Incident Code

CI056

Location

فايده, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.5125336, 43.2689667
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I040)

Five Kurdish non-combatants, all from the same family, died in a reported Coalition strike on the village of Fadhiliyah, near Mosul. A major field investigation by the Guardian later identified the dead.

Three family members survived the attack though were injured. Rahim, an eyewitness and relative, told the Guardian: “We wrapped the dead in blankets and buried them the same day.”

CENTCOM later confirmed that the coalition had struck targets at Fadhiliya on April 4, with a spokesman adding that it was “looking into this further”. Local MP Mala Salim Juma Mohammad said he had been able to confirm that the family had no connection to militants, adding of the strike that “It was a mistake. The coalition needs to compensate the family adequately.”

A declassified CENTCOM report published by Airwars in August 2015 revealed that a US A-10 Warthog had struck the village, in response to a ‘troops in contact’ request by a unit labelled the Irbil Strike Cell. As the report notes, “Strike imagery shows a structure in the strike radius” and a formal investigation was launched into the attack. The results are not presently known.

Victims

Family members (5)

Hazem Abdulla Shahin
69 years old male Named by The Guardian, father killed
Nadya Nouri Dawoud
60 years old female Named by The Guardian, mother killed
Laith Hazem Abdulla
43 years old male Named by The Guardian, son killed
Hana Ali Abdulla
43 years old female pregnant Named by The Guardian, bride of Laith Hazem Abdulla killed
Danya Laith Hazem
8 years old male Named by The Guardian, daughter of Laith Hazem Abdulla and Hana Ali Abdulla killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
5
1 Child, 2 Women, 2 Men
Civilians reported injured
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Fadhiliya (فايده), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.5125336, 43.2689667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Open incident
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
Al Fadiliya, Iraq
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2015-05-01
Original Source
5 KIA, 1 WIA At 2225Z [zulu = local time] the Irbil Strike Cell received a report of Troops in Contact IVO Mosul, IRQ. KRSC reported DShsK contact from al-Fadhiliya village [ ] A-10 US engaged with GBU-38s utilizing ROE 008. Initial BDA was assessed as 2x DShsK fighting positions destroyed. Strike imagery shows a structure in the strike radius. USEMB later received CIVCAS allegation. 4/6/2015: CJFLCC-I is preparing the "first impressions report" to determine a credibility assessment IAW CENTCOM. If the allegation is found to be credible, an AR-15 6 will be conducted and if the allegation is found to be not-credible it will be filed.

Media From Sources (2)