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

CI625

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

Mosul, Sekak, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on November 30th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” by Human Rights Watch. According to the Coalition report, “April 10, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via Human Rights Watch organization: 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.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as the Sekak neighbourhood in Mosul. This matches the location of a separate strike reported by Airwars (I489), also assessed as non-credible in the April 2017 civilian casualties report.

The strike was assessed as non credible based on the claim that “no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” However, the Coalition reported multiple strikes in Mosul that day.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 9th-10th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, five mortar systems, three medium machine guns, and a vehicle; damaged 22 supply routes; and suppressed four mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS680

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

شعيب الذكر, دبسي فرج, Sho'aib Al Zakir and Dibsi Faraj , Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.804604, 38.276691 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and ten civilians including two children and one woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Shoeib Al Zakar and Dibsi Faraj, according to local sources.

The Smart News Agency reported that the Coalition carried out five raids, killing six non-combatants including two children and a woman as well as wounding four others.

Al Araby put the death toll at ten.

The incident was first reported on April 10, 2017 at 2:30 pm by Smart News Agency.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the villages of Sho’aib Al Zakir (شعيب الذكر), for which the  coordinates are: 35.804604, 38.276691 and Dibsi Faraj (دبسي فرج), for which the coordinates are: 35.878991, 38.160852. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.    

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 Sho’aib Al Zakir, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV305749
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 April 10th-11th: “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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

CS681

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Al Idkar, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.955833, 38.986389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and seven others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Idkhar at Raqqa according to Alaraby, Sadasham and the Smart News Agency.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Coalition carried out strikes in Raqqa on “the former Political Security building” used as a headquarters by ISIL. It didn’t mention civilian casualties but said that five ISIL members were killed and four wounded – though it’s currently unclear whether this was at Al Idkhar.

The incident was first reported on April 10, 2017 at 1:30 pm by Euphrates Post.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the “former political security building” and Al Idkhar  (راخدلإا يح) neighbourhood also know as the “Popular Housing” in Raqqa. The coordinates for Al Idkhar neighbourhood (راخدلإا يح) are: 35.955833, 38.986389. It should be noted that Al Idkhar area is small, only approximately 200 m × 200m. We were unable to locate the “former political security building”.

  • Idkhar neighbourhood is an area of only 200 m × 200 m.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 Idkhar, Syria
    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 9th-10th: the Coalition did not report any strikes near Raqqa, though did note that “Near Tabqah, 14 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed five vehicles, two fighting positions, and a VBIED; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.“

For April 10th-11th: the Coalition reported "* Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit " and "* Near Tabqah, 12 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed four vehicles, destroyed three fighting positions, one VBIED and a tactical vehicle."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS682

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

هنيدة, Hunayda, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83234, 38.69938 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, Smart News Agency, four civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hunayda.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hunayda (هنيدة), for which the coordinates are: 35,83234 38,69938. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Hunaida, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 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. (1311)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 9th-10th: the Coalition did not report any strikes near Raqqa, though did note that “Near Tabqah, 14 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed five vehicles, two fighting positions, and a VBIED; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.“

For April 10th - 11th: the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI626

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336804, 43.083396 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported a major incident in Yarmouk neighbourhood, West Mosul, where airstrikes allegedly killed more than thirty civilians.

The local Facebook group Sawlf Ateka named the victims as: “Imad Abdul Ghani Al-Rashdi and his mother, his wife, four daughters, the daughter of his brother Iyad and five other families after they fled to their neighbor’s home.” According to the report, an ISIL member had been on the roof of their house, so they fled to the neighbour’s house. The ISIL combatant escaped, but the house where the families were hiding was then hit by airstrikes. According to Sawif Ateka “They are now under the rubble. We appeal to the counter-terrorist units to evacuate the bodies. The site of the incident is opposite the Yarmouk Bridge and the Maysaloun Preparatory School for Girls.”

MNN reported that A-10 aircraft carried out the bombings in Yarmouk. This type of aircraft is used only by the US in Iraq, so could point at Coalition involvement. However, none of the other sources indicated who was responsible.

Yarmouk Coordination spoke of a total of 73 dead, mostly children and more than 200 wounded in “American-Iraqi” bombings in Mosul over a period of three days.

Nineveh Media Centre later named Mohamed Abdel Wahab Ibrahim El Sayegh (see photo below) as also having died in the attack. Yarmouk neighbourhood was reportedly liberated by Iraqi forces that day.

In a later report. the Iraqi Observatory gave more details: “The monitoring network documented at the Iraqi Observatory on April 10 the killing of five families in the Yarmouk district of the right-hand side of the city of Mosul, after their house was targeted by air strikes. A displaced man from the city of Mosul reported that a bomb exploded near the Yarmouk Bridge, killing one of his cousins, his mother, his wife, four daughters, his nephew and five other families who were gathered in one house. He added that the house was bombed an hour after the escape of one of the elements of the organization that was on the roof of the house, likely to kill thirty civilians whose bodies are still under the rubble.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Imad Abdul Ghani Al-Rashdi
Adult male killed
Mohamed Abdel Wahab Ibrahim El Sayegh
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    28 – 30
  • (7 women2 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mohamed Abdel Wahab Ibrahim El Sayegh was reportedly killed after a mortar hit his house in Yarmouk neighborhood (via Ninawa Media Center)
  • Imad Abdul Ghani Al-Rashdi

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 9th-10th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, five mortar systems, three medium machine guns, and a vehicle; damaged 22 supply routes; and suppressed four mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    28 – 30
  • (7 women2 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI627

Incident date

April 11, 2017

Location

عنه, Anah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.372699, 41.986442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that six civilians were killed and several others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Anah, in the west of Anbar province.

In a suggestion that the deaths were caused by the Iraq Air Force, Saad Awad – the mayor of Anah district – reportedly called on the government’s air force “to be more accurate and cautious with their airstrikes within the judiciary; because they target civilians more than the Islamic State.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    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 Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGU746075
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018

  • After a review of available information and the 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 10th-11th the Coalition did not report strikes near Anah, yet it did for elsewhere in Anbar province: “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIS tactical vehicle and destroyed an anti-air artillery system.”

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
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI628

Incident date

April 11, 2017

Location

سحاب, Mosul, al-Saha and al-Sham gate, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.349444, 43.100833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single local source reported that over thirty civilians, including women and children, were killed in Coalition airstrikes on al-Saha and al-Sham neighbourhoods in West Mosul.

Other sources reported that in total 73 civilians were killed and 200 wounded after three days of bombing by the international Coalition and Iraqi forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 10th-11th: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a supply cache, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an anti-air artillery system, one VBIED; damaged a fighting position; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit and a mortar team.”

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
    30
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI629

Incident date

April 11, 2017

Location

الرسالة, Mosul, Resala, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.326071, 43.089424 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that two people were killed and nine others were injured due to unidentified shelling on Al-Resala neighborhood in West Mosul.

Presently no further details are known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Resala, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 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. (1312)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 10th-11th: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a supply cache, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an anti-air artillery system, one VBIED; damaged a fighting position; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit and a mortar team.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]