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

CI088

Incident date

July 29, 2015

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.036997, 40.284076 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that four non-combatants were killed and six injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Ar Rutbah.

According to Iraqi Revolution, “the alliance bombed Rutba in the morning, leading to the martyrdom and wounding of 10 civilians.”

Iraq Body Count, citing Xinhua [source now lost], said that four civilian fatalities had been reported at Rutbah on this date from “international airstrikes.”

In its civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘not credible, asserting: “July 29, 2015, in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, 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. 2787/CI088 37SFS199561”.

Officials published a location for the event to within 100 metres of where they had remotely assessed the incident.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

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
  • Stated location
    in Ar Rutbah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFS199561
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • July 29, 2015, in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, 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. 2787/CI088 37SFS199561

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No Coalition strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity of Ar Rutbah between July 28th-30th 2015.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI104

Incident date

September 14, 2015

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.036997, 40.284076 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The marketplace in Ar Rutbah was hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike according to reports, killing up to five people and injuring eight more.

An adult male and a young male child were pictured among the dead.

Iraqi Revolution for example reported that “heavy shelling targeted Rutba focused on the market and fuel station and bread ovens; and there are dozens of dead and wounded civilians.”

Photographs published on local sites showed some of the strikes and people fleeing; and a number of destroyed buildings and bodies, some with severed limbs.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “September 14, 2015, in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, 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. 2819/CI104 37SFS203560”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Reported Coalition strike on Ar Rutbah, Sept 14 2015 (via Rutbah News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child allegedly injured in the attack and his lost body parts (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via Rutbah News)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via Rutbah News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Man allegedly killed in the strike (via Rutbah News)

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
    in Ar Rutbah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFS203560
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • September 14, 2015, in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, 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. 2819/CI104 37SFS203560

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

No Coalition strikes were publicly confirmed in the direct vicinity for September 14th-15th 2015, though it was noted that “Near Ramadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL house-borne IED, an ISIL VBIED, five ISIL buildings, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL motorcycle.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI125

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were reported killed and 27 injured in an alleged Coalition strike at al Qaim in Anbar province.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No Coalition strikes were publicly reported at Al Qaim for October 1th-19th. However, for October 17th-18th the Coalition noted: “Near Ramadi, three strikes destroyed an ISIL supply cache and denied ISIL access to two separate terrain locations.” And for October 18th-19th, the Coalition reported strikes in Anbar province at both Ramadi and Fallujah.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI149

Incident date

December 2, 2015

Location

راوة, Rawa, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.473919, 41.915991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was alleged killed in a claimed Coalition airstrike at Rawa.

According to Heet News a market and civilian homes were among the structures hit. Most media placed the death toll at one, though some reports claimed fatalities were as high as seven.

In their January 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Images of the strike's aftermath
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Iraqi Revolution)

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
    37SGU678186
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • December 2, 2015, in Rawa, Iraq, 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. 2865/CI149 37SGU678186

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

While no Coalition strikes were reported for Rawa, heavy Coalition action was reported at nearby Ramadi for December 1st-2nd 2015: “Near Ramadi, nine strikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar position, 10 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL tactical vehicle, five ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL RPG positions, an ISIL tunnel, an ISIL anti-tank position, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), an ISIL staging location, two ISIL buildings, an ISIL command and control node, cratered an ISIL-used road, and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI173

Incident date

January 7, 2016

Location

يت, Hit, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.642631, 42.8278537 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media service Hit News claimed that Coalition airstrikes had struck a residential building in Hit. No further details are presently available.

In their February 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.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ 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
    38SKC985246
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Jan. 7, 2016, in Hit, Iraq, 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. 2890/CI173 38SKC985246

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 6th-7th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Hit, two strikes struck an ISIL VBIED factory.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI192

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.036997, 40.285862 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 26 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Ar Rutbah, in Anbar province. A video released by Daesh-linked Al A’amaq showed an apparent ‘double-tap’ strike when the location was again bombed shortly afterwards.

The Yagen agency reported that “aggressive Coalition strikes killed ten civilians and wounded 25 others, including women and children.” Al Araby placed the death toll at 26 civilians killed, including 9 children.

Al Araby cited Colonel Mohammad Obeid, from the Anbar Operations Command: “Yes, we received information talking about the killing of civilians, air raids carried out by the international coalition, western Anbar”, noting that he also described the incident as “unfortunate.”

Imad al-Dulaimi, the exiled mayor of the town, was also reported as saying three missiles struck Ar Rutbah which between them led to the death and injury of 30 civilians: “It has become irrational, demolishing a home… and killing our people for just a handful of these armed men.”

Some names of the victims and the injured have been published via Dhafer Storey Facebook account along with the aftermath images.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omer Subhi Hamid Faraj
Age unknown (via Dhafer Storey FB account) killed
Ahmed Minawer
Age unknown male (via Dhafer Storey FB account) killed
Saoddy Bin Abu Shakoor
Age unknown male His family also reported killed killed
Salah Jubyer Kaddouri Agnyen
Age unknown male (via Dhafer Storey FB account) killed
Bin Majeed Auda Alwar
Age unknown male His brother also was injured in the incident injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 26
  • (9 children6 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the destruction in Ar Rutbah, which killed at least 26 civilians in alleged Coalition strike on February 18 2016
  • The images of the aftermath of the airstrike by an alleged coalition in Ar Rutbah city, west of Anbar. The airstrike hit precisely in the military neighbourhood near the football stadium (via Dhafer Storey FB account)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 17th-18th the Coalition reported a number of airstrikes in Anbar, though none publicly at Ar Rutbah.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 26
  • (9 children6 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI238

Incident date

May 19, 2016

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, up to six civilians including four children were killed and 13 people injured in an alleged Coalition or Iraqi government strike on Fallujah.

According to Yaqein, “four civilians including a child were killed and 12 others wounded mostly children and women. Most of them were seriously injured as a result of the retaliatory shelling and indiscriminate government and international airstrikes.”

The casualties occurred in the Abu Alwan area of the city, during an intense campaign before a major assault to liberate Fallujah from so-called Islamic State.

later named some of the casualties: “The child Hammam Jassim Mohammad Mohammadi has been killed along with his mother and young brother, while his father is in a serious condition between life and death.“

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:

Family members (4)

Hammam Jassim Mohammad Mohammadi
Child male killed
the mother of Hammam Jassim Mohammad Mohammadi
Adult female killed
the brother of Hammam Jassim Mohammad Mohammadi
Child male killed
Jassim Mohammad Mohammadi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2–4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of the child victim which reportedly killed by Coalition or Iraq government airstrike on Fallujah, May 19th 2016 (via Fallujah Now)

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
    38SLB871911
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • May 19, 2016, in Fallujah, Iraq, 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. 2953/CI238 38SLB871911

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 18th-19th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.”

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
    4 – 6
  • (2–4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI255

Incident date

June 16, 2016

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375659, 42.451536 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One local source, Iraqi Revolution, said six civilians including four children were killed after the Coalition allegedly targeted the Aleiadiayah region north of Tel-Afar west of Mosul. No further details are currently available.

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 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children)
  • 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
    38SKF713286
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • June 16, 2016 in Aleiadiayah, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2962/CI255 38SKF713286

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 15th-16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]