Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI261

Incident date

June 30, 2016

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.437441, 43.286666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The second sequence of Coalition and Iraqi strikes on a major vehicle convoy (see June 29th) again destroyed hundreds of vehicles. But civilian casualties were again feared.

Iraqi Revolution reported in the early hours of June 30th the martyrdom and wounding of dozens of displaced families between Tarrah and Ramadi island, after the government and international aircraft targeted their vehicles.

In a later chronology of the attack, War is Boring reported: Shortly after the first convoy’s destruction, Iraqi military intelligence received reports of another Islamic State convoy — around 30 vehicles — leaving Fallujah in a northwesterly direction.

Next came reports of militants — apparently survivors of the first column — killing many civilians east of Ramadi. On June 30, the Iraqi army deployed a number of Bell 407 scout helicopters and Mil Mi-28 gunships to reconnoitre the situation.

After encountering automatic weapons fire, the Iraqi pilots began manoeuvring for position, but this time the U.S. Air Force ordered all helicopters to vacate the area. Once the Iraqis were away, fighter-bombers under CJTF-OIR’s control launched their own attacks.

In the following hours, Iraqi army aviation flew dozens of medical evacuation sorties with Mi-17 and EC.635 helicopters, evacuating injured civilians from the vicinity of the coalition’s air raids, including many children.

War is Boring also noted that Whether they [the children] were victims of reported ISIS attacks on the local population, or of U.S. airstrikes, is presently unclear.

In their February 6th 2021 civilian casualty assessment report, The US-led Coalition reviewed the June 30th incident and deemed this incident non-credible, stating: “After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action”. CJTF-OIR cited “insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition action resulted in civilian casualties”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ramadi (الرمادي), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.437441, 43.286666. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows injured children following an additional strike targeted the ISIS convoy on June 30 (via War is Boring)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video shows the moment of targeting the ISIS/civilians convoy in Amiriyah Fallujah (via Champions Hawks Iraqi Air)
  • A video shows the targeted convoy which allegedly consisted of ISIS fighters in Amiriyah Fallujah. On the other hand, various sources claimed that there were ISIS families and civilians in the convoy (via National Iraqi News Agency)
  • A video shows the targeted convoy which allegedly consisted of ISIS fighters in Amiriyah Fallujah. On the other hand, various sources claimed that there were ISIS families and civilians in the convoy (via National Iraqi News Agency)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Near Fallujah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLC663080
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 4, 2021
  • Jun. 30, 2016, near Fallujah, Iraq via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2989/CI261 38SLC663080

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 30th-31st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Ramadi, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 23 ISIL vehicles, five ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL heavy machine guns, and three ISIL rocket rails.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerents
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]