Airwars assessment
There were claims by local sources that as many as 70 civilian casualties occurred in Mosul as a result of Coalition strikes, ISIL bombardment or Iraq Army actions.
Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that 70 civilians were killed or wounded by “either” the Coalition or Iraqi government artillery.
Other reports put the toll lower, including one released by Al Taghier Channel, which put the toll at 36 killed and wounded. Additional outlets reported that ISIL had committed massacres in areas of Mosul recaptured by government forces.
In a January 2nd 2017 statement which may refer to this or the following event, the Coalition noted: Nov. 24, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike. A senior official later informed Airwars that the alleged incident had come to light as a result of internal reporting.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (6) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]
Attached to this civilian harm incident is the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, 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.
US-led Coalition Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.
Original strike reports
For November 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and a sniper position; destroyed six mortar systems, three vehicles, two heavy machine guns, two VBIEDs, and two command and control nodes; damaged four supply routes and two bridges; and suppressed a tactical unit and a mortar system.” For November 24th-25th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed three ISIL-held buildings, two mortar systems, two vehicles, a VBIED, an artillery system, and a weapons cache; damaged a supply route; and suppressed a mortar system.”