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

CI623

Incident date

April 9, 2017

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336804, 43.083396 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source – the local Facebook group of the Jarjria tribe – said that a son of the family of Muhammad Daham Murad al-Jarjari from the village of Jasa was killed in an airstrike on Yarmouk neighbourhood in West Mosul.

It was unclear from the report who carried out the strike. In its June casualty report the Coalition denied responsibility: “April 9, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq via social media: 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.”

A Coalition official confirmed to Airwars that this related to the Yarmouk allegation.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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
    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
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2780123121
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 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 April 8th-9th: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three mortar systems, two caches, a command and control node, a VBIED factory, a VBIED, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an ISIS-held building; damaged seven ISIS supply routes; and suppressed five ISIS mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI656

Incident date

April 20, 2017

Location

الثورة, Mosul, Thawra, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34389, 43.103399 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what appeared to be a separate event to the previous day’s casualties, Amnesty field investigators spoke with survivors of an April 20th strike on Al Thawra which killed two people and injured dozens more.

Amnesty’s published report reads as follows: “According to “Mustafa”, a young father displaced to al-Thawra neighbourhood from elsewhere in west Mosul, at around 8.30am on 20 April, an IS fighter entered the house where he had taken shelter in al- Thawra neighbourhood via a hole in the wall. IS had made holes in the walls of adjoining houses so they could enter and exit at will and without being seen from above. The IS fighter walked through the house and exited into the street via the main gate. An hour later, at around 9.30am, there was a strike on the house.

Mustafa told Amnesty International: “I was sitting in the back room of the house, the one furthest away from the street. I was smoking a cigarette and drinking a cup of tea with some cake. My sister came into the room and I moved over and told her to come and sit next to me. She sat down next to me and at that moment the explosion happened. I don’t know for sure that it was a strike from a plane but that’s what our neighbours told us. Perhaps they knew from the sound.”

The house was near the Palestinian school. It had two-storeys, with two downstairs rooms and one upstairs room. Due to heavy population concentration in areas under IS control, there were 104 people in the house at the time, attempting to huddle for safety in the corners of rooms. Two people were killed, including Mustafa’s 27-year-old nephew, who was pulled out of the rubble, taken to an IS-run hospital and left to bleed to death after hospital personnel told the family there were no doctors available to treat him. Almost everyone in the house was injured in some way, some severely, including a 40-year-old man who suffered spinal injuries that left him paralysed. The likely intended target of the attack had left the house one hour before the strike occurred, leaving only civilians as victims.

Another witness, “Khaled”, from al-Hermat, described the situation: “IS used our houses. If there were planes in the sky they’d come in through the front door. Otherwise they’d use the openings [the holes IS made in people’s houses to be able to come and go unnoticed by drones in the sky]. They’d enter a house, go up to the roof and shoot at the helicopters or in the direction of Iraqi forces’ positions. Then they’d leave. Fifteen minutes later the house would be hit. But we knew their [pro-government forces’] behaviour. As soon as IS left the house after shooting we’d collect our families and go as quickly as we could to another house. We’d run through the openings just like IS does and into someone else’s house.”

Based upon the information available, this attack appears to be either a direct attack on a civilian object or an attack which should have been cancelled because the intended target was no longer present. A strike in which there was such a failure to take feasible precautions could amount to an indiscriminate attack.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
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
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Thawra, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF296240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • 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 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.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI690

Incident date

May 5, 2017

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agrarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3507344, 43.0868769 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media sources said – based on a statement issued by the Al Amaq (ISIL) press agency – that Coalition and Iraqi Air Force airstrikes hit several neighbourhoods in West Mosul, killing 24 civilians and injuring 75 others.

A local resident reported that Azzawi Haj Hamid was among the deadly victims in Agrarian Reform neighbourhood. He was allegedly killed in “indiscriminate shelling” on the neighbourhood in West Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Azzawi Haj Hamid
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    75
  • 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]

  • Azzawi Haj Hamid, who died in alleged raids on Agrarian Reform neighbourhood in West Mosul (via Alsyed Falah Al Sted, 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
    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 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and a sniper team; destroyed nine mortar systems, nine fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, two tactical vehicles, two ISIS-held buildings, an anti-air artillery system, an artillery system, a command and control node, a VBIED, an ISIS bridge, a front-end loader, a weapons cache, a rocket system a VBIED factory; damaged 23 ISIS supply routes, three fighting positions; and suppressed six mortar teams.”

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
    24
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    75
  • 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

CI759

Incident date

June 12, 2017

Location

البورصة, Mosul, Borsa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.345515, 43.116425 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several local press sources said that twelve civilians – all from the same family – died as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on their house in Borsa neighbourhood in Central Mosul. The sources reported that most victims were women and children.

The twelve victims were all members of the Abdul Aziz Alnomah family.

While Sawlf Ateka, a local Facebook page, said the Coalition was responsible, other sources did not specify who carried out the air strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Aziz Alnomah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (3 children3 women1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al-Borsa, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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 June 11th-12th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, two supply caches, a mortar system, a command and control node, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and damaged two fighting positions.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (3 children3 women1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI793

Incident date

June 30, 2017

Location

الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3431411, 43.1257262 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A local Facebook page and a resident said that one young man named Ahmed Hikmat al-Tai was killed and many families were still under the rubble after air strikes hit the Farouk area (near the Jewish area) in Old Mosul.

Local resident Noor Alniamy called for help for several families in the Farouk area, saying that voices could be heard from under the rubble and that the civil defence would not come to rescue them. This is possibly related to earlier incidents, as the post suggested the families had been under the rubble for five days now.

Local monitor Sowef Ateka reported speaking with a child who had lost family members in the event: “A child we met during the distribution of aid near the victory bridge said all members of her family were killed in the bombing during the liberation of the neighborhood of Farouk. They were under the rubble and were recovered by Salamat.”

A senior Coalition official informed Airwars on July 5th that “It is primarily Coalition aircraft conducting AIR strikes in Mosul. It has been a number of weeks since the Iraqis flew there.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Hikmat al-Tai
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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]

  • Images of Ahmed Hikmat al-Tai
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 Farouk, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF317236
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 29th-30th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 14 fighting positions, four supply caches, two tunnels, and a mortar system; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 29, near Mosul, Iraq, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed seven fighting positions and two medium machine guns, and damaged eight supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

CI825

Incident date

August 9, 2017

Location

Etwiem, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.363522, 42.692356 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple sources, member of Iraq’s parliament reported killed along with 3 of his family members followed an alleged Coalition strike.

Abdul Rahman Ellewizi MP reported that his cousin was killed in a Coalition raid, also his wife, son and his daughter-in-law dead

Hawas Al Gader also reported the deaths of Mr al-Nayef and his wife but did not say who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Adult male Via Abdulrahmann al-Lowazi killed
Adult female Via Abdulrahmann al-Lowazi killed
Age unknown male Via Abdulrahmann al-Lowazi killed
Age unknown female Via Abdulrahmann al-Lowazi killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Abbas al-Fadil al-Nayef, killed following an alleged Coalition strike on Etwiem (Via Abu Riyad)
  • Another picture of the victim Abbas al-Fadil al-Nayef, killed following an alleged Coalition strike on Etwiem (Via Hasin al-Lowazi)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Etweim/Tuwaim/Atwim (التويم). The coordinates for Etweim/Tuwaim/Atwim (التويم) are: 36.363522, 42.692356.

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 Etwiem, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF929267
    Military Grid Reference System

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

For August 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Kisik, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two command and control nodes and an IED factory” and “Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed three VBIED facilities.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 8, near Tal Afar, Iraq, two strikes destroyed an ISIS staging area and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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

CI857

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

West Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A single source, Yagein, reported that civilians were killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the areas of west Ramadi in central Anbar province.

A well-informed source who spoke to Yagein said Aircraft of the International Alliance carried out several air raids. The source added the bombing resulted in significant destruction in the areas, with reports of civilian deaths and injuries.

Specifics of the incident are currently unknown to Airwars. The entry will be added to when new information arises.

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 (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area west of the city of Ramadi (غرب الانبار), for which the coordinates are: 33.437441, 43.286666. 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
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near west Ramadi, 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

For September 27th – 28th the Coalition reported “Near Ramadi, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six tactical vehicles and two vehicles.”

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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI002

Incident date

August 24, 2014

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Al Shuhadaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local news service Al Sumaria claimed that “11 civilians from one family” died after coalition airstrikes hit the village of al Qayyarah south of Mosul on the morning of August 24th.

Other sources, placing the death count slightly lower at 8-9 killed, reported that the attack had been carried out by a helicopter, possibly a Chinook, suggesting that the Iraq Army may have been responsible. Local MP Abdul Rahman Allowaizi later complained that “there is no difference between detonating car bombs in the regions and governorates of Iraq and the dumping of barrels explosive on the role of residential neighborhoods in Nineveh.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 11
  • 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]

Local reports mentioned Al Shuhadaa neighbourhood ( حي الشهداء ) in the town of ( القيارة ) Qayyarah, southern Nineveh. The coordinates for ( القيارة ) Qayyarah are: 35.7977836, 43.2935143 We were unable to locate Al Shuhadaa neighbourhood ( حي الشهداء ) on maps. However we suspect the neighbourhood is located in North Qayyarah ( القيارة ) as the news outlet rudaw.net, reported that people from this neighbourhood complained about oil fires between August to September 2016. The oil fires are clearly visible in available satellite imagery from time period, potentially identifying the neighbourhood.

  • Fires in 2016 potentially mark the location of Al Shuhadaa neighbourhood ( حي الشهداء ), which is not marked on any maps.

    Date taken:
    September 2, 2016

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 Qayyarah, 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

The coalition has reported two strikes in the vicinity of Mosul for August 23rd-24th 2014, both of which it says targeted vehicles: “U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in support of Iraqi security force operations, using fighter aircraft to conduct an airstrike in the vicinity of Mosul Dam. The strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle and all aircraft exited the strike area safely.“

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
    8 – 11
  • 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]