US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CS089

Incident date

July 4, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Car opposite Al Hameeda School, Al Jumaili, Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9557396, 39.0015453 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In some of the heaviest coalition bombing reported for Syria to that time, US aircraft struck multiple Daesh targets in the strategic city of Raqaa – the beginning of a lengthy air campaign in which numerous civilians are now confirmed to have died.

Between 7 and 8 civilians were reported as being among the 23 dead in this first incident which occurred at around 4pm. CENTCOM conceded six months later that it had ‘likely’ killed three unnamed civilians in the incident.

“The significant airstrikes tonight were executed to deny Daesh the ability to move military capabilities throughout Syria and into Iraq,” US Lt Colonel Thomas Gilleran had told reporters at the time. “This was one of the largest deliberate engagements we have conducted to date in Syria, and it will have debilitating effects on Daesh’s ability to move from ar-Raqqah.”

However the Syrian Observatory reported that seven civilians died in one attack “by a drone” near Al Hameeda school, including a man and his son Fouad. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) eventually placed the non-combatant death toll at eight, describing the slain boy as 10 years old. A 15 year old boy named as Mohammad Hammad Al A’akassi later died of his injuries.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently described the target of the Coalition strike as a vehicle, and said that the civilians killed had died as a result of shrapnel injuries.

Buzzfeed also spoke with two eyewitnesses to the event, with one noting: “They hit the target. But the people around the target were affected. I saw the kid laying on the sidewalk, and I felt I couldn’t walk.” According to the news site, ISIL militants carried away the remains of at least two of their comrades, leaving the dead civilians on the street.

On January 15th 2016, CENTCOM conceded that civilians had likely died in this attack on a High Value Target: “On July 4, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL High Value Individual, a car and a motorcycle entered the target area after the weapon was released. It is assessed three unidentified civilians were likely killed.“

In July 2019, the Coalition provided coordinates for the confirmed event to within 100 metres. Airwars geolocators had already previously identified the site of the attack.

The incident occured at approximately 4:00 pm local time.

Geolocation notes

The MGRS that the Coalition provided at 100m accuracy placed this incident at 35.95538, 39.00222

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
10 years old male killed
50 years old killed
Faisal Na’ila
Age unknown male killed
Raed Na’ila
11 years old male killed
Mohammad Hammad Al A’akassi
15 years old male killed
Age unknown male killed in al Houmrat area of Raqqa killed
Adult male listed as a civilian by DCHRS but as an ISIS militant in VDC killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (3 children4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Doctors operate on a civilian reportedly injured in a US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Charred body of victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An elderly civilian male, reportedly a victim of a US airstrike on Raqaa, Syria July 4 2015 (still from Al A'maq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young surivor of a US airstrike which killed seven civilians receives medical attention, July 4 2015 (still from Al A'maq video)
  • Injured victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • Car on the scene of the alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • Injured victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • Mohammed al Sheikh, killed in a reported coalition airstrike on Raqaa July 4 2015 [Via: RBSS on 6th July 2015]
  • The street, scene of the alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (Via: Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently]
  • The alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (Via: Raqqa is (Via: Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently]

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
    3
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV002790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 15, 2016
  • On July 4, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL High Value Individual, a car and a motorcycle entered the target area after the weapon was released. It is assessed three unidentified civilians were likely killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition has confirmed carrying out eighteen airstrikes in the vicinity on July 4th-5th 2015: “Near Ar Raqqah, 18 airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL vehicles and 16 ISIL bridges.“

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (3 children4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1361

Incident date

August 9, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Orient news and Smart news reported the death of as many as ten civilians and wounding of others in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa’s Tawasu’iya, Fardous, and Bedo neighbourhoods. Amnesty has since conducted field research in Raqqa and we understand that this figure might possibly be lower than first reported. 

There was, however, uncertainty over the date of Zakaria Khalid Al Bakhit Fathallah’s death. On August 11th, Usama Al Talep, reported that he was killed “yesterday”, while Media Center – Palmyra, again reporting on August 11th, said he died “a few days ago”. Some other sources reported his death on August 13th but did not say when he died. Reports added that the victim was displaced from Palmyra.

Baladi added that Haj Mahmoud Abdullatif Al-Humaidi and Khansa’ al-Qantar (a woman) were killed in “artillery shelling on Al Badaoui lane in the city of Raqqa” – however, it has since been identified through extensive field research by Amnesty International, that Khansa’ al-Qantar was killed on the 12th of August.

Since Amnesty International conducted extensive field research, it was identified by a relative “Mohammed”, that Khansa’ al-Qantar was killed on the 12th of August.

According to the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality, “A 40-year-old woman, Khansa’ al-Qantar, was killed in the garden of her home by shrapnel from an artillery shell which struck the street outside her house.”

A relative gave a testimonial to an on the ground Amnesty researcher. He said,”Look at the holes which the artillery shrapnel made in the metal gate. You can imagine such what shrapnel does to the human body. It kills.”

In addition to this, it has been identified by Airwars and Amnesty that Zakaria Hmeidi was not killed in this strike but in a separate incident not previously created by Airwars. The victim has been removed from the dataset.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention several neighbourhoods in the North West of Raqqa: Tawassoui’ya, Al Ferdos, and Al Badou. The generic coordinates for this area are: 35.9599103, 38.997345.

  • Neighbourhoods of Tawassoui'ya, Al Ferdos, and Al Badou in North West Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Child female killed
Haj Mahmoud Abdullatif Al-Humaidi
Adult male killed
Muhammad Nur Suwayha
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Zakaria Khaled al-Bakhit al-Fath Allah, killed in an alleged Coalition air or artillery strike on Raqqa (via RBSS).
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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV997795
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 8th-9th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 20 fighting positions, an IED, ISIS engineering equipment, a logistics node, and a command and control node.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Wednesday 9 August – Typhoons demolished a Daesh-held building in Raqqa…A Typhoon flight saw action over Raqqa on Wednesday 9 August; the Syrian Democratic Forces reported coming under fire from a large building against which our aircraft conducted a successful attack using two Paveway IV guided bombs.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

France reports that in the past week (4th -11th) it carried out 31 sorties, including 24 Army reconnaissance and Ground Support (CAS), as well as 4 intelligence reports by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrol. Two strikes were carried out in the Hassaka region of Syria and the Al Qaim region of Iraq. They destroyed ISIL storage sites and weapons caches.

‘Point de situation des opérations ARMÉE FRANÇAISE – OPÉRATIONS MILITAIRES·FRIDAY, 11 AUGUST 2017 OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes se poursuit. Au sud de la ville, la manœuvre de tenaille amorcée, qui permettra de joindre les fronts est et ouest, demeure freinée par la résistance de Daech. Les combattants du groupe terroriste utilisent les réseaux de tunnels et les véhicules suicide chargés d’explosifs pour conduire des actions de harcèlement, et piègent systématiquement le terrain cédé. En Irak, Les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent le nettoyage et la dépollution de la ville de Mossoul. Dans le reste du territoire, alors que Daech tente de poursuivre ses actions de harcèlement, les opérations de sécurisation mobilisent largement les forces irakiennes. Dans la vallée de l’Anbar et dans la région d’Hawijah, les opérations ont permis de déceler et de détruire des caches de munitions et de nombreux engins explosifs improvisés. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Le 3 août s’est achevée une séquence de relève des avions de Chammal. Celle-ci a signé la fin du premier déploiement du plot mixte Rafale marine et air. Ce sont désormais 6 avions Rafale de l’armée de l’air qui constituent le volet chasse présent en Jordanie. Cette semaine, sur le théâtre, les aéronefs ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 24 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 4 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Deux frappes ont été conduites dans la région de Hassaka en Syrie et dans la région d’Al Qaim. Elles ont permis de détruire des sites de stockage et des caches d’armes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 6 missions de tir de harcèlement en appui de la 15e division à l’ouest de Mossoul vers Tal Afar, pour prévenir les infiltrations ennemies sur les positions irakiennes. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 322 frappes, 2095 objectifs détruits et 6919 sorties.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS617

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

مضر, Mudar, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.943087, 39.2296242 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven or eight civilians including three children and two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mudar village, according to local sources.

Raqqa24, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Newsjorf reported that eight civilians died in Coalition raids. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, also blamed the Coalition, and put the death toll at seven including three children and two women.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Ahmad al Karaf
Adult male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Son Ali
Child male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Daughter of Ahmad al Karaf 1
Child female named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Daughter of Ahmad al Karaf 2
Child female named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

The victims were named as:

Seif al Ammo
Age unknown named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Fadel al Ma’arouf
Age unknown named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
A women displaced from Raqqa
Adult female named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
A women displaced from Raqqa
Adult female named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (3 children2 women)
  • 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]

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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mudar, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 25th-26th: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, and a mortar system; and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (3 children2 women)
  • 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

CS1119

Incident date

June 28, 2017

Location

الصور, Al Soor, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.50501, 40.64955 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians, including a child, were killed and “many” others were wounded in Al Soor in northern Deir Ezzor following airstrikes allegedly carried out by the Coalition, local sources reported.

Sharqiya Voice and Al Jisr TV reported that the strikes hit a shopping area of the city, which were believed to have targeted the “consumer association” building, causing substantial damage to nearby shops.

Four of six sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

In November 2017 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this allegation of civilian harm. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed a Daesh headquarters and weapon storage facility, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed and two civilians were unintentionally injured.”

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 35.5081949, 40.6549072

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ 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
    2
  • Stated location
    near Al Sur village, Dayr az Zawr, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV496303
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017
  • June 29, 2017, near Al Sur village, Dayr az Zawr, Syria via social media report. During a Coalition strike that destroyed a Daesh headquarters and weapon storage facility it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed and two civilians were unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 28th-29th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 10 oil storage tanks, six oil trucks, two fuel trailers, an well head, a piece of oil processing equipment and an ISIS headquarters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI455

Incident date

February 10–20, 2017

Location

Mosul: Near Saffi Rahman mosque, Tal Roman, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In a previously unreported incident, local eyewitnesses told Amnesty International researchers of an event at Tal Roman in ‘mid February’ which killed eight civilians. The description of a ‘smart missile’ indicated a Coalition action.

According to a detailed incident report shared with Airwars: “The house behind our house was hit in the middle of February [not sure of the date]. 8 people died – the whole family. They were having lunch on the terrace on the roof [in that little house thing on the roof]. It was a smart missile that hit them, and I am sure of that. Before the missiles hits, there is a whistle – not like the mortars. I went to the place 10 minutes later, and the family was in pieces, and the [small roof house] was destroyed. All I could see was pieces of their flesh – there weren’t even enough body parts to collect. The house was right next to Saffi Rahman Mosque. That mosque was destroyed in a different strike.

When we escaped, already the neighbourhood had been hit many times with strikes. There were so many attacks that you can’t even count them. The ISF started using the “bareena” rockets, which drill down into the ground.

It’s fine if they destroy the streets and the intersections, but they shouldn’t have been hitting the neighbourhoods and the houses, where the families were staying.
IS would be in the neighbourhood on their motorbikes and their cars, and then 10 minutes later they would disappear. They could move easily through the openings in the house, and they would come and go.

They were not talking to us, except to tell us that we could never leave. If you disobey them, you will face three punishments – beating, prison, or execution. They would just go through the houses as they wanted. They would stay for 5 days, or 10 days, and then change. After they leave, the airstrike would come, and the families would die.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI006

Incident date

September 26, 2014

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Tahrir, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3895748, 43.2021904 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians including two children” were reported by two local news agencies as being killed in a coalition airstrike in the eastern part of Mosul, in al-Tahrir Street.

Alternatively, the Baghdad Centre for Human Rights claimed that two separate coalition strikes – in the Fadhiliyah and Ba’shika neighbourhoods of Mosul – killed four civilians each.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Tahrir neighbourhood (التحرير) in Mosul, Nineveh province. The coordinates for Al Tahrir (التحرير) neighbourhood are: 36.3895748, 43.2021904

  • At Tahrir ( التحرير )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photo published on the site of the Baghdad Centre for human rights studies with the caption: American air bombing causes the deaths and injuries in Mosul
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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

No coalition strikes were officially reported in Mosul between September 25th-27th 2014. A spokesman also told Airwars that “no Coalition airstrikes have taken place in the vicinity” on the date listed.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (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

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

CS938 RS2278

Incident date

June 9, 2017

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jadid Akeidat, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.254309, 40.355344 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as eight civilians, as well as six named which including medical personnel died, and others were wounded in an airstrike on Jadid Akeidat village, Deir Ez-Zour, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia were responsible for the attacks. Sources reported that the strike had been on a “makeshift field hospital”, which some reports said was inside a mosque.

Qasioun put the death toll at three, while Jisr TV said as many as eight died when “Coalition forces targeted a mosque and a hospital”. According to Smart News Agency, four were killed, including “two doctors and an anesthesiologist”. It also blamed the Coalition.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the regime. It reported that “Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles on the makeshift hospital in Jdeed Ekidat village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs, killing a number of medical personnel, destroying the hospital’s building and rendering it inoperable”.

According to RFS, “eyewitnesses confirmed that at least four civilians were killed and a number of others injured by unidentified warplanes targeting a field hospital inside a mosque in the new town of Akidat, located in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Azur last night.”

But in an initial report, Baladi blamed Russia, reporting that “our correspondent, Murad Al-Ahmad, said that all indicators and military observers in Idlib confirmed that Russian aircraft targeted the hospital, resulting in the killing of most of the medical staff”. Euphrates Post also attributed the event to Russia and identified four victims by name.

However, there was some confusion in reporting, with a second Baladi report pointing towards the Coalition: “Local media sources said four civilians were killed Friday morning, including two doctors and a nurse, in air raids by an international coalition targeted at a mosque in the village of New al-Akidat”.

Free Deir Ezzor merely blamed “warplanes” and identified to victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dr. Majid al-Alwan
Adult male killed
Dr. Hudhayfah al-Mulla
Adult male  from the town of Al Dahla killed
Abdul Rahman Al-Hermash “Rahmo”
Adult male The anesthesiologist  killed
Anas Ali al-Sawadi
Adult male killed
Dr. Hathifa Turki al Makhlaf
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video saying that Anas Ali al-Sawadi died in contested airstrikes targeting Jadid Akida, Deir Ez-Zour, 9th June 2017. (via Mmkfld1)
  • The contested airstrikes reportedly destroyed the Grand Mosque in the town of Jadid Akidat, Der Ez-Zour, 9th June 2017. (via Euphrates Post Facebook)
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 Jadid Akeidat, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV237016
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 7th-8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle.”

Additionally, the Coalition reported that "five strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 6 that closed within the last 24 hours", one of these: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed four ISIS oil tanks"

For June 8th-9th: no strikes were publicly reported in Deir Ez-Zour governorate.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]