US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CI820a

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

near Qadiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.43144, 42.63615 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the US-led Coalition admitted on Sep. 27, 2018 that it had killed two civilians and injured two others.

The monthly civilian casualty report read: “August 1, 2017, near Qadiya, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike two civilians were injured and two civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

  • Marker showing the MGRS coordinate, accurate to 100 m, provided by CJTF–OIR

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Bing

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Qadiya, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF881344
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018
  • August 1, 2017, near Qadiya, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike two civilians were injured and two civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Aug. 1, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed a piece of ISIS engineering equipment and a front-end loader.
Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a VBIED.
Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four front-end loaders, a supply cache and a command and control node.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI819

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, market, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.396667, 40.989444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local press sources said that civilians were killed or injured by airstrikes on the market in Al Qaim district west of Anbar.

According to Iraq Akhbar, A number of civilians were killed and wounded by a bombing by international coalition aircraft of the market district of Qaim, west of Anbar.

Local sources said that the bombing targeted the market of the city of Qaim, which resulted in the deaths of a number of civilians and material damage in the shops. It is noteworthy that the city market is under the repeated bombardment of the aircraft of the International Alliance”.

However other sources did not say who was responsible for the bombing.

 

The incident was first reported on August 1, 2017 at 12:02 pm by Yaqein Agency (وكالة يقين للأنباء).

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Qaim, Al Anbar Governorate (الانبار). Some sources mention a vegetable market in Al Qaim (سوق الخضره في القائم). Satellite imagery available to Airwars from October 2017 shows structural damage a vegetable market, for which the coordinates are: 34.396667, 40.989444

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 31st – August 1st , the Coalition reported: “Near Al Qaim, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two staging areas.“

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI820

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

تل عفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375659, 42.451536 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources said that civilians were killed or injured in alleged Coalition and Iraqi force airstrikes on Tal Afar city, west of Mosul.

Tal Afar news agency reported that the aerial bombardment has continued in Tal Afar for the third day in a row. Civilians were confirmed dead, and the source said that Coalition aircraft bombed IS sites and the streets of the city intensively. Madar Al Arab reported that the commander of Nineveh operations confirmed the continued bombing of Tal Afar by the government and international Coalition aircraft.

Ali Alazawi added that the bombing led to the killing of the so-called training camp officials of IS.

The incident was first reported on August 1, 2017 at 12:13 am by وكالة انباء تلعفر Tal afar.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a number of locations within the city of Al-Tal Afar (تلعفر): Al-Sadiq al-Ameen Preparatory (إعدادية الصادق الأمين), which Airwars was unable to locate, however the location for Al-Tal Afar Preparatory School (إعدادية تلعفر) can be seen below; Al-Nada neighbourhood (حي النداء); the Al-Adli mill (طاحونة العدلي), which Airwars was unable to locate, for a possible location see below, and the village of Al-Alu (قرية العلو). Satellite imagery available to Airwars of July 27, 2017 and August 4, 2017 (a 13 day window) shows structural damage at the location of the Al-Tal Afar Preparatory school (إعدادية تلعفر), for which the coordinates are: 36.378889, 42.462778

  • Possible location for the Al-Adli mill (طاحونة العدلي), the Al-Tal Afar Preparatory School (إعدادية تلعفر) and the Tal Afar Middle School for Boys and Secondary Dhi Qar Evening (متوسطة تلعفر للبنين وثانوية ذي قار المسائية)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Locations of structural damage seen on satellite imagery available to Airwars of August 4, 2017

    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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tel Afar, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF711280
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 31st – August 1st , the Coalition reported: “Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four fighting positions and two supply caches.”

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
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI817

Incident date

July 30, 2017

Location

راوة, Rawah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.473919, 41.915991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to residents and press, four civilians from the same family were killed in Rawa following an airstrike targeted their house.

The sources identified the victim family by name as Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid 

None of the sources identified who was responsible for the airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention residential areas in the town of Rawah (راوة). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available, Airwars was unable to verify the location of these areas. The generic coordinates for the town of Rawah (راوة) are: 34.473919, 41.915991.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position, a VBIED and a VBIED facility.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI818

Incident date

July 30, 2017

Location

الحويجة, Hawija, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local press sources said that 10 civilians from the same family were killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit their house in the Hawija district on Sunday 30th July.

Kawsar Agency and Team of Correspondents said that the family died as a result of US shelling on their home.

According to Team of Correspondents, the ten victims were mostly children, while Iraqi Spring Media Centre said most of the dead were women and children.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–6 children2 women)
  • 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

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a residential building in the city of Hawija (الحويجه). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available, Airwars was unable to verify the location of this building. The generic coordinates of the city of Hawija (الحويجه) are: 35.325244, 43.767258.

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 Hawija, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE8832609514
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • 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

For July 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–6 children2 women)
  • 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

CI816

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

عنه, Anah, Gas station and ice factory, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.367372, 41.984598 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Residents and press sources said that heavy airstrikes targeted the ice factory and gas station in Anah district west of Anbar and some reports said a number of civilians were killed or injured.

According to Yaqein, the aerial bombardment targeted the ice factory and the gas station in the Ana district, west of Anbar. The bombing resulted in civilian deaths and injuries and the destruction of a number of houses.

Samarra Tv added warplanes bombed Daesh sites in the city of Ana, west of Anbar, targeting a car bomb near the government complex and the ice factory and the central station in the city. It made no mention of civilian casualties – nor of who carried out the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted the ice factory (معمل الثلج)x and the gas station (محطة البانزين) in the district Ana, west of Anbar. The exact location of the gas station is at these coordinates: 34.367372, 41.984598, destruction can be seen at this location on satellite imagery available to Airwars between June 26, 2017 and September 19, 2017. For the ice factory mentioned a possible location is at these coordinates: 34.366545, 41.982673, as it is a building located next to the gas station and also shows traces of destruction within the same time frame.

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 Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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

For July 28th-29th, Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS-held buildings, a vehicle storage facility, and an armored vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI814

Incident date

July 27, 2017

Location

الطارمية, Tarmiyah, al Baghdadi, Baghdad, Iraq

Geolocation

33.675556, 44.391667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to many sources, up to six civilians died and others reported injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad.

Sources said that a drone strike targeted the home of Tarmiyah council member Jameel Al Shermeet and a gathering of young people at the Narjes restaurant at 10.25pm.

The source revealed 6 victim names and also one injured, named as Sabah Naji, who was reportedly left in a serious condition.

According to NRT, the local residents told NRT’s Arab correspondent that the missile targeted a group of young people in a cafe, killing two people and wounding four others.

Al Tarmiyah said that the group were playing dominoes when they were struck.

Sabr Al Tawlba also blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at six.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male Via news ofiraq3 killed
Age unknown male Via news ofiraq3 killed

Family members (2)

Mohammad Sabah Naji
killed
Ahmed Sabah Naji
killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male Via news ofiraq3 killed
Adult male Via news ofiraq3 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • An image of the five victims killed after the alleged Coalition drone strike in Al Tarmiyah North, Baghdad, July 27th (via Iraq News Centre)
  • A picture of one of the victims was killed/injured following the alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via Al Sharqiya TV)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of Ahmed Sabah Naji, initially wounded, but died on the following day (via Al Tarmiyah)
  • A picture of Saad Hussein Al-Khattab, killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via news ofiraq3)
  • A picture of Omar Jamil al-Sharmait, killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via news ofiraq3)
  • A picture of Moataz Sobhi Yassin killed following an alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via news ofiraq3)
  • Ahmed Jamil Al Shermait, killed following an alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via news ofiraq3)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that “the airstrike targeted the house of Jamil Al Sharmait, a member of the municipal council. The second targeted a youth gathering near the Nargis restaurant.” The house of Jamil Al Sharmait (where 4 civilians were killed and 2 were injured) is reportedly located in the town of Tarniyah (البغدادي), north of the city of Baghdad. The coordinates for the residential area north of Tarniyah (البغدادي) are: 33.675556, 44.391667. Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of the Nargis restaurant (targeted in the second strike, which took place at 10:25 PM). The generic coordinates for the town of Tarniyah (البغدادي) are: 33.669167, 44.3825.

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
    near Tarmiyah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 27th-28th, the Coalition reported: “Near Baghdad, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI815

Incident date

July 27, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Residents and press sources said that 13 civilians were killed and others injured by alleged Coalition airstrikes which reportedly targeted houses in the Qaim district, west of Anbar.

Yaqein reported: Coalition aircraft bombed areas in the city of Qaim (350 km west of Ramadi), causing extensive damage, a press source said in a statement.

The shelling killed more than 13 civilians and injured several others, the source said.

Rawa named seven victims who were killed in the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Age unknown male Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed
Age unknown male Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown female Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed
Age unknown male Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed
Child female Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (1 child2 women2–3 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted residential buildings in the city of Al Qaim (القائم). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of these buildings. The generic coordinates of the city of Al Qaim (القائم) are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684.

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 Qaiem, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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

For July 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Rawah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a malfunctioning piece of Coalition equipment and a vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (1 child2 women2–3 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 (4) [ collapse]