Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI876

Incident date

April 2, 2018

Location

Al Qanus Island, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.68073, 43.28055 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event not tracked by Airwars at the time, in July 2018 the Coalition self-reported that it had accidentally killed one civilian and injured a second in an action near Qayarrah.

According to the report, “April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

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

Airwars researchers could find no public records of reported civilian harm in the area that day. They were however able to identify an ISIS propaganda video, which referenced “a martyrdom operation on a gathering of Iraqi forces near the village of Imam south of the city of Qayyarah.” The video itself has since been deleted.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.68073, 43.28055

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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 deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE444499
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 2nd, the Coalition reported that “On April 2 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets. Near Bayji, one strike engaged a Daesh tactical unit. One strike was conducted near Qayyarah.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]