Incident Code

CI453

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3738, 41.04571
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I378)

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.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2

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

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
2
Stated location
near Al Qaim, Iraq
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU881055
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For February 8th-9th the Coalition did not report any strikes in the vicinity of Al Qa’im.
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2017-04-30
Original Source
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.
Iraq Government Forces Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Iraq Government Forces
Iraq Government Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed