Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI624

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

دور موظفي السكك, Mosul, Sekak, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.33881, 43.10241 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that three named civilians were killed including a child, after an airstrike struck their house in Sekak neighborhood in West Mosul.

The Coalition later accepted responsibility for the event, publishing an assessment in December 2018 that stated: “On Apr. 10, 2017, near Sekak (Mosul), Iraq, via Airwars report. The Coalition aircraft engaged two buildings used as ISIS fighting positions. The buildings and ISIS fighters were destroyed. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed during the explosion.”

Local residents reported on Facebook that Professor Yasser Al Habo (see image below) died in the raids, together with his one-year-old daughter, and his nephew Professor Abdul Karim. Iraqyoon also quoted eyewitnesses saying that three people from one family died in the Railway neighbourhood.

While most sources did not specify the culprit, Shafaaq and Al Jazeera indicated that the Coalition was responsible. The Iraqi Spring Media Center posted a video, which it said showed “the destruction of the civilian homes in Sikak neighborhood, their cars and a wounded man who was injured when shelling targeted Khalid Bin Al-waleed Masjid at the right side of Mosul.

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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Yasser Al Habo
Adult male Professor, uncle killed
Abdul Karim
Adult male Professor, nephew killed
Daughter of Yasser Al Habo
1 years old female killed

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest street at 36.329341, 43.125032

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Professor Yasser Al Habo allegedly died in an airstrike on the Railway neighbourhood, together with his daughter and nephew (via Yasir Ahmed Alhussien, Facebook)
  • Another picture of Yasser Al Habo (centre front row, via Hiatham Saddi)
  • Video of the aftermath

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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    3
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Sekak (Mosul), Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF297232
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018
  • On Apr. 10, 2017, near Sekak (Mosul), Iraq, via Airwars report. The Coalition aircraft engaged two buildings used as ISIS fighting positions. The buildings and ISIS fighters were destroyed. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed during the explosion.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 9th-10th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, five mortar systems, three medium machine guns, and a vehicle; damaged 22 supply routes; and suppressed four mortar teams.”

For April 10th-11th it reported: "Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a supply cache, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an anti-air artillery system, one VBIED; damaged a fighting position; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit and a mortar team."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]