Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS909

Incident date

June 3, 2017

Location

مسبح الشراع, area behind al Shira' swimming pool, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.936066, 38.989464 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 15 and 20 civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the area behind al Shira’ swimming pool in Raqqa, according to local media.

Euphrates Post, Mohab Naser and Step News Agency said 15 non-combatants died in Coalition raids on residential homes. LCCSY – also blaming the Coalition – put the death toll at 20.

Qasioun reported that the Coalition bombed five houses at the back of the swimming pool. It also put the death toll at 15.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV990768
    Military Grid Reference System

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 2nd-June 3rd the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 vehicles, five fighting positions, four tactical vehicles, two VBIEDs and an ammunition cache.” It also later added that on June 2nd “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions.”
For June 3rd-4th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 16 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed 17 fighting positions, three vehicles, and an ISIS excavator; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit." For June 3rd it added "Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units, destroyed 10 fighting positions, and damaged one ISIS-held building."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

RS311

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52777, 36.38582 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

20 civilians were reported killed and 50 injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hamouriya, according to the White Helmets and the Shaam News Network.

Activists told SNN that four Russian missiles caused severe explosions in residential neighbourhoods in the the town, causing widespread destruction. They put the initial death toll at more than 20 with more than 50 wounded.

SNN posted a White Helmets video showing the team evacuating survivors as fires blazed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets rescuing civilians from a burning building after an alleged Russian raid in Hamouriya. (via, White Helmets)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hamouriya (حمورية), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.52777, 36.38582. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1230

Incident date

July 18, 2017

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

A number of sources shared images and videos documenting an alleged white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition and reported that a “several” civilians were wounded and killed.

Eldorar News claimed that up to 20 civilian were killed, but was the only source to go into further detail about civilian casualties.

Hadi Al Abdullah reported that there was a total of 28 airstrikes in the city of Raqqa.

All six sources who documented the airstrike alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 18th-19th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two vehicles and a tactical vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On July 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 18 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 18 fighting positions, an anti-aircraft artillery system, a weapons cache, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a supply route.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1481 CS343b

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Location

الرميلة, al Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.962828, 38.97563 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twenty civilians, reportedly from three families, died and more were wounded in airstrikes on Raqqa’s al Rumaila neighborhood, local media said. Most reports attributed the event to Russia, though one source said that the Coalition carried out a strike which led to civilian casualties.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Russian planes targeted the al Rumaila neighborhood at the end of Al Saqiya road with several air raids which led to the martyrdom of three civilian families.”

@ALAMAWI and @ShahbaPress – also blaming Russia – putting the death toll at “20 civilians, including three families”.

However, @Q_Alenezy pointed towards the Coalition, saying “there were a number of martyrs and wounded after Coalition aircraft targeting the neighborhood of Al Rumaila in the city of Ar Raqqah yesterday night [Oct 18th].”

In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, 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
    20
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Saad Alenezi reports a number of dead and wounded in alleged coalition raids on Al Rumaila neighbourhood 'last night'. 19th October 2016
  • Alamawi news reports activists saying 20 killed, including three families, and other civilians wounded following alleged Russian raids on Al Rumaila neighbourhood in Raqqa 'last night'. 19th October 2016
  • RBSS reports alleged Russian strikes 'last night' on al Rumaila neighbourhood -towards the end of al Saqiya street. 19th October 2016
  • Sallah al Muftah reports alleged Russian strikes on Al Rumaila neighbourhood 'last night' killing three civilian families. 19th October 2016
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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

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
    37SEV027801
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • Oct. 18, 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. 3071/CS343b 37SEV027801

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported no strikes in Raqqa from Oct 17th-19th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI726

Incident date

May 20, 2017

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3534304, 43.1174326 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that twenty civilians, including one woman, were killed and dozens were injured in heavy airstrikes on Shifa neighbourhood in West Mosul.

A journalist had informed Yaqein that: “the bombing caused the deaths of more than twenty civilians [who were] burned in their homes, mostly women and children” and that “the shelling caused the injury of dozens of civilians in varying degrees.” Yaqein blamed the Joint Forces.

Al Jazeera said that witnesses had reported that the houses were used as storerooms by ISIL, and spoke of airstrikes and artillery shelling. The sources had not specified the identity of the aircraft to Al Jazeera.

In a later post, Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook group) posted two photos, of a couple reportedly killed in raids on their house.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (1 woman1 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
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of a couple allegedly killed in the attack

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 May 19th-20th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 23 fighting positions, 19 medium machine guns, eight rocket-propelled grenade systems, five mortar systems, three heavy machine guns, two VBIEDs, two supply caches, and a vehicle; and damaged three fighting positions and three ISIS supply routes.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

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
  • (1 woman1 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
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1136

Incident date

August 13, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 20 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on the Fardous neighbourhood of Aleppo, local sources reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible – though several blamed both parties. According to Sky News and the Step News Agency, the raids took place on a popular market in the area.

Syria News Desk reported that “20 civilians were killed and 15 others were wounded following a raid by Russian aviation on the Fardous neighborhood. The bombing led to the complete collapse of a residential building.”

Other sources blaming Russia included Jisirtv and Baladi. Al Jazeera said that “two dozen people died and dozens more were wounded in Russian raids”.

However, other sources including Alyemen Today attributed the event to the regime.The Syrian Network for Human Rights (who gave the lowest death count of three including a child), reported the use of explosive barrels, while @ALAMAWI accused “Assad helicopters” of killing ten civilians.

Alsharq published general figures on civilian harm in Aleppo. It reported that “53 civilians were killed in the province of Aleppo as a result of shelling with rockets and cluster bombs by Russian and Assad regime warplanes on the neighbourhoods of Al Fardous, ‘Pilgrimage Bridge’ in Aleppo and the towns of Aouijl and Kfarahmrh and Hayan and Dara Aza in the countryside of the province”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 20
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the damage caused by the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid which struck Al Fardous, causing huge material destruction on 13th August 2016. (via, Aleppo AMC)
  • The aftermath of the incident in Al Fardous. (via, JisirTV)
  • Wounded civilians receiving medical treatment amidst chaos following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Alamawi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded civilians receiving medical treatment amidst chaos following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Alamawi)
  • Wounded civilians receiving medical treatment amidst chaos following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Alamawi)
  • Wounded civilians receiving medical treatment amidst chaos following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Alamawi)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 12th – 13th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 20
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2570

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Location

البوليل, Al-Boleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.20253, 40.37126 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As a result of multiple air raids over the town of Al Boulil on September 29th, 20 civilians were killed, according to local sources. The raids were reportedly likely to be Russian.

Most of the deceased were seated in a bus when a rocket exploded close to it, wrecking the bus and killing those inside.

Dozens were reportedly wounded, according to local media.

Three female IDPs from al Sukhna city were included in the death toll.

As many as 46 houses were reportedly completely destroyed and nearly 100 were partially destroyed.

The incident occured around dawn.

  • Anas Issa Abdul-Baghdadi 5 years old killed
  • Hamad Sharif Mulla Age unknown killed
  • Adnan Farhan al-Rahl al-Bulbulil Age unknown killed
  • Hassan Ani Hussein Age unknown killed
  • Makhlif Ani Hussein Age unknown killed
  • Tahsin Khalid Al-Faisal Age unknown killed
  • Jamil Amer Al-Faisal Age unknown killed
  • Abdul Rahman Al-Sulaiman Age unknown killed
  • Mohamed Hatem Al-Rayes Age unknown killed
  • Yasser Al-Muhaisin Al-Khalaf Age unknown killed
  • Sabha Hamad Al-Khalaf Age unknown killed
  • Fatima Mohammed Al-Hussein Age unknown killed
  • Shaima Ali Almta’eb Age unknown killed
  • Anod Al Kadro Age unknown killed
  • Fares Al-Afara Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19 – 20
  • (1 child3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Picture of Hamad al-Sharif al Mullah, one of the deceased as a result of the bombing on Boulil on September 29th (via Facebook: Sharqiya Voice)
  • Picture of Fares Hamoud al Afara, one of the deceased as a result of the bombing on Boulil on September 29th (via Facebook: Sharqiya Voice)
  • Picture of Khalid Mohammed Saleh Al-Khalif Hamad, one of the deceased as a result of the bombing on Boulil on September 29th (via Facebook: Sharqiya Voice)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19 – 20
  • (1 child3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI395

Incident date

January 6, 2017

Location

حي الزراعي, Mosul, Agricultural, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3559188, 43.1460571 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources and relatives of victims said that more than 20 civilians from three families were killed, including children and women, after Coalition airstrikes targeted their houses in front of Saddam mosque at the entrance of Farms district, north of Mosul.

Mosul Ateka reported that “18 people were killed in the Farms district after three houses were bombed in that area.” In comments below the post it was said that Al Haj Riad and his wife and his son Mahfouz House Haj Hamou were among the victims, which was reportedly carried out by the Coalition. In a later post by Mosul Ateka, including photos, Haj Riad Adnan and his wife and his son Imran Riad Adnan were also reported as killed in the strikes.

Nineveh Media Center said that “a medical source confirms the deaths of more than two dozen people as a result of aerial bombardment [which] targeted the wrong homes of unarmed civilians in the agricultural district of the northern city of Mosul.” Ajel Al Mosul (Facebook) also reported the incident, and spoke of 20 civilians killed in the raids in the farms neighbourhood. Sunni Muslim (Facebook) posted a video showing “The effects of the international coalition aircraft bombed the Farms district in the left side of the city of Mosul.”

In a later investigation into the event, AFP interviewed eyewitness Abdulrahman Riyadh who said tyhe strike came at dawn on January 6th: ““Everything collapsed around me. I pushed the debris around me, I got up and I asked my brother if he was still alive. He was wounded in the leg. I told him to come into my bed and I started looking for my little brother, my father and my mother. I screamed but nobody answered.”

On March 4th the Coalition announced that it was assessing the event: “Currently, 19 reports of civilian casualties are still being assessed… Jan. 6, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.” An official confirmed to Airwars that this was a reference to the al Zirai allegation.

On April 30th the Coalition flagged the event as ‘not credible’ noting: “Jan. 6, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Based on available evidence Airwars continues to assess this event as fair.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: ‘In the morning of 6 January, airstrikes targeting an ISIL gathering in the Ziraie neighbourhood of central Mosul killed 17 civilians, including seven women and four children, and wounded 11 others, including four women and two children.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Al Haj Riad Adult male killed
  • Mahfouz House Haj Hamou Age unknown male Son of Al Haj Riad killed
  • Imran Riad Adnan Child male Son of Al Haj Riad killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 20
  • (2–4 children2–7 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A photo of Imran Riad Adnan, killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Mosul on January 4th 2017 (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Haj Riad Adnan (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Another image of Imran Riad Adnan (via Mosul Ateka)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2982730681
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 5th-6th, the Coalition noted: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed three ISIL-held buildings, three supply caches, two mortar systems, a fighting position, and a VBIED; damaged 24 supply routes; and suppressed two mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 20
  • (2–4 children2–7 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]