Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI297

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Location

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.157604, 43.257238 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the second day of the offensive to recapture Mosul, Coalition strikes reportedly damaged a medical center in the south of the city leaving several dead, including at least three children.

Al Rafidain Network for Human Rights reported that “American” bombings targeted a health center in Hamam al-Alil, south of Mosul. Ahmed Mashal posted that an “American bombing raid” hit the center, leaving a number of “civilian casualties, including children.”

A graphic video posted on social media, appearing to originate from an ISIL-controlled outlet, showed at least three children dead wrapped in blankets. What appear to be portions of the medical center are reduced to rubble.

Given reported British actions in the area that day, Airwars flagged the incident to the UK’s MoD which said ” we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the event. However given that RAF strikes were reported south east of Mosul, Airwars has requested further clarification.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Hamam al Alil (حمام العليل), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.157604, 43.257238. 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
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 17th-18th the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and two staging areas; destroyed 10 mortar systems, five artillery systems, four ISIL-held buildings, four fighting positions, four vehicles, two supply caches, two repeater tower generators, a VBIED facility, and a VBIED; and suppressed four tactical units and three rocket positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]