Conflict

U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Incident Code

CI853

Location

بطمة, Al Butma near Huwaija, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.503101, 43.888521
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I657)

Local media reported airstrikes in Huwaija south of Kirkuk province, during an Iraqi assault to capture the city from ISIS.

Yagein alleged the US-led Coalition was responsible and cited dead and wounded following the raids. Alzab made a plea to ISF: We hope the security forces ascertain the proper coordinates of their goals in order to protect the safety of innocents after a bomb reportedly struck the family home of Hussain Ali al-Jawamir in the village of Al-Butma in the areas of al-Jabr district Hawija. Alzab did not provide additional information on civilian casualties.

Moreover, in Hawija, 48 terrorists were alleged killed according to a Shafaaq news report, with the US-led Coalition again considered responsible. The air raids reportedly destroyed a Daesh headquarter in Huwaija and warehouses.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Butma (بطمة), near Hawija (الحویجه) in the south of Kirkuk governorate. The coordinates for this village are: 35.5031010, 43.8885210.

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Non credible / Unsubstantiated
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 Batmah, Hawijah, Iraq
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
For September 23rd-24th the Coalition reported: “Near Huwijah, 10 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed 18 VBIEDs, 12 vehicles, five fighting positions, six weapons caches, three heavy machine guns, three VBIED factories, two tunnel entrances, an IED storage facility, a command and control node, an ISIS trailer, and an ISIS oil storage tank, a mortar system, a tactical vehicle, a recoilless rifle; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units and two mortar teams.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-06-28
Original Source
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.