Incident Code

CI874

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Central, Al Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.39539, 40.99403
Accuracy: Within 100m (via Coalition)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: I674)

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.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Civilians reported killed
45–50
Civilians reported injured
12–24

Geolocation Notes

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

Military Statements

U.S.-led Coalition Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S.-led Coalition
U.S.-led Coalition position on incident
Credible / Substantiated
Given reason for civilian harm
Killed by strike blast
Civilian deaths conceded
1
Civilian injuries conceded
None
Stated location
near Al Qaim, Iraq
Location accuracy
100 m
MGRS coordinate
37SFU833078
U.S.-led Coalition Strike Report
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.”
U.S.-led Coalition Civilian Casualty Statement
2018-11-29
Original Source
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.