Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI196

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Location

شارع بغداد, Mosul, Baghdad Street, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.32438, 43.10165 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to 5 civilians died, including children, when more than 30 Daesh fighters were killed and injured in alleged Coalitions strike on the Mayer garage near Baghdad Street in eastern Mosul.

According to NRN News, the night time attack targeted 40 trucks being used by Daesh to transport goods between Syria and Iraq. But five non-combatants also died. Among those injured in a second strike were members of the local civil defence force attending the scene.

A propaganda video later released by Al A’amaq showed significant destruction at the site, along with a number of dead and injured civilians.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible RAF involvement given declared strikes at Mosul that day, the UK MoD told Airwars: “There is no credible indication of potential UK involvement” in the alleged event of February 26th.

On July 7th, the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “Feb. 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: During strikes on an ISIS VBIED and weapons storage facility, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of secondary explosions.”

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

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 nearest street at 36.324818, 43.101468

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows burning supply trucks following a Feb 26 strike which also killed five civilians (via NRN 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
    Killed by secondary explosion(s)
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF296216
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • Feb. 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: During strikes on an ISIS VBIED and weapons storage facility, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of secondary explosions.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 26th-27th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, seven strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL VBIED facility, and an ISIL weapons storage facility and suppressed an ISIL mortar position and two ISIL rocket fire positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]