US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CI679

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to local sources – which referred to a statement by Al Amaq (ISIL press agency) and residents of West Mosul – up to 79 civilians were killed and 159 wounded, mostly women and children, after airstrikes of the Coalition and Iraqi forces hit many neighbourhoods in West Mosul over a four day period.

M.N.N. (Mosul News) reported on Facebook that Mohammed Abdullah Ramadan was a victim “of Coalition and Iraqi forces shelling” (photo below). And the facebook page Victims of the International Coalition in Mosul published three photographs which it said featured victims Shehab al-Hassu, his son Hudayfah, and a cousin Riad Hazem.

Al-Araby News reported that the “Iraqi Air Force on Monday renewed the shelling for the liberation of neighborhoods in West Mosul, while members of the provincial council confirmed the presence of more than 200,000 civilians in areas controlled by the Islamic State.

A local source in Mosul told Al-Araby that the Iraqi air force bombed the neighborhoods of Rifai and Zanjili and July 17, and pointed out that the shelling was indiscriminate and did not focus on the ISIL headquarters. He also pointed to the number of victims whose number was not known, as a result of the fall of a number of rockets on some inhabited houses, adding that the rest of the old neighborhoods of Mosul under the control of “Daash”, were full of civilians, who fled to these areas to escape previous battles.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Shehab al-Hassu
Adult male Father killed
Hudayfah
Adult male Son killed
Riad Hazem
Adult male Cousin killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Abdullah Ramadan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    79
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    159
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    GRAPHIC: The body of Mohammed Abdullah Ramadan after airstrikes hit New Mosul neighbourhoods (via MNN)
  • Images of Shehab al-Hassu, his son Hudayfah, and a cousin Riad Hazem, all allegedly killed in the strikes
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 1st-2nd 2017 the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul; two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two mortar systems, a front-end loader, an artillery system, a fighting position, a VBIED factory, and a medium machine gun.” It additionally stated that “Near Mosul, May 1st, three strikes destroyed three VBIEDs and three ISIS fuel tankers, and suppressed three 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
    79
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    159
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI715

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

حي النجار, Mosul, Al-Najjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35768, 43.09861 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local residents said that two named brothers had died in Najjar neighbourhood, after what two sources reported as Coalition airstrikes on their house. Other sources spoke of “indiscriminate shelling” more broadly, and Nineveh Media Center spoke of a rocket attack on the home.

Iraqyoon Agency said that the Coalition had targeted a house next to that of the brothers, which ISIL used to treat their wounded. This had caused the destruction of the house where Sajid Ahmed Sajid and his brother Amer Ahmad Sajid were residing at the moment of the strike. Amer was the father of two sons, called Emad and Ziad.

Airwars previously thought that this incident had been assessed as credible by the Coalition. However, in July 2019 Coalition officials indicated that CI715 had in fact been found to be non-credible. While investigating the allegations, they did find two civilians that had been killed in a separate event – this can be found in CI715a.

The Coalition’s April 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Sajid Ahmed Sajid
Adult male Brother of Amer Ahmad Sajid killed
Amer Ahmad Sajid
Adult male Brother of Sajid Ahmed Sajid killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Amer Ahmad Sajid and Sajid Ahmad Sajid (via MNN)
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
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF294253
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018
  • May 16, 2017, near Mosul Iraq, via Airwars report. 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 May 15th-16th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, two mortar systems, to medium machine guns, two VBIEDs, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIED facilities, and a supply cache; damaged 13 ISIS supply routes and nine fighting positions; and suppressed three ISIS tactical units and two mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI749

Incident date

June 5, 2017

Location

Mosul, Mishahda, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on of civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq” via a media report. According to the Coalition report, “13. June 5, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as Mishahda in Mosul.

No additional details are presently known.

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 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
  • Sep 1, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 4th-5th the Coalition did not report strikes near Mosul.

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]

Incident Code

CI816

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Location

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

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 28th-29th, Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS-held buildings, a vehicle storage facility, and an armored vehicle.”

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI848

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Location

الحصيبة, Husaybah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.391117, 40.986986 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported on the death of six civilians, and dozens wounded following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Husaybah, west of Anbar.

An initial report was released by Yaqin, which suspected the Coalition had targeted “villages on the border between Syria and Iraq”.

A’maq [ISIS propaganda] then reported: US shelling killed six and wounded ten at Husaybah. This claim was repeated in a report by Sound and Picture.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Husaybah (الحصیبة), for which the coordinates are: 34.391117, 40.986986. 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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 16th – 17th the Coalition reported “Near Rawah, two strikes destroyed two ISIS staging areas and a VBIED production facility. Near Rutbah, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two VBIED storage facilities, two vehicles, a tactical vehicle and a command and control node.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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

CI597

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Location

several neighbourhoods in West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to 25 civilians were killed and between 23 and 26 injured in airstrikes and artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in West Mosul.

Fareek Al-Morasleen said on Facebook that US airstrikes and artillery had led to the casualties. The other source did not say who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–26
  • 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 (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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 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 March 31st- April 1st the Coalition reported: “Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed two fighting positions, a VBIED, a sniper weapon system, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged three supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed 12 ISIS mortar teams, four ISIS tactical units, two ISIS heavy machine gun teams, and an ISIS sniper team.“
For April 1st-2nd the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed three rocket-propelled grenade systems, three fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, an artillery system, a weapons factory, and a VBIED factory; damaged seven supply routes and five fighting positions; and suppressed 12 ISIS mortar teams, four ISIS tactical units, and an ISIS sniper team.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–26
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI025

Incident date

December 26, 2014

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Al Wehda, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3267086, 43.1835651 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local residents reported that an “international airstrike” involving three missiles had struck houses killing and injuring civilians. NINA claimed that five women from one family were among the dead.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple residential neighbourhoods in East Mosul, including Al Wahida neighbourhood (حي الوحدة), for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 36.3267086, 43.1835651

  • Al Wahida neighbourhood (حي الوحدة) in East Mosul

    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 al-Wehda, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF293239
    Military Grid Reference System

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

The coalition confirmed two airstrikes in the vicinity of Mosul, though has not conceded any non-combatant casualties. For December 25th-26th 2015 CJTF-OIR reports: “Near Mosul, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL armored personnel vehicle.” And for December 26th-27th it states: “Near Mosul, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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

CI057

Incident date

April 8, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Maydan neighborhood, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to NINA, an intensive airstrike by the Coalition at dawn killed 11 civilians and injured a further four in Mosul. Strikes reportedly hit the neighbourhoods of Maydan, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran.

The news website Ajyal reported that up to 30 people had died in an airstrike on a juvenile prison in the city, “half of them militants, and half of them detainees.” However the source of the alleged strike was not made clear.

In July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of lack of available evidence: “April 8, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars 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.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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]

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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 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

The Coalition has confirmed five airstrikes at Mosul for April 8th-9th 2015: “Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar tube, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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]