Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI156

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.52068, 43.00152 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of five including three children was killed in a US airstrike on the Albothiab Island area of Ramadi.

The deceased, the Kazem family, were later named by Al Fallujah News.

CENTCOM confirmed the casualty event on April 22nd 2016, noting: “On Dec. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike on ISIL personnel at a suspected ISIL checkpoint, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after they unexpectedly moved into the target location after weapons were already in flight.“

It was also reported that the day before the incident, Iraqi government aircraft had targeted civilian taxis in the same area, killing two.

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)

Duraid Ibrahim Kazem
Adult male Father, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Nebras Abdul Alkarim
Adult male Mother, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Mustafa
Child male Child, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Mohammed
Child male Child, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Farah
Child female Child, named by Al Fallujah News killed

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 33.437441, 43.286666

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Family of five killed in a reported Coalition strike December 10 (via Ramadi News)

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    in Ramadi, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLC144108
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016
  • On Dec. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike on ISIL personnel at a suspected ISIL checkpoint, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after they unexpectedly moved into the target location after weapons were already in flight.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Ramadi, six strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL command and control nodes, an ISIL assembly area, two ISIL fighting positions, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]