Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI118

Incident date

October 5, 2015

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.43304, 44.02941 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians were killed from one family after US aircraft bombed their home in Atshana Village, in eastern Hawijah district.

In a January 2016 report the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq appeared to confirm the report, noting: “On 5 October, an airstrike mistakenly targeted a civilian house in Atshana village, east of Hawija and southwest of Kirkuk, that belonged to the Mukhtar of the village, killing eight persons from the same family, including several women and children and the Mukhtar himself.”

On April 22nd 2016, CENTCOM confirmed eight civilians died in the attack: “On Oct. 5, 2015, in Atshanah, Iraq, near Al Huwayjah, during a strike on ISIL personnel, it is assessed that eight civilians were killed during a strike on a mortar fire position used by enemy fighters.“

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mukhtar of village (unnamed)
Adult male killed
Female relative of Mukhtar
Adult female killed
Female relative of Mukhtar
Adult female killed
Child 1 of Mukhtar
Child killed
Child 2 of Mukhtar
Child killed

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to 35.3240179, 43.77335

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women1–2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ 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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    in Atshanah, Iraq, near Al Huwayjah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SME119215
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016
  • On Oct. 5, 2015, in Atshanah, Iraq, near Al Huwayjah, during a strike on ISIL personnel, it is assessed that eight civilians were killed during a strike on a mortar fire position used by enemy fighters.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women1–2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]