Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

RS3184

Incident date

March 7, 2018

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.519286, 36.382427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nineteen named civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in a suspected chemical wepaon attack on Saqba, local media reported. Sources blamed the Russian and Syrian regime alliance.

@SiegeWatch, who published a video documenting the strike, tweeted that “Multiple chemical attacks reported, with a very strong chlorine smell.”

Sources reported that dozens of wounded were trapped under the rubble in the aftermath of the raid.

Two children, five women and two members of Civil Defence were killed in the raids on the residential neighbourhood.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Abo Ali Khdair Adult male killed
  • Aniseh Khamees Adult female killed
  • Mowaffaq al-Sageer Adult male killed
  • Mohammad al-Bashash Adult male killed
  • Hassan al-Masri Adult male killed
  • Iman al-Masri Adult female killed
  • Barae Mohammad al-Masri Child male killed
  • Mahmoud al-Masri Child male killed
  • Mawadda al-Boni Adult female killed
  • Mohammad Soliman Adult male killed
  • From Abo Habra family Adult female killed
  • Ali Yousef Hazzae Adult male killed
  • Aysha Bakkar Adult female killed
  • Majed Korjek Adult male killed
  • Mohammad Korjak Adult male killed
  • Father of Majed Korjak Adult male killed
  • Mahmoud Othman Halaweh Adult male killed
  • Nafisa Khamis Age unknown member of the civil defence killed
  • Muwafaq al-Saghir Age unknown member of the civil defence killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 19
  • (2 children4–5 women10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Mahmoud Othman Halawa, killed in suspected chloride gas attack on Saqba, 7th March 2018. (via H-syria)
  • The aftermath of a suspected chloride gas attack on Saqba, 7th March 2018. (via Barada)
  • The aftermath of a suspected chloride gas attack on Saqba, 7th March 2018. (via Barada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a suspected chloride gas attack on Saqba, 7th March 2018. (via @HalabTodayTV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of a suspected chloride gas attack on Saqba, 7th March 2018. (via @SiegeWatch)
  • The aftermath of a suspected chloride gas attack on Saqba, 7th March 2018. (via @SiegeWatch)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 19
  • (2 children4–5 women10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI657

Incident date

April 21, 2017

Location

الحضر, Hatra, Kayrawan and Balij, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.469167, 42.453611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that about twenty civilians died when Iraqi forces, “backed by the Popular Populist militia and the US-led Coalition” launched an attack on Hatra, Qayrawan and Balij, South of Mosul, in Nineveh province.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reported of the incident mention Hatra ( الحضر ), Qayrawan ( القیروان ) and Balij ( بلیج ), South of Mosul in Nineveh province. The generic coordinates for Hatra Subdistrict are  35.469167, 42.453611. The generic coordinates Qayrawan area are 36.1567681, 42.0361151. Possible coordinates for Balij village are 36.9249886, 41.4392281.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 20th-21st: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units, destroyed 11 rocket-propelled grenade systems, seven fighting positions, six VBIEDs, five mortar systems, three VBIED facilities, a weapons cache, a medium machine gun and an ISIS staging area; damaged 11 ISIS supply routes, four fighting positions; and suppressed two mortar teams and ISIS tactical unit.”

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
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R2452c

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a “massacre”, as many as 20 civilians were killed – including women and children – and dozens more were wounded – following airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun. Local media reported that Russian warplanes were to blame, though some sources including the Violations Documentation Centre blamed the Syrian regime.

Initial reporting by the @SyrianCoalition tweeted that five civilians were killed including three women. Additionally, they did not attribute blame to any belligerent for the strikes. 

The highest death toll was @ZakariaNassani who alleged that 20 civilians had been killed. They also tweeted a graphic video showing civilian casualties.

Aletihadpress reported that “At least seven people, four of them children, were killed after Russian raids on the city of Khan Sheikhoun”. They added that Civil Defence workers were attempting to search for missing victims under the rubble of two residential buildings which collapsed.

@SyriaCivilDefe alleged that “residential areas were targeted”. Enabbaladi reported that “Russian warplanes targeted the market of the city of Khan Sheikhoun with space rockets”.

Alsouria, who blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia, alleged that there were three strikes. 

One source alleged multiple strikes: “The first attack targeted a number of houses and shops of the city, destroying it completely. The second raid targeted the center of the popular market for the city, which led to a number of casualties and martyrs as a result of air strikes”.

Many graphic images were published showing dead children.

The incident occured at 11:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead children in the aftermath of an airstike on on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @ZakariaNassani)
  • Syrian Civil defence rescuing civilians from the rubble in the aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • Syrian Civil defence rescuing civilians from the rubble in the aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • Syrian Civil defence rescuing civilians from the rubble in the aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @SyrianCoalition)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil defence rescuing civilians from the rubble in the aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @Wesal_TV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child casualty in the aftermath of an aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @MOAZALSHAMY)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child casualty in the aftermath of an aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @MustafaSejari)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child casualty in the aftermath of an aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @MustafaSejari)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child casualty in the aftermath of an aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @MustafaSejari)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child casualty in the aftermath of an aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via @MustafaSejari)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A casualty in the aftermath of an aftermath of a airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via Sharek.team.Syria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Ziad Saloum al-Abd, killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via VDC)
  • The exact moment an airstrike struck Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via Sharek.team.Syria)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via Sharek.team.Syria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child casualty in the aftermath of an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via Sharek.team.Syria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmad Aref al-Nasif, killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 6th October 2017. (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1879

Incident date

January 2, 2019

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to sources on the ground, alleged Coalition air and artillery fire targeted a house which ISIS was reportedly using, killing several ISIS members in addition to a number of civilians.

According to the official Al Shaafa Facebook page, one of the shells landed on the house of Al-Hamad Al-Ali, killing both him and Ibrahim Al-Hasan. His daughter was reported wounded along with Ibrahim Al Hassan and Ahmed Al Hassan. It wasn’t specified whether the men were civilians or ISIS members, though their shared family names indicated the former.

The incident may have been one of a number in the town that day. Al Shaafa Facebook page added that “more than 20 air strikes of the International Coalition targeted most neighborhoods of Al-Shifa” and “more than 300 artillery shells were fired”. It added that the raids killed overall more than 20 civilians and more than 70 wounded.

In what may be a related or separate incident, Shaam News reported that “One of the raids [on al Shaafa] hit a house in which elements of ISIS were holed up, killing several of them.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Al-Hamad Al-Ali Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 20
  • (1–5 children1–5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–70
  • 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 (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
Official source

Between Dec. 30, 2018 and Jan. 12, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 575 strikes consisting of 1,147 engagements in Syria, and conducted 13 strikes consisting of 19 engagements in Iraq.

In Syria, 575 strikes engaged 485 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 308 staging areas, 220 fighting positions, 105 mortar, rocket and artillery systems, 57 supply routes, 50 manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive device and vehicle borne improvised explosive device, 31 command and control nodes, 26 vehicles, 19 weapons caches, 18 mortar launching sites, 18 petroleum oil and lubricant storage facilities, 11 heavy and light weapon systems, eight reservoirs and tankers for petroleum oil and lubricants, eight pieces of heavy equipment, seven vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, six tunnels and caves, four buildings, two unmanned aircraft systems, one weapons facility, one logistics hub and one fuel storage.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Jan 2-8, France report that task Force Wagram carried out 28 missions of which 12 were strikes. Meanwhile aircraft conducted two strikes in support of the SDF.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie Dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, les forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS), après avoir sécurisé la ville d’Hajine, poursuivent leur offensive en direction du sud et du village de Shafah. Daech reste résilient et s’appuie sur une densité de piégeage importante pour ralentir les FDS. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la situation est inchangée. La sécurisation des célébrations du nouvel an a été un succès. Pour autant, Daech conserve des capacités de nuisance, tout en poursuivant sa posture de dissimilation et d’évitement. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. Par l’opération Chammal, les armées françaises demeurent engagées, les modalités de l’engagement tenant compte en permanence des réalités du terrain. La priorité demeure de vaincre militairement cette organisation terroriste, et empêcher sa résurgence alors qu’elle passe à la clandestinité. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie les forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. La TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 28 missions de tir (23 d'éclairement, 12 de destruction – bilan du 2 au 8 janvier inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2446 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les militaires de la base aérienne projetée en Jordanie ont accueilli la ministre des armées et le chef d’état-major de l’Armée de l’air à l’occasion du réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre. Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis ont poursuivi leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 14 sorties aériennes (bilan du 02 au 08 janvier inclus). Les Rafale ont conduit 2 frappes cette semaine en appui des forces démocratiques syriennes. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8782 sorties / 1514 frappes / 2325 objectifs neutralisés. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne. La TF Narvik, poursuit sa mission de formation et de conseil de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS), notamment dans les domaines du renseignement, du combat au corps à corps, et en conduisant des stages de remise à niveau.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 20
  • (1–5 children1–5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–70
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2315

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

مخيم الحقاف, Hakaf Camp, Sweida, Syria

Geolocation

33.002185, 36.710386 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this incident, described as a “massacre”, between ten and 20 civilians, including children and women, were killed and several were wounded as Russian or Assad-waged warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Hekaf Camp, Sweida, local media reported.

Several airstrikes reportedly hit on the afternoon of July 2nd Haqaf camp in Sweida, which is home to displaced Syrians. al-Araby reported that Russian-waged warplanes had dropped cluster bombs. 

Sources reported between ten and 20 civilian casualties. The highest death toll was given by Zaman al-Wasl, who cited Saad al-Haj, head of the Information Office, who said that between 16 and 20 civilians had been killed.

But most sources reported about 16 fatalities, including three to four children and three to six women. The Violation Documentation Centre (VDC) identified 16 victims by name, three male children, six women and seven men.

Among the victims was the al-Shu’ail family, who, according to Smart News, was from the al Hadia clan.

Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while a smaller portion blamed the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Enab Baladi attributed blame to both.

The incident occured during the day.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Some of the victims following the the contested airstrikes in Hekaf, Sweida, July 2nd, 2017 (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS873

Incident date

May 27, 2017

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.882222, 39.048611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 17 civilians – reportedly displaced persons – were killed when buses transporting them were hit by Coalition airstrikes according to local reports.

The Syrian Observatory reported that 18 people were killed in Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of al-Kasrat, of whom at least 10 members of ISIS. The Observatory said that some attacks hit buses on the road between al Kasrat and Ratla village.

Smart News put the death toll at 17 and said the Coalition strikes hit public buses transporting civilians south of Raqqa city. Many other outlets cited the figure of 17 or 18, and gave similar accounts.

Baladi News had a higher death toll of 20, and said that others were injured when the buses were attacked. Masaida said there were women and children among the dead, and added that 20 were injured.

Unusually no victims were named.

In its December 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition confirmed that “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters building it was assessed the three civilians were unintentionally killed.” However officials have refused to provide co-ordinates for the event, meaning that we cannot presently determine whether this was incident S763; S765; S766; S767; S768 or perhaps a new event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0433771223
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven vehicles, five fighting positions, three tunnels, an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS staging area.“
For May 27th-28th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, an ISIS staging area and a VBIED."
For May 27th it added "Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed a six fighting positions, an ISIS-held building and a weapons cache."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI795

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Location

النبي جرجيس, Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.342256, 43.126231 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources quoted witnesses as saying that an entire family – consisting of nine people – died after airstrikes hit their houses in the Nabi Jarjis area of Old Mosul.

Iraq News and others said that there were women and children among the dead. The sources did not say who had carried out the raids. However, a senior Coalition official informed Airwars on July 5th that “It is primarily Coalition aircraft conducting AIR strikes in Mosul. It has been a number of weeks since the Iraqis flew there.”

On July 5th, citing a local source, Yaqein reported: “Civil defense teams today recovered more than 20 bodies of civilians from the rubble of houses in the Nabi Jarjis area of ​​Mosul, where they were killed by the continuous shelling of the area.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF318241
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 30th-July 1st the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 38 fighting positions, 12 medium machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, and a mortar system; and damaged a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On June 30, near Mosul, Iraq, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 23 vehicles, 10 fighting positions, two medium machine guns, two front-end loaders, two VBIEDs, an oil tanker truck, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a heavy machine gun and a supply cache.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 20
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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

CI010

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

عوينات, Awinat, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.68037, 42.39686 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to news agency NINA, a “US air strike on the village of Aouinat northwest of Mosul killed five civilians, according to a source in forensic medicine in Mosul.” The Al Rafidain website (in a report dated ten days after the event) placed the death toll higher at between 10 and 20, saying two houses had been destroyed by the coalition.

The quarterly UN Report for Iraq also noted that “Air strikes carried out on 17 October north of Mosul allegedly killed at least 26 civilians.” These were only generally attributed to Iraqi security forces and their allies – which might include “US-led coalition airstrikes.” However, the Guardian later reported that following an agreement with the international coalition, Iraqi aircraft were not carrying out airstrikes north of Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • 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]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Aouinat / Tal Awinat (تل عوينات) village, north west of Mosul. The coordinates of the village: 36.68037, 42.39686  

  • Aouinat ( تل عوينات )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Awinat, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF671625
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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
Official source

The coalition has confirmed five airstrikes to the west of Mosul Dam (itself north west of the city) on October 17th-18th 2014: “Five airstrikes occurred west of the Mosul Dam and damaged an ISIL building and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL HMMWV and struck three small ISIL ground units.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • 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]