US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS1778

Incident date

July 2, 2018

Location

تل الشاير, Road near Tal al Shayer, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.592222, 41.224722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that three brothers from the same family – reportedly civilians – were killed and one other was injured in a Coalition airstrike near the town of Tal al Shayer.

Most sources stated that the three “martyrs” were all from the same family and in a “civilian car” when they were targeted.

Many sources identified the victims by name. Later reports also mention a fourth brother, Saeed Khalil Khlouf al Madhi, who was injured in the attack which led to the amputation of his leg.

In August 2018, Eye on Hassakah claimed that several other brothers had later been detained by the US-led Coalition – with one allegedly dying after being tortured in captivity by the SDF.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mohammed Khalil Al-Khloof al Madhi
Adult male killed
Abdul Rahman Khalil Al-Khloof al Madhi
Adult male killed
Abdul Razzaq Khalil Al-Khloof al Madhi
Adult male killed
Saeed Khalil Khlouf al Madhi
Adult male Leg amputated injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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 (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a civilian car south of Al-Hasakah governorate, near the town of Tal Al Shayer, for which the coordinates are: 36.592222, 41.224722. Due to limited 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tel al-Shayer, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFA990519
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 25, 2018
  • July 2, 2018, near Tel al-Shayer, Syria, via Airwars. 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

The Coalition publicly reported that “On July 2 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.... Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh vehicle."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS064

Incident date

April 26, 2015

Location

متراس, Mitras, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.62906, 38.29076 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reported Coalition airstrikes at 11 am on the village of Mitras killed three civilians, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  These were identified as an adult male, a teenager and a child.

This event bears a resemblance to an April 19th incident at the same location (CS063) in that the victims are from the same family. The victims in this incident were the brother and nephew of the victim in incident CS063.

In July 2017 the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “April 26, 2015, near Mitras, Syria, via Airwars report: 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 incident occured at 11:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

40 years old male killed
17 years old male Hassan's son killed

The victims were named as:

6 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Hassan Al Ibrahim Al Dimmo, killed at Mitras on April 26 (via SN4HR)
  • Ibrahim Haasan Ibrahim al Dimmo, killed in reported Coalition strike April 26 (via SN4HR)
  • An image of Hassan al Dimmo's house before the shelling (via SN4HR)
  • An image of Hassan al Dimmo's house after the shelling (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

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mitras, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 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

A number of strikes were reported in the wider vicinity: “Near Kobani, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying five ISIL fighting positions and ISIL heavy machine gun.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS224

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

صوران, Sawran, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.26343, 37.37414 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three named civilians includng a woman and her daughter were killed in a reported Coalition airstrike at Sawran.

According to the Syria Network: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces used heavy machine guns to target a civilian car on the road between Souran town and Ihtemlat town which resulted in the killing of three individuals including a woman and a female child.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, 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:

Age unknown male killed
Adult female killed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    37SCA416477
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • June 3, 2016, in Sarwan, 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. 2968/CS224 37SCA416477.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports for June 2nd-3rd “Near Manbij, 10 strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL cave entrances, two ISIL caves, and an ISIL-used bridge.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS271

Incident date

July 18, 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

A single source reported the deaths of three named young children and the injuring of five more family members, in a fresh alleged Coalition casualty event at Manbij.

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

6 years years old male killed
8 years years old male killed
4 years years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA065429
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • July 18, 2016, in Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 3016/CS271 37SDA065429

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, 11 strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 22 ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI336

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.368483, 43.184281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A father told the Norwegian Refugee Council that 3 family members were killed and mother and 2 children were badly burnt when their home in Eastern Mosul was shelled.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

For November 12th-13th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed four mortar systems, four ISILheld buildings, a VBIED, a weapons cache and a fighting position; and damaged a vehicle.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS754

Incident date

April 29, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Al Qaryah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.837778, 38.551111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family was reportedly killed in continued air raids, alleged to be carried out by the Coalition, on the city of Tabaqa.

Mohab Nasser named the victims.

The victims were also named by Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently who blamed the Coalition. The source said that the raid was “on a residential home behind al Nahda mosque”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ibrahim al Mir’i al Basha
Age unknown killed
Ali Ibrahim al Basha
61 years old killed
Zakariya Ali al Basha
16 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Ali Ibrahim al Basha, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, April 29th (via RBSS)
  • A satellite image demarcates Tabaqah (via Mohab Nasser)
  • A satellite image demarcates Tabaqah (via Mohab Nasser)
  • Zakariya Al Basha (left) and Ali al Basha killed in alleged Coalition strikes on Tabaqah (via RBSS)
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 Qariya district, Tabqah, 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. (1406)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 28th-29th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed a front-end loader. Near Tabqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and four vehicles.”

For April 29th - 20th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed 10 ISIS barges, three vehicles, two tactical vehicles, and an ISIS bridge" and "Near Tabqah, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units, destroyed four fighting positions and a vehicle; damaged an ISIS supply route, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit"

Additionally, four strikes were conducted in Syria April 28 that closed within the last 24 hours.
"Near Tabqah, Syria, on April 28, four strikes destroyed three fighting positions and a VBIED.”

The Coalition later reported: "Near Raqqah, Syria; on April 29, two strikes destroyed an ISIS-held building, an ISIS staging area"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Sunday 30 April – Typhoons attacked a group of Daesh fighters west of Raqqa, while Tornados destroyed two Daesh buildings in Mosul…Sunday 30 April saw Typhoons once more flying in support of the SDF west of Raqqa, where they struck a group of Daesh fighters along the bank of the Euphrates. The Tornados then flew over Mosul, demolishing two Daesh-held buildings which the Iraqi ground forces had encountered.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1664

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Location

Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.45492, 40.93666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the US-led Coalition admitted on February 22nd, 2018 that it had killed 3 civilians near Baghouz Fawqani.

According to the official release, the incident came to light following self reporting by pilots or analysts: “During a Coalition strike which destroyed Daesh bed-down location and killed five Daesh members it was assessed three civilians were unintentionally killed.”

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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
    3
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Barhouz, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU779143
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • Nov. 2, 2017 near Barhouz, Syria via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed Daesh bed-down location and killed five Daesh members it was assessed three civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Nov. 2, Coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of nine engagements against ISIS targets.

Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS line of communication.
Near Al Shaddadi, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS vehicle and damaged a heavy weapon.
Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS line of communication, a VBIED factory and an ISIS headquarters.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Thursday 2 November: Tornados conducted operations in the same area [Al Qaim], and successfully bombed a building in which a Daesh observation post was stationed, attempting to direct mortar fire against Iraqi ground forces.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1789

Incident date

August 7, 2018

Location

السوسة , Al Soussa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Soussa, local media reported. The strike also reportedly killed an ISIS leader.

According to the Step News Agency, “the International Coalition conducted a raid on the town of Soussa east of Deir al-Zour and there are reports of civilian casualties”.

Zaman al Wasl reported that “three civilians were killed on Tuesday evening [Aug 7th] after Coalition planes targeted the buildings of residential associations in the town of” Sousse, one of the three most important towns still controlled by ISIS. An ISIS leader, Abu Khadija al Jazairi, also died in the same raid.” Al Ghad al Souri reported the same information.

On Facebook, Al Sousse Youth said that there had been “attacks on al-Sousse a short while ago and there are victims”. Many in the comments asked where the strike was but there no answer. One comment claimed that the victims were not from al Sousse but were all IDPs.

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 incident occured around dusk.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.52889, 40.9675

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU8057322558
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Aug. 7, 2018, near al Soussa, 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. 3178/CS1789 37SFU8057322558

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 7th-8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed one Daesh vehicle, one Daesh headquarters and one Daesh logistics hub.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (4) [ collapse]