Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CI607

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375659, 42.451536
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I475)

Local sources reported that twenty civilians were killed and six injured, among them many children, at Tal Afar west of Mosul. All claimed that the US or the Coalition was responsible, although Iraq Air Force aircraft had also struck the town.

Iraqi Spring Media Center posted several graphic photos, picturing the aftermath of the strikes and body parts, including that of a young child.

The area had seen heavy fighting between Iraqi security forces and ISIL, and the Coalition confirmed a strike in the vicinity on the day in question.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
6

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
Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
Civilian deaths conceded
None
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near the near Tal Afar, Iraq
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
38SKF710290
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For April 3rd-4th the Coalition publicly reported no strikes at Tal Afar though did cite other attacks elsewhere in Nineveh: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS machine gun team; destroyed five fighting positions, two VBIED factories, a weapons facility, and an anti-air artillery system; damaged three supply routes and three fighting positions; and suppressed four ISIS mortar teams, two ISIS tactical units, and an ISIS artillery team.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-02-22
Original Source
After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Media From Sources (1)