Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI114

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Location

داقوق, Duquq, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.1352647, 44.2513895 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A strike by what at the time was an unknown aircraft killed eight civilians in Yurgon (or Alarkon) village near Duquq, according to local reports. The US led Coalition admitted responsibility for seven deaths in March 2020.

Waradana at the time cited one anonymous source: “The bombing led to the destruction of a number houses… The village is still under the control of Daesh terrorists, who take civilians as human shields, and prevent them from dispersing to areas controlled by the Iraqi government.”

Citing an anonymuos security source, NINA said that the village was located on a Daesh supply route: “International coalition aircraft bombed a residential house at the entrance to Alarkon village south of Kirkuk, which led to the martyrdom of an entire family of seven including men, women and children.”

In March 2020, the US-led Coalition conceded the event, noting that “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh fighters. Regrettably, seven civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike.”

The Coalition provided assessment coordinates accurate to within 100m

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the town level at 35.140191, 44.446261.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

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 deaths conceded
    7
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Duquq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SMD318883
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Sept. 27, 2015 near Duquq, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh fighters. Regrettably, seven civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike. 2835/CI114 38SMD318883

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

One strike was reported neat Kirkuk for September 26th-27th 2015: “Near Kirkuk, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]