Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CI506

Incident date

March 3, 2017

Location

المنصور, Mosul, Al Mansour, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.31736, 43.10975 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Surviving family members told Buzzfeed investigators that five members of a family died in a suspected Coalition strike. The alliance later accepted responsibility.

Buzzfeed casenotes for the incident were later shared with Airwars:

“GPS Coordinates: 36°19’02.5″N, 43°06’35.1″E

Date and approximate time: March 3, at around 11am

Casualties: The nephew and four nieces of Zayd Younes Mohamed, all deceased. Four surviving children and brother, some with injuries.

Comments: This strike was not concurrent with the ISF assault into the neighborhood. ISIS had that day moved an anti-aircraft gun on the other side of a thin wall beside the home. The strike target the gun. It destroyed the home in the process; witnesses were not sure if the gun was also hit. Zayd and his brother buried the dead children. When they approached the Iraqi government for compensation, they were told that since the bodies were no longer at the site of the blast, the government could not prove that the dead were victims of the blast, and their case was rejected.”

In its August monthly casualty report the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting that “March 3, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: During a strike on an ISIS machine gun position engaging ISF, it was assessed that five civilians, not previously observed during the engagement, were unintentionally killed.”

Officials confirmed to Airwars that this was the al Mansour neighbourhood, and provided matching co-ordinates.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3031220807
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • March 3, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: During a strike on an ISIS machine gun position engaging ISF, it was assessed that five civilians, not previously observed during the engagement, were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 2nd-March 3rd the Coalition stated: “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed six fighting positions, four heavy machine guns, three medium machine guns, two tunnels, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a VBIED, and a VBIED facility; damaged seven supply routes; and suppressed 22 mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI826

Incident date

August 10, 2017

Location

تل عفر, Tal Afar, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3866, 42.47141 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of five civilians in an event near Tal Afar, Iraq.

Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

The Coalition’s report only mentions the vicinity of the town of Tal Afar (تل عفر), for which the coordinates are: 36.375659, 42.451536. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The Coalition later released the MGRS for this incident, placing it at 36.3866, 42.47141

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
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Tal Afar, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF732298
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • Aug. 10, 2017 near Tal Afar, Iraq via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 9th-10th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building and a vehicle” and “Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI156

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.52068, 43.00152 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of five including three children was killed in a US airstrike on the Albothiab Island area of Ramadi.

The deceased, the Kazem family, were later named by Al Fallujah News.

CENTCOM confirmed the casualty event on April 22nd 2016, noting: “On Dec. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike on ISIL personnel at a suspected ISIL checkpoint, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after they unexpectedly moved into the target location after weapons were already in flight.“

It was also reported that the day before the incident, Iraqi government aircraft had targeted civilian taxis in the same area, killing two.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Duraid Ibrahim Kazem
Adult male Father, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Nebras Abdul Alkarim
Adult male Mother, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Mustafa
Child male Child, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Mohammed
Child male Child, named by Al Fallujah News killed
Farah
Child female Child, named by Al Fallujah News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Family of five killed in a reported Coalition strike December 10 (via Ramadi News)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 33.437441, 43.286666

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    in Ramadi, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLC144108
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016

  • On Dec. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike on ISIL personnel at a suspected ISIL checkpoint, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after they unexpectedly moved into the target location after weapons were already in flight.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Ramadi, six strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL command and control nodes, an ISIL assembly area, two ISIL fighting positions, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI834

Incident date

August 23, 2017

Location

الكرابلة, Mahdi school area of Karabla, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.376786, 41.060586 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians, including three women, were reported killed following airstrikes on Karabla. In particular, the Mahdi School was said to have been hit. Sources described heavy shelling by warplanes.

While the Yagein news agency referred to government aircraft as the perpetrators, it was not clear from other reports who was responsible for the strike, however.

In July 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the deaths of all five civilians in this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh weapons cache. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.” The Coalition also provided Airwars with the location for this incident accurate to within a 100 metre box.

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon conceded this as a US military incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A satellite image shows the destroyed building following strike on Mahdi school area of Karabla on Aug 23rd, 2017
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area surrounding Al Mahdi (المهدي) Elementary School in the neighbourhood of Karabla (الكرابلة). The exact coordinates for the school are: 34.376786, 41.060586. The MGRS released by the Coalition – accurate to within a 100 metre box – placed this incident around 34.37715, 41.06102.

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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    Karabla, Al Qaim, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU895059
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 29, 2019

  • Aug. 23, 2017, in Karabla, Al Qaim, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh weapons cache. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 22nd -23rd the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed two ISIS headquarters and two weapons caches.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS548

Incident date

March 3, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.833712, 38.546042 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 12 civilians were reported killed and four injured in an air raid which most sources blamed on the Coalition.

According to MicroSyria “Warplanes carried out two raids in Tabaqa which is under the control of ISIL and killed 5 civilians, and wounded others including women and children who were taken to hospitals.” Smart News also placed the death toll at five, with four injured. Al Quds placed the toll higher at 12 killed, while the Syrian Observatory reported 10 deaths: “Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the death of at least 10 persons, including 5 citizen women and children under the age of 18.

Sources confirmed to the Observatory that they were recovered from under the rubble of buildings that were destroyed by warplanes believed to belong to the International Coalition in al-Tabaqa city which is located in the western countryside of al-Raqqah and controlled by the “Islamic State” organisation.

Other body parts were also found, but it is unknown whether they belong to other bodies or they are body pieces from the other corpses.”

In November 2017 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this allegation of civilian harm.

Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed a Daesh weapon storage facility, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

In April 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for 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
    5 – 12
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known 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:

  • 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 deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Al Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV590656
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017

  • March 3, 2017, near Al Tabqah, Syria via Airwars report. During a Coalition strike that destroyed a Daesh weapon storage facility, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 2nd-March 3rd the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed a weapons storage facility.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

[France reports that in the last week it carried out 29 sorties and 9 strikes destroying 12 ISIL targets. In Iraq, all 8 strikes were carried out in support of operations in Mosul. They targeted mortar positions and defensive positions in the city as well as in the outskirts of Badush. In Syria, in the Raqqah region, a Rafale patrol was engaged on a ground support mission to neutralize ISIL fighters leading an attack against the SDF.

Opération Chammal En Syrie le recul de Daech se poursuit. Après avoir dû se retirer d’Al Bab la semaine passée, l’organisation terroriste a perdu cette semaine le contrôle de la ville de Palmyre, tandis que la manœuvre d’isolement de Raqqah au Nord de l’Euphrate est sur le point de s’achever. En Irak, Daech tente d’entretenir l’insécurité en poursuivant sa campagne d’actions asymétriques, en particulier dans l’Anbar, dans une logique de dispersion des forces engagées contre elle. En périphérie de Mossoul Ouest, la manœuvre d’encerclement menée par les forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) progresse dans sa partie occidentale. Les combats qui ont lieu depuis le début de la semaine autour de la localité de Badush au Nord-Ouest de la ville en sont la conséquence. Dans la partie sud de Mossoul Ouest, les FSI poursuivent également leur progression dans le centre urbain et se trouvent désormais aux portes du centre historique. Avançant toujours le long du Tigre depuis l’aéroport, les combattants de la police fédérale et de l’ICTS sécurisent méthodiquement chaque quartier, faisant face à une défense féroce des combattants terroristes. Dans le même temps, Daech maintient ses actions de harcèlement contre la partie orientale de Mossoul, en réalisant des tirs de mortiers sporadiques et aveugles. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 29 sorties aériennes dont 26 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 3 de recueil de renseignement. 9 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français, elles ont permis la destruction de 12 objectifs. En Irak, les 8 frappes ont toutes été réalisées en appui des opérations sur Mossoul. Elles s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’appui des troupes irakiennes engagées dans l’offensive visant à reprendre la partie ouest de Mossoul. Elles ont ciblé des positions de mortier et des positions défensives dans la ville de Mossoul elle-même, ainsi que dans la périphérie de Badush. En Syrie, dans la région de Raqqah, une patrouille de Rafale a été engagée en mission d’appui des troupes au sol pour neutraliser des combattants de Daech menant une attaque contre des forces démocratiques syriennes. Appui feu – Task Force Wagram Cette semaine, l’effort du détachement de la Task Force (TF) Wagram, désormais regroupée sur une même emprise au nord de Mossoul, s’est intensifié. Les appuis ont marqué l’effort au profit des troupes engagées au sol dans la région de Badush. 53 missions ont été réalisées cette semaine. Elles comprennent 22 actions de neutralisation, destruction ou harcèlement visant soit à détruire des positions défensives adverses, soit à empêcher tout mouvement des groupes de combattants de Daech. 31 missions d’éclairement ont également été effectuées afin d’entraver les tentatives d’infiltration de la part de groupes de combattants terroristes cherchant à mener des actions de harcèlement nocturne contre les FSI.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 12
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1136

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Location

الحصين, Hossain, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.96195, 39.76632 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of five or six, including three or four children, were killed following Coalition airstrikes on Al Hossain in Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. The event was later reported to be likely either a French or Belgian airstrike – though the United States subsequently accepted blame.

The Syrian Network initially put the death toll at six while claiming the event happened a day earlier: “Six civilians from the same family including 4 children and a woman, IDPs from Deir Ez-Zour, killed in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on al Hussain village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs, June 30, 2017.”

Thirteen sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible, whereas the remainder did not apportion blame.

In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a Daesh command structure. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strike locations.” The Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this event accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The following month, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon excluded this event and thirteen others for 2017 and 2018, with two senior officials with close knowledge of the report confirming to Airwars that all non-US actions had been left out.

In March 2020, Airwars, Liberation and De Morgen published a joint investigation revealing that Belgium and France were refusing to accept responsibility for civilian harm in several events, most likely including this incident – despite all other allies ruling themselves out.

Asked to say whether its aircraft were responsible for officially declared civilian harm in up to nine incidents, the Belgian Ministry of Defence told Airwars by email: “For the year 2017, BAF [Belgian Armed Forces] was certainly not involved in all events. With regard to the other data given, BAF was no longer present in theatre. BAF completed its role at the end of 2017. Our conclusion is that all ROEs [rules of engagement] were respected as confirmed by our federal court.”

After confirming receipt from Airwars in June 2019 of details of possible French civilian casualty events, the defence ministry then ceased communication – refusing to answer all subsequent emails.

In May 2020, in its third annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon now appeared to be confirming that its forces had carried out this action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Ahmed Hussein al Hamad
Adult male killed
Bara’a Saleh Jadaan
Adult female killed
Hadil Ahmed Hussein al Hamad
Child male killed
Amina Ahmed Hussein al Hamad
Child female killed
Raweya Ahmed Hussein al Hamad
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Rawia and Hadeel Al-Hamd in Al-Husain, killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Hossain, 1st July 2017. (via SN4HR)
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.961944, 39.767222

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
    5
  • Stated location
    near Hossain, Dier ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV691800
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019

  • July 1, 2017, near Hossain, Dier ez Zor, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a Daesh command structure. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strike locations.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 30th-July 1st, the Coalition reported: ” Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed six ISIS oil tanks, three well heads and two oil trucks.” It additionally reported that “On June 30, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four ISIS-held buildings, two command and control nodes and three oil stills.”

For July 1st-2nd: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed 20 ISIS oil storage barrels and six oil tankers.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3–4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI235

Incident date

April 30, 2016

Location

الموصل, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35397, 43.09201 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the CENTCOM later confirmed the deaths of five civilians in a US strike in Mosul.

Their November 2016 report noted: “during a strike against ISIL military leadership, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.”

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
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.34585235, 43.09857692

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 deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF288249
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • April 30, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, against ISIL military leadership, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for April 29th-30th 2016 that “Near Mosul, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL assembly areas, two ISIL bed down locations, two ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL weapons cache.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI831

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Location

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.37997, 42.45602 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of five civilians in an event near Tal Afar, Iraq.

Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS headquarters structure, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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

Airwars had monitored a mass casualty event in Tal Afar on this day (see CI830), however the Coalition have assessed it to be non-credible due to insufficient information. It is possible that this confirmed incident relates to part of that event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

  • An image reveals the destruction that followed a Coalition airstrike in Tal Afar (via Abu Zeinab Al Shehabi)
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed a Coalition airstrike in Tal Afar (via Abu Zeinab Al Shehabi)
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed a Coalition airstrike in Tal Afar (via Abu Zeinab Al Shehabi)

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 deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Tal Afar, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF718291
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • Aug. 19, 2017, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via self-report. During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS headquarters structure, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 19th-20th the Coalition reported Near Tal Afar, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed seven rocket systems, two command and control nodes, two mortar systems, a VBIED factory, a supply cache, and a front-end loader.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]