Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI096

Incident date

August 24, 2015

Location

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3206914, 41.8641115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The monitoring site Iraq Body Count reported seven civilians killed at Sinjar. While these were described as Daesh fighters in reports, IBC classifies all those aged under 18 as children. At least one of those killed in the alleged airstrike was described as aged 15.

In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition classed the even as non credible on grounds of a current lack of available evidence: “Aug. 24, 2015, near Sinjar, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Sinjar (سنجار), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.3206914, 41.8641115. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:24:"insufficient_information";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Sinjar, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Coalition strikes were reported in the vicinity for August 24th-25th 2015: “Near Sinjar, four airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL armored vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]