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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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CI190

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Location

الرحمانية, Ar Rayhaniyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.39202, 42.88929 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, CENTCOM issued a statement on July 28th 2016 saying that it had injured a civilian during an airstrike on Ar Rayhaniyah:

The official release noted that “On February 16, 2016, in Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that one person was injured along the side of the road.”

The report suggests that the US’s post strike assessments had identified the casualty. No additional details are presently known.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.384986, 42.888942

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 injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF107295
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 28, 2016

  • On February 16, 2016, in Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that one person was injured along the side of the road.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 15th-16th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL bunker.
And for February 16th-17th, it had reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL supply cache and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI254

Incident date

June 16, 2016

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that airstrikes and artillery shelling of neighbourhoods in Fallujah killed at least 10 civilians and injured 15 more. However, it was not clear from the reports who was responsible, as they referred to aggressive shelling government and international.

One report said that the emergency Fallujah General Hospital received thirteen wounded including five children and four women, also received the bodies of ten people including four children and three women. One of the fatalities was named.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Safaa Sami Jabalal Lahibi
Age unknown male Via Iraqi Spring Media Centre killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 16
  • (4–7 children3–6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the aftermath of the airstrike in Fallujah (via yaqein news)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of a little girl who was killed following air raids or artillery shelling on several neighbourhoods in al Fallujah (via Omar al Halbousi Mosul)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture an injured man following air raids or artillery shelling on several neighbourhoods in al Fallujah (via Omar al Halbousi Mosul)

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLB871911
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • June 16, 2016, in Fallujah, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2961/CI254 38SLB871911

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 15th-16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Fallujah, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL light machine gun, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), two ISIL rocket propelled grenade systems, and an ISIL recoilless rifle and denied ISIL access to terrain.“

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
    10 – 16
  • (4–7 children3–6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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

CI286

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Location

الزاوية, Zawiyah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.2579968, 42.2034645 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilian casualties may have occurred near Haditha Dam following a reported strike on an imminent ISIL assault.

According to El Nel News, Coalition aircraft bombed a gathering of Daesh militants, killing dozens of terrorists and foiling an attack on the perimeter of Haditha Dam in Anbar province in western Iraq.

Yaqein said civilians died in a Coalition strike in the Hawiyah are near Haditha, which may be the same incident. The Iraqi Spring Media Centre also referenced a Coalition strike, which it said resulted in an unspecified number of deaths and injuries.

Given reported British actions in the near region that day, Airwars flagged the incident to the UK’s MoD which said ” we can confirm that there was no UK involvement in the event.

In their May 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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ 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
    38SKC424943
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 16, 2016, in Zawiyah, 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. 3039/CI286 38SKC424943

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 16th-17th 2016, the Coalition publicly reported no actions near Haditha, though did declare strikes in Anbar at Ramadi and Hit: ” “Near Hit, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a building… Near Ramadi, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and a staging area and destroyed a fighting position and a building.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI318

Incident date

November 3, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians were killed and over 115 claimed wounded, according to ISIL-linked sources.

ISIL-controlled al A’amaq reported that more than 9 civilians died, including four children and a woman, and “about 115 wounded as a result of US airstrikes” in Mosul.

A distressing video posted by the ISIL-controlled outlet initially shows several destroyed buildings in what appeared to be a residential neighbourhood. Later footage depicts wounded people in the hospital, including injured and stunned boys and girls, as well as what appears to be one dead girl.

The only other reports referenced al A’amaq.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    115
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • A screenshot of al A'amaq video shows the destroyed buildings. Later footage shows victims.
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
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 2nd-3rd, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged two tactical units; destroyed an ISIL headquarters building, five storage containers, two mortar systems, two fighting positions, an IED factory, a supply cache, a sniper position, an observation post, and a culvert; and damaged two tunnels, a bridge, and a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    115
  • 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

CI351

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Location

Mosul, Karama, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Local sources said one civilian was killed by Unknown bombing in Karama neighbourhood east of Mosul.

Airwars’s researcher contacted Zareen Ali, the victim relative who published the death event post and Ali had confirmed that bombing was by Daesh mortars.

In their June 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.

The victims were named as:

Firas Hassan Osman
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Firas Hassan Osman

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
    38SLF396236
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • Nov. 26, 2016, in Mosul, 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. 3067/CI351 38SLF396236

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI384

Incident date

January 2, 2017

Location

الهرمات, Mosul, Haramat, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3635566, 43.0702686 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four women and two or more children were killed and eight other civilians injured by Coalition strikes, according to local reports.

Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that the women were killed and injured by Coalition strikes that hit a home in Haramat in eastern Mosul. ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq Media posted a video of the aftermath, and interviewed witnesses who claimed that children were struck. Other outlets also cited the Al A’amaq video.

On March 4th the Coalition said that it was now assessing two incidents in Mosul on January 2nd: “Currently, 19 reports of civilian casualties are still being assessed: Jan. 2, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.” A month later the Coalition insisted that “Jan. 2, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

A second publicly unknown incident in Mosul that day was also denied by the Coalition.

Amnesty International interviewed what appear to be witnesses to the event. According to an unpublished account shared with Airwars: “Witnesses described the effects of one strike that they saw around 2 January in Hai Shuhada’. This was during a period of “preparatory shelling” in January, before the shelling intensified in February after which he stayed at home. The target was an ISIS weapons store in a house which contained a PKC machine gun and mortars. The house also contained civilian families who had no choice but to live there. ISIS had banned all civilian movement with a round the clock curfew. The families were all killed when the strike destroyed the house completely. Witnesses did not know how many people were killed but among the dead were women and children.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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

Sources (6) [ 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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 1, 2017

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 1st-2nd the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed four mortars, five VBIEDs, a heavy machine gun, a vehicle, an ISIL-held building, a pontoon bridge, and three VBIED factories; disabled two bridges; damaged 31 supply routes; and suppressed six mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI451

Incident date

February 8, 2017

Location

قصر المطران, Mosul, Qasr al-Mataraan, 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 said that four children, all from the same family, were killed and their parents seriously injured after unspecified airstrikes allegedly targeted their house in the Qasr al-Mataraan or “Bishop Palace” area at the right side of Mosul. Iraqi Spring Media Center spoke of three children killed, while Ajel Al Mosul put the death toll at four.

In what may be a related or separate incident, the Coalition reported in April that a self-assessment had concluded no civilian casualties had occured in a February 4th action at Mosul. According to the report: “Feb. 4, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ 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
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3297423855
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 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 February 7th-8th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged six ISIL tactical unit and two ISIL staging areas; destroyed 12 watercraft, eight cranes, seven engineering equipment pieces, five vehicles, four supply caches, two

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI486

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Location

Mosul, al Mamun, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars the Coalition assessed no civilians were harmed: “Feb. 25, 2017, near the Al Ma’mun neighborhood in Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report. 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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • Feb. 25, 2017, near the Al Ma’mun neighborhood in Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report. 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
Official source

For Feb 25th-26, the Coalition reported: "Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 fighting positions, 11 mortar systems, three vehicles, three weapons caches, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIEDs, a sniper position, an ISIS headquarters, two heavy machine guns, an artillery system, a UAV staging area, and a supply cache; and suppressed 14 mortar teams, two ISIS tactical units, an artillery team and a rocket-propelled grenade team."

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]