Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS759

Incident date

April 22, 2016

Location

سرحة, Sarha, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3423987, 37.425412 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians including two women and two to three children died in airstrikes on Sarha and surrounding villages according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

According to Shaam News Network,”aircraft believed to be a Russian carried out raids on the villages of Sarha and Jib Abiyad which caused the fall of martyrs and wounded, including women and children“. Radio Al-Kul also blamed Russia, saying that a whole family died in Jeb Al-Abyad when Russian warplanes targeted their house. Alaraby said Russia was responsible for “a dozen strikes” that killed “nine civilians, including women and children, along with about thirteen wounded”.

However, other sources attributed the incident to the regime: Baladi News said nine people including three women and two children died in regime air strikes on civilian buildings in the eastern countryside of Hama. Syria Mubashar also blamed the regime, putting the death toll at eight including three women and three children, with 20 more people injured. It said: “sources (not official) mentioned air strikes from warplanes killed a mother and her daughter and another person from the shaman’s family in the village of Jeb Al-Abyad, a mother and daughter from Achammal family while amputated father ‘s leg in the village Jwe’ed, and also a mother and her five- years in the village of Shoaib Al_huso, and people in Abu khanadeq village in Hama east.”

Hama Agency also blamed Russia and put the death toll at 8. It listed a number of alleged killed and wounded civilians in four villages:

1. Jeb Al-AByad: a woman, her daughter and her cousin (from Shaman’s family)

2. Juway’ed: woman and her two daughters (from Achammal family)

3. Shoaib Al_huso: a woman and a child, and  eight members of the same family were injured

4. Abu Alkhanadeq: one civilian was killed

Hamahnow said four civilians died and seven were injured in airstrikes “which targeted Al-Surouj and Al-Jundeyeh and Jeb Al-Abyad, Qanbar, Hamadi Umar, Na’emeya and Qastal villages”. They did not say who carried them out. Likewise, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and SRG_Syria reported raids but did not identify the warplanes responsible.

In a tweet, Seafalgab555 spoke of “massive air strikes warplanes on Eastern Hama countryside in both Akirbat and Al-Sa’an which led to six martyrs and a large number of wounded.” It did not specify who was responsible for the strikes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Woman from the Shaman family
Adult female killed
Daughter from the Shaman family
Age unknown female killed
Cousin of above family
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Woman from the Achammal family
Adult female killed
Child of above woman
Age unknown killed
Child of above woman
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a strike on Sarha, April 22nd (via Syria Mubashar)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS758

Incident date

April 22, 2016

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that between 18 and 20 civilians died in alleged regime and Russian raids on neighborhoods in Aleppo.

According to the Shaam News Network, “regime and Russian planes” carried our raids “targeting most of Aleppo’s neighbourhoods: Tareeq al Bab, Al Mayssar, al Rashideen, Bustan al Qasr, Al Marja, Sallahudeen, Aqyool, Bab al Nayrab, Bab al Hadeed, Al Mouwasalat, al Haydariya, al Mashhad, Al Ansari, Al Sukkari, Al Salheen and al Shi’aar which led to the fall of dozens of dead and wounded, all of whom are civilian. The final count is more than 20 martyr in Bustan al Qasr, Salah Al Deen, al Muwasalat, al Salheen and Aqyoo”.

In a tweet, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that five people had been killed “in shelling on Bustan Al Qaser and Anadan, Aleppo”. In a later report it said that “no less than 10 were killed or wounded by aerial bombardment targeted Bustan al-Qaser neighborhood“, but they did not identify the planes. It later added that a minimum of 19 civilians died in 14 strikes by “warplanes on areas in the neighborhoods of Al-Ansari, Bostan al-Qasr, al-Sekkary, Bab al-Nairab, al-MashHad, Haidariya and al-Salhin and other neighborhoods controlled by factions in Aleppo“, and said that the death toll was likely to rise due to the seriousness of injuries.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for the attacks in Bustan Al Qasr , Salah Al Deen (in which they said one child died), Aqyool (in which 10-year-old Abdul Rahman was killed) and Bab Al Nairab (in which five died).

The Violations Documentation Center named Abdulr-Rahman Al-Jesri, a 13 year old boy, and said he was killed by shelling in Aqiwl. It blamed the “Syrian government and affiliated militias”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul-Rahman Al-Jesri
13 years old male killed
Abdul Rahman
10 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 20
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim is treated following an airstrike on Aleppo, April 22nd. (via White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the shelling in Aleppo (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the shelling in Aleppo (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the shelling in Aleppo (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the shelling in Aleppo (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the shelling in Aleppo (via SOHR)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting Aleppo (via Aleppo White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 20
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS204

Incident date

April 21, 2016

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four and up to ten members of one family were reported killed in alleged Coalition (or possibly Russian) night time strikes on Abu Kamal.

According to the Deir Ezor Observatory there were three Coalition strikes on the city, all after midnight. And News of the Revolution reported that “International coalition planes last night carried out four raids targeting the cement factory, the Krash factory, al Sina’a [industrial area], al Hizam Al Akhdar [the green belt], and there is news of the martyrdom of an entire family.”

Free Deir Ezzor Broadcast named the victims, but said the attack was by Russia: “Khamees Said al Matar and nine members of his family were killed after warplanes targeted their house last night. The house was totally destroyed.” However the Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the vicinity. The Syrian Network placed the Coalition death toll at four civilans, which it said included a woman.

The Syrian Network put the death toll at four, also naming Khamis Al Sayed Matar as well as Saeed Khamis Al Matar.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes near Abu Kamal that day, the MoD told Airwars: “We cannot make any definitive assessment of possible UK presence from the evidence you have provided, but I can confirm that there was no indication of any civilian casualties in our own detailed assessments of the impact of each of our strikes over the period concerned.”

In its July 2017 monthly report the Coalition added that no civilians were harmed in the strike: “April 21, 2016, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Based on available reports from the time, Airwars continues to class this event as fair.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khamis Al Sayed Matar
Age unknown male killed
Saeed Khamis Al Matar
Age unknown male killed
Khamees Said al Matar
Age unknown male nine members of his family were killed after warplanes targeted their house killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Saeed Khamis Al Matar (via SNHR)
  • Khamis Al Sayed Matar (via SNHR)
  • Translation: Coalition planes target with several raids IS positions and machinery in al Boukamal eastern Deir Ezzor.
  • Translation: Internatiopnal coalition planes target with three raids IS positions in al Boukamal after mid night last night.
  • Translation: International coalition planes carried out last night 4 raids targeting the cement factory, the Krash factory, al Sina’a [industrial area], al Hizam Al Akhdar [the green belt] and there are news about the martyrdom of an entire family. (via Abumosa111)
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 Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for April 21st-22nd 2016 that “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes struck an ISIL bed down location and an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) facility.“

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

[On April 21, two patrols, composed of 2 and 4 Mirage 2000D, respectively destroyed an oil infrastructure used for military purposes in the Abu Kamal region of Syria.]

‘2 frappes planifiées ont été conduites en Syrie Le 21 avril, deux patrouilles, composées de 2 et 4 Mirage 2000D, ont respectivement détruit dans la région d’Abu Kamal une infrastructure pétrolière utilisée à des fins militaires et une caserne.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI230

Incident date

April 20, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike on a neighbourhood in eastern Mosul also reportedly killed an entire family.

According to NRN News, “Our correspondent said that the bombing was aimed at the home district council of Mosul by Zuhair al-Jubouri in a neighbourhood used by Daesh. But the rocket landed on the house next door, killing five people consisting of family.”

Local blogger Souad al Azzawi published a photo he said was of the destroyed house in which a mother and four children died. MNN said the children were all girls. And Mosul Eye said a home belonging to the owner of a nearby pharmacy was destroyed.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo reveals the destroyed house in which a woman and four children were reportedly killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Mosul on Wednesday, April 20th 2016 (via Souad Al-Azzawi)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF293239
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • April 20, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2946/CI230 38SLF293239

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for April 19th-20th 2016 that “Near Mosul, nine strikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL-used power plant, and four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL supply caches, an ISIL mortar system, and two ISIL vehicles and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI231

Incident date

April 20, 2016

Location

الموصل, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike on a bank in Faisaliah reportedly killed six students and injured a further eight civilians.

According to NINA, “The international Coalition bombed on Thursday [April 21st] the Um Al- Rabiein bank in the Al Faisaliah area in the north of Mosul, which led to the martyrdom of six students who were in the nearby bank and wounding eight others.”

Local blogger Salam Hamdoon claimed the strike took place at 10 am during peak time when the area was crowded with civilians.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF339240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • April 20, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2947/CI231 38SLF339240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for April 19th-20th 2016 that “Near Mosul, nine strikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL-used power plant, and four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL supply caches, an ISIL mortar system, and two ISIL vehicles and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS203

Incident date

April 19, 2016

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two named civilians were reported killed and others injured after an alleged Coalition strike at Al Tabaqah.

One of those killed has been named as Abd al Mahayman Abd al Tawwab al Radwan, from Deir Ezzor.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al Mahayman Abd al Tawwab al Radwan
Age unknown male From Deir Ezzor killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: #Al Raqqa: two martyrs and a number of wounded in an international coalition raid on the town of #Al Tabaqa

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV580651
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • April 19, 2016, in Al Tabaqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2950/CS203 37SDV580651

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 18th-19th the Coalition reports that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI229

Incident date

April 19, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34597, 43.09889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, up to eight civilians were killed and others injured after Coalition jets struck the Al Hadbah apartment complex in western Mosul. “Many” Daesh fighters were also reported killed.

NRN said it was a nighttime attack: “Our correspondent says the bombing killed and wounded a number of civilians, noting that foreign elements in Daash were also killed during the shelling. Our correspondent also said the bombing caused considerable material damage to residential buildings and civilian property.” Iraqi Revolution said a neighbourhood gas station was also hit in the Coalition attack.

Reports described the Al Hadbah complex as being inhabited by Daesh fighters and their immediate families.

Two victims were later named two (who may have been sewage workers for the city.), and Daesh-linked A’Amaq media claimed that four children, two women and a man were killed. Al Noor also said that four children and their mother died.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible RAF involvement given declared strikes at Mosul that day, the UK MoD told Airwars: “There is no credible indication of potential UK involvement” in the alleged event of April 19th.”

On July 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “April. 19, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS facility, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 20 were injured.”

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.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Khalid
Age unknown male (via Yosif Almashadany FB) killed
Waleed Khalid
Age unknown male (via Yosif Almashadany FB) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1–2 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ 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
    8
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    20
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF294240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • April. 19, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS facility, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 20 were injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for April 19th-20th 2016 that “Near Mosul, nine strikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL-used power plant, and four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL supply caches, an ISIL mortar system, and two ISIL vehicles and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1–2 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI228

Incident date

April 18, 2016

Location

صديرة, Sudayrah, Salahudin, Iraq

Geolocation

35.4669, 43.28284 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, unknown aircraft struck boats in Sidera village east of Shirkat north of Tikrit, killing 22 civilians and injuring at least 15 more.

Russia Today claimed that the night time event “killed five brothers from one family” with a number of houses in the village destroyed.

According to News of Iraq, the civilians died when boats carrying food were struck on the river: “It’s noteworthy that as a result of the siege of Fallujah and the hunger people are suffering, they are being forced to use boats to move some relief aid in from other regions, particularly after the destruction of nearby bridges.”

Al Sumaria blamed the Coalition, while News of Iraq said the Iraqi military was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition did report destroying a boat, though placed the attack near Mosul: “Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL mortar positions, two ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL boat and suppressed an ISIL rocket team.“

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
    15–20
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]