Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI839

Incident date

September 7, 2017

Location

عنه, Anah, near Rafidain Bank, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.37167, 41.98286 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Yaqein reported on the aerial bombardment of International Alliance aircraft on the districts of Anah, injuring 7 civilians. However, in two later reports, the news agency stated that the Iraqi army launched air raids targeting residential areas. The US-led Coalition later accepted responsibility for the event, saying it had unintentionally injured seven civilians.

The Iraqi Spring Media quoted the town council chief Abdul Karim al-Ani who confirmed the injury of 7 civilians, including children. He also stated that the Rafidain Bank was targeted.

In its July 2018 monthly report, the Coalition noted: “September 7, 2017, near Anah, Iraq, via Airwars report. During a strike on Daesh command and control nodes, seven civilians were unintentionally injured.”

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.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the Rafidain Bank in the center of Anah. The coordinates for the Rafidain Bank are: 34.372268, 41.983302. The bank itself doesn’t seem to be damaged, but on satellite imagery available to Airwars structural damage to a building in the vicinity can be seen between June 24 and September 19, 2017

  • The Rafidain Bank and the location at which structural damage can be seen on satellite imagery between June 24 and September 19, 2017

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Bing

  • MGRS coordinates

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ 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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    7
  • Stated location
    near Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGU743074
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • September 7, 2017, near Anah, Iraq, via Airwars report. During a strike on Daesh command and control nodes, seven civilians were unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 6th – 7th the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed two ISIS front-end loaders.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]