Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI229

Incident date

April 19, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34597, 43.09889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, up to eight civilians were killed and others injured after Coalition jets struck the Al Hadbah apartment complex in western Mosul. “Many” Daesh fighters were also reported killed.

NRN said it was a nighttime attack: “Our correspondent says the bombing killed and wounded a number of civilians, noting that foreign elements in Daash were also killed during the shelling. Our correspondent also said the bombing caused considerable material damage to residential buildings and civilian property.” Iraqi Revolution said a neighbourhood gas station was also hit in the Coalition attack.

Reports described the Al Hadbah complex as being inhabited by Daesh fighters and their immediate families.

Two victims were later named two (who may have been sewage workers for the city.), and Daesh-linked A’Amaq media claimed that four children, two women and a man were killed. Al Noor also said that four children and their mother died.

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 April 19th.”

On July 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “April. 19, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS facility, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 20 were injured.”

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.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male (via Yosif Almashadany FB) killed
Age unknown male (via Yosif Almashadany FB) killed

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.34585235, 43.09857692

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1–2 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ 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
    8
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    20
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF294240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • April. 19, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS facility, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 20 were injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports for April 19th-20th 2016 that “Near Mosul, nine strikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL-used power plant, and four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL supply caches, an ISIL mortar system, and two ISIL vehicles and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1–2 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]