Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CI645

Incident date

April 17, 2017

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3502851, 43.1098795 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that Coalition and Iraqi government warplanes carried out airstrikes on Zanjili and other neighbourhoods in West Mosul, killing and wounding dozens.

Iraqyoon and Yaqein spoke of more than 100 dead and wounded in the various western neighbourhoods of the city.

Several other sources reported (possibly based on an ISIL press statement): “55 dead and more than 50 wounded by US and Iraqi bombing on several neighborhoods” in West Mosul.

Iraqyoon posted a photo of a young boy, saying that the child was killed in “indiscriminate bombardment of the international coalition aircraft” in West Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 55
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This young boy (name unknown) reportedly died in Coalition airstrikes on West Mosul, on April 17th (via Iraqyoon)
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 16th-17th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, three VBIEDs, three mortar systems, two ISIS vehicles, two heavy machine guns, and one front-end loader; damaged 16 ISIS supply routes and four fighting positions; and suppressed 10 mortar teams and an 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
    24 – 55
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1583 RS2590

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

البوكمال الباغوز , Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.467345, 40.932505 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a “massacre” between seven and 55 civilians died, and “dozens” were left injured, following suspected airstrikes on the Al Bagouz water crossing, between Bagouz village and Abu Kamal city, on the northern bank of the Euphrates river. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes, with some alleging the US-led Coalition were to blame, others blamed Russia and SN4HR even blamed the Syrian regime.

Despite this, nearly all sources blamed Russia. Activists told Smart “Russian-made warplanes” conducted the attacks, Jisr TV referred to “Russian occupation aircraft”. Baqras did not apportion blame, though provided a list of three of the victims.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed blame to the Syrian Regime, and documented “at least 7” killed following “warplane missiles”. Baladi totalled nine killed, as did Smart, which both cited Russia as responsible. Most other sources put the death toll between 17 and 35, Euphrates Post however put the death toll as high as 55.

Sources estimated that between 100 and 150 civilians were killed over the series of strikes on river crossings in that vicinity.

Many of the bodies were unidentified according to VDC, due to burns and decapitation.

Local media reported that it was difficult to rescue civilians trapped in the rubble due to the intensity of the fire.

It is unclear from the sources who was responsible, however the Coalition did confirm strikes in the vicinity of Abu Kamal that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamadi Ju’ma Al-Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Kassar Amer Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Barakat Abdul Hamid Ibrahim
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 55
  • (7 children1 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (63) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Barakat Abdul Hamid Ibrahim, killed in Russian and Coalition airstrikes on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties in the aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via@kmal961)
  • Rivers run with blood in aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via@MGhorab3)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Muhaned al Weka’a)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Haijin al Maheba)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Haijin al Maheba)
  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via @wassilaoulmi)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Syria direct News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Syria direct News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Sound and picture)
    The aftermath of an airstrike in eastern Syria in October 2017
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, 4th October 2017. (via Sound and picture)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Huweija al Khanafer water crossing (حویجة الخنافر) between the villages Al Bukamal (البوكمال) and Al Baghouz (الباغوز). The coordinates for this crossing are: 34.467345, 40.932505.

  • The Huweija al Khanafer water crossing (حویجة الخنافر) between Al Bukamal (البوكمال) and Al Baghouz (الباغوز)

    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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Haweij al Khanafer, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 4th – 5th the Coalition reported No strikes near Al Bukamal.

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
    7 – 55
  • (7 children1 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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (63) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI563

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

حي الفاروق, Mosul, New Bab/ Farouq, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3431411, 43.1257262 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that 55 civilians were killed by “military operations” in New Bab and Farouq neighborhoods in the west of Mosul.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near New Bab and Farouq neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 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 March 19th-20th the Coalition stated: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and four ISIS sniper teams; destroyed 17 fighting positions, six heavy machine guns, four vehicles, three rocket-propelled grenade systems, a mortar system, a VBIED factory, an artillery system, and a roadblock; damaged nine supply routes; and suppressed six ISIS mortar teams, five ISIS tactical units, and an ISIS anti-air artillery team.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1475

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Location

عويجل, Oweijal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.179537, 36.952987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what multiple sources described as a “massacre”, between 40 and 55 civilians – many of them reportedly children and women – died and up to 70 more were wounded in airstrikes on the village of Oweijal. The strikes resulted in widespread destruction to civilian homes – and, according to several reports – the destruction of an entire neighbourhood. @ALAMWI, for example, reported that “ten houses were completely destroyed”.

The majority of sources blamed Russia for the event, though there were two allegations against the Assad regime.

Most sources put the death toll between 25 and 30 civilians. Several said that this was a double-tip strike, with warplanes returning a second time to target those involved in the rescue operation. Orient News reported that victims included ” members of the civil defence, paramedics and media personnel”.

According to the Shaam News Network, “activists said that the Russian warplane targeted a residential area in the town of Oweijal with several missiles, which resulted in deaths and injuries of civilians. The area was targeted for a second time as ambulance teams gathered to aid the victims of the first strike”.

The highest death count was given by @watannews2015 at 55 civilians, “half of them women and children”.

Alsouria pointed directly to “the planes of Bashar al-Assad’s regime”, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights – who put the initial death toll at 14 – blamed “government warplanes and its allies”.

Halab News reported that Russia hit the village with “four bunker-busting missiles” and listed the following civilians as killed “following Russian raids” on the town. 14 named and 26 were left unidentified. Al Jazeera also put the death toll at 40.

@spm_syria reported the “disappearance of the young media Zain Ali” and published his photo.

According to Defence_arab, “A Russian warplane fired a concussion at the village of Oweijal, killing 32 people and injuring sixty others. A residential area of ​​about 10 buildings was destroyed.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Taha al Hamdo
Adult male killed
Wife of Taha al Hamdo
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Taha Ahmad al Hussein
Age unknown killed
Hassoun Hussein
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Hussein abd al Razzaq
Age unknown male killed
Nouri Mohammad al Nouriyawi
Age unknown killed
Abdo Ahmad al Nouri
Age unknown killed
Abd al Salam al Moun
Age unknown killed
Abdel Qader al Hadidi
Age unknown killed
Mahmoud al Kibish
Age unknown killed
Mahmoud Abdo al Nouri
Age unknown killed
Mahmoud Hussein al Taha
Age unknown killed
Abd al Hamid Mohammad Hamdo
Age unknown killed
Hanaa Ahmad Mahmoud
Child killed
Abdallah al Milhem
Age unknown male media reporters injured
Abdul Razzaq Shakurdi
Age unknown male media reporters injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 55
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–70
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Civilians dig through the rubble find what is left of their posesions following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Oweijal, Oct 17th (via Qasioun)
  • Media colleague Abdallah al Milhem, injured in the raid. (via HNN)
  • Media colleague Abdul Razzaq Shakurdi, injured in the raid. (via HNN)
  • Interviews with local civilians about the raids which allegedly hit Oweijal on 17th October 2016. (via AjisirTV)
  • Disappearance of the media activist "Zain Ali" in the raid on Owejial. (via spm_syria)
  • Houses entirely destroyed in the raid. (via Alamawi)
  • Houses entirely destroyed in the raid. (via SyrianCoalitoin)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Oweijal, 17th October 2016. (via watannews2015)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Oweijal, 17th October 2016. (via watannews2015)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Oweijal, 17th October 2016. (via watannews2015)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Oweijal, 17th October 2016. (via watannews2015)
  • A crater from the alleged airstrike on 17th October 2016. (via plespost)
  • A woman grieves in the aftermath of the alleged airstrike. (via plespost)
  • A man sits amongst the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged airstrike. (via plespost)
  • A woman grieves in the aftermath of the alleged airstrike. (via plespost)

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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 55
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–70
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI516

Incident date

March 6, 2017

Location

حي الصمود, Mosul, Sumud, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336144, 43.137013 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local residents and press sources said that eleven civilians were killed and more than 40 people were still under the rubble after a Coalition airstrike targeted the Sumud Quarter near the main generator.

The Telegraph interviewed several witnesses, who reported:

“The planes waited until one of the Daesh walked out into the street and then they struck. The fighter was only injured, but 11 members of one family in the house next door were instantly killed.”

The colossal destruction bore out their claims. Samood is a hellish landscape. Every third house seems to either bear the scars of a fierce firefight or is completely levelled. Burned-out husks of cars and the rubble from razed houses block most of the neighbourhood’s streets.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 55
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • 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

For March 5th-March 6th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed 11 fighting positions, eight mortar systems, seven vehicles, four VBIEDs, three ISIS-held buildings, two medium machine guns, two command and control nodes, two roadblocks, a heavy machine gun, an artillery system, and an ISIS checkpoint; damaged 11 supply routes, eight vehicles, and two fuel tanker trucks; and suppressed 10 mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 55
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3041

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Location

بيت سوى , Beat Sawa, Damascusus , Syria

Geolocation

33.537531, 36.399937 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what was described as a “massacre”, up to 55 civilians, including 40 children and women were killed and “dozens” wounded as Russian and/or the Syrian regime continued its heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta, this time in Beat Sawa, local media reported.

While many towns of eastern Ghouta were subject to lethal air raids and artillery shelling around February 19th, the shelling of Beat Sawa was one of the most intense. While the initial reports counted 17 fatalities, the final update, provided on February 21st by Marshad al-Hassaka and Euphrates Post reported 55 fatalities, hereof 40 women and children. The report added that many were still left under the rubble.

Ghouta Media Center (GMC) posted an image of some of the dead bodies noting that “entire families were martyred” by the shelling.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) identified one male civilian by name and photo,  a member of the civil defence who reportedly was struck as he was helping the already wounded locals.

According to Baladi News, who blamed Assad-launched explosive barrels and artillery shells, additionally  “dozens” were likewise left injured.

Several sources, including above-mentioned Baladi News, attributed blame to the Syrian regime. However, Russian culpability cannot be ruled out as Marsad Al Hasaka and Euphrates Post blamed Russian forces and SN4HR pointed to shared Russian/Assad responsibility.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Firas Jum’a
Adult male Civil Defence member killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 55
  • (2–20 children2–20 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Firas Jum’a, member of the civil defence, was reportedly among the victims by the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Both children and women were among the victims of the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Entire families were reportedly among the fatalities of the contested shelling of Beat Sawa, February 19th, 2018 (via GMC)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 55
  • (2–20 children2–20 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI639

Incident date

April 14, 2017

Location

تل خيمة, Tel Kheimeh near Badoosh, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.438611, 42.845556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major alleged incident, two interviewees reported that up to 55 civilians died in an Iraqi or Coalition airstrike and ground-based machine gun fire as they attempted to flee ISIS control.

The following unpublished field report was shared by Amnesty International with Airwars: “Interviewee 1: ‘I’m from Tel Kheimeh, a small village, around one kilometre from (the larger) Badoosh (town) in Ninewa Governorate, outside Mosul city. There were about 200 villagers living in Tel Kheimeh. I left on 17 April, after something happened on 14 April. By 14 April the ISF had retaken Badoosh but not the surrounding villages, including Tel Kheimeh.

On 14 April 55 villagers from Tel Kheimeh decided to flee to Badoosh to avoid the forthcoming battle between approach ISF and the ISIS fighters in the village. They walked from Tel Kheimeh across the mountainous terrain towards Badoosh. At around 10pm we heard the sound of a big airstrike (presumed) from Tel Kheimeh, coming from the direction they had gone in. As they were approaching Badoosh a warplane had bombed them. The bombing was following by machine gun fire from the ISF in Badoosh.

Along with the rest of the villagers, I walked to the scene the following morning. All 55 villagers had been killed. Those closest to the explosion had suffered shrapnel wounds. The others had been killed by machine gun fire. One of my (male) cousins was among the victims. Fourteen of them were from the same family. Not one single person from those that left escaped alive. It was mountainous and there were no trees or farm crops to hide behind. They (the ISF) must have thought that the villagers were ISIS but there were only five or ten ISIS fighters in Tel Kheimeh. They killed all these villagers thinking everyone coming from Tel Kheimeh must be ISIS.’

Second interviewee (different date, different camp) ‘I know Tel Kheimeh village, it’s also near Badoosh. I heard about “something bad” happening there. A plane hit them (the villagers from Tel Kheimeh) in the village. They were collected together in a place (not necessarily by force) and a plane hit them. They said that many people died. I don’t know the details.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tel Kheimeh near Badoos, Iraq
    Nearest population center

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 civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 13th-14th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed four fighting positions, a VBIED, a command-and-control node, a tunnel; and damaged five fighting positions, and four ISIS supply routes.”

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
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2593

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

معبر هجين المائي, water crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what has been described as a “massacre”, between 12 and 54 civilians were killed, and up to 80 more were seriously wounded, in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on a water crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes, some sources blamed “unknown” warplanes, however the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the “Syrian-Russian” alliance. Aletihadpress reported that a “Su-22 fighter targeted the crossing”.

Fourteen civilians from one family are included in the death tolls, as well as eight Iraqi refugees.

The seriousness of injures meant that local mosques were allegedly calling for blood donations, “in light of the lack of medical resources in the region”, according to SyrianPC. Additionally, it was reported by multiple sources that the number of civilian causalities was likely to rise.

The “six Russian warplanes” which carried out more than six raids “targeted ships carrying displaced peoples” according to a source. Syrian Press Centre reported that there were as many as “three cluster bomb attacks”.

There were many unidentified casualties, and many more missing civilians in the aftermath. According to Geroun News, “continuous shelling of the region and the extent of destruction” made it difficult to recover victims.

Over the course of the day, between 100 and 150 civilians were reportedly killed at multiple river crossings in the vicinity. The US-led Coalition were alleged to have been bombing in the vicinity at the same time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Maddah Ali Al Matar
Age unknown killed
Son of Abdul-Hamid Al-Saleh
Child male killed
Son of Awad al-Ali Al Matar
Child male killed
Issam Al-Ahmad
Age unknown killed
Ibn Hamad Sultan
Child male killed
Ibn Khuldoun al-Hasan
Child male killed
Ibn 'Awad al-Ali al-Matar
Age unknown killed
Ibn Abd al-Hamid al-Saleh
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Hamada
Age unknown male killed
Asaad al-Gharbi Haj Sulayman
Adult male a pharmacist killed
Fouad Al-Karwan
Adult male killed
Khuder Omir Al Razzj
Adult male killed
Iyad al-Mughair
Adult male killed
his son Mazen Ayad al-Mughair
Child male killed
Ahmad Saleh Abd Al Rahmman
Age unknown killed
Alaa
Age unknown killed
Alaa's mother
Age unknown killed
Alaa's sister
Age unknown killed
saeed the Al Arif Al Jassem
Age unknown killed
Osama Al-Ahmad
Age unknown killed
Farouk Al Saleh
Age unknown killed
Son of Hadi Al Ramadan
Age unknown killed
Waleed Al Khalid
Age unknown killed
Nawal Al - Olayan Wife Ahmed Al - Makhlaf
Age unknown killed
Hammad al-Ali Al Matar
Age unknown killed
son of Abd al-Hamid al-Saleh al-Hammad
Age unknown killed
Khdoue Ameer al-Rezzj
Age unknown killed
Hussein Al Khalifa from Al Bal’aoum
Age unknown killed
Nedal Fouad Al Karwan from Al Bal’aoum
Age unknown killed
Alaa Nassar Al Sahou
Age unknown killed
Ayad Almogir
Age unknown killed
Mazen Iyad al-Mughirr
Age unknown killed
Hamad Adnan Almthhour
Age unknown killed
Mokhtar Nasser al-Hamash
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 54
  • (9 children12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–80
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (55) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Radio Alwan)
  • Asaad al-Gharbi Haj Sulayman, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates post)
  • Fouad Al-Karwan, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Riyad Al Khlaed)
  • Khuder Omir Al Razzj, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Usama.rizg)
  • Mazen Ayad al-Mughair, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Tariq Mughir)
  • Iyad al-Mughair, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Tariq Mughir)
  • Nasser Al - Hamash, killed in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via ahmad.alnory.1/)
  • Khalid Jameel Hinidi Abu Khalid, killed along with 13 people from his family, in an airstrike on the Water Crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, 4th October 2017. (via Euphrates post)

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 54
  • (9 children12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–80
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (55) [ collapse]