Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI084

Incident date

July 17, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.38997, 43.14576 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Waiter Muhannad Hisham Alnemah was killed in a US airstrike near the Al Afandi Restaurant in the main street of Hadbah neighborhood. An unspecified additional number of restaurant staff and customers were also reported killed and injured in the attack.

In January 2016, CENTCOM admitted the civilian casualty incident, noting that “during strikes against ISIL fighters traveling in a vehicle, it was assessed one civilian was injured.”

According to the Mosul Ateka website [since destroyed by Islamic State] Muhannad had looked out of the restaurant door during the airstrike and had seen a terrified young child in the street. He rescued the child, but was then struck in the head by shrapnel as he re-entered the building. He later died of his injuries in hospital.

Muhannad’s death occurred on the first day of Eid, the public holiday celebrating the end of the Ramadan fasting period.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this incident accurate to within a 100 metre box. This clearly located the strike on the main street in Hadba neighbourhood,

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhannad Hisham Alnemah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Waiter Muhannad Hisham, killed in a US airstrike on Mosul July 17 2015 (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Another picture of the victim (via Mosul Ateka)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.34585235, 43.09857692

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
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF337288
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 22, 2016
  • On July 17, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, during strikes against ISIL fighters traveling in a vehicle, it was assessed one civilian was injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 16th-17th 2015 the coalition reports that: “Near Mosul, three airstrikes [2 Canadian] struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL technical vehicle, an ISIL mortar tube, two ISIL buildings and an ISIL bunker.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]