US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
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Incident Code

CS1935

Incident date

October 26, 2019

Location

قرية باريشا , Barisha Village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians including two women and three children were reported killed in the US military operation that successfully targeted ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib countryside, Syria, on October 26th, 2019.

Al-Baghdadi was an ISIS leader who declared himself a Caliphate in Mosul, Iraq in 2014, and according to local sources was killed in an overnight raid, and that whole operation lasted for around four hours.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SNHR), U.S. helicopters came from Turkish territories, carried out a landing in the area and clashed with militants near the targeted house of al-Baghdadi west of Barisha where many casualties were reported. Among the nine alleged civilian deaths were two or three women and up to three children. The Observatory said it believed the death toll was bound to rise because there had been many other injuries with victims in a serious condition. Local sources also mentioned that the targeted area was a few kilometers away from Tor Laha where a camp for internally displaced persons is located.

US President Trump and an official from the Pentagon said that al-Baghdadi blew himself up after hiding in a dead-end tunnel killing himself, with family members around him. In his statement addressing the US people after the operation, Trump said al-Baghdadi dragged three of his children with him to the tunnel where they were killed with him after he blew himself up. He also mentioned that 11 children were taken out of the area uninjured. However, Newsweek, reporting US Defense officials said that only al-Baghdadi’s wife was killed in the operation but none of his children were injured. Other Pentagon sources claimed that al-Baghdadi’s two wives were killed by blowing themselves up with explosive vests, but none of his children were injured.

Describing the scene of the operation, local medical sources said that as a result of the operation, a house was completely destroyed and a number of tents were burned. Seven bodies were found in the area, among them  bodies of a child and three women, in addition to five injuries.

According to Shbabbek.com, among seven bodies found near the area, three of them belong to civilians who happened to be passing by during the time of the operation, and that many cars moving around were targeted. Reuters also reported that the bodies of three men and three women were found in addition to al-Baghdadi’s. His companion and security man Ghazawan Arrawi is also believed to have been killed in the operation.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1–3 children1–2 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–11
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    United States Armed Forces

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (44) [ collapse]

  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Location of the American forces landing and killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the town of Barisha - north Idlib. (via EMC)
  • Photos of the al-Baghdadi location targeted by US forces on 26/27 October 2019. (via Idlib Plus)
  • Photos of the al-Baghdadi location targeted by US forces on 26/27 October 2019. (via Idlib Plus)
  • Photos of the al-Baghdadi location targeted by US forces on 26/27 October 2019. (via Idlib Plus)
  • Photos of the al-Baghdadi location targeted by US forces on 26/27 October 2019. (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial photos of the house targeted by US forces #Baghdadi (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial photos of the house targeted by US forces #Baghdadi (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial photos of the house targeted by US forces #Baghdadi (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial photos of the house targeted by US forces #Baghdadi (via Idlib Plus)
  • Aerial Photos of the house where the al-Baghdadi leader of ISIS was targeted by American troops in the village of Barisha, northern Idlib (26-27 October 2019) - Via MMC
  • Aerial Photos of the house where the al-Baghdadi leader of ISIS was targeted by American troops in the village of Barisha, northern Idlib (26-27 October 2019) - Via MMC
  • Aerial Photos of the house where the al-Baghdadi leader of ISIS was targeted by American troops in the village of Barisha, northern Idlib (26-27 October 2019) - Via MMC
  • Aerial Photos of the house where the al-Baghdadi leader of ISIS was targeted by American troops in the village of Barisha, northern Idlib (26-27 October 2019) - Via MMC
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Photos of the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was successfully targeted by US forces in Barisha/Idlib on 26-27 October 2019 (Via Shaam Network)
  • Child in the location where the US forces operation killed al-Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib on 26/27 October 2019 (via SMART).
  • Man standing in the location where the US forces operation killed al-Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib on 26/27 October 2019 (via SMART).
  • Children in the location where the US forces operation killed al-Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib on 26/27 October 2019 (via SMART).
  • Child in the location where the US forces operation killed al-Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib on 26/27 October 2019 (via SMART).

United States Armed Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United States Armed Forces
  • United States Armed Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (1–3 children1–2 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–11
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    United States Armed Forces

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1932

Incident date

September 19, 2019

Location

قرية الزر, Al Zur, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two unidentified men were killed by an alleged drone strike from the International Coalition in the morning of September 19th, according to local sources.

It is unclear whether these were civilians. Several sources claimed the men were masked and riding a motorcycle when they were hit by an airstrike, which Euphrates Post believed to have been a drone strike.

Activists told Smart news that it was not possible to identify the victims because their bodies were burned, but were  “most likely to be two members of the Islamic State”.

Ain Hasaka claimed that activists later revealed the identity of one of the dead as  Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana.

No other details are known at this time.

The incident occured in the morning.

  • Abboud al-Fahad Adult male a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana killed

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the remains of the victims of an alleged US drone strike on Al Zur on September 19th (via Euphrates Post).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the burning remains of the vitims of an alleged US drone strike on Al Zur on September 19th (via Deir Ezzor 24).
  • Smoke coming up from the scene after two people on a motorcycle were alleged killed by the US-led Coalition on September 19th (via Minarat Furat).
  • Activists revealed the identity of one of the killed victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Zur on September 9th; Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana (via Ain Hasaka).
  • Activists revealed the identity of one of the killed victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Zur on September 9th; Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana (via Ain Hasaka).
  • Activists revealed the identity of one of the killed victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Zur on September 9th; Abboud al-Fahad, a close relative of ISIS leader Hammam al-Tayyana (via Ain Hasaka).

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1930

Incident date

September 4, 2019

Location

معيزيلة, Maizeela, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

The child Ali al-Ahmad was alleged killed at dawn during a landing operation carried out by the International Coalition in between the towns of Maizeela and the village of Marat on the road Deir Ezzor and the province al-Hasakeh. Local sources reported that the operation was accompanied by a military convey believed to be from the SDF. Three other civilians were reportedly arrested.

The incident occured around dawn.

  • Ali al-Ahmad Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1931

Incident date

September 4, 2019

Location

الحداجة, Al Hadaja, Hassakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that two civilians were killed during a landing operation from the International Coalition forces.

According to Asrar7days, “local sources indicated that the US occupation helicopters carried out an aerial landing by the lake of Al-Bassel dam towards the east, reaching Wadi Al-Raml and another in Al-Haddaja village amid fear and panic among the residents as a result of heavy shooting and attempting to terrorize civilians and force them to leave their jobs and evacuate their areas of presence and oblige them to stay. In their homes, the landing resulted in the death of two people who were not identified by the local population because of the difficulty of access to them.”

No other details are known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1928

Incident date

August 31, 2019

Location

كفرجالس, Kafr Jalis, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.977803, 36.643374 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Exact location (via Airwars)

Airwars assessment

In an airstrike confirmed by CENTCOM, US forces struck what it reported to be an Al-Qaeda command center in northern Idlib. Local sources reported that the US strike struck a military headquarters belonging to “Ansar Al-Tawhid” in the town of Kafr Nabil, but added that civilian houses were struck nearby as well, resulting in a number of deaths and wounded.

The US Central Command under the Pentagon reported that US forces had struck an al-Qaeda facility north of Idlib in Syria on Saturday. According to Lieutenant Colonel Earl, “the operation targeted al-Qaeda leaders in Syria responsible for attacks that threaten American citizens, our partners and innocent civilians,” Brown, the head of media operations at the Central Command, told Reuters in an e-mailed statement.

However, local sources claimed that children and women from the families of members of ISIS living in the area were killed in the attack as well. According to Syria TV, 23 people were identified, including four people under the age of 18 and seven unidentified bodies. According to Alaraby, the children and women were family members of members of the terror organisation.

Step News Agency reported that 14 members of ISIS were killed and more than 23 were wounded. In addition, the source reported that a civilian by the name of Ahmed Youssef Yassou was killed when rocket shelling hit his farm.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that 29 people were killed, 22 wounded and one person went missing; 21 year old Khaled al-Sha’ban. The source identified the names of 22 victims. It further stated that the seven unidentified bodies were saved for forensic medicine.

Baladi estimated a total death toll of 30 people, most of whom were buried under the rubble, while Alquds reported on a total of 51 dead.

Russia accused the US of “endangering” a ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib province by carrying out the airstrike.

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 pm local time.

  • Ahmed Youssef Yassouf 65 years old male killed
  • Abdul Rahman Qandah 19 years old killed
  • Samir Ahmed Mohammed Ali 22 years old killed
  • Musa Ja'ma 21 years old killed
  • Suleiman Khaled Khatib 15 years old killed
  • Basil Al Khalaf Age unknown killed
  • Khalid Mohammed Fadl 17 years old killed
  • Muath Samir Fadel 16 years old killed
  • Abdul Salam Sayah 12 years old killed
  • Amjad al-Abrash 24 years old killed
  • Yacoub Ibrahim al-Rahman 20 years old killed
  • Omar Mohammed Aldani Age unknown killed
  • Ibrahim Mutasim Parish 21 years old killed
  • Abdul Hamid Satouf Al-Satouf 12 years old killed
  • Mohammed Omar Yehia Hababa 12 years old killed
  • Ibrahim Mahmoud Mohammed Ali 21 years old killed
  • Nizar al-Shami 20 years old killed
  • Yasser Khaddour 23 years old killed
  • Khaled Abu Khattab Age unknown killed
  • Nasser Abu Abdul Majeed Age unknown killed
  • Huthayfa Abu Abdul Hakim Age unknown killed
  • Aref Hamjou 15 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 29
  • (6 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 29
  • (6 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1927

Incident date

August 16, 2019

Location

المانعية, Al Man’iya, Ar Raqqa, Syria

Airwars assessment

“Two unidentified men” were reported killed in a Coalition ground operation in Al-Mananiya, east of Raqqa, on August 16th.

Suriye.u.a.d stated that “two unidentified men [were] killed after being shot by Coalition forces that carried out an airstrike on the village of Al-Mananiya east of Raqqa.”

Meanwhile, Shaam News stated that “Coalition Forces conducted an air-landing operation, targeting two displaced families in the village of Al-Man’iya in the eastern countryside.”

It is unclear at this point whether the men were civilians or belligerents.

Airwars has set a possible civilian casualty range of 0 to two, and is conducting ongoing research.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1926

Incident date

August 1, 2019

Location

قرية بكعة في تل حميس, Baka`a Village in the area of Tal Hamis, Al Hasaka, Syria

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were reported killed by an alleged Coalition action in Baka`a Village, Al Hasaka, on August 1st.

Al Khabour News reported that: “The International Coalition forces, backed by elements of the Democratic Unionist Party (BYD), committed a massacre in which six people, including children and women, were killed in the village of Beka`a in the area of ​​Tal Hamis in the province of Hasaka.”

The Khabour correspondent stated: “Two aircraft belonging to the International Alliance landed in the village of Beka`a, before heavy machine guns and rockets hit several houses in the village [….].The bombing led to the death of an entire Iraqi family, after the collapse of the house over their heads.”

According to this source, Coalition forces “withdrew immediately after the destruction of the house, without retrieving any bodies.”

Meanwhile, NSyria News reported that “the anti-terrorist forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces carried out an aerial landing operation supported by the International Coalition in the countryside of the town of Tal Hamis in northern Syria.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “that the anti-terrorism forces, with the support of the international Coalition, carried out an air landing near the Syrian-Iraqi border in the town of Tal Hamis in the countryside of the province of Hasaka.

“The Syrian Observatory confirmed that two members of the family of one of the ‘Islamic State’ cells in the region were arrested, in addition to the sources of weapons in their possession.”

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "The operation resulted in the arrest of Sabah Ali Muhammad and Razzaq Ali Muhammad. They found pistols, magazines, hand grenades and electronic devices used in terrorist operations." (via Vedeng News)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1925

Incident date

July 29, 2019

Location

قرية الزر في منطقة البصيره, Al Zer area near Al-Busayrah area, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Zer killed claimed the lives of a number of people and injured others, although it is unclear whether they were combatants or non-combatants.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it “learned from a number of reliable sources that helicopters affiliated to the International Coalition targeted a cell of the ‘Islamic State’ organisation that was hiding in Hawijat Al-Busayrah in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, which resulted in the killing of five of the cell’s members of the Syrian nationality amid information about the killing of a sixth non-Syrian member”.

According to Step News, five members were of Syrian nationality, two of them from the village of Zer, and the other three from the village of Saalu in the eastern village of Deir al-Zour.

However, Syrian-regime affiliated source SANA News claimed that “a number of civilians were martyred and other were injured, most of them women and children”.

Baladi also blamed the Coalition for the death of five civilians and named the victims as “Abdul Karim Mohammed al-Wattb, the son of Hussein al-Hindula ,and a young from the town of Zer, whose name is still unknown, as well as two young men from the town of Saalu, west of the town of Al-Mayadin”.

Nabd News reported: “Coalition spokesman Scott Rawlinson told AFP Coalition forces launched a raid on a Daesh near the vision in the rural north of Deir al-Zour. The raid on Sunday night killed five terrorists who played a key role in facilitating attacks in the region against security forces and innocent civilians, according to Rawlinson”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Airwars grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]