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

CS197

Incident date

April 5, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A former Syrian table tennis champion and national coach named as Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban was reported by VDC as having died “Due to coalition air force’s shelling.”

The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria later published a detailed obituary: “The teacher Mukhles Khreiban was martyred yesterday on Tuesday evening in the province of Idlib in a raid by an unmanned drone accroding to information received from Idlib. Mukhles Khreiban was born in 1953 … he was a member of the Syrian world championship team and participated in the 1980 world championship in Korea .. He worked nationally as a coach and was number one in the game. Many of the stars of football were trained by him. He also worked as a member of the Technical Committee of Table Tennis in the province and was a former member of the trainers committee for the Syrian Table Tennis Federation.. His son has been detained in Assad’s prisons for nearly 4 years. He has four boys and three girls. The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria extends heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyr hero, We belong to God and to Him we return.”

In their June 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 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:

Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban (via VDC)
  • Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban (via The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria).

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
    37SBV867775
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • Apr. 5, 2016, in Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 2929/CS197 37SBV867775

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity for April 4th-5th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

CS211

Incident date

May 11, 2016

Location

دابق‎, Dabiq, thread making workshop, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.539778, 37.269556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or more civilian non-combatants were reported killed – and at least two others injured – after an alleged Coalition air raid on the village of Dabiq.

Step News, citing an Islamic State source – said seven civilians were also injured in the event. Another source said the civilian casualties occurred when a workshop for making thread was struck. Three Daesh fighters were also reported killed.

According to ARA News, “Saleh Zein, one of the field commanders in the opposition in the northern countryside of Aleppo, confirmed to ARA News, that ‘the international coalition aircraft targeted with several air raids Daesh positions in the northern Aleppo countryside. The bombing focused on the towns of Dabiq, Asnabil, Hor al Naher and the outskirts of the town of Soran Izaz which led to the death of two civilians as well as the death of dozens of Daesh members.”

In its July 2017 report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible based on insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “May 11, 2016, near Dabiq, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

However given the specific reported details of the event and the named source, Airwars continues to class this event as likely.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: News just in: One person martyred and others injured in coalition raids on the village of Dabiq in northern Aleppo countryside.
  • Translation: Urgent: sources loyal to IS: one person killed and 7 others injured in coalition raids with two missiles on the village of Dabiq.
  • Translation: Al A’amaq, urgent - one person killed and 7 others injured in American raids with two missiles on a workshop for thread making in the village of Dabiq in the Aleppo countryside (via Omar Al-Falahi)
  • Translation: #Aleppo - International coalition planes target a gathering of Daesh in the village of Dabeq which led to the death of 3 IS members.
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 Dabiq, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information 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

The Coalition reports carrying out one strike in Aleppo governorate on May 10th-11th 2016: “Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI252

Incident date

June 15, 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 various local sources reported that an alleged Coalition shelled the Hasi area of Fallujah, leading to the death of six families, two of whom were killed while trying to leave Fallujah.

Al Fallujah Online said 10 people died, including four women and three children, and that 13 others were wounded, including five children and four women.

Iraqi Spring Media has named the victims of one of those two families who were killed.

In their June 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 after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Ibrahim Taha Aboud Al-Hadid Al-Esawi
Adult male Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed
Wife of Ibrahim Taha Aboud Al-Hadid Al-Esawi
Adult female Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed
Taha
Age unknown Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed
Abdul Qadir
Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed
Ahmad
Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3 children4 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of the victims at the medical facility following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of the child who was killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th ( via newsofiraq3)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of the child (same victim) and the father who were both killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via newsofiraq 3)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of a little girl who killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A photo of an injured man following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)
  • A photo of the victim who was killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture of the same child who was killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)

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
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLB829826
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • June 15, 2016, Hasi, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2960/CI252 38SLB829826

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Fallujah, two strikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed 11 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, and six ISIL light machine guns and denied ISIL access to terrain.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3 children4 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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

CS252

Incident date

July 8, 2016

Location

تل السمن, Tal al Samin, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.2273118, 38.9727974 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition night raid on the village of Tal al Samin.

According to Local Civil Defence of Syria, “Coalition planes launched a raid last night on the village of Tal Al Samin south of the town of Ain Issa, which led to the death of two civilians – after a group of Daesh members sneaked into the village.”

The Syrian Press Centre also reported the deaths, noting they occured “after an infiltration attempt by a group of IS to the village, which was dominated by People’s Protection Units and a brigade of Raqqa’s rebels after fierce battles with IS in the region, according to the local coordination committees.”

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 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:

Jassem al Ahmad Al Hamdo
Age unknown male From the village of Tal Al samin killed
Shawwakh Ismail al Shawwakh
Age unknown male From the village of Tal Al samin killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (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
    37SDA975091
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • July 8, 2016, in Tal al Samin, 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. 2999/CS252 37SDA975091

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 8th-9th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes struck two ISIL-used bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS280

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition (or possibly Assad regime) airstrike on a fuel truck also killed two civilians and injured two more, according to reports.

According to Al Hall, “Two civilians were killed and two others wounded, on Sunday afternoon, bombed by warplanes on the road in the Mayadeen desert east of Deir al-Zour). Abu Omar (a resident of al Mayadeen City), told al Hall in an interview that the warplanes ‘targeted, yesterday afternoon, a civilian car on a road desert fields, killing Jaber Abboud Al Khalil and Mithkal Tayeh al Khalil, two civilians from the town of al Shaheel east of Deir al-Zour. In addition two others were seriously injured, and were evacuated to a nearby hospital.”

The Syrian Network was alone in blaming the Assad regime for the incident.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mithkal Tayeh al Khalil
Age unknown male From Shaheel killed
Jaber Abboud Al Khalil
Age unknown male From Shaheel killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: A coalition raid targets al Mayadeen desert
  • Translation: Planes believed to be the coalition targets al mayadeen desert east of deir ezzor with several raids
  • Translation: Two civilians killed in government raids on al mayadeen in deir ezzor, 24 July
  • Translation: Martyrs and wounded in coalition raids on al mayadeen in deir ezzor countryside

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 July 23rd-25th the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in Deir Ezzor.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 24 July – a Reaper supported Syrian moderate opposition forces engaged with Daesh along the Mar’a Line…The following day [24 July], another Reaper flew over northern Syria to support Syrian moderate opposition forces fighting Daesh terrorists along the so-called Mar’a Line. The Reaper used a Hellfire missile to destroy a terrorist position which had been firing at the Syrians. The Reaper then used its sensors to locate a second position, which was successfully struck by another coalition aircraft.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS299

Incident date

August 23, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The United States self-reported that one of its airstrikes in the vicinity of Raqqa may have killed civilians.

The incident appears to correlate with a number of reported attacks on the city that day.

In a press release issued August 24th, CENTCOM noted: “A strike yesterday on an ISIL weapons facility near Ar Raqqah, Syria, may have resulted in civilian casualties, according to U.S. Central Command’s own post-strike assessment.

CENTCOM’s internal assessment of possible civilian casualties in this incident has been deemed credible. The incident will be reviewed, next, at the joint task force level at which point officials will decide whether an investigation is needed.

Reports indicate that what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft. The vehicle’s occupants may have perished as a result of the strike.

CENTCOM has extensive processes and techniques in place to avoid or minimize civilian casualties. Every report of civilian casualties, from either internal or external sources, is scrutinized regarding possible casualties and collateral damage. Assessments that are determined to be credible are reviewed as to whether the actions comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict.”

Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered reported five airstrikes on the city on the night of August 23rd, including Fayez Mansour Street in downtown; a water reservoir in the south of the city; and a school.

At around midnight the Coalition reportedly hit Ramilyeh. According to the Syrian Network, “International Coalition warplanes fired missiles on Munir Habib High School in Al Ramliyeh neighborhood in Raqqa city, destroying it almost completely and rendering it inoperable.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on August 23rd which may be linked to civilian casualties (Via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa, damaged in a reported Coalition strike on August 23rd which may be linked to civilian casualties (Via Qadimon Ila Al-Raqqa)
  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa (Via Mohammed Abbosh)
  • Munir Habib High School in Raqqa (Via Mohammed Abbosh)

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 August 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL improvised weapons assembly area.“

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS327 TS005

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الثلثانة, Taltanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.44605, 37.34302 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 19 civilians including 3 children were killed – and as many as 41 people injured – when airstrikes hit the village of Al Thaltanah. Multiple reports initially assigned blame to the Coalition or Turkish forces. However, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition conceded it had injured one civilian in the event.

The Syrian Network and Syria News Desk reported that seven civilians died, and assigned responsibility to the Coalition. Several other reports also blamed the Coalition. The Syrian Observatory reported that “warplanes” targeted the village “inhabited by Kurdish civilians,” leaving 60 civilian casualties, including 13 confirmed civilian deaths.

In a separate report, the Observatory clarified the airstrikes were carried out “likely by Turkish warplanes,” and reported that the death toll rose to 19 civilians, including 3 children, noting “the number of the dead is likely to rise.” ISIL’s news arm Al A’maq News reported that 10 civilians died and several were injured in an “American raid.”

Reflecting the confusion, al Jazeera cited the Observatory and wrote, “it was unclear whether the strike was carried out by the US-led coalition fighting ISIL, or Turkey, which is leading an operation against the group in the area with support from Syrian rebel forces.”

In its December 1st report the Coalition stated: “During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.”

This was later amended on April 30th 2017: “Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.”

Halab News identified 11 civilians, 9 of which it named, who it said were victims of “Coalition plane shelling.”

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown from Kafr Sgheer village killed
Unidentified from Kleisharo family
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Mohammad Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Yahiya al Ibo
Age unknown male killed
Mustapha Yahyia al Ibo
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Rashid Risho
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Illo al Haj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Yahiya Yusuf Al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Yahyia al Hajj Illo
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al Qarmatli
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Satellite images show recent attack resulted from an airstrike, UN says, as battle for Aleppo sees more children killed", November 2016. (via Al-Jazeera)
  • Location of the village where the air strike took place, November 2016. (via Eastern Manbij countryside)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.4457989, 37.3436021

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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Taltanah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA515347
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • Dec 1, 2016

  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Taltanah, Syria: During a strike targeting ISIL fighters it is assessed that one civilian was inadvertently killed as a result of the blast following the strike.

  • Oct. 4, 2016, near Talatanah, Syria: Number 5 on the Dec. 1, 2016, CJTF-OIR press release reported that one civilian was killed during a strike on ISIS fighters. That was incorrect, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 3rd-4th 2016, the Coalition reported no strikes in the near vicinity, though others for Aleppo governorate: ”Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL machine gun. Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 19
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI306

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Location

تل كيف‎, Tel Kepe (Tel Kayf), Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.4908349, 43.1204796 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight members of the same family were killed followed an alleged Coalition strikes, according to local sources.

Multiple local outlets reported that 8 civilians – all members of the same family – were killed on October 24th in Tel Kepe, a town less than 15km north of Mosul. Yagen identified the father of the family and said he was killed along with his seven children. The report added that Al Hadidi’s wife was in critical condition and is now in recovery. While Yagen – like multiple other sources, including Almadenah News and the Iraqi Spring Media Center – blamed the Coalition, it also noted that the government of Iraq has also been involved in aerial operations to back forces attempting to retake Mosul.

A distressing video posted on Youtube and watermarked with an ISIS-linked logo shows a crumbled building and at least one body lying on the floor covered.

Local blogger Zyaad Alsenjary claimed the deaths were the result of both air and artillery strikes.

Given reported British actions in the area that day, Airwars flagged the incident to the UK’s MoD which said we can confirm that there was no UK involvement in the event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Juma Dalal Al Hadidi
Adult male Via Yagen killed
Child 1
Age unknown Via Yagen killed
Child 2
Age unknown Via Yagen killed
Child 3
Age unknown Via Yagen killed
Child 4
Age unknown Via Yagen killed
Child 5
Age unknown Via Yagen killed
Child 6
Age unknown Via Yagen killed
Child 7
Age unknown Via Yagen killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (7 children1 man)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged coalition airstrike in Tel Kepe, Mosul on October 24th.
  • The Russian MoD issued satellite images on November 4th which it said showed damage from the Coalition strike
  • An image shows a child who was injured followed indiscriminate shelling in the northern city of Mosul on October 24th (Via Abdelhamid Tarek)
  • An image shows a child who was injured followed shelling in the northern city of Mosul on October 24th (Via Abdelhamid Tarek)

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    An image shows a child killed followed indiscriminate shelling in the northern city of Mosul on October 24th (Via Abdelhamid Tarek)
  • An image shows a child who was injured followed indiscriminate shelling in the northern city of Mosul on October 24th (Via Abdelhamid Tarek)
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 Tel Kepe, 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 October 23rd-24th 2016, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units, two rocket systems, two anti-aircraft artillery systems and two staging areas; destroyed 19 fighting positions, 17 vehicles, 10 heavy machine guns, nine mortar systems, eight command and control nodes, six repeater towers, and four tunnels; and damaged four fighting positions, two vehicles, a mortar system, and a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (7 children1 man)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]