Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI730

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.347845, 43.110264 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of six civilians in an event near Mosul.

Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that six civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The given location placed the event in the Zanjili neighbourhood.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

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 deaths conceded
    6
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3042424188
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • May 23, 2017, near Mosul, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that six civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 20 fighting positions, seven VBIEDs, six medium machine guns, five rocket-propelled grenade systems, three rocket systems, a weapons cache, a command and control node, a vehicle, a mortar system, a house-borne IED; damaged 21 ISIS supply routes, a tunnel, a fighting position; and suppressed four ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]