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

CI596

Incident date

March 31, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two sources reported that dozens of civilians were killed and wounded due to airstrikes and artillery shelling in several neighborhoods in West Mosul.

Al Jiser Channel referred to Al Amaq [ISIL press agency] and said 43 died and 35 were injured. Yaqein said dozens died in airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of 17 July, Zanjili and Rigm Hadid (which also faced heavy shelling two days earlier).

Currently no further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    43
  • Civilians reported injured
    38
  • 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 (2) [ 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 30th-31st the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 18 vehicles, three VBIED factories, two tunnels, an artillery system, a VBIED, a mortar system, a tactical vehicle, a fighting position, and a front-end loader; damaged 12 supply routes; and suppressed six ISIS mortar teams and an ISIS 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
    43
  • Civilians reported injured
    38
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI562

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.350932, 43.111449 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local residents and press sources said that 43 civilians were killed in airstrikes and missile shelling by the International Coalition and Iraqi forces in Zanjili neighbourhood, in the west of Mosul.

Mosul Eye reported:

“Mosul witnessed 20/3/2017 wave of casualties in a large number, and the initial outcome that we were able to collect was as follows:

134 civilian casualties due to military operations

In Zanjili only 43 victims

New Mosul 36 victims

New Bab, Farouk, seen 55 victims”

Iraqi News agency also reported Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces and put the death toll at 100 for the neighbourhoods Zanjili, New Mosul and Old Mosul.

One victim was later named as Hamed Ismail Hassan Ali (pictured).

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamed Ismail Hassan Ali
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    43
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture of Hamed Ismail Hassan Ali

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 March 19th-20th the Coalition stated: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and four ISIS sniper teams; destroyed 17 fighting positions, six heavy machine guns, four vehicles, three rocket-propelled grenade systems, a mortar system, a VBIED factory, an artillery system, and a roadblock; damaged nine supply routes; and suppressed six ISIS mortar teams, five ISIS tactical units, and an ISIS anti-air artillery team.”

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
    43
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI705

Incident date

May 11, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local press sources reported, based on a claim by Al Amaq [ISIL] press, that 46 civilians were killed and 76 injured by different forms of shelling and airstrikes by the Joint Forces on the neighbourhoods in West Mosul that were still under ISIL control. While some sources blamed the US or the Coalition for the raids, others said the Iraqi government forces and militia were responsible.

Sources had told Yaqein Agency that “the bodies of the dead are still under the rubble of the houses and that the wounded have no one to help them and [don’t have the] necessary medical supplies for treatment.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    46
  • Civilians reported injured
    76
  • 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 (5) [ 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 Mosul, Iraq
    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 May 9th-10th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed seven mortar systems, five fighting positions, three VBIEDs, two supply caches, two vehicles, and a command and control node; damaged 18 ISIS supply routes, a fighting position, a tunnel; and suppressed four mortar teams and four ISIS tactical units.”

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
    46
  • Civilians reported injured
    76
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI733

Incident date

May 26, 2017

Location

البعاج, Baaj, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.0426, 41.71632 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A military source told Yaqein agency that 46 civilians were killed and dozens were wounded – with varying injuries – after airstrikes of the Joint Forces targeted Baaj and Qayrawan towns in western Nineveh. It was also reported that dozens of houses of civilians were destroyed.

The area was the scene of heavy fighting between Iraqi government-aligned PMU militias and ISIL.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    46
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces, ISIS

Sources (1) [ 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Baaj, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGV447920
    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 May 25th-26th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 42 vehicles, nine VBIEDs, three fighting positions, two mortar systems, two mortar systems, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a tactical vehicle, an anti-air artillery system, a VBIED facility; damaged 10 ISIS supply routes, a tunnel; and suppressed three ISIS tactical units and a mortar unit.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

ISIS Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    46
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces, ISIS

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI195

Incident date

February 25, 2016

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.7977836, 43.2935143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that at least 13 and as many as 46 civilians from ‘ISIS families’ – including children and women – were killed when their bus was bombed between Qayarrah and Shura south of Mosul as it was trying to cross the Iraqi-Syrian border. The bodies were reportedly transferred to the Forensic Medicine institution in Mosul.

According to reports, the terrorist group has been evacuating family members from Mosul to Syria in anticipation of a government assault.

There was some confusion in reporting. Kitabat said that 13 civilians from one family were killed, along with 46 Daesh militants. However, NINA said members of eight Daesh families died.

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
    13 – 46
  • 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 (2) [ 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
    38SLE457628
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • Feb. 25, 2016, in Qayyarah, 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. 2910/CI195 38SLE457628

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 24th-25th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, nine strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units, an ISIL improvised weapons factory, an ISIL IED factory, an ISIL mortar factory, and an ISIL VBIED facility and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, and ISIL vehicle, an ISIL light machine gun, and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 46
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI089

Incident date

July 31, 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

In a major incident, up to 46 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike (according to the Iraqi Revolution site) on the town of Ar Rutbah. The UN Mission to Iraq expressed “serious concern” about the event.

The attack, which occurred shortly after dawn, reportedly killed a significant number of children, with graphic photographs widely posted on Arabic social media. According to Al Gharbiya, most of the dead came from five families. One family was named as that of Mohammed Hassan Akaul al-Jumaili.

However the source of the attack was disputed, with NINA and Shafaaq News reporting that “unidentified aircraft” had attacked. Iraqi Spring and Al Araby instead blamed the strike on Iraqi aircraft: “According to one source, Iraqi warplanes bombed houses inhabited by displaced people, killing about 45 of them including women and children, and injuring about 70 others.”

Vice News cited a spokesperson as saying that the Coalition was “not aware of Iraqi Government airstrikes in that area [Rutba] on July 31.” It also noted that “The US-led coalition did not report launching airstrikes in the vicinity of Rutba on July 31, but the report of civilian casualties was also not immediately refuted — something the coalition has done in the past when VICE News inquired about similar allegations.”

Suhaib al-Rawi, the governor of Anbar province, ordered an investigation into the attack, demanding that those found responsible eventually be put on trial for their actions.

In a January 2016 report, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq noted: “On 31 July, up to 40 civilians may have been killed and over 30 wounded when three houses allegedly sheltering IDPs was hit by an airstrike in Rutba, west of Ramadi, Anbar. Official sources confirmed the incident and the number of casualties, which included 18 women and 11 children (under 14 years old). The houses were targeted by military jets after receiving information that ISIL elements were allegedly inside the houses. The governor of Anbar called for an immediate investigation of the incident. On 3 August, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Iraq and Head of UNAMI issued a press release expressing serious concern at the reported airstrike, and called on the Government of Iraq to investigate the incident.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hassan Akaul al-Jumaili
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 46
  • (3–11 children5–18 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Rescuers search for survivors in the wake of a major alleged Coalition incident, July 31 2015 (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Scene of devastation at Ar Rutbah, July 31 2015 (via Al Araby)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one of the alleged victims (via Iraqi revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one of the alleged victims (via Iraqi revolution)
  • Aftermath of the attack (via Alaraby)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one of the alleged victims (via Iraqi revolution)
  • Aftermath of the attack (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Aftermath of the attack (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

No Coalition strikes have publicly been reported at Ar Rutbah for the July 30th-August 1st period.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 46
  • (3–11 children5–18 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI272

Incident date

August 2, 2016

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

Multiple sources claimed that an alleged Coalition strike on the al Sanjak and Karabila areas of Al Qaim killed 45 children and a woman. However, no Coalition strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity.

Yaqein reported that most of the civilians are still under the rubble caused by the intensity of the shelling and the targeting of the densely populated area. Assabeel placed the death toll slightly lower at 42 and said the dead came from three families. According to Q8 News, the source of the claim was the so-called Islamic State.

The Coalition told Airwars that There were no CJTF-OIR strikes in or near Al Qaim between Aug. 1 and Aug. 3.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 46
  • (41–45 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ 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

No Coalition strikes were reported at Al Qaim for August 1st-3rd 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 46
  • (41–45 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI559

Incident date

March 19, 2017

Location

الموصل الجديدة/الآبار, New Mosul/Abar, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3323266, 43.1050515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Locals reported the deaths of 46 civilians including 28 children and 18 men and women with 80 others injured – mostly children and women – by different kind of shelling in many neighborhoods of Old Mosul. At least 26 bodies reportedly reached the local forensic medicine hospital.

Iraq News Center spoke of two dozen civilians killed and said that “press sources confirmed that the intelligence forces and defense ministry banned foreign journalists from entering to take pictures of dozens of bodies lying on the sidewalks and in the streets of civilian neighborhoods, who were killed in battles and clashes”.

Iraqi Spring and Correspondences team blamed the Coaition for the raids. They respectively put the death toll at 46 and 47 and reported 80 injured.

In its June 2017 report the Coalition denied responsibility: “16. March 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    46 – 47
  • (28 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    80
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

One source, Iraq News Center, named two neighbourhoods: New Mosul (الموصل الجدید) coordinates: 36.3323266, 43.1050515, and Al Abar (الآبار) coordinates: 36.339167, 43.096667. The areas are adjacent to each other. The report also described the incident as occurring “overnight”.

  • New Mosul (الموصل الجدید) and Al Abar (الآبار) neighbourhoods in West Mosul

    Imagery:
    © 2018 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 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

For March 18th-19th the Coalition noted: ” Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 fighting positions, four vehicles, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, a medium machine gun, and an artillery system; damaged 14 supply routes; and suppressed five mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.”

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
    46 – 47
  • (28 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    80
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]