US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

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Incident Code

CI825

Incident date

August 9, 2017

Location

Etwiem, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.363522, 42.692356 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple sources, member of Iraq’s parliament reported killed along with 3 of his family members followed an alleged Coalition strike.

Abdul Rahman Ellewizi MP reported that his cousin was killed in a Coalition raid, also his wife, son and his daughter-in-law dead

Hawas Al Gader also reported the deaths of Mr al-Nayef and his wife but did not say who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Abbas al-Fadil al-Nayef (Abu Riyad)
Adult male Via Abdulrahmann al-Lowazi killed
Abbas al-Fadil al-Nayef
Adult female Via Abdulrahmann al-Lowazi killed
The son of Abbas al-Fadil al-Nayef
Age unknown male Via Abdulrahmann al-Lowazi killed
Daughter-in-law dead of Abbas al-Fadil al-Nayef
Age unknown female Via Abdulrahmann al-Lowazi killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Abbas al-Fadil al-Nayef, killed following an alleged Coalition strike on Etwiem (Via Abu Riyad)
  • Another picture of the victim Abbas al-Fadil al-Nayef, killed following an alleged Coalition strike on Etwiem (Via Hasin al-Lowazi)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Etweim/Tuwaim/Atwim (التويم). The coordinates for Etweim/Tuwaim/Atwim (التويم) are: 36.363522, 42.692356.

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 Etwiem, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF929267
    Military Grid Reference System

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 August 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Kisik, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two command and control nodes and an IED factory” and “Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed three VBIED facilities.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 8, near Tal Afar, Iraq, two strikes destroyed an ISIS staging area and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1818

Incident date

October 27, 2018

Location

الظهرة ,الشعفة, Dhahra, Al Shafa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On October 30th a single source, Al-Sha’fa Facebook page, reported an alleged Coalition airstrike “on a house in the outskirts of Dhahra.” The source said: “We don’t know who the house belonged to, but the whole family was killed”.

The source was unable to specify the precise date of the reported civilian harm, noting that “In the last three days, more than a dozen air strikes of coalition aircraft were recorded on the city of Al-Shifa. Most of these raids targeted civilian homes and properties. More than 7 houses and 20 people were killed, including children and women.”

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Dhahra (الظهرة) area, allegedly within the northern area of Al Shafa (الشعفة) village, for which the generic coordinates are: 34.57888,40.93441. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    in al Shaafa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU774280
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020

  • 3. Oct. 27, 2018, in al Shaafa, Syria, via Airwars report. This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3212/CS1818 37SFU774280

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition publicly reported the following for October 27th-30th:
”On Oct. 27 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 32 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, 24 strikes engaged 12 tactical units, and destroyed three headquarters buildings, five command and control centers, four supply routes, three weapons caches, two IED facilities, and one mortar.”
“On Oct 28, 2018 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight military strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, eight strikes engaged two tactical units, and destroyed one supply route, two vehicles, one command and control center, one mortar, one explosive manufacturing facility, one compound and one staging area.”
“On Oct. 29 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of eight engagements against ISIS targets. Near Hajin, eight strikes engaged 10 tactical units, and destroyed two weapons caches, one vehicle borne IED, one vehicle, one command and control center, and one fighting position.”
“On Oct. 30 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 20 engagements against an ISIS targets. Near Hajin, six strikes engaged six tactical units, and destroyed nine vehicles, seven supply routes, and one vehicle borne IED.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

On Sunday 28 October, a Reaper conducted armed reconnaissance over the Abu Kamal area, and carried out a successful attack with a Hellfire missile, striking a group of terrorists spotted manoeuvring through fields.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to provide close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces attacking the one significant remaining area held by Daesh in eastern Syria. A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft responded to reports of a terrorist team planting improvised explosive devices north of Hajin on Monday 29 October; its crew were able to spot evidence of their activity around a large fuel tank positioned next to a road. Having checked that there were no signs of any civilians in the immediate area who might be placed at risk, the Reaper’s crew fired a single Hellfire missile, which safely destroyed the booby-trapped fuel tank.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Oct 24th-30th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram have conducted 6 firing missions from Iraqi territory. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties and four strikes north of Abu Kamal, Syria.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. Daech a profité des mauvaises conditions météorologiques pour mener des contre-attaques cette semaine et reprendre du terrain aux forces démocratiques syriennes. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. 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 Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 6 missions de tir (éclairement, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1998 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 24 au 30 octobre inclus) et conduit 4 frappes, en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8600 sorties / 1476 frappes / 2275 objectifs neutralisés.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For October 24th – 31st, Dutch MoD reports that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed in four: near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria and near Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq. Targets were ISIS warehouses and vehicles.

‘In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 4 zijn wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 24 tot 31 oktober 2018. Dat gebeurde in de provincies Deir al Zour en Ninawa, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal (Oost-Syrië) en Mosul (Irak). Doelwit waren opslagplaatsen en voertuigen van ISIS.‘

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS666 CS183

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4561111, 40.9190941 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on al Bukamal according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the US-led Coalition were to blame.

SyrianPC said four non-combatants died in a Russian shelling of “oil separators in the Al-Hajjana area”. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also put the death toll at four after a “war plane targeted an oil refinery in the outskirts of al Boukamal“.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that this was a Coalition strike, reporting that “Luqman Al Zarzour died in International Coalition missile shelling on Al Boukamal city in Deir Ez-Zour governorate, February 24.” And DeirEzzor24 reported that “Coalition aircraft targeted primitive oil refineries” in the Al Bukamal area.

Algharbuya also pointed towards the Coalition, saying: “Coalition with coordination of the army [it’s not clear which army] and the seventh brigade bombarded the road between western Ramadi and Abu Kamal, and the number of people killed is still unknown.”

Other sources referred to raids by “warplanes” but didn’t identify the culprit. According to Alamawi three strikes killed three workers in the oil refinery.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Luqman Al Zarzour
Adult male named by Syrian Network for Human Rights, and VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image showing one of the raids on Al Bukamal, February 24th 2016. (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Lokman Watani al-Zarzour, killed in an alleged raid on Al Bukamal. (via, SN4HR )
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition classed this incident as non credible due to insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “Feb. 24, 2016, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 24th-25th 2016 the Coalition noted: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes struck an ISIL modular refinery and an ISIL gas and oil separation plant.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS202

Incident date

April 11, 2016

Location

حمام صغير, Hamam Sagheir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI311

Incident date

October 26, 2016

Location

بعشيقة‎, Bashiqa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.4519415, 43.3503342 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An Iraq-based journalist told Airwars he had been informed by a peshmerga contact of four civilian deaths near Bashiqa.

According to the reporter, A peshmerga called me and said he saw three wounded and four were crushed to death when their house was hit by either a missile or a bomb.

Anadolu reported a military source as saying there were “civilian victims of Coalition raids on Mosul” on October 26th, though gave no further details.

Given reported British actions in the area that day, Airwars flagged the incident to the UK’s MoD which said we can confirm that there was no UK involvement in the event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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 Ba’shiqa, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF5220234842
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 26th-27th, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, seven strikes [4 British] engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed eight anti-air artillery systems, seven fighting positions, five tunnels, four mortar systems, three weapons caches, two VBIEDs, two vehicles, a VBIED facility, a command and control node, a tunnel entrance, a heavy machine gun and an artillery system; and damaged two ISIL tunnels.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS547

Incident date

March 3, 2017

Location

الرصافة, Al Rasafa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.62883, 38.75806 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were killed and a similar number injured after a reported Coalition strike targeted an oil well near al Rasafa.

According to the Syrian Mirror “Coalition warplanes targeted Miksar oil well which is north of Rasafa, and killed four people.” Micro Syria reported similar.

Smart News reported that “aircraft likely from the international coalition launched a raid on Miksar oil well north of Rusafa area (about 30 km west of Raqqa), killing three civilians and wounding four others who were taken to hospital.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017

  • 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 2nd-March 3rd the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed a weapons storage facility.“

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

[France reports that in the last week it carried out 29 sorties and 9 strikes destroying 12 ISIL targets. In Iraq, all 8 strikes were carried out in support of operations in Mosul. They targeted mortar positions and defensive positions in the city as well as in the outskirts of Badush. In Syria, in the Raqqah region, a Rafale patrol was engaged on a ground support mission to neutralize ISIL fighters leading an attack against the SDF.

‘Opération Chammal En Syrie le recul de Daech se poursuit. Après avoir dû se retirer d’Al Bab la semaine passée, l’organisation terroriste a perdu cette semaine le contrôle de la ville de Palmyre, tandis que la manœuvre d’isolement de Raqqah au Nord de l’Euphrate est sur le point de s’achever. En Irak, Daech tente d’entretenir l’insécurité en poursuivant sa campagne d’actions asymétriques, en particulier dans l’Anbar, dans une logique de dispersion des forces engagées contre elle. En périphérie de Mossoul Ouest, la manœuvre d’encerclement menée par les forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) progresse dans sa partie occidentale. Les combats qui ont lieu depuis le début de la semaine autour de la localité de Badush au Nord-Ouest de la ville en sont la conséquence. Dans la partie sud de Mossoul Ouest, les FSI poursuivent également leur progression dans le centre urbain et se trouvent désormais aux portes du centre historique. Avançant toujours le long du Tigre depuis l’aéroport, les combattants de la police fédérale et de l’ICTS sécurisent méthodiquement chaque quartier, faisant face à une défense féroce des combattants terroristes. Dans le même temps, Daech maintient ses actions de harcèlement contre la partie orientale de Mossoul, en réalisant des tirs de mortiers sporadiques et aveugles. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 29 sorties aériennes dont 26 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 3 de recueil de renseignement. 9 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français, elles ont permis la destruction de 12 objectifs. En Irak, les 8 frappes ont toutes été réalisées en appui des opérations sur Mossoul. Elles s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’appui des troupes irakiennes engagées dans l’offensive visant à reprendre la partie ouest de Mossoul. Elles ont ciblé des positions de mortier et des positions défensives dans la ville de Mossoul elle-même, ainsi que dans la périphérie de Badush. En Syrie, dans la région de Raqqah, une patrouille de Rafale a été engagée en mission d’appui des troupes au sol pour neutraliser des combattants de Daech menant une attaque contre des forces démocratiques syriennes. Appui feu – Task Force Wagram Cette semaine, l’effort du détachement de la Task Force (TF) Wagram, désormais regroupée sur une même emprise au nord de Mossoul, s’est intensifié. Les appuis ont marqué l’effort au profit des troupes engagées au sol dans la région de Badush. 53 missions ont été réalisées cette semaine. Elles comprennent 22 actions de neutralisation, destruction ou harcèlement visant soit à détruire des positions défensives adverses, soit à empêcher tout mouvement des groupes de combattants de Daech. 31 missions d’éclairement ont également été effectuées afin d’entraver les tentatives d’infiltration de la part de groupes de combattants terroristes cherchant à mener des actions de harcèlement nocturne contre les FSI.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1059

Incident date

June 23, 2017

Location

منطقة العبارات النهرية, Euphrates river, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.932126, 39.006111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three or four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on boats/ferries on the Euphrates River, according to local media.

Both Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and Hasaka Rasd blamed the US-led Coalition.

Besides the three named victims, there was reportedly another unidentified civilian victim who was working on the river ferry.

According to RFS, “three people were killed as they tried to flee the city as a result of the targeting of a ferry on Friday afternoon.”

In their August report, Amnesty International published an interview with relatives of a boy that was killed trying to cross the river in a small boat. The family had been informed by witnesses that their relative Mohamed Nour, aged 15, was killed when the boat had been “struck from the air”. The report mentions that Mohamed died along with his friend and other passengers.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdo Haj Hkleif
Adult male killed
Abd al-Baki Haj al-Khleif
Adult

The victims were named as:

Amer Ali Khalaf Al-Ahmad
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Bari Haj Khleif
Age unknown male injured
Mohamed Nour
15 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdo Haj Khaleef and Abdul Baqi Al Haj Khaleef, killed in an alleged Coalition raid on a ferry on the Euphrates River, June 23rd (via RBSS)

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 June 22nd-23rd the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 12 fighting positions, two vehicles, and an IED cache; and damaged an ISIS supply route.” It additionally reported that On June 22, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.” and that “On June 22, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, a weapons cache, and an ISIS staging area; and damaged 14 fighting positions.”

For June 23rd-24th: “Near Raqqah, 21 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 10 fighting positions, six vehicles, a VBIED, an ISIS staging area, a tactical vehicle, a mortar tube, and a mortar system; damaged an ISIS supply route; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 23, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria in the last week. Most of them were carried out in the battles of Mosul and Raqqah. These strikes were aimed at groups of Daech fighters. The other strikes were carried out in Syria and targeted regrouping and refueling areas used by jihadi fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 16 artillery strikes in Mosul.

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 29 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 2 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elles ont été réalisées dans le cadre des batailles de Mossoul et de Raqqah. Ces frappes visaient des groupes de combattants de Daech. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en Syrie et ont visé des zones de regroupement et de ravitaillements utilisées par les combattants djihadistes.

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Friday 23 June – Tornados and Typhoons hit three Daesh sniper teams in Mosul, and a truck-bomb and armoured personnel carrier in Raqqa…The next day [June 23rd], a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair used two Paveway IVs to target successfully a large group of Daesh fighters operating with a truck-bomb and an armoured personnel carrier in Raqqa, while in Mosul a Tornado flight conducted three precision attacks with Brimstone missiles on sniper positions.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI064

Incident date

April 22, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Bareed, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.38589, 43.17373 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on the Bareed quarter of Mosul. A home was completely destroyed in the event, killing four members of one family.

One report also named a fifth family member, a young disabled girl named Sadra (cousin to Abdullah) as being killed. However as the Fiscal Times noted, Sidra had actually died in February after a battle with cancer.

The event was finally confirmed by the Coalition some 29 months later.

According to a local news site, Islamic State had been using abandoned Christian properties in the al-Zahrawi neighbourhood to store ammunition when one was targeted: “Unfortunately, the missiles that targeted the home led to the explosion of ammunition which collapsed the house next door, home to innocent civilians.”

An investigation by the Fiscal Times later reported: “At 10 pm, the Hadid family members were busy in their normal daily business. The Hadid’s house was relatively large. Gassan was in the garden. His wife was in the kitchen. Mohammed was off to fill his car’s tank. Maan was by the house’s front gate. Fadhila was in her room playing with her son Abdullah. Muthanna was home to watch a soccer match.”

This air raid – and others on the city which also killed civilians – led to the Governor of Nineveh province, Atheel Al Nujaifi, calling on the coalition to exercise more caution when bombing towns and cities: “While we support the international air alliance in its targeting of Daesh, and its camps and gatherings, we call upon the coalition always to exhibit prudence, and to be cautious of striking civilian targets.”

Although al Nujaifi noted that “unfortunately such errors do sometimes occur” he pointed out that lawyers were supposed to be advising coalition operations so that pilots could “distinguish between civilian objects and military objectives, which could be targeted… We stress that we always seek to spare the citizens and the civilian damage and reassure the people of Nineveh province and the city of Mosul that the targeting used in the battle to liberate Mosul follows international criteria. No revenge or settling of accounts will be permitted in the context of military action.“

American journalist Mike Roggio visited the site in summer 2017 (36°23’09.5″N, 43°10’26.8″E) and interviewed eyewitnesses, who said that “The mother, father, pregnant wife and five-year-old son of Mohamed Ghassan Salem, 33, who runs or ran an electronics store, died…. Three witnesses tell the same story. There was a home used by ISIS militants adjacent adjacent the family home. The first missile or missiles hit the Salem home, and the ISIS home was hit right after. Both were destroyed. Salem was at work nearby and ran home when he heard the explosion to find his family dead.“

In its September 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event noting: “This previously closed allegation was re-opened after the family provided additional information to the Coalition. During a strike on a former residential use building that was being used by ISIS as an explosives storage facility, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Sumiah Ibrahim Mohamed Ali Hadeed
53 years old female killed
Muthana Ghassan Salem Hadeed
23 years old male killed
Fadheela Wesam Salem Hadeed
25 years old female Wife of Muthana Ghassan Salem Hadeed killed
Abdullah Ghassan Salem Al Hadid
4 years old male Son of Muthana Ghassan Salem Hadeed and Fadheela Wesam Salem Hadeed killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • .....
  • Aftermath of the alleged incident
  • More images of the aftermath
  • Image of Abdullah Mohammed Ghassan Hadeed
  • Image of Muthana Ghassan Salem Hadeed
  • Another image of Abdullah Mohammed Ghassan Hadeed

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.34585235, 43.09857692

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    4
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF362283
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • April 22, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: This previously closed allegation was re-opened after the family provided additional information to the Coalition. During a strike on a former residential use building that was being used by ISIS as an explosives storage facility, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No strikes were publicly reported on Mosul for April 21st-22nd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]