Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS244

Incident date

June 30, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two families were reported killed in an alleged Coalition dawn airstrike on Manbij, in the vicinity of the city’s al Lamiya roundabout. According to Manbij Mother of the World, nine civilians were buried at the Al Sheikh Akeel cemetery.

Six ISIL fighters reportedly died in an apparent strike on an anti-aircraft position. But the nearby home of Mustapha al Hamdoni was also struck, leading the deaths of his daughters and their chldren.

Halab Today placed the civilian death toll at 10, while the Syrian Network said seven died. All reports blamed the Coalition.

A later Syrian Network investigation reported the following: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted a residential building near Al Lamba circle. The building is owned by Mr. Kamel Mustafa Al Hamdoni. The bombardment resulted in the killing of seven civilians from Al Hamdoni family including three children and three women whose names weren’t acquired (They are the daughters and grandsons of Kamel Mustafa Al Hamdoni).

Residents in the area told us that ISIS, who were controlling the city at the time, occupied the lower floor of Al Hamdoni building and some of the military vehicles and cars belonging to ISIS stationed in front of the building before the bombing. The city is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Family members (3)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3–7 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.51003, 37.94878

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA0586841035
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • June 30, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 2996/CS244 37SDA0586841035

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

June 30, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available
evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as
a result of a Coalition strike. 2996/CS244 37SDA0586841035

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3–7 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (12) [ collapse]