Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI753

Incident date

June 8, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35063, 43.10881 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources referred to the United Nations Human Rights Office saying that 50 to 80 civilians were killed after airstrikes and shelling hit Zanjili neighborhood in West Mosul.

In January 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft struck an ISIS building and unintentionally killed 10 civilians.”

Sawlf Ateka posted a video of a man from Zanjili, saying he lost twelve members of his family under the rubble, and left the house alone.

News of Iraq said in a Tweet that seven families had died under the rubble of their houses in Zanjili neighbourhood “near the mosque of the martyr Fares.” The same was reported by @OHAcaElqEGKAGH6. Both blamed the Iraqi army.

The Coalition provided Airwars with the coordinates for this event 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 it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3502851, 43.1098795

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 80
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Scenes from the aftermath of the attacks

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    10
  • Stated location
    near Zanjili neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF303245
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 31, 2019
  • June 8, 2017, near Zanjili neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft struck an ISIS building and unintentionally killed 10 civilians.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 7th-8th: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 fighting positions, three heavy machine guns, two VBIEDs, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a command and control node.”

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
    50 – 80
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]