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

CI874a

Incident date

January 27, 2018

Location

البغدادي , Al Baghdadi, Anbar, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Eight people including a woman and six police officers were reported killed and 20 others including two women severely injured in an alleged US-led Coalition strike on Al Baghdadi, west of Anbar province on January 27th, 2018, according to multiple local sources. Reports said that the strike “mistakenly struck a gathering of local security forces”, also killing five policemen and the director of al-Baghdadi district, Sharhabil al-Obeidi, and the police chief Colonel Colonel Salam al-Obeidi.

11 of those killed and injured belong to two families.

Dotmsr reported: “An Iraqi official announced that eight people were killed, most of them security forces, and about 20 others were wounded, including a senior officer after, an attack by an international coalition aircraft mistakenly struck a gathering of local security forces in the town of al-Baghdadi in the western Anbar province.

“The official, who asked not to be named, said that eight people, including a police intelligence officer Baghdadi and five policemen and two civilians were killed after the bombing by International Alliance aircraft in the town center”.

Altaghier.tv said that an American helicopter carried out the raid, killing “seven people and wounding 20 more”.

According to Yaqein, “US aircraft bombed a convoy of vehicles belonging to the popular crowd militia west of Anbar province, killing about 20 people, including the director of al-Baghdadi district, Sharhabil al-Obeidi, and the police chief Colonel Colonel Salam al-Obeidi.” The source add that the helicopter struck the convoy as it was “headed to the house of Sheikh Al-Obeid of the Sheikh Maadi al-Obeidi tribe, 90 km west of Ramadi.”

Mahmood Abdulkhaliq reported that an arrest was carried out as a house was raided…Iraqi Security Forces and police then arrived at the scene, and then one of the US aircraft launched a bombing on the site, which led to the death and wounding about 27 civilians and security forces, including the director of the district and the director of police Baghdadi.”

Almaalomah added that “Angry residents in Anbar province expressed their disapproval and dismay at the criminal operation of the US Air Force, which resulted in the death and wounding of more than 20 people, while calling on the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Haider Abadi to refer the attacking force to the international judiciary.

Mohammed al-Obeidi called on all to “condemn these acts and refer the American soldiers who committed these foolish acts to international courts “.

Local sources said the following got killed in the attack: Ghajban Naji Saadoun, Haidar Sadek Karim Makhlaf, Gheith Natik kareem, Ahmed Karim Makhlaf, Makhlaf Natik Kareem, Tahrir Mahmood, Maraw Mdi Kerb, Col.Salm Al Obeidi (Abdul Salam Al Obeidi). 

The Joint Operation Command’s Communication Unit said that the Command requested an investigation into what happened in that attack.

 

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male injured
Age unknown male injured
Adult male Died later because of his injuries. Other sources named him Salam Abdullah Ahmed Fahed killed
Age unknown male injured
Age unknown The commander of the second group, a popular crowd injured
Age unknown male Not clear whether this is the same as Abdul Salam ObaidiDirector of Police Baghdad injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (6 other civilian non-combatants)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–8

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Images shared by Naynawa Alghad in the aftermath of a US led coalition airstrike on a gathering of local security forces in al-Baghdadi, Al Anbar, Iraq on January 27th, 2018.
  • Images shared by Naynawa Alghad in the aftermath of a US led coalition airstrike on a gathering of local security forces in al-Baghdadi, Al Anbar, Iraq on January 27th, 2018.
  • Aftermath of an alleged US-led coalition airstrike on a gathering of local security forces in al-Baghdadi, Al Anbar, Iraq on January 27th, 2018.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Clarification: The Joint Operations Command has received accurate intelligence about the presence of a terrorist leader, Kareem'Abat Ali al-Sammarid, in a house in al-Baghdadi district to meet with a terrorist cell preparing to carry out operations against security forces and citizens. On the basis of this information, a force from the 8th Infantry Brigade was immediately assigned and air support from the International Alliance aircraft to raid the scene, arrest the wanted terrorist, and after the raid and arrest of the terrorist Karim Afat Ali Al-Samramd. During the search and collection of evidence, A neighboring house, which was called to respond quickly and then withdrew to the headquarters of the departure of the force and on the way back, a group of gunmen was observed without coordination with the force in charge of duty, where they targeted aircraft holding the force was carried out at 0200 hours on Saturday 27 January 2018 Wu Hut Joint Special Operations Command to open an investigation of the incident and bring you details later.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (6 other civilian non-combatants)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–8

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI651

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

near Mosul, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” by Human Rights Watch. According to the Coalition report, 83. April 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: 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.”

The strike was assessed as non credible based on the claim that “no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” However, the Coalition reported multiple strikes in Mosul that day.

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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 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 17th-18th the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; these destroyed five fighting positions, three VBIEDs, one mortar system, and one front-end loader; damaged three fighting positions and two supply routes; and suppressed one ISIS tactical unit, one mortar team and one artillery system.”

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

CI750

Incident date

June 5, 2017

Location

near Mosul, Iraq, 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 29th 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, “99. June 5, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media 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.“

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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 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

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

CI178

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

تليارة, Tell Yara, Bashiqa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.4447612, 43.2552338 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A spokesman for the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) stated that 12 civilians were injured in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Tell Yara in Bashiqa, north of Mosul.

Ghiyath Alsurja, a media official with the KDP, told reporters that the Coalition had targeted Daesh facilities in the village 17 km north of Mosul, killing a number of enemy fighters. But he added that “12 people from the village were also injured.”

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event on the grounds of insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “Jan. 16, 2016, near Bashiqa, 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.”

Given the named source for this allegation, Airwars continues to assess as likely.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Bashiqa, 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 reports that for January 16th-17th 2016 “Near Mosul, 10 strikes struck seven separate ISIL tactical units and an ISIL-used culvert and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, 34 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL weapons caches, three ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL bunkers, and wounded two ISIL fighters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI338

Incident date

November 14, 2016

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.97785, 42.57989 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Tal Afar, Iraq.

Their March 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “Nov. 14, 2016, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS checkpoint it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when the vehicle he was driving approached the checkpoint just prior to the munition’s impact.”

The Coalition had previously announced in January 2017 that they were investigating a possible civilian casualty event at Tal Afar that had happened six weeks earlier.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.375659, 42.451536

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 injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Tal Afar, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKE818842
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017
  • Nov. 14, 2016, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS checkpoint it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when the vehicle he was driving approached the checkpoint just prior to the munition’s impact.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 13th-14th, the Coalition reported at the time that “Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed an ISIL-held repeater tower.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI532

Incident date

March 10, 2017

Location

Mosul, Rajm Hadid, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “March 10, 2017, near 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 Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as Rajm Hadid 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • 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
  • 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 March 9th-10ththe Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed 11 vehicles, nine mortar systems, eight fighting positions, five VBIEDs, two medium machine guns, two roadblocks, two watercraft, an anti-air artillery system, a supply cache, an ammunition cache, and a recoilless rifle; damaged 15 supply routes; and suppressed 10 mortar teams.”

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

CI729

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, 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

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that it did not carry out strikes in the area of where civilian casualties were alleged in social media reports. This allegation was previously unknown to Airwars.

The report stated as follows: “May 23, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 20 fighting positions, seven VBIEDs, six medium machine guns, five rocket-propelled grenade systems, three rocket systems, a weapons cache, a command and control node, a vehicle, a mortar system, a house-borne IED; damaged 21 ISIS supply routes, a tunnel, a fighting position; and suppressed four ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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

CI761

Incident date

June 13, 2017

Location

Mosul, Al Shifa, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.