradise.This targeting complements the role played by Russia in bombing and destroying and supporting Bashar’s regime.” The press release made no mention of civilian casualties.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Title: an air raid on Maarat Misrin 2/11/2016
  • Translation: warplanes launch raids on the dens of armed militants in Maarat Misrin in response to the repeated attacks of the militants on our people in al Fo’a and Kafriya north of Idlib.
  • Title: UAR’s lens captures the Russian enemy during the moment that they were targeting Maarat Misrin
  • Title: the first moment of the raids on Maarat Misrin 2/11/2016
  • Translation: 4 martyrs and a number of wounded following regime warplane targeting of the city of Maarat Misrin in the northern Idlib countryside with vacuum missiles.
  • Translation: 4 martyrs and around ten civilian wounded following Assad’s warplanes shelling Maarat Misrin in the northern Idlib countryside.
  • Translation: Northern Idlib countryside - 4 civilian martyrs and others injured in Maarat Misrin as a result of the air raids launched by the Russian enemy a short while ago on the city.
  • Translation: Idlib - 4 civilians killed and others injured following the air raids that targeted Maarat Misrin a short while ago.

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.01152, 36.67183  

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Maraat Misrin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV9018087733
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Nov. 2, 2016, near Maraat Misrin, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3074/CS356 37SBV9018087733

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 1st-2nd the Coalition reported no strikes in Syria.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS270

Incident date

July 18, 2016

Location

حيمر لابدة, Haymar Labda, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3888493, 37.9762173 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or more civilians were reported killed and others injured in what were described as heavy Coalition airstrikes on the village of Haymar Labda, as the battle to capture nearby Manbij intensified. ISIL’s media wing also issued a statement claiming “dead and injured and great destruction as a result of Coalition raids on the village of Haymar Labda south of Manbij.”

Local Syrian Civil Defence later reported what it said were eight Coalition airstrikes: “LCC’s correspondent reported that 7 civilians, including 3 children, were martyred, and another 14, including 5 women, were injured due to these airstrikes on the village.” Syria News Desk, citing a local source, said the strikes had targeted an ISIL-occupied building, but that several nearby civilian homes were also hit. It also included a photograph of what may be the scene.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad al Taha's child
12 years years old killed
Ahmad al Taha's child
5 years years old killed

The victims were named as:

Wife of Haneiwi Hassoun al Salem
Age unknown female killed
Sha’aban Al Ahmad Al Saboun's son
2.5 years years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 12
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–40
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Reported scene of an alleged Coalition strike at Haymar Labda, which killed at least four civilians July 18th 2016 (via Syria News Desk)
  • Translation: Al A’amaq: dead and injured and great destruction as a result of coalition raids on the village of Haymar Labda south of Manbij.
  • Translation; coalition planes target the village of Haymar Labda south of Manbij

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, 11 strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 22 ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 12
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–40
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS269

Incident date

July 18, 2016

Location

التوخار كبير, Tokhar Kabir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.6398429, 37.9810023 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to sixteen civilians including two or more children were reported killed in an alleged noon Coalition airstrike on Al Tokhar, a village near Manbij in northern Aleppo governorate.

In its own report on the event the Syrian Network noted: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted a residential house that is owned by Al Durj family in northwestern Al Toukhar village, affiliated to Manbej city in the eastern suburbs of Aleppo governorate, which resulted in the killing of 16 civilians – most of whom were from the same family – including two children. Al Toukhar village was under the control of ISIS on the day of the incident and it is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.”

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Ali Mohammad Al Durj
Age unknown male killed
Hasan Ibrahim Al Durj
Age unknown male killed
Son of Hasan Ibrahim Al Durj
Child male killed
Son of Hasan Ibrahim Al Durj
Child male killed
Ahmad Ali Al Akhras Al Durj
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Hasan Ibrahim Al Durj
Child male killed
Hasan Mohammad Ali Al Durj
Age unknown male killed
Khalaf Mohammad Ali Al Durj
killed
Hussein Saad Ali Al Durj
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Aboud Shaikh Al Haji
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Shaikh Al Haji
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Bakkar Ali Bakkar Al Emiri
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Hussein Al Hamid Al Emiri
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Abd Al Hmeidi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 16
  • (2–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 5 people killed in coalition raids on al Tokhaz village north of Manbij.
  • Translation: activists: 8 martyrs including women and children in coalition raids on al Tokhaz village near Manbij in the Aleppo countryside.
  • Some of the victims killed in the alleged air strike (via Al Tokhar al Kabir)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, 11 strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 22 ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 16
  • (2–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS266

Incident date

July 16, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An 80-year old man was reported by a number of sources as having been killed in one of multiple Coalition strikes on Manbij between dawn and noon. The strikes reportedly targeted both the Aleppo road and the al Hazwana neighbourhood in the city.

According to Manbij Mother of the World, “planes carried out several raids in less than an hour on the road to Aleppo [and] the area around the national hospital as members of IS are holed up inside the hospital. Another raid targeted a residential building in Al Rabita street, while two raids targeted al Hazwana neighbourhood where there are currently clashes in which SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] are trying to advance towards the city.“

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Hamid al A’rouda
80 years years old male Reportedly died after being hit by shrapnel in al Hawzana. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 15th-16th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, nine strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 14 ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

CS254

Incident date

July 9, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Heavy reported Coalition strikes on the al Hunaithal neighbourhood of western Manbij led to the additional deaths of five named civilians, according to reports. Al Hall described the location as al Rabita Street.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Fatima Al Zori,
40 years old female The wife of Abd al Kareem
Abd al Kareem Hunaithal
52 years old male killed
Alaa Abd al Kareem Hunaithal
20 years years old female injured
Nasser Hunaithal
19 years years old male killed
Salah Hunaithal
9 years years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Al A'Amaq issued photos of what it said was the site of 5 civilian deaths from Coalition strikes in Manbij
  • Translation: #Manbij warplanes raid al Hunaithal neighbourhood west of the city and there are civilian casualties (via manbejnews)
  • Translation: #coalition commits another massacre killing 5 civilian martyrs at least including a child as a result of targeting al Rabita street in Manbij.
  • Translation: #urgentcfive civilians including some from the same family killed a result of the international coalition raids on Al rabita streeet in the centre of Manbij.

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.51003, 37.94878  

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA0652842901
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • July 9, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3003/CS254 37SDA0652842901

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 8th-9th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL-used bridge…. Near Manbij, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL-used bridge.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS251

Incident date

July 7, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what may be the same or a separate incident to the one above, a family of seven was reported killed after their house was destroyed in an alleged Coalition strike on Manbij on ‘the third day of Eid.’

Details of the deaths emerged in a letter received by Manbij Direct:

“A humanitarian call regarding the home of Ahmad Al Omar known as About Omar. The family has been missing since the third day of Eid. The house is west of al Bara’em hall in the centre of the neighbourhood. The house was bombed and the martyrs are:

Akeel al Omar and his wife Asraa al Juma’an. His mother Zahra al Omar and his sister in law Amouna al Omar and the children Ahmad [4 years old], Zahra [5 years old] and Fatima [one year old] and they are still under the rubble. The Kurds are not allowing anyone to approach the house we don’t know why. We call on the kurds to allow us to pull the martyrs out. You have given the wrong coordinates and killed innocent people. You will not be forgive by people in the present or the future.”

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Akeel Al Omar
Adult male killed
Asraa al Juma’an
Age unknown female Akeel Al Omar's wife killed
Zahra al Omar
Adult female Akeel Al Omar's mother killed
Amouna al Omar
Age unknown female Akeel Al Omar's brother's wife killed
Ahmad
4 years years old male killed
Zahra
5 years years old female killed
Fatima
1 year years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (3 children3 women1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translaiton of letter: A humanitarian call The home of Ahmad Al Omar known as Abou Omar The family is missing since the third day of Eid. The house is west of al Bara’em hall in the centre of the neighbourhood. The house was bombed and the martyrs are: Akeel al Omar and his wife Asraa al Juma’an The mother Zahra al Omar and his sister in law Amouna al Omar and the children Ahmad [4 years old, Zahra [5 years old] and Fatima [one year old] and they are still under the rubble. The kurds are not allowing anyone to approach the house we don’t know why (via Manbij Direct).

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 6th-7th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, 11 strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL-used bridges and damaged a separate ISIL-used bridge… Near Manbij, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (3 children3 women1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI259

Incident date

June 29, 2016

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that families of ISIS members and other civilians were killed or wounded after Iraqi government and Coalition aircraft targeted Daesh convoys fleeing Fallujah to Ramadi Island.

According to the US military blog War Is Boring, Between 9:00 and 10:00 at night on June 28, Iraqi military intelligence detected the movement of numerous vehicles from Fallujah in a southwesterly direction along the road to Amiriyat Fallujah. Iraqi army helicopters took over the job of tracking the movement. Around 10:00 that night, intelligence reports indicated Islamic State militants were fleeing Fallujah — seemingly explaining the huge convoy. Baghdad informed the Americans, but CJTF-OIR denied permission for its warplanes to attack the area in question, as the vehicles in question could be carrying civilians.

The Washington Post also cited US officials as saying they could not immediately determine whether there were civilian casualties.

Based on interviews with Iraqi pilots, War Is Boring continued: The ISIS convoy included more than 400 vehicles, most of which were civilian. Iraqis are convinced that majority of their occupants were militants. So Iraqi pilots took the initiative. They called their political leaders in Najaf and, four hours later, attack orders came down. The first two helicopters took off at 1:30 in the morning on June 29. As they approached the area, they encountered heavy automatic gunfire from the ground. The shooting confirmed to the pilots — this was an Islamic State convoy. The pilots counted more than 400 vehicles. They’d never seen such a huge column before.

Approximately half of the vehicles were destroyed. Coalition aircraft then also joined in the attack: It’s possible that some of the vehicles carried militants’ families — which is apparently why the United States initially refused to take part in the operation. According to CJTF-OIR spokesman Col. Chris Garver, U.S. aircraft eventually did participate in an attack on the convoy, although they specifically avoided the part of the column the coalition suspected of carrying civilians.

The Coalition later reported it had destroyed up to 55 vehicles in its attacks. The Washington Post quoted Coalition spokesman Colonel Garver as saying that ‘for the bombing of the Fallujah convoy, the U.S. Air Force put everything up in the air, including B-52 bombers and AC-130 Spectre gunships.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of Daesh convoy that was targeted by the Iraqi government and Coalition aircraft. In contrast, various sources reported that civilians were killed in the incident while trying to flee the conflict area including Daesh families (via @IraqiSecurity)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of Daesh convoy that was targeted by the Iraqi IQAF in Musayab-Fallujah road. In contrast, various sources reported that civilians were killed in the incident while trying to flee the conflict area including Daesh families (via @green_lemonnn)
  • An image shows the targeted vehicle following an Iraqi & coalition strike (Via war is boring)
  • An image shows a child treating in an ambulance following a strike on the convoy (Via war is boring)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 29th-30th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Fallujah, two strikes [2 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 42 ISIL vehicles and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

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
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (18) [ collapse]