Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI874

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Central, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.39539, 40.99403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that raids carried out on Al Qaim had resulted in the deaths of at least 45 civilians and had left dozens of people injured. The US-led Coalition later conceded one civilian death in the event.

Both Omar Al Halbusi and the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq blamed the Coalition, with the latter citing a press source indicating the death of 45 civilians and dozens injured.

Yaqein also reported on aircraft and artillery bombing, indicating that indiscriminate shelling of residential areas took place in the centre of Al Qaim. The news agency put the death toll at between 45 and 50 civilians but did not identify the culprit.

In its November 2018 monthly casualty report the Coalition accepted responsibility for one death during the event, noting that “Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS headquarters. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally killed in the blast. The headquarters was destroyed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The incident was first reported on November 1, 2017 at 4:00 pm by .

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Qaim (القائم) for which the coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Qaim, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU833078
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018
  • On Nov. 1, 2017, near Al Qaim, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS headquarters. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally killed in the blast. The headquarters was destroyed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 31st-November 1st, the Coalition reported at the time that “Near Al Qaim, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and damaged an ISIS supply route and destroyed a command and control node, a weapons cache, an ISIS headquarters and a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]