Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI108

Incident date

September 20, 2015

Location

جزيرة الخالدية, Khalidiya island, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.4301462, 43.5243986 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition strike at Khalidiya island, to the east of Ramadi, reportedly killed seven civilians including two cildren. Thirteen people were also reported injured, described as ‘mostly women and children.’

A Coalition report issued in December 2016 stated the following: “After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each alleged civilian casualty report, CJTF-OIR assessed that the following [12] reports received in October are non-credible. Non-credible means that at this time there is not sufficient evidence available to determine that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in alleged civilian casualties.

1. Sept. 20, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq: Insufficient evidence available to determine credibility.”

A different perspective was offered in July 2017 however, with the Coalition noting that “Sep. 20, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Given these apparently contradictory positions and confirmed strikes in the vicinity that day, Airwars is seeking additional information from the Coalition.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 19th-20th 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Ramadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL buildings.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]