Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CI345

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375659, 42.451536
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I294)

At least 15 civilians were killed and 33 injured by either Coalition or Iraqi airstrikes, according to local sources. The Coalition later denied any role in the incident.

Al Jazeera cited local medical sources and reported that 15 civilians were killed and 33 others injured by Iraqi Air Force and Coalition airstrikes in Tal Afar. A number of other outlets, including Syria News and Ajel.tv, reported the exact same figures. Some reports, including from Instant Reporting Team, only referenced Coalition aircraft.

A Coalition statement issued January 2nd 2017 noted: Nov. 22, 2016, near Tal Afar, Iraq: No Coalition strikes were conducted on structures in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
33

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tall Afar (تل عفر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.375659, 42.451536. 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
Stated location
Tal Afar, Iraq
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For November 21st-22nd, the Coalition did not report a strike “near Tal Afar,” but did report “Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-01-02
Original Source
No Coalition strikes were conducted on structures in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Media From Sources (1)