Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI841

Incident date

September 7, 2017

Location

Abassi, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.274354, 43.595467 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 12 and as many as dozens of civilians were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Abbasi, Huweija in the Tamim province.

According to Al-Rafiden the Coalition launched 17 raids on the Huweija area. The Coalition was accused by the outlet of a bombardment on the city, that killed and wounded dozens of civilians; Yaqin cited well-informed sources who said that militias on the ground exceeded 40, 000 fighters, and were operating in conjunction with Coalition planes over-head.

In a subsequent report, a local source spoke to Yaqin, claiming that the bombing killed at least 12 people and destroyed a number of buildings – referring specifically to Abassi. In a third report, the number claimed killed in the Huweija area by the Coalition was suspected of being about 100. However, it appears that this is a general number over a longer period.

All sources blamed the US-led Coalition for the incident.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News covers the coalition airstrike on Huweija in the Tamim province where civilians were reported killed (via Al Rafidain Channel)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Abbasi (العباسي), Huweija, in the Kirkuk/Tamim province. It is unclear from reports if this means the town of Al-Abbasi (for which the coordinates are: 35.274354, 43.595467), or elsewhere in the subdistrict

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Abbasi, Hawijah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 6th – 7th the Coalition reported “Near Al Huwayjah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five oil stills, two ISIS-held buildings, two ISIS headquarters, and a front-end loader.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]