US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

CI861

Incident date

September 30, 2017

Location

القائم‎, Al Qaim, 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 as many as 50 civilians died in alleged US-led Coalition air strikes on Al Qaim, west of Anbar province. However, there was doubt regarding their combatant status.

Yagein said that according to one report, civilians had attempted to return to their homes when targeted and up to 50 died. However, its report also quoted a source within the war media cell of ISF who alleged that the Coalition instead killed 47 terrorists in Al Qaim.

Tanha Islam reported dead and wounded as a result of the attack. It blamed the US-led Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 50
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Qaim (القائم‎), western Anbar province, for which the coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.  

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
  • 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
Official source

For September 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an ISIS staging area and an ISIS headquarters.“

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
    0 – 50
  • 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

CI874

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Central, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.39539, 40.99403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that raids carried out on Al Qaim had resulted in the deaths of at least 45 civilians and had left dozens of people injured. The US-led Coalition later conceded one civilian death in the event.

Both Omar Al Halbusi and the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq blamed the Coalition, with the latter citing a press source indicating the death of 45 civilians and dozens injured.

Yaqein also reported on aircraft and artillery bombing, indicating that indiscriminate shelling of residential areas took place in the centre of Al Qaim. The news agency put the death toll at between 45 and 50 civilians but did not identify the culprit.

In its November 2018 monthly casualty report the Coalition accepted responsibility for one death during the event, noting that “Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS headquarters. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally killed in the blast. The headquarters was destroyed.”

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

The incident was first reported on November 1, 2017 at 4:00 pm by .

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Qaim (القائم) for which the coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Qaim, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU833078
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018

  • On Nov. 1, 2017, near Al Qaim, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS headquarters. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally killed in the blast. The headquarters was destroyed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 31st-November 1st, the Coalition reported at the time that “Near Al Qaim, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and damaged an ISIS supply route and destroyed a command and control node, a weapons cache, an ISIS headquarters and a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI068

Incident date

May 21, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, near Bahauddin mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.360033, 43.098733 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Summary: A devastating airstrike on the Mosul neighbourhood of Rifai reportedly killed numerous non-combatants and injured up to 150 people. Among those killed in the event was Ayman al Hayali (who ran a clothing shop) and his family, including his wife and young son.

Other sources claimed that 5 women and at least 3 children were among the dead, including a girl named Habiba aged four.

According to most media, the deaths and injuries occurred after a house used by Islamic State to store ammunition was hit by the coalition, leading to major secondary explosions in the vicinity of the Bahauddin mosque.

Mosul TV cited a local eyewitness as saying that “seven houses and five shops were completely destroyed” in the attack, and that scuffles broke out between survivors and militants over ISIL’s policy of storing munitions in a civilian neighbourhood. Local people also urged the coalition to be far more careful in its targeting.

In a later report issued January 2016 the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) noted: “On 22-23 May, UNAMI/OHCHR received a report that airstrikes hit al-Najjar, al-Rifai and Sahaa areas in western Mosul in Ninewa, allegedly killing 30 civilians and wounding 62 others, including women and children. UNAMI/OHCHR was not able to verify this report.”

 

The incident occured around dusk.

The victims were named as:

Ayman al Hayali
Adult male killed
Habiba
4 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (2–3 children1–5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–150
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Habiba, a 4 year old 'killed in a coalition strike' at Mosul, May 21 2015 (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • Images of the aftermath of the alleged incident
  • Ayman al Hayali (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • A person allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • A person allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • A person allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • A person allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • A child named Rifai allegedly killed in the strike (via Mosul Ateka)
  • A child allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the after aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the after aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the after aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Rifai neighborhood (حي جلاقة) and that civilians were harmed in proximity to “Bahauddin mosque”, in the adjacent ar-Rabi/al-Najjar (حي النجار) neighbourhood. The location for the affected area (75 m radius from point) based on geolocation of images: 36.360033, 43.098733

  • Overview of landmarks geolocated from photographs.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Bing

  • Najjar (النجار) and Rifai (جلاقة) neighbourhoods in Mosul and the Bahauddin mosque (بهاء الدين)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
  • Jul 26, 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
Official source

The coalition has described destroying “an ISIL cache” in the vicinity of Mosul on May 21st 2015: “Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL tunnel systems, an ISIL motorcycle, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL cache.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (2–3 children1–5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–150
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI564

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

نابلس, Mosul, Nablus, Yarmouk, Old City, Haraj Market, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local residents and press sources said that 49 civilians were killed and 100 injured in the clashes and shelling in the neighborhoods of Nablus, Yarmouk, the Old City and the Haraj market in the West of Mosul.

Ninawa Media Center put the number at 38 for the neigbourhoods of Zangali, Rifai and Najjar.

Al Arabi also said that more than 50 were killed in one day. It reported: “After fighting to no avail for more than 10 hours on the walls of the neighborhoods of Nablus and Yarmouk in the Iraqi city of Mosul, the United States aircraft, on Monday, came into the picture [and] after the transformation of the neighborhood to a block of flames and smoke, the Iraqi forces were able to enter and to clearly extend the control.” It said 49 people died and at least 100 were injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    49 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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
  • Nov 30, 2017

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

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
    49 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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

CI554

Incident date

March 18, 2017

Location

السرجخانة, Mosul, Third street behind Fathi al Ali mosque., Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.328265, 43.093492 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least thirteen civilians were reported killed and 17 injured in air and artillery strikes on a number of West Mosul neighbourhoods.

Iraqi Spring Media Centre said reported the “Killing of 13 civilians, mostly women and children, and 17 wounded as a result of air and artillery bombardments of several districts of the right side of Mosul on Saturday.”

In what may have been a related event, Yaqein said that 29 civilians died at Jawasaq when it was bombarded by Iraqi forces.

Al Jazeera reported that “15 people from the same family were killed when a rocket hit their house in Serjkhana area, which is located in the old centre of Mosul, the western side of Mosul, on Saturday afternoon. The sources added that the rocket led to the destruction of the entire house and killing everyone who was in it, mostly women and children, as well as events of major damage to the neighbouring houses in which many families were located.” This may also be a separate incident.

The New Mosul People Facebook page received an appeal from local residents (see below), saying: “Families were bombed by a plane an hour ago and about 50 persons were killed. My family and kids shouting under the rubble, in the third street behind Fathi Al Ali mosque [in Aserjkhanh neigbourhood], a neighbour of barber Mahmood Abu Arkan, we ask to save them from under the rubble, Mohammed Ganim Aub Al Muhazam and Jassim Ameen Aub Al Mahzam families.” It did not say who carried out the raids.

The incident occured at approximately 3:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–24
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Appeal by local residents in the old part of Mosul, asking to save the families Mohammed Ganim Aub Al Muhazam and Jassim Ameen Aub Al Mahzam from the rubble and reporting about 50 people killed (via New Mosul Facebook)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the third street behind Fathi Al Ali mosque (جامع فتحي العلي), in Aserjkhanh neighbourhood. The coordinates for the mosque are: 36.328265, 43.093492. The strike likely within a 500 meters radius from the mosque. Visible damage to residential houses, three streets away from the mosque to the North and South is visible in satellite imagery: 36.327386, 43.094257; 36.329476, 43.093497; 36.329812, 43.094071. Airwars was able to access satellite images taken on March 8 and March 25, bridging a 17-day window. For this reason, we are unable to determine which these three locations, if any of them, is where the March 18 report incident occurred.

  • Date taken:
    December 29, 2004

    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
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF322235
    Military Grid Reference System

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
Official source

For March 17th-18th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed 56 ISIS vehicles, 25 fighting positions, five rocket-propelled grenade systems, two medium machine guns, two mortar systems, and an ISIS VBIED; and suppressed 20 ISIS 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
    13 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–24
  • 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

CI404

Incident date

January 8, 2017

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East Side, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3738889, 43.1718063 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local reports say that the streets in eastern Mosul were covered by the bodies of dozens of civilians – their deaths caused by Coalition airstrikes and heavy artillery. Fighting was particularly intense in the Sugar Hill and Muthanna neighborhoods.

Alaraby reported that fighting and airstrikes by the Coalition forces and Iraqi forces killed and wounded at least 100 civilians in the neighborhoods of Muthanna, Comrades, Municipalities and Flowers. Local sources confirmed that “the bodies of dozens of victims, including women and children, lay scattered on the streets and indoors, with a lack of access to the region because of the ferocity of the battles there.”

Mosul Ateka said that Haitham Mahmoud Najafi (Abu Qudaamah) and his son Zaid and his wife and two daughters were killed, after the bombing of their home in the Al Muthanna neighbourhood.

Iraqi Spring Media Center put the death toll at 50 and said more than 60 were injured.

 

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Haitham Mahmoud Najafi
Adult male Father killed
Zaid
Age unknown male Son killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention several locations on the eastern side of Mosul: The Fourth Bridge ( الجسر الرابع), for which the coordinates are: 36.332565, 43.151646; Officers District (الضباط), for which the coordinates are: 36.3389125, 43.1544685; Muthanna (المثنى), for which the coordinates are: 36.3738889, 43.1718063; Rifaq (الرفاق), for which the coordinates are: 36.379167, 43.166111; Badiat (البلديات), for which the coordinates are: 36.3841162, 43.1603909;  and Zuhour (الزهور), for which the coordinates are: 36.3789337, 43.1850243. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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, Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3693626862
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • 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.

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 7th-8th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed five mortars, two supply caches, four fighting positions, a command and control node, a weapons cache, and a VBIED factory; suppressed three mortar teams; damaged 14 supply routes; and disabled a bridge.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI613

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Zanjili, Makawi, Fateh, 17 July, Matahen, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that 51 civilians were killed and 60 wounded due to airstrikes, artillery shelling and/or possible ISIL actions in Makawi, Fateh, 17 July, Matahen and Zanjili neighbourhoods.

While all sources blamed airstrikes and artillery, Mosul 24 also said ISIL had played a part in the deaths, noting “the martyrdom of more than 15 families who were attempting to escape from areas of ISIL influence and control, as a result of a mutual bombardment between the Iraqi security forces and ISIL on the Zanjili neighborhood near the ice factory Alqazzaz. Tanks of the Iraqi forces have entered the area twice but withdrew after helping many families escape.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    51
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • KR Security Council tweeting on the events

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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 4th-5th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed two mortar systems, two command and control nodes, a supply cache, and a fighting position; damaged nine supply routes and a bridge; and suppressed 10 ISIS mortar teams and two 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
    51
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI652

Incident date

April 19, 2017

Location

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

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 51 civilians were killed and 55 injured in airstrikes of the international Coalition and Iraqi government forces on several neighbourhoods in West Mosul.

Sunnat Alliraq News spoke of the death and displacement of 106 residents of Mosul and called the government and Coalition raids an “unjust injustice”.

Presently no further details are known.

The incident was first reported on April 19, 2017 at 9:58 pm by Correspondences Team.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    51
  • Civilians reported injured
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention West Mosul, in particular, the Old City. Descriptions of the incident do not differentiate between neighbourhoods. The coordinates for Old Mosul (المدینة القدیمة) are: 36.34075, 43.126911

  • The Old City boundary, 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 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
Official source

For April 18th-19th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units, destroyed 11 fighting positions, six rocket-propelled grenade systems, five anti-air artillery systems, four medium machine guns, four VBIEDs, a weapons cache, a front-end loader, an ISIS vehicle, a command and control node; and suppressed four fighting positions, four ISIS supply routes 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
    51
  • Civilians reported injured
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]