Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI445

Incident date

January 30, 2017

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.345117, 43.049873 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that 11 civilians died in a Coalition airstrike at Tanak in western Mosul.

The Coalition later admitted a US strike in the near area, noting in their April 2017 civilian casualty report that “During a strike on an ISIS weapons manufacturing facility, it was assessed that one civilian in the building was unintentionally killed.” Officials confirmed to Airwars that this was at al Tanak.

A key early source at the time of the event appeared to be ISIL via its Al A’Amaq media arm, which noted “The death of 11 people, including children and women as a result of international coalition air strikes targeting life in the city of #Mosul yesterday evening.”

In an update published on February 5th, Mosul Ateka reported the subsequent death from his injuries of Mustafa Mayser Mahmoud – noting that his mother and father Mayser Mahmoud had also died in the incident.

The Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for the event, accurate to a one metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mustafa Mayser Mahmoud
Adult male Mustafa Mayser Mahmoud killed
Mayser Mahmoud
Adult male Father of killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 11
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mayser and his father (via Mosul Ateka)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Inside target building
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2499823993
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 1, 2017
  • Jan. 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS weapons manufacturing facility, it was assessed that one civilian in the building was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 29th-30th the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed five watercraft, four VBIED factories, four front-end loaders, an artillery system, a vehicle, two ISIL-held buildings and a command and control node; and suppressed an ISIL mortar team.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 11
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]