Incident Code

CI183

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I157)

According to multiple reports, an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hawijah resulted in at least 13 civilian deaths.

Al Jazeera reported that 16 died in the incident, which it attributed to the Coalition. The Al Amaq Agency (which often distributes Islamic State propaganda) reported that 13 civilians died in a ‘Coalition strike’ while 11 were injured. Local reporter Hamid Hadeed claimed that a family of six were among the dead. Images from the impact site appear to show significant damage to a building.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes in Kirkuk province that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

 

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Civilians reported killed
13–16
Civilians reported injured
11

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Hawijah (الحويجة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.3240179, 43.77335. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Not yet assessed
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
The Coalition reports that on January 25th-26th 2016 “Near Al Huwayjah, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Media From Sources (2)