Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI301

Incident date

October 21, 2016

Location

داقوق, Duquq, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.140191, 44.446261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 15 civilians – most or all women – were killed and 45 or more wounded by an airstrike which hit a Shi’ite shrine in Duquq, according to local sources. The Coalition later categorically denied that it was responsible for the event, with Iraqi aircraft most likely at fault.

Local official Amir Huda Karam told the AFP that “fifteen women were killed and another 50 wounded in a raid that targeted a Shi’ite place of worship at Dakuk.”

The Middle East Eye noted that the strike took place as “IS launched a major attack on the city of Kirkuk on Friday” which they said killed 18 members of the security forces. Duquq is roughly 30km south of the city of Kirkuk. Neither the AFP or Middle East Eye identified who carried out the strike.

However Yagein blamed the Coalition, and further reported that the strike hit a funeral, resulting in the deaths of “ten women… and a number of men.” Other outlets, including Iraqi Spring and Alghadeer TV also blamed the Coalition, and noted the victims were mostly women. Photographs posted by the Duquq Photographers Union showed a heavily damaged building, the front of which was destroyed.

On October 23rd, the chief Coalition spokesman stated on Twitter that “. has determined definitively that we did not conduct the airstrike w/reported civilian casualties in Daquq.” Al Araby later reported that an Iraqi Sukhoi had been responsible for the attack – and that the pilot and navigator were now under investigation.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (15 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    45–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Images of the aftermath of the attack
  • Coalition tweet denying any involvement
  • Pictures from the funeral of the supposed victims
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Dahuk, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 21st-22nd the Coalition reported “Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three vehicles,” and “Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three vehicles.” It also reported “Near Bashir, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed a weapons cache”.

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
    15
  • (15 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    45–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]