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

CI872

Incident date

October 26, 2017

Location

Al Qaim (Romana area), Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.39381, 41.07954 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sources reported the deaths of 22 civilians and dozens of wounded as a result of an airstrike on the Romana area in Al Qaim. Local media outlets Yaqein and Dhiqar also reported the bombing. Both quoted a military source confirming the airstrike.

However, Yaqein, as well as Dhiqar, mentioned both the Coalition and the Iraqi air force as the culprit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the shelling of the Al Qaim, Romana area, Anbar (via Yaqein)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Romana (منطقة الرمانة), Qaim, west of the province of Anbar. The generic coordinates for the town of Romana (منطقة الرمانة) are: 34.39381, 41.07954. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 25th-26th the Coalition reported: “Near Al Qaim, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area and destroyed 10 supply routes, a VBIED facility, an ISIS vehicle and a command and control node.”

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
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI873

Incident date

October 31, 2017

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz (near al-Qaiem, Iraq), Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

34.43438, 41.008 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 announced the injuries of two civilians in an event near al Qaim.

Their June 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike destroyed Daesh headquarters, two civilians were unintentionally injured.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. This placed the strike at the village of Al Baghouz, only a few hundred metres from the Syrian-Iraqi border.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near al-Qaiem, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU845121
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • October 31, 2017, near al-Qaiem, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike destroyed Daesh headquarters, two civilians were unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 30th-31st the Coalition reported: “Near Al Qaim, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS vehicle, a staging site, a mortar firing position, and damaged 13 ISIS supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI874

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Central, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.39539, 40.99403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that raids carried out on Al Qaim had resulted in the deaths of at least 45 civilians and had left dozens of people injured. The US-led Coalition later conceded one civilian death in the event.

Both Omar Al Halbusi and the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq blamed the Coalition, with the latter citing a press source indicating the death of 45 civilians and dozens injured.

Yaqein also reported on aircraft and artillery bombing, indicating that indiscriminate shelling of residential areas took place in the centre of Al Qaim. The news agency put the death toll at between 45 and 50 civilians but did not identify the culprit.

In its November 2018 monthly casualty report the Coalition accepted responsibility for one death during the event, noting that “Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS headquarters. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally killed in the blast. The headquarters was destroyed.”

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

The incident was first reported on November 1, 2017 at 4:00 pm by .

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Qaim (القائم) for which the coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684

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
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Qaim, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU833078
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018
  • On Nov. 1, 2017, near Al Qaim, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS headquarters. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally killed in the blast. The headquarters was destroyed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 31st-November 1st, the Coalition reported at the time that “Near Al Qaim, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and damaged an ISIS supply route and destroyed a command and control node, a weapons cache, an ISIS headquarters and a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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

CI875

Incident date

February 7, 2018

Location

المخيسة, Al Mikhisa village, Diyala, Iraq

Geolocation

33.911152, 44.735234 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were reports that two civilians were killed and two injured by airstrikes in Al Mikhisa village, east of the Abu Sayda district. Local sources told Airwars that two of the deceased civilians may have been farmers.

All reports mentioned that airstrikes targeted the “orchards” or “the farms” in the village. None however provided any information on the culprit.

According to Alebaa TV, the head of the security committee in the Abu Saida district council stated instead that four “criminal elements” from Fallujah had been killed and wounded by “an intensive aerial bombardment” in the eastern part of the area.

Al Bawabh News later quoted the same head of the security committee who stated that “the so-called military prince of the Daesh organization in the Waqf basin was killed from wounds” that were a result of an air raid “near the orchards of Al-Mukhisa”.

The US-led Coalition later denied responsibility for any civilian harm, noting in October 2018 that “The [Airwars] report contains insufficient information of 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
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (5) [ 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 information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al-Mikhaisa, Diyala, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SMC755523
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 28, 2018
  • February 7, 2018, near al-Mikhaisa, Diyala, Iraq, via Airwars. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 7th, the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 7 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets. Near Taji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For February 7th-13th, the Netherlands report its F16s attacked ISIS fighters and a logistic storage facility near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor. Jets supported ground troops in 8 missions, including in the Al Anbar province, Iraq. Weapons deployed in two missions.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 14-02-2018 | 12:00 Nederlandse F-16’s vielen ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen ISIS-strijders en een logistieke opslagplaats aan. Dat gebeurde in de omgeving van Abu Kamal in de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 7 tot en met 13 februari 2018. De jachtvliegtuigen hielpen de grondtroepen, ook boven de Iraakse provincie Al-Anbar, tijdens 8 missies. Bij 2 werden wapens ingezet. Nederland strijdt boven Irak en Oost-Syrië in coalitieverband tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI876

Incident date

April 2, 2018

Location

Al Qanus Island, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.68073, 43.28055 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event not tracked by Airwars at the time, in July 2018 the Coalition self-reported that it had accidentally killed one civilian and injured a second in an action near Qayarrah.

According to the report, “April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

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

Airwars researchers could find no public records of reported civilian harm in the area that day. They were however able to identify an ISIS propaganda video, which referenced “a martyrdom operation on a gathering of Iraqi forces near the village of Imam south of the city of Qayyarah.” The video itself has since been deleted.

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.68073, 43.28055

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
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE444499
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 2nd, the Coalition reported that “On April 2 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets. Near Bayji, one strike engaged a Daesh tactical unit. One strike was conducted near Qayyarah.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

CI877

Incident date

May 14, 2018

Location

السفينة و حويجة, Mashraq village, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.57707, 43.34567 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local reports, airstrikes targeted villages south of Mosul on the morning of May 14th and resulted in considerable damage – and injured between two and five civilians. The Coalition later conceded injuring 13 civilians in the event.

Yaqein quoted a local source that stated that “An aircraft believed to be an American fired two large missiles on the village of Hawija south of Mosul”. The source added that “the rockets fell near the houses of the population, which resulted in the injury of five civilians”. All other sources also noted that the strikes took place south of Mosul, but identified the strike location as the village of al Safina. Ajl News reported that the “unknown bombing” targeted the villages of al Sefena, Mashraq, Talul Nasser, Nimrod and was believed to be executed by an “international Coalition aircraft”.

The security information center of the Ministry of Defense reported that a Coalition airstrike struck north of al-Qayarah base and injured 13 civilians. The center noted that “the injured were taken to the hospital, where ten of them left after receiving treatment while 3 remain in the hospital.”

Sputnik quoted an Iraqi security source who stated that two civilians were injured and that the aircraft may be either affiliated with the Coalition or the Iraqi air force. The source also mentioned that the strike may have been “made by mistake” as Iraqi forces had already liberated the Nineveh province from ISIS.

A local source told Yaqein that “the security forces carried the wounded to a military hospital in Mosul.”

In July 2018 the Coalition admitted responsibility, noting: “May 14, 2018, near Mishraq village, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh campsite, thirteen civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

In August 2019 the Coalition noted that they had made an error in the July 2018 report, stating that it should have read 13 civilians were injured, instead of killed.

In its 2019 annual report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to be a US action – though also wrongly stated 13 deaths. This was corrected in the following year’s report.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Destruction at Mishraq following a Coalition strike which killed 13 civilians in May 2018 (via Ajl News)
  • Destruction at Mishraq following a Coalition strike which killed 13 civilians in May 2018 (via Ajl News)
  • Destruction at Mishraq following a Coalition strike which killed 13 civilians in May 2018 (via Ajl News)
  • Destruction at Mishraq following a Coalition strike which killed 13 civilians in May 2018 (via Ajl News)
  • Destruction of one of the villages south of Mosul after an alleged Coalition or Iraqi airstrike (via Ajl News)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

The coordinates provided to Airwars by the US-led Coalition are 35.57707, 43.34567 (Military Grid Reference System: 38SLE501383), defining an area of 100 × 100 m. Satellite imagery of this area shows none of the built structures or terrain visible in the documentation from local sources. Airwars has contacted the Coalition for clarification.

  • Coordinates of 100 m area indicated by Coalition

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
    13
  • Stated location
    near Mishraq village, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE501383
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 29, 2019
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • May 14, 2018, near Mishraq village, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh campsite, thirteen civilians were unintentionally killed.

  • In the July 26, 2018 Monthly Civilian Casualty Report, CJTF-OIR reported, "May 14, 2018, near Mishraq village, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh campsite, thirteen civilians were unintentionally killed." This was an administrative error and should have read, "May 14, 2018, near Mishraq village, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh campsite, thirteen civilians were unintentionally injured." The total civilian casualty assessment has been updated to reflect this correction.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition publicly reported at the time that: “On May 14 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against Daesh targets.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI877a

Incident date

March 10, 2019

Location

near Qayyarah-West Airfield, Iraq, Qayyarah, Iraq

Geolocation

35.74559, 43.1553 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an event near Qayyarah-West Airfield, Iraq. The Pentagon later confirmed this as a US action.

In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: “Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally injured by Coalition small arms fire.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. Airwars researchers could not find any reported claims of civilian harm in the area on this day.

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Department of Defense declared this to be a US action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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
  • Known target
    ISIS

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table of US-only civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria for 2019, declared by the Pentagon to Congress in May 2020.

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
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Qayyarah-West Airfield, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE332573
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019
  • Mar. 10, 2019, near Qayyarah-West Airfield, Iraq, via media-report. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally injured by Coalition small arms fire.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Between March 10 - 23, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 250 strikes consisting of 398 engagements against Daesh
targets in Syria and Iraq.
In Iraq, CJTF-OIR conducted 57 strikes consisting of 60 engagements, engaged 44 Daesh tactical units, and
destroyed 14 supply routes, three buildings, two fighting position, one weapons cache, and one cave.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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
  • Known target
    ISIS