US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

CI057

Incident date

April 8, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Maydan neighborhood, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to NINA, an intensive airstrike by the Coalition at dawn killed 11 civilians and injured a further four in Mosul. Strikes reportedly hit the neighbourhoods of Maydan, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran.

The news website Ajyal reported that up to 30 people had died in an airstrike on a juvenile prison in the city, “half of them militants, and half of them detainees.” However the source of the alleged strike was not made clear.

In July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of lack of available evidence: “April 8, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition has confirmed five airstrikes at Mosul for April 8th-9th 2015: “Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar tube, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI090

Incident date

August 6, 2015

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.036997, 40.284076 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were claims that a Coalition strike at ar Rutbah destroyed a family home in the Askari neighbourhood owned by Yaseen Al-Hiti and Jamal Raheem Uda Al-Kubeisi – who were both reported killed along with Mr al-Hiti’s wife Zia and one or two of their children – one a daughter also named Zia.

A further 8 to 10 civilians were reported injured in the event.

Iraqi Revolution also published several photographs of the aftermath of the event, including survivors receiving medical treatment.

In its monthly civilian casualty assessment for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event to be ‘non credible’, noting: “August 6, 2015, in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2788/CI090 37SFS199561”.

The Coalition also provided coordinates showing the area it had assessed, accurate to within 100 metres.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yaseen Al-Hiti
Adult male killed
Jamal Raheem Uda Al-Kubeisi
Age unknown male killed
Zia
Adult female Wife of Yaseen Al-Hiti killed
Zia
Child female Daughter of Yaseen Al-Hiti killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children1 woman1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–10
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An infant reportedly injured in an alleged Coalition strike at Ar Rutbah, August 6 2015 (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Jamal Raheem Uda Al-Kubeisi, killed in an alleged Coalition strike at ar Rutbah, August 6 2015 (via eulogy page)
  • Scene of alleged Coalition strike at Ar Rutbah, Iraq (August 6 2015 (via Iraqi Spring)
  • Aftermath of the attack (via Iraqi Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the alleged victims (via Iraqi Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the alleged victims (via Iraqi Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the alleged victims (via Iraqi Revolution)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Ar Rutbah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFS199561
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • August 6, 2015, in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2788/CI090 37SFS199561

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No Coalition strikes publicly reported at Ar Rutbah for August 5th-7th 2015.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children1 woman1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–10
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI123

Incident date

October 16, 2015

Location

يت, Hit, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.642631, 42.829814 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, ten civilians were killed and 23 wounded after Coalition aircraft struck Hit city, in the west of Anbar province. According to Iraqi Revolution a number of civilian homes at Shap Corniche were destroyed in the attack which had targeted Daesh elements, with children reportedly among the victims. One photograph showed a man cradling dead or injured child.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–33
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Residents at site of alleged Oct 16th Coalition strike at Hit which reportedly killed 10 civilians (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • A man cradles a child casualty of an alleged Coalition strike at Hit, Oct 16th 2015 (via Iraqi Spring)
  • Another image of the aftermath of the event (via Iraqi Revolution)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 15th-17th 2015, no strikes were publicly reported at Hit by the Coalition.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–33
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI155

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Road between Ramadi and Rutba, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.437441, 43.286666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians – including a senior veterinarian and his wife – were reported killed when three vehicles were hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike, as they travelled on the road between Ramadi and Rutba.

Dr. Ahmed Hamid Al-Jumaily (pictured) – the director of a major veterinary hospital in Anbar – was killed along with his wife, and his wife’s father. Four or five other civilians also died, named as Hazem Al Sarhan and his wife and children in what was claimed to be a Coalition attack. Ramadi had been the scene of heavy airstrikes for some weeks.

In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of no strikes in the near vicinity: “Dec. 10, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Given the well documented nature of this event, Airwars has requested additional information from the Coalition – and continues to assess this event as likely.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dr. Ahmed Hamid Al-Jumaily
Adult male Director of a veterinary hospital in Anbar killed
Hazem Al Sarhan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Senior vetinarian Dr. Ahmed Hamid Al-Jumaily, killed with 7 others in reported Coalition strike December 10th 2015 (via Heet News)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ramadi, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 9th-10th 2015 the Coalition reported that “Near Ramadi, six strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL boats, five ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL weapons caches, and four ISIL command and control nodes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI187

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Location

حي المزارع, Mosul, Mazari / Farms, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.32211, 43.1832218 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition targeted strike on a secret ISIL medical facility reportedly killed 16 doctors, seven Daesh fighters and an unspecified number of patients according to a single source.

According to NINA, “the international Coalition carried out airstrikes in eastern Mosul which targeted a secret hospital for Daesh elements. The attack killed 16 Daesh doctors including Iraqis and Syrians, in addition to killing 7 ISIL members and their patients who were asleep at the hospital – which was in a big house.”

In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF369212
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Feb. 10, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2895/CI187 38SLF369212

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 10th-11th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint, seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL assembly area.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI219

Incident date

April 6, 2016

Location

حاج علي, Haj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.734251, 43.3181477 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed “dozens of civilians” including children and women were killed or injured after Coalition or Iraq government jets targeted Haj Ali village in Qayyarah south of Mosul.

While most social media reports blamed the Iraqi military for the event, others blamed the Coalition or both. Yaqen, for example, said it was a joint ground and air assault: “Intense Coalition and Iraq government airstrikes bombed Haj Ali, a village near Qayyarah south of Mosul, along with government shelling by heavy artillery and rocket attacks. This resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians.”

Some linked the casualties to military impatience at the slow rate of the campaign to liberate Mosul.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for April 5th-6th 2016 that “Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI251

Incident date

June 15, 2016

Location

جامعة الموصل, Mosul, Al Jameha / University, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.37815, 43.13936 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a teacher, was killed and another wounded, after an alleged Coalition jet struck the university area of Mosul. A number of civilian cars were also said to have been destroyed.

The US later confirmed its role in the attack though reported only that two civilians were injured: “Near Mosul, Iraq, during another strike against ISIL targets, it is assessed that two individuals were injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.”

The victim was later named by his family.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. The location given placed the event in the university area of Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amar Safawi
Adult male Via Mosul Qala al-Islam Wa al-Taayish killed

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo of the victim Amar Safawi, reportedly killed in an airstrike on Mosul on June 15th 2016

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3838398, 43.1430531

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 injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF331275
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • June 15, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during another strike against ISIL targets, it is assessed that two individuals were injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and foreign fighter support facilities including an ISIL operations center, two ISIL headquarters, and an ISIL weapons factory and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI315

Incident date

November 1, 2016

Location

مناطق وكجلي والكرامة والقدس وعدن والميثاق والصناعة والانتصار, Mosul, East neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.368483, 43.184281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were killed and 10 wounded by artillery shelling, according to local sources.

Yaquen reported that 5 civilians were killed and 10 wounded – mostly women and children – in Mosul’s eastern half due to indiscriminate bombing. The report cited sources who said the attacks originated from French artillery shelling. Baghdad Post similarly cited French forces.

Other outlets, including Al Noor News, also reported that neighbourhoods in were subject to artillery fire, and did not cite warplanes for the attacks.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows a destroyed building followed artillery shelling on Mosul, East neighbourhoods on November 1st, 2016 (Via the Baghdad post)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 31st-November 1st, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed nine vehicles, a VBIED, and a VBIED facility; damaged 20 vehicles; and damaged a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]