US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CI784

Incident date

June 23, 2017

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.345859, 43.130101 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an attack on Mosul’s Old City.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS mortar position, it was assessed that two civilians, were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the event on Nabi Jorjis street.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3220023933
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017
  • June 23, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS mortar position, it was assessed that two civilians, were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 16 fighting positions, eight medium machine guns, three mortar systems, an artillery system, an ISIS-held building, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged a fighting position; and suppressed two mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 22, near Mosul, Iraq, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven vehicles, two medium machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, an ISIS staging area, a fighting positon, and a VBIED; and suppressed two mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI058

Incident date

April 12, 2015

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.32345, 43.77659 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Internal monitoring by the Coalition initially identified two possible civilian casualties from an airstrike at Hawijah. The attack, on a High Value target code-named ANDERS MESA, was carried out by an A-10 Warthog.

According to a CENTCOM report declassified in September 2015, “2 civilians unseen in the collateral calls may have been killed or injured as a result of the strike.” A note added that a Task Force was “working with subordinate units to conduct an assessment of the strike.”

On January 15th 2016, CENTCOM publicly conceded that two non combatants had likely died in this US airstrike: “On April 12, 2015, near Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL tactical unit, it was assessed that two unidentified civilians were killed.”

Airwars researchers have not identified any published allegations of civilian casualties from the time, though news reports did report approximately 30 Daesh fighters killed in a strike in the vicinity.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of the event to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 35.3240179, 43.77335

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
    2
  • Stated location
    near Al Huwayjah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE888096
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 15, 2016
  • On April 12, 2015, near Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL tactical unit, it was assessed that two unidentified civilians were killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Confirmed on January 15th 2016. For April 12th-13th 2015, the Coalition had originally reported that “Near Al Huwayjah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI527

Incident date

March 9, 2017

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.36655, 43.08948 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown civilian casualty event, the Coalition confirmed in April 2017 that two civilians died during an attack on a vehicle.

As their civilian casualty report noted, “March, 9, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a moving vehicle, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when the target vehicle passed their location at the time of the strike.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for the event, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ 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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF286263
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • March, 9, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a moving vehicle, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when the target vehicle passed their location at the time of the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Mosul, fives strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed six vehicles, five tanker trucks, four mortar systems, 4 VBIEDs, two supply caches, a fighting position, an artillery system, an ISIS-held building, a tactical vehicle, an ISIS headquarters, and a weapons storage facility; damaged 32 supply routes; and suppressed nine mortar teams, a sniper team, a medium machine gun team, and an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI820a

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

near Qadiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.43144, 42.63615 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the US-led Coalition admitted on Sep. 27, 2018 that it had killed two civilians and injured two others.

The monthly civilian casualty report read: “August 1, 2017, near Qadiya, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike two civilians were injured and two civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

  • Marker showing the MGRS coordinate, accurate to 100 m, provided by CJTF–OIR

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Bing

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
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Qadiya, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF881344
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018
  • August 1, 2017, near Qadiya, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike two civilians were injured and two civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Aug. 1, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed a piece of ISIS engineering equipment and a front-end loader.
Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a VBIED.
Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four front-end loaders, a supply cache and a command and control node.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI496

Incident date

February 28, 2017

Location

نابلس, Mosul, Nablous, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.323671, 43.085407 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event near Mosul.

Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED factory, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a ten metre box. The location given placed the event at a vocational school in the Nablous area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    2
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    10 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF28142155
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • Feb. 28, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED factory, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 27th-28th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed seven mortar systems, four vehicles, four fighting positions, three ISIS-held buildings, two anti-air systems, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two VBIEDs, a supply cache, a VBIED facility and a UAV control station; damaged six tunnels and six supply routes; and suppressed 21 mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI439

Incident date

January 26, 2017

Location

الدواسة, Mosul, Dawassa area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.332926, 43.142922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Baghdadia and Muez Al Ubiedi (Facebook) said that in the Wells and Dawasa neighborhoods two people were killed and fifteen wounded, mostly children. They blamed the US for the bombing. The Coalition has conceded the casualties.

Al Rawed posted an Al A’Amaq [ISIL propaganda] video showing “the damage left behind by US aircraft [as it] bombed residential areas on the left side of the city of Mosul”. The witness in the video said that two civilian houses and a wool factory had just been targeted by a US missile.

The Coalition announced on March 4th that it was conducting an assessment into an event on Mosul for January 26th. In July it reported: “Jan 26, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED factory, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed and 15 were injured in an adjacent structure.”

Coalition officials provided Airwars with the precise coordinates 38SLF 3332322476 – which are for Dawasa.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ 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 in adjacent structure
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    15
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3332322476
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • Jan 26, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED factory, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed and 15 were injured in an adjacent structure.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 25th-26th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed three mortar systems and two watercraft; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI595

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Location

Mosul, Matahin, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336294, 43.092985 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of seven civilians in an event in the al Matahin neighbourhood in western Mosul.

The June 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.”

Coordinates supplied by officials to Airwars placed the event in the Al Matahin neighbourhood. None of the six strikes reported by Airwars that day in Mosul were located in the Al Matahin neighbourhood or in its vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2884822937
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • March 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 29th-30th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed two command and control nodes, two mortar systems, a fighting position, and a UAV facility; damaged 19 supply routes; and suppressed 10 ISIS mortar teams and seven ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI352

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.291024, 43.198598 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians near Mosul.

Their January 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike on ISIL fighters and a technical vehicle it is assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed by the munition’s strike blast.”

A senior official later informed Airwars that the alleged incident had come to light as a result of internal reporting.

The Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for the event, accurate to within a one metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    2
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3823417733
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • Nov. 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: During a strike on ISIL fighters and a technical vehicle it is assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed by the munition’s strike blast.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 25th-26th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed three vehicles, three ISIL-held buildings, three mortar systems, a VBIED facility, a VBIED, a supply cache, a watercraft, and a fighting position; degraded a VBIED facility and seven roads; and suppressed a mortar system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]