US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CI810

Incident date

July 13, 2017

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34075, 43.126911 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian Yazidi woman was reportedly killed following the bombardment of areas within Old Mosul. However, it was not immediately clear who was responsible.

The victim from the village of Kuju and she is a sister of Catherine. Previously kidnapped by ISIS.

Abather Altamimi reported that the woman was killed during shelling of the last pockets of ISIS sites within Mosul, where an estimated 2,000 families remained – with many being used as human shields by the terror group.

None of the sources reporting the incident attributed responsibility.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female via Abather Altamimi killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Nasreen Alias Mrad , killed following the bombardment of areas within Old Mosul (via Abather Altamimi)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Old City of Mosul (موصل القديمة), for which the coordinates are: 36.34075, 43.126911.

  • Old City of Mosul (موصل القديمة)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, one strike engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 19 fighting positions, four medium machine guns, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; and damaged five fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On July 12, near Mosul, Iraq, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI811

Incident date

July 14, 2017

Location

Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.347788, 43.132997 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 ten civilians in an event in the Nabi Jaris neighbourhood of Old Mosul.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS tunnel system, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Coordinates supplied by officials to Airwars – 36°20’52.0″N 43°07’58.8″E – placed the strike in a house on the river Tigris, in the residential Nabi Jarjis neighbourhood, Old City of Mosul. The location is close to the Tal Qali’at hill.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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
    10
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3246424142
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • July 14, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS tunnel system, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed 22 fighting positions and a tunnel, and damaged three fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI812

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

الميدان, Al Maydan, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.335556, 43.125 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of local sources reported that 300 civilians were killed and 400 more were wounded – said to be mostly women and children – following alleged Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes in the Al Maydan neighbourhood of Mosul.

All four sources who reported the deaths alleged that both the Coalition and the Iraqi government were responsible, without making direct allegations against either party.

No further details were available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    300
  • Civilians reported injured
    400
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Meydan (الميدان) in Old Mosul, for which the coordinates are: 36.335556, 43.125000.

  • Old City of Mosul (موصل القديمة)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF317227
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 July 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, three strikes destroyed two ISIS vehicles and a VBIED facility.” It additionally reported that “On July 14, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 11 tunnel entrances.”

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
    300
  • Civilians reported injured
    400
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI813

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 13 civilians were killed in addition to 8 ISIL fighters following alleged Coalition airstrikes on residential areas within the district of Al Qa’im in western Anbar Province, next to the Iraqi-Syrian border.

All three sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

No further details were available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention multiple neighbourhoods in the city of Al Qaim (القائم). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify a precise location. However, the generic coordinates for the city of Al Qaim (القائم) are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684.

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 Al Qaim, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 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

For July 15th-16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI814

Incident date

July 27, 2017

Location

الطارمية, Tarmiyah, al Baghdadi, Baghdad, Iraq

Geolocation

33.675556, 44.391667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to many sources, up to six civilians died and others reported injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad.

Sources said that a drone strike targeted the home of Tarmiyah council member Jameel Al Shermeet and a gathering of young people at the Narjes restaurant at 10.25pm.

The source revealed 6 victim names and also one injured, named as Sabah Naji, who was reportedly left in a serious condition.

According to NRT, the local residents told NRT’s Arab correspondent that the missile targeted a group of young people in a cafe, killing two people and wounding four others.

Al Tarmiyah said that the group were playing dominoes when they were struck.

Sabr Al Tawlba also blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at six.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male Via news ofiraq3 killed
Age unknown male Via news ofiraq3 killed

Family members (2)

Mohammad Sabah Naji
killed
Ahmed Sabah Naji
killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male Via news ofiraq3 killed
Adult male Via news ofiraq3 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • An image of the five victims killed after the alleged Coalition drone strike in Al Tarmiyah North, Baghdad, July 27th (via Iraq News Centre)
  • A picture of one of the victims was killed/injured following the alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via Al Sharqiya TV)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of Ahmed Sabah Naji, initially wounded, but died on the following day (via Al Tarmiyah)
  • A picture of Saad Hussein Al-Khattab, killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via news ofiraq3)
  • A picture of Omar Jamil al-Sharmait, killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via news ofiraq3)
  • A picture of Moataz Sobhi Yassin killed following an alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via news ofiraq3)
  • Ahmed Jamil Al Shermait, killed following an alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad (via news ofiraq3)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that “the airstrike targeted the house of Jamil Al Sharmait, a member of the municipal council. The second targeted a youth gathering near the Nargis restaurant.” The house of Jamil Al Sharmait (where 4 civilians were killed and 2 were injured) is reportedly located in the town of Tarniyah (البغدادي), north of the city of Baghdad. The coordinates for the residential area north of Tarniyah (البغدادي) are: 33.675556, 44.391667. Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of the Nargis restaurant (targeted in the second strike, which took place at 10:25 PM). The generic coordinates for the town of Tarniyah (البغدادي) are: 33.669167, 44.3825.

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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tarmiyah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 27th-28th, the Coalition reported: “Near Baghdad, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI815

Incident date

July 27, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Residents and press sources said that 13 civilians were killed and others injured by alleged Coalition airstrikes which reportedly targeted houses in the Qaim district, west of Anbar.

Yaqein reported: Coalition aircraft bombed areas in the city of Qaim (350 km west of Ramadi), causing extensive damage, a press source said in a statement.

The shelling killed more than 13 civilians and injured several others, the source said.

Rawa named seven victims who were killed in the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Age unknown male Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed
Age unknown male Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown female Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed
Age unknown male Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed
Child female Via Rauh Ala Mowaed al-Naser FB page killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (1 child2 women2–3 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted residential buildings in the city of Al Qaim (القائم). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of these buildings. The generic coordinates of the city of Al Qaim (القائم) are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684.

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 al Qaiem, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 July 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Rawah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a malfunctioning piece of Coalition equipment and a vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (1 child2 women2–3 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI816

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

عنه, Anah, Gas station and ice factory, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.367372, 41.984598 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Residents and press sources said that heavy airstrikes targeted the ice factory and gas station in Anah district west of Anbar and some reports said a number of civilians were killed or injured.

According to Yaqein, the aerial bombardment targeted the ice factory and the gas station in the Ana district, west of Anbar. The bombing resulted in civilian deaths and injuries and the destruction of a number of houses.

Samarra Tv added warplanes bombed Daesh sites in the city of Ana, west of Anbar, targeting a car bomb near the government complex and the ice factory and the central station in the city. It made no mention of civilian casualties – nor of who carried out the strikes.

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted the ice factory (معمل الثلج)x and the gas station (محطة البانزين) in the district Ana, west of Anbar. The exact location of the gas station is at these coordinates: 34.367372, 41.984598, destruction can be seen at this location on satellite imagery available to Airwars between June 26, 2017 and September 19, 2017. For the ice factory mentioned a possible location is at these coordinates: 34.366545, 41.982673, as it is a building located next to the gas station and also shows traces of destruction within the same time frame.

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 Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 July 28th-29th, Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS-held buildings, a vehicle storage facility, and an armored vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI817

Incident date

July 30, 2017

Location

راوة, Rawah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.473919, 41.915991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to residents and press, four civilians from the same family were killed in Rawa following an airstrike targeted their house.

The sources identified the victim family by name as Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid 

None of the sources identified who was responsible for the airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed
Age unknown via Anqido Mudan al-Gharbyia killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention residential areas in the town of Rawah (راوة). Due to limited information and satellite imagery available, Airwars was unable to verify the location of these areas. The generic coordinates for the town of Rawah (راوة) are: 34.473919, 41.915991.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position, a VBIED and a VBIED facility.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]