Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS753

Incident date

April 12, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentations Center named Abdulhameed Ghassan al Afeif (also known as Hamadah) as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike.

However according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, he died when regime warplanes fired missiles on the Al Hamidiyeh neighborhood.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulhameed Ghassan al Afeif
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Hamid Ghassan Al Afif, killed in an airstrike on Deir ez-Zor, April 12th (via SN4HR)

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USSOM051-C

Incident date

April 11, 2016

Location

1.2 km east of Yontoy, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

-0.117661, 42.575190 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly killed in a US drone strike in Lower Juba.

The attack began late on April 11 and continued into the small hour of April 12, Lt Col Michelle Baldanza of AFRICOM later said in a statement. The camp “posed an imminent threat to US personnel,” she said.

Somali officials allege the village was being used as a staging post for al Shabaab attacks. One unnamed “high-ranking security official” told Voice of America the al Shabaab fighters were seen making “some movements” before the drone attack started.

There were however reports of civilian casualties, with both a local Somali journalist and Voice of America’s Somali service reporting that the attacks killed eight people. Five of the dead were al Shabaab and three were civilians, according to witnesses and Somali officials. They said the strike hit the al Shabaab-controlled village of Yontyo in Lower Juba, 24km north of Kismayo.

There were reports in the week following the attack that civilians were “fleeing towards the countryside and other towns in lower Jubba region of southern Somalia for their safety, leaving behind their herds of goats dead in the airstrikes”.

In an email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in 2016, Lt Col Baldanza denied civilians were killed: “We have no reports of civilian casualties from these strikes. We have significant mitigation measures in place during the conduct of operations to reduce the potential risks of collateral damage and civilian casualties.”

However, a declassified AFRICOM civilian harm review for Somalia, obtained by US investigative reporter Nick Turse in July 2019, found that the US military command was both alerted to the event and had assessed for civilian harm in July 2018. This insisted that “The targeted group was in an open area. displaying weapons, and not otherwise located in a place or group that would include civilians.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–15

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Tweet reporting on the incident
  • The same source reporting civilian harm

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the strikes targeted the area 1.2 kilometers east of the village of Yontoy, north of Kismayo. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The coordinates for the area 1.2 kilometers east of the village Yontoy are: -0.117661, 42.575190.

  • 1.2 kilometers area around the village Yontoy, marked in red

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • Jul 16, 2018

  • [Statement obtained via FOIA by Nick Turse in July 2019] On 25JUN18, New America reporter, David Sterman, contacted USAFRICOM PAO to inquire about a CIVCAS allegation concerning a strike IVO Yoontoy, Somalia on 11APR16. The allegation was featured in a Voice of America (VOA) news report on 12APR16 and in Chinese media reporting on 13APR16. Voice of America ("VOA") stated that "Witnesses and officials told VOA's Somali service that five militants and three civilians were killed in the airstrikes, which hit the al- Shabaab controlled village of Yontoy in Somalia's Lower Juba region." Xinhua (Chinese Media) claimed that recent U.S. airstrikes near Kismayo, Somalia resulted in the deaths of eight people. Their source, an unnamed local resident, said the death toll included five al-Shabaab militants and three civilians, one of whom was claimed to be a woman. N0T/NOT CREDIBLE: This incident occurred prior to the USAFRICOM CIVCAS SOP implementation; however, (USAFRICOM CCDR) was aware of the CIVCAS allegation and no further action was recommended or directed. 15 persons were observed at a known al-Shabaab bed-down location, during the day of the operation. The engagements occurred over 1.2 km to the east of the closest town and on the opposite side of a river. The targeted group was in an open area, displaying weapons, and not otherwise located in a place or group that would include civilians. The strike occurred in the context of an assisted partner force operation in the area, where partner forces came under fire from hostile forces.

Original strike reports

US Forces

In the late evening of 11 April and early morning of April 12 the US conducted self-defense fires against an al Shabaab camp in southern‎ Somalia which posed an imminent threat to US personnel.US forces are working closely with partner forces to combat al‎ Shabaab in Somalia. Al Shabaab has pledged allegiance to al Qaeda and continues to use its safe havens throughout Somalia to plot attacks against US citizens and interests in East Africa, as well as against our international partners in the region.The US is committed to supporting Somali and [Amisom] forces as they combat al Shabaab and work to bring stability to the region.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–15

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI224

Incident date

April 11, 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

According to Iraq Oil Report, at least 10 civilians died, and 20 were injured following Coalition airstrikes on Daesh bases around Mosul.

Citing local sources, it noted: “On April 11, coalition air strikes also took out IS bases in Sawas in the south, Sukar on the east and the Filastin (Palestine) area on the west sides of Mosul. But in striking targets in these residential neighbourhoods, the coalition also killed at least 10 civilians and wounded at least 20 more in total, according to two eyewitnesses at the scene of each strike who reported the bodies they saw.”

Prompted by Iraq Oil Report, the Coalition said it was reviewing the claims: “When asked to comment on these incidents, [chief Coalition spokesman Colonel Steve] Warren said the coalition conducted airstrikes ‘near Mosul’ on April 7 and 11, but did not confirm the particulars of the strikes.

‘We have not received previous allegations of civilian casualties in the area. Now that we have received this allegation, as with any allegation we receive, we will review any information we have about the incident, including information provided by third parties, such as the proximity of the location to CJTF airstrikes, and any other relevant information presented,’ Warren said, saying the coalition encourages reporting of civilian casualty allegations. ‘If the information supporting the allegation is determined to be credible, we will then determine the next appropriate step. We take all feasible measures during the targeting process to avoid or minimise civilian casualties or collateral damage and to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict,’ Warren said.”

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared the UK strikes near Mosul and Qayyarah that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in these strikes 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
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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
    38SLF357287/38SLF374198/38SLF310208
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • April 11, 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. 2938/CI224 38SLF357287

  • April 11, 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. 2939/CI224 38SLF374198

  • April 11, 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. 2940/CI224 38SLF310208

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports that for April 10th-11th 2016 “Near Mosul, four strikes [3 British] struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL supply cache, and an ISIL rocket rail.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS202

Incident date

April 11, 2016

Location

حمام صغير, Hamam Sagheir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.65233, 38.13965 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were reported killed and ten injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamam Sagheir village in Aleppo governorate. One of those killed was a child, who died alongside his father.

The Syrian Network placed the death toll at two including a child. Syria Post said up to four died, noting that “an entire family made up of 3-4 people was killed in the area of Al Hamam mountain in Al Shamiya area in the countryside of Manbij in the eastern Aleppo countryside after the international coalition launched a raid on their house which lies opposite the village of Tal Ahmar on the eastern bank of the Euphrates – after Kurdish militia gave Coalition planes the wrong coordinates.”

The Syrian Press Centre claimed the village mosque was also destroyed in five Coalition strikes on the village.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abboud al Hamad al Ali
Age unknown male Father of Nour al Deen al Ali killed
Nour al Deen al Ali
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Up to 4 civilians died in alleged Coalition strike April 11th after a home was mistakenly hit (via Syria Post)
  • Translation: #Aleppo: coalition planes carry out five raids on the village of Hamam Sagheer near Manbij which led to the death of two people and more than ten injuries including women.
  • Translation: the martyrdom of the child Nour al Deen al Ali and Abboud al Hamad al Ali in coalition raids on the village of Hamam Sagheer near Manbij. Ten others, including women, were injured.
  • Translation: two martyrs and a number of wounded and the destruction of a mosque following the targeting of warplanes the village of Hamam sagheer in Manbij. The two martyrs are A’bou al Hamad and his son nour Al Deen.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 11th-12th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL mortar system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI223

Incident date

April 10, 2016

Location

يت, Hit, Al-Bab Al-Gharbi and Ummal, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.634444, 42.827222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed Coalition planes struck a home in the Al-Bab Al-Gharbi neighbourhood of Hit in western Anbar, which resulted in the injuring of a family. A later report said two women died in the attack on Ummal neighbourhood.

In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non-credible on grounds of lack of available information: “April 10, 2016, near Hit, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Given that specific neighbourhoods were identified in reports, Airwars is seeking additional clarification from the Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ 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 Hit, 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
Official source

The Coalition reports that for April 9th-10th 2016 “Near Hit, two strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, and an ISIL mortar system and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS200

Incident date

April 10, 2016

Location

تل حسين, Tall Hussein, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.51693, 37.54187 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources named five civilian victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tal Hussain.

Almost all sources blamed the Coalition for the civilian deaths, although Halab News and the Syrian Human Rights Committee said Russia was responsible. The village was the scene of a major battle for control between rebels and Daesh fighters.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammad Saleh al-Sheikh
35 years old male 35-year old married father killed
Saleh al-Sheikh
70 years old male Married with sons

Family members (3)

Ahmad Abdulqader al-Obeid
65 years old male
Ahmad Abdulqader al-Obeid
16 years old male killed
Abdulqader al-Obeid
50 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman4 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 5 civilians killed following international coalition bombing of the village of Tal Hussein in the northern Aleppo countryside. (via Step Agency)
  • Translation: martyrs in a coalition raid on the village of Tal Hussein in the northern countryside. (via Jisir TV)
  • Translation Aleppo, northern countryside, 5 civilians killed in coalition raids on the village of Tal Hussein (via Moazz al A’bbas)
  • Translation: the victims of coalition raid on the village of Tal Hussein in the Aleppo countryside: The architect Abd al Qader al Obeid 50 years old Ahmad Abd al Qader al Obeid 16 years old Saleh Al Sheikh 75 years old Mohammad Saleh al Sheikh 35 years old Nafe’i al Deek 65 years old (via Abo Obada Alshami)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 10th-11th 2016 the Coalition reported the following strike in Aleppo governorate: “Near Mar’a, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, seven ISIL vehicles, two ISIL tactical vehicles, and an ISIL house borne improvised explosive device (HBIED).“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman4 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS751 CS201

Incident date

April 10, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five and as many as 20 civilians were reported killed and 53 injured after heavy alleged Coalition, Russian and/or Syrian regime night time strikes on Raqqa. Most sources allege that these were Coalition and regime raids – with the Coalition responsible for those after midnight and the regime for early morning strikes.

Coalition aircraft were reportedly flying in the vicinity immediately prior to the first attack, which happened just before midnight. One of those targeted was Fawaz al-Hassan, alias Abu Ali al Sahri, a Shariah judge in the city who had terrorised the civilian population.

However, one source, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that Russia was to blame. The initial SN4HR report said: “On 10 April 2016, alleged Russian warplanes shelled missiles at Al Thaqana in Al Raqqa city under the control of ISIL which killed 5 individuals from one family including 1 female child and a woman.” SN4HR subsequently reported that “alleged Russian warplanes” fired missiles which targeted the National Hospital in the Al Thakana neighborhood in the center of the city, killing three civilians, including two women, one of whom was a nurse. They added that the northern part of the building was destroyed and the hospital out of service.

However Raqqa is being Slaughtered attributed the attacks to both Coalition and Assad regime aircraft:

“Coalition planes targeted the city around 04:40am and regime planes targeted the city around 08:30am and between them the raids targeted the following areas:

1-municipal stadium

2-the teachers’ residential building near the pool

3-the commerical shops near the youth club

4-the obstertrics hospital

5-the women’s art school

6- two raids targeted al Nai’m the first on the roundabout and the second the MTN building

7-a building opposite the chamber of commerce

8-the new Party building near the national hospital

9-Al Ri’aya building

10- a building near al Fatat [the girl] school.

11-a building near the modern medicine hospital [which contains a generator and the raid led to the fuel burning]

It is noteworthy that water and electricity to the city have been cut off, and the city is empty of people as a result of fear of warplanes.”

Shaam News also reported that “Coalition aircraft launched about 19 raids and Assad’s planes about eight.”

The IS agency Al Amaq also blamed the Coalition.

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:

Family members (2)

Hajj Wahab al Khalif
Adult male killed
Ahmad al Khalif
Adult male Son of Hajj Wahhab al-Khalif killed

Family members (3)

The wife of Ahmad Khalif
Adult female killed
The daughter of Ahmad Khalif
Child female killed
The son of Ahmad Khalif
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Amin Al Zo’bi, known as Abu Tat’t
Adult male Teacher from Homs killed
Hanan Agha Al Antabli
Adult female Wife of Amin al Zo'bi killed

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Ibrahim al Khazim
Adult male killed
Batool Al Aloush
Adult female Nurse killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (1–3 children1–4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    53
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the contested airstrikes on Thaqana, Raqqa, April 10th (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in Thaqana, Raqqa (Via RBSS facebook page)
  • Victim of the contested airstrikes in Thaqana, Raqqa, Haj Wahab Al Khalif (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Victim of the contested airstrikes in Thaqana, Raqqa, Ahmad al Khalif, son of Hajj Wahib al-Khalif (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Victim of the contested airstrikes in Thaqana, Ragga, Mahmoud Ibrahim al Khazim (via RBSS Facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the raids in Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the raids in Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Airstrikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the raids in Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of a child killed following the air raids in Thaqana, Raqqa (via RBSS facebook page)
  • Image of the immediate aftermaths after airstrikes targeted al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Image of the immediate aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Immediate aftermath of the airstrikes targeting al-Raqqa (via RBSS)
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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

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

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
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • April 10, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 2944/CS201 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Coalition position:

For April 8th-9th: “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, and destroyed a fighting position and tactical vehicle.”

For April 9th-10th: the Coalition did not report any strikes near Raqqa. It noted that “Near Tabqah, 14 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed five vehicles, two fighting positions, and a VBIED; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

For April 10th-11th: “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (1–3 children1–4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    53
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI222

Incident date

April 9, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35311, 43.15221 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Coalition conducted several night raids on telephone exchanges and reportedly the Babylon Bank in Mosul, which resulted in the deaths of at least six and as many as 67 civilians.

In November 2016 the US initially admitted to killing one civilian in the attack, noting that “during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon”.

The Coalition appear to have reassessed this incident and in May 2019 additionally confirmed the deaths of five civilians and the injuriing of nine others in an attack on a Daesh communications centre.

Their monthly civilian casualty report noted “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike on a Daesh communication center in Mosul, Iraq. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed and nine others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. (Not previously reported)”

Other casualty counts varied wildly. According to NINA “children, women and the elderly” were among many civilian fatalities after five telephone exchanges were hit: “The bombing also caused the martyrdom of 67 civilians, mostly women and children and wounded 38 other civilians, as well as causing significant damage to homes near the PBX exchange sites and shops. Our sources said that ambulances were operating from last night until today, transporting bombing victims.”

Yaqen put the death toll at six and said phone exchanges on both sides of the city were hit in what appeared to be a coordinated effort to cut internal Dash communications.

NRN News reported no civilian deaths from the telephone exchange strikes, saying Daesh had instructed locals to leave a week earlier because of the risk of possible strikes.

However NRN said two non-combatants did die when a branch of the bank of Babylon was bombed in eastern Mosul: “Our correspondent said that the bombing killed three gunmen organizing from Daash and two civilians guards of the Bank, as well as serious material damage to the building, which also includes the Office of the Chamber of Commerce.”

In May 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

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 67
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–38
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo reveals a destroyed telephone exchange building that was hit in coordinated strikes on Mosul on April 9th (via NRN News)

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released, Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    6
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    9
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF342247
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • April 9, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

  • Apr. 9, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike on a Daesh communication center in Mosul, Iraq. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed and nine others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. (Not previously reported)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports that for April 9th-10th 2016 “Near Mosul, eight strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and five ISIL communication facilities and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL boat.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 67
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–38
  • 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]