Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI453

Incident date

February 9, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3738, 41.04571 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that seven civilians were killed and many others injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted the city of Al Qa’im, in the west of Anbar province.

While two sources blamed the Coalition for the raids, Al Mayadeen Alhadath (Facebook) said “planes of [the] Iraqi forces were committing a massacre in the bombing of the neighbourhoods of Al Qaim city.”

In their April 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition confirmed a civilian casualty event in the immediate area: “Feb. 9, 2017, near Al Qaim, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a moving vehicle, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured when they entered the target area after the munition was released.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated this incident to the nearest city at 34.3957715, 40.9943684

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Al Qaim, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU881055
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • Feb. 9, 2017, near Al Qaim, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a moving vehicle, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured when they entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 8th-9th the Coalition did not report any strikes in the vicinity of Al Qa’im.

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
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]