Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI081

Incident date

July 1, 2015

Location

الحويجة, Safra, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.1978122, 43.7934043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged strike by Coalition aircraft reportedly killed 18 civilians and injured a further 10, according to a single source.

Al Gharbiya claimed that a number of villages south west of Hawija were hit. “About 30 civilians were killed and wounded on Wednesday in a bombardment by an international warplane in several areas of the Hawija district, southwest of Kirkuk. A source familiar with the case, quoting eyewitnesses, said that “the aircraft of the International Coalition bombed today, areas in the villages of Kbeiba and Safra and Al-Rashad district of the province of Hawija south-west of Kirkuk.” The source added that “the retaliatory bombardment killed some 18 citizens and wounded ten others, some of them badly.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “July 1, 2015, in Safra, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2783/CI081 38SLD902956”.

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a number of villages southwest of Hawija, amongst which the village of Kbeiba (كبيبة) and Safra (الصفرة). Reports also mention the Al Rashad district (ناحية الرشاد). The generic coordinates for the village of Safra (الصفرة) are: 35.1978122, 43.7934043. However, sources don’t mention in which location civilian casualties occurred.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Safra, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLD902956
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • July 1, 2015, in Safra, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2783/CI081 38SLD902956

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Strikes were confirmed in the vicinity for July 1st-2nd 2015: “Near Al Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL building.”

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ collapse]