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

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

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

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

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

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]

Incident Code

CI465

Incident date

February 18, 2017

Location

المستشفى العام, Mosul, Ibn Senna Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35764, 43.11291 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 and the injuries of six in an event near Mosul.

Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that four civilians, who were not observed near the target during the engagement, were unintentionally killed and six were injured.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the event near the Ibn Senna hospital.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    4
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    6
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3068325271
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • Feb. 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that four civilians, who were not observed near the target during the engagement, were unintentionally killed and six were injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 17th-18th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed eight front-end loaders, four excavators, three watercraft, an ISIS-held building and a barge; damaged 11 supply routes; and suppressed five mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS582

Incident date

March 16, 2017

Location

جديدة كحيط , Jadida Kahit, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Al Ragga Truth reported the death of four civilians in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Jadida Kahit.

No further details are currently available

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim al Salem al Moussa
Adult killed
Ahmad al Hassan al Moussa
Adult killed
Hassan al Mohamamd al Moussa
Adult killed
Mush’al al Abd al Shawwakh al Hanish
Adult killed

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 (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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Jadida Kahit village, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV237016
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 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

For March 15th – 16th: “Near Ar Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, an IED, a weapons storage facility, a storage facility, a VBIED facility, a UAV facility, a logistics facility, and an ammunition cache.”
For March 16th – 17th: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a vehicle, an ISIS-held building, and an oil refinement still.”

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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS616

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

المشلب, Al Mashlab, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9449373, 39.0474701 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Smart news agency, reported that a “likely” Coalition strike had killed four civilians including a baby and injured 14 others in Al Mashlab.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • 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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 25th-26th: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, and a mortar system; and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS724

Incident date

April 24, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Smart News Agency, likely Coalition “air raids raged in the southern neighborhoods of the city and were concentrated at Al Rahma Mosque and Al Ajili Pharmacy, as well as Al Mughniyeh neighborhood and the Old Garage, killing four civilians and injuring seven others, according to another local source.”

Syrian Mirror also put the death toll at four and blamed the Coalition.

The incident was first reported on April 26, 2017 at 2:50 pm by @sonawa1.

Summary

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

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident refer to areas in the South of Tabaqa. Open source maps locate Al Rahma Mosque (مسجد الرحمة) at 35.832161, 38.537491; Old Garage (الكراج القدیم) at 35.841667, 38.543611; Al Mughniyeh neighbourhood (حي المغنیة) at 35.839744, 38.548814. We are able to unable to geolocate Al Ajili Pharmacy (صیدلیة العجیلي).

  • Locations name in local reports of the incident.

    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 Tabaqah, 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

For April 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 fighting positions, one tactical vehicle, one ISIS vehicle, one heavy machine gun, and a command and control node.”

For April 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed three ISIS command and control nodes, a fighting position, and a heavy machine gun; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1070

Incident date

June 24, 2017

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9605703, 38.9976883 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A named civilian female was killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in the Al Hadaika al Baidaa area of Raqqa, according to local sources.

Al-Hassaka Rasd moreover reported that the strike killed “the family of Haj Shorabi al Khamissi along with their neighbours”.

All identified sources pointed to the Coalition as the culprit.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: “After review of all available strike records 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.

The victims were named as:

Hassna al Hajj al Arouda
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (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
    Other
  • Stated location
    near al-Hadika al-Bayda, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV997795
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • June 24, 2017, near al-Hadika al-Bayda, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported: “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.”

For June 24th-25th: “Near Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, five vehicles, two ammo caches, a recoilless rifle, a supply cache, and an UAS launch site; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 24, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed two fighting positions.” And that “On June 24, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed 19 fighting positions and two vehicles, and damaged a weapons cache.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

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.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Saturday 24 June – Typhoons eliminated a sniper team in Raqqa…In similar fashion, a pair of Paveway IV-armed Tornados eliminated a terrorist sniper team in Raqqa on Saturday 24 June.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1810

Incident date

October 14, 2018

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.74226, 40.76953 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local reports said that four non combatants (perhaps along with two ISIS fighters) were killed in a Coalition air or artillery strike on al Bahra.

Syrian United Observatory and tweeter Shabab al Latamna both reported four civilians killed. In its own report, Step News noted that “Four civilians and two members of Daesh were killed in a coalition air raid after infiltrating elements into the town of al-Bahra, east of Deir al-Zour.”

No additional details are presently known.

In the second of their September 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.

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 (3) [ 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
    37SFU619458
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Oct. 14, 2018, in Al Bahra, 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. 3199/CS1810 37SFU619458

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition publicly reported at the time the following: "Near Abu Kamal, 12 strikes engaged five tactical units, and destroyed two command and control centers, six weapons caches, one compound, three staging areas and two supply routes."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Sunday 14 October – Tornados and Typhoons bombed three Daesh command and control locations in eastern Syria…Our aircraft were able to attack successfully three known terrorist command and control locations on Sunday 14 October, all in and around Hajin. Typhoons dealt with two of the targets, including one where a Daesh attack planning team were reported to be present at the time, whilst Tornados destroyed the third.’

French Military
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For October 10-16th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram carried out, from Iraqi territory, 28 firing missions (lighting, smoke, harassment, destruction). Aircraft made 18 sorties and carried out two airstrikes, north of Abu Kamal in Syria. Totals for Iraq and Syria since Sept 19th 2014: 8564 sorties, 1464 strikes, 2256 targets ‘neutralised’.

‘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. La progression est rendue difficile car Daech, qui a organisé sa défense, notamment grâce à de très nombreux engins explosifs improvisés, profite des conditions météo actuelles. Celles-ci réduisent les capacités de frappe aérienne de la coalition. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué en volume. Les TF Wagram, Monsabert et Narvik ont été relevées. 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. Cette semaine, compte tenu des conditions météo, c’est l’appui sol-sol qui a été privilégié. Les trois canons CAESAR de la TF Wagram ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 28 missions de tir (éclairement, fumigène, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 10 au 16 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1975 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 10 au 16 octobre inclus) et conduit deux 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 : 8564 sorties / 1464 frappes / 2256 objectifs neutralisés. Formation des militaires Irakiens : lutte contre les engins explosifs improvisés (IED) Trois militaires français servent aux côtés de trois Britanniques et d’un Néerlandais au sein d’un laboratoire d’exploitation contre-IED de premier niveau à Besmayah, ville située à une vingtaine de kilomètres à l’est de Bagdad. Leur tâche consiste à analyser les IED découverts par l’armée irakienne. Ils réalisent également des actions de formation au profit des militaires irakiens. Un lieutenant irakien a ainsi été formé aux techniques permettant, après avoir découvert des engins explosifs improvisés, d’en tirer des informations sur les savoir-faire de l’ennemi. Une sensibilisation a été dispensée au personnel de la police fédérale qui est confrontée, au quotidien, à la découverte d’engins explosifs improvisés. L’exploitation des IED découverts par les forces de sécurité irakiennes permet d’obtenir des renseignements utiles pour démanteler les réseaux terroristes comme pour adapter la protection des forces partenaires.’

Dutch Military
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For the week of 11th – 17th October, Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during nine missions. Weapons were deployed four times, in Deir Ezzor governorate, in the vicinity of Hajin, and Abu Kamal. ISIS weapons were the target.

‘Midden-Oosten In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 4 zijn wapens ingezet. Dat gebeurde in de provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Hajin en Abu Kamal. ISIS-wapenopstellingen waren het doelwit.’

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 (3) [ collapse]