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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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CS264

Incident date

July 15, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, four civilians from one family were killed and 13 additional civilians injured following a Coalition airstrike.

The Syria News Desk reported that “Coalition aircraft launched more than a dozen raids on Manbej, affected some national hospital west of the city perimeter, four of which targeted residential sites in the middle and on the northern edges. The source added that the raids led to the deaths of four civilians from one family, after their home was targeted and completely destroyed and 13 others were wounded, while launching air strike on a bridge near the “Garage” Jarablos north Manbij position, which resulted in its destruction.”

See also the following incident.

The Syrian Network reported Coalition strikes on the city that day but made no mention of civilian casualties: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted Tareaq Jarablos bridge that connects the city of Jarablos and the northern neighborhoods of Manbej city with the center of Manbej city. The bridge was partially destroyed and was rendered out of commission. Manbej city was under the control of ISIS on the day of the incident and it is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.”

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.52692, 37.95592  

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA0652842901
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • July 15, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3011/CS264 37SDA0652842901

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS312

Incident date

September 14, 2016

Location

معيزيلة, M’eizileh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6163981, 40.4576683 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians including a child died when a water tanker was struck in Coalition strikes at M’eizileh, according to multiple reports.

VDC named two of the victims who it said died as a result of warplane shelling by international forces.

The reported fatalities may have been confused with reports at nearby al Salhiya which was also struck in a Coalition raid (see above.)

In their May 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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Saleh al-Elwan
Adult male killed
Nephew of Saleh al-Elwan
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Saleh al-Elwan (via VDC).
  • Al- Salhiya village in eastern Deir Ezzor (via Deir Ezzor 24)
  • Translation: coalition planes target last night a water transport truck on its way to Ma’izlieh fountain in the desert of Deir ezzor.
  • Translation: Saleh al Ulwan and his nephew martyred due to coalition raid on their car near al Maizlieh south west of Abu Kamal.

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
    37SFU336314
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 14, 2016, in Meizileh, 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. 3044/CS312 37SFU336314

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed five ISIL supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI329

Incident date

November 9, 2016

Location

حي العسكري, Mosul, Askari, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.1703776, 43.2489681 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed followed an alleged Coalition strike, according to one local source.

Hakaek reported that a family of four were killed in a Coalition strike in Mosul. It said strikes hit their home in the Al Askari neighbourhood. A source told Hakaek that ISIL fighters were not in the vicinity at the time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 8th-9th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed six ISIL-held buildings, four fighting positions, three mortar systems, a heavy machine gun, and a sniper position; suppressed two tactical units; and damaged a mortar system.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI509

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Location

المنصور, Mosul, Al Mansour, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.319488, 43.114521 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that a number of civilians were killed or injured, mostly children and women, when airstrikes struck the Shula kindergarten in Mansour neighborhood, at the right side of Mosul.

According to press sources, the warplanes had targeted an ISIL headquarters. None of the sources identified the warplanes.

Wadi Hajar (Facebook) posted a photo of a young girl (see below), saying that she and her father, as well as all of their family members, died in the airstrikes on Al Mansour. In a second post it showed a photo of a young man, stating that Mohammed Jadou was among the victims.

In what may be a related incident, Amnesty field assessors noted the following: “On 4 March, in the afternoon, another house in our al-Mousour apartments neighbourhood was destroyed by mortars. There was a car bomb in front of the house, and the ISF tried to hit the car bomb. There was a huge explosion. The attack killed three people. Two people were buried under the rubble, and we couldn’t dig them out. My cousin, XXXX – 45 years old – died from a piece of shrapnel in his back. We buried him in the garden. The grave is still there.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Jadou
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This young girl reportedly died in the raids on Al Mansour, together with her father and all of her family members (via Wadi Hajar Facebook)
  • Mohammed Jadou (via Wadi Hajar Facebook)
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
  • 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 3rd-March 4th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and an ISIS staging area; destroyed 21 mortar systems, 13 fighting positions, five heavy machine guns, four medium machine guns, and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged five supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS721

Incident date

April 23, 2017

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1320519, 38.9661026 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Hazimah, according to local sources.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said that “a number of martyrs fell following Coalition raids on Hazima town north of Raqqa city.” Step News reported “more than nine raids north of Raqqa” including strikes on the outskirts of Hazimah but did not mention civilian casualties.

Al Raqqa Ahlona named the victims – however, it should noted that these victims were also named as killed in incident CS711 on April 20th at Maysaloun Farms, Raqqa.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Hussein Al Taweel
Age unknown male killed
Mohamed Ahmed Al Hassan Al Taweel
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Moses the Mohammed
Age unknown male killed
The son of Juma
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (7) [ 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 al Hazimah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 22nd – 23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed 24 ISIS oil facility assets and a fighting position.”

For April 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, a tactical vehicle, and an ISIS well head.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 23 April – Typhoons destroyed an armed truck south-west of Tabqah in Syria, while Tornados bombed a Daesh position in western Mosul…On Sunday 23 April, Typhoons assisted the SDF, destroying an armed truck near Tabqah, west of Raqqa. In western Mosul, a Daesh-held building was struck by a Paveway IV, released by a Tornado flight, after Iraqi troops came under fire from the building.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS803

Incident date

May 11, 2017

Location

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.765641, 40.771032 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians from the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Markada, according to local sources.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently was among some sources which specifically blamed “American raids”.

Saladingate reported that the Coalition strike “destroyed the home of a doctor, Abdul Karim In addition to a house belonging to the Mdulul family”.

Confusingly, in its assessment of the allegation the Coalition noted that “After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.” This suggested that it had indeed conducted a strike at Markada on this date.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (17) [ 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 Markada, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV585572
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition did not publicly report any airstrike in Hassakah governorate from May 10th-12th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI764

Incident date

June 15, 2017

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, al Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35263, 43.12194 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians in an event in near Mosul.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one-metre box. The location given placed the event in the al Shafaa neighbourhood, north of the Old City.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3148324699
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • June 15, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, two tunnels, a mortar system, and a medium machine gun; and damaged a fighting position.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1111

Incident date

June 28, 2017

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.7146658, 40.7555866 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four people were reportedly killed and several others (believed to be four) were injured in the rural areas of Al Soussa, Al Salhiya and Ghranij in Deir Ezzor following alleged Coalition airstrikes over several days, local sources reported.

Airstrikes on Al Soussa are believed to have taken place on June 25 and airstrikes on Al Salhiya and Ghranij are believed to have taken place on June 28th. However some sources combined their reporting of the incidents, making it difficult to distinguish them.

Watani Press, News Jorf, the Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office, Al Nateq and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged that the Coalition was responsible, however some sources noted that Russian warplanes were also operating in the area and did not make distinct assertions as to who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamoud Mohammed Khudair al Asman
Age unknown male identified by Oriental Pulse, who were said to be killed in Al Soussa, however, these casualties are also listed for June 25th. killed
Adnan Ahmed al Satem
Age unknown identified by Oriental Pulse, who were said to be killed in Al Soussa, however, these casualties are also listed for June 25th. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 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 (10) [ 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 Al Salhiya, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU568499
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 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 June 28th-29th: ” Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 10 oil storage tanks, six oil trucks, two fuel trailers, an well head, a piece of oil processing equipment and an ISIS headquarters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 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 (10) [ collapse]