Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CI237

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.036997, 40.285862
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I200)

According to local sources, a Coalition airstrike at Ar Rutbah resulted in the deaths of seven civilians and the injuring of an additional 13.

News of Iraq reported that the attack destroyed the house of Aref Abrash in Methaq neighbourhood, and the home of Abdullah al-Fayad near the Mustafa mosque.

A propaganda video issued by Al A’Amaq showed a number of injured civilians, along with widespread damage to central Ar Rutbah.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
13

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ar Rutbah (الرطبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.036997, 40.285862. 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
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
Reason for non-credible assessment
No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
MGRS coordinate
37SFS200561
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For May 10th-11th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Rutbah, one strike produced inconclusive results.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2020-03-25
Original Source
May 11, 2016 in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2949/CI237 37SFS200561

Media From Sources (1)