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

CS829

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9327067, 39.0910721 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian woman was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Samra village, east of Raqqa city.

The woman was named as Siham al Abd al Zai’t by al Raqqa Truth. According to Thoar al Raqqa, the strikes took place at midnight.

Three sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible for the strikes, which reportedly occurred place near the Raqqa Bridge and the Al Za’eet petrol station.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that the houses of Ali al Hattab, Hassan al Dhib and the Al Juweif family were destroyed in the strikes, but it was not immediately clear if there were any further casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Siham al Abd al Zai’t
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid on Samra village, May 16th (via Al Ragga Truth)
  • Images of the aftermath
  • More images of the aftermath
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 Samra, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV082764
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 15th-16th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed four vehicles, two fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a front-end loader and a supply cache; and damaged an ISIS supply route.” It was later also noted that “Additionally, one strike was conducted in Syria on May 15th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS830

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

ﺍﻟﻄﺒﻘﺔ, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8373, 38.54811 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Tabaqa, according to the Violations Documentation Center in Syria.

The man was named as Waddah Gassan al Qassas by both sources.

No further details are available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Waddah Gassan al Qassas
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Waddah Gassan al Qassas (via VDC)
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 Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 15th-16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a tactical vehicle.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI715a

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35863, 43.10193 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event near Mosul.

Their April 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “It was assessed that during a Coalition strike against an ISIS commander, ISIS headquarters and VBIED operation which destroyed the VBIED operation, two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently walked into the blast radius of the strike.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

Airwars previously thought that this report was referencing CI715, however, in July 2019 Coalition officials indicated to Airwars that they were separate incidents.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Mosul Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF297254
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018

  • May 16, 2017, near Mosul Iraq, via self-report. It was assessed that during a Coalition strike against an ISIS commander, ISIS headquarters and VBIED operation which destroyed the VBIED operation, two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently walked into the blast radius of the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 15th-16th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, two mortar systems, to medium machine guns, two VBIEDs, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIED facilities, and a supply cache; damaged 13 ISIS supply routes and nine fighting positions; and suppressed three ISIS tactical units and two mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS827

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Location

الماكف, Al Makef, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.96439, 39.04436 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on the Al Makef area of Raqqa, according to local sources. The Coalition later confirmed responsibility for the deaths.

In July 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “During a strike on Daesh fighting positions and supply routes, two civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Attiya Al Saker
Adult male killed
Karim Al Jaban
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ 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:

  • 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
    2
  • Stated location
    near al-Makef, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV040800
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • May 15, 2017, near al-Makef, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. During a strike on Daesh fighting positions and supply routes, two civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, two fighting positions and an artillery system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI714

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “On 15 May, an airstrike targeting passing ISIL vehicles damaged a civilian house in the ISIL-controlled al- Rifae neighbourhood of western Mosul, killing five civilians, including two women and a child, and wounding 11 others, including three women and three children.”

Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilians killed or injured relating to this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 14th-15th: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 12 fighting positions, five vehicles, two mortar systems, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two heavy machine guns, two anti-air artillery systems, two VBIEDs, and a weapons storage facility; damaged ten ISIS supply routes, a fighting position, and a VBIED facility; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS826

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major casualty incident, up to 73 civilians including 15 children and six women died and up to 120 others were wounded airstrikes on Abu Kamal, according to local media. The majority of the victims were reportedly displaced people.

Conflicting sources blame the US-led Coalition and the Iraqi air force. Additionally, one source attributed the incident to Russia. The Coalition, however, later denied responsible.

Death counts varied and ranged from 25 civilians upwards. According to Syrialive54 and Omar Madniah, up to 73 non-combatants – many of them woman and children – were killed. These sources blamed Iraqi warplanes, as did Al Jazeera, Qasioun, Deir Ezzor News and Euphrates Post, among other sources.

But according to Moaz Alshami, Step News, Madar Daily, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – among others – the Coalition was responsible. Madar Daily put the death toll at 72 with up to 120 more injured.

Syria News Desk said that the event was “believed to be by the International coalition and the Iraqi Air Force”, adding that “at least eight members of the organization [IS] were killed in the attack near the Rahman Mosque in the center”.

Ahmed Zahlan was alone in claiming that the strike was Russia. He put the death toll at 66. Comments on his tweet, however, challenged this and wondered why he was blaming Moscow.

Sources reported that multiple locations in Abu Kamal were hit, including homes near al Hajana barracks, al Rahman mosque and surrounding area, Post Office Street, Al Malaki restaurant and Al-Rusafa Association.

According to the Step News Agency 15 civilian homes were destroyed, while Euphrates Post said that “warplanes launched a phantom raid during the funerals of several of the victims in Abu Kamal.”

Both Euphrates Post and Syria-mirror published reports in which the Coalition denied responsibility.

Syria-mirror said: “According to US military spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon, coalition aircraft did not hit the town on Sunday and Monday, but only targeted oil production facilities run by the state organization more than 50 kilometers outside the town.”

Dillon said in a statement that the coalition aircraft did not carry out strikes in the time period during which the casualties occurred alleged, stressing the implementation of strikes on Boukmal on those two days, without mentioning the names of the countries that carried out the raids.”

Euphrates Post added that the Syrian regime also denied any link to the bombing, adding this “reinforced the theory that Iraqi forces had targeted the city following Iraq announcing that it would target Syrian territory in which IS was present – and that the Coalition is aware of the identity of any warplanes flying over Deir Ezzor.

The following victims have been listed in addition to those named below:

Two members of Musleh Mohammed Al-Tarrad’s family

The wife of Irfan Farid al-Abd al-Rahman

The daughter of Nuri Jamil Soloh and three of his sons

Ahmed Abdulrazzaq Al-Haj Mohammed’s mother.

Eight martyrs of the displaced from Deir Ezzor

Nine martyrs from displaced families from the countryside of Raqqa and Aleppo

Nine Iraqis displaced

Four unidentified persons whose bodies were burnt

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Ahmed Suleiman Al-Hussein
Age unknown male killed
Fayadh Hussein
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hussein
Child male killed
Alaa Ahmed Al Hussein
Child male killed
Faris Ahmed Al-Hussein
Child male killed
Azzam Ahmed Al-Hussein
Child male killed
Fayyad Ahmed al-Hussein
Child male killed

Family members (11)

Wife of Abdul Latif Al-Mari
Adult female killed
Nasser Abdul Latif Al-Mari
Adult male killed
The wife of Nasser Al-Mari
Adult female killed
Basil Nasser Al-Mari
Age unknown male killed
Sami Nasser Al-Mari
Age unknown male killed
Hani Nasser Al-Mari
Age unknown male killed
Majd Ragheb Abdul Latif Al-Mari
Child male killed
Rawan Thaer Abdul Latif Al-Mari
Child male killed
Majed Ragheb Al-Mari
Child male killed
Rowan Thaer Al Mari
Child male killed
The daughter of Jamal Nasser Al-Mari
Child female killed

Family members (4)

Saad Moawafak Hammadi Khatlan Al Rawi
Age unknown male killed
Haitham Moawafak Hammadi Khatlan Al Rawi
Age unknown male killed
Abdel Rahman Moawafak Hammadi Khatlan Al Rawi
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Sabti Khatlan Al Rawi
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Abdul Salam Matar
Adult male killed
Ahmed Younis Al-Daribi
Child male killed
Tufoush Ali Hamed
Age unknown male killed
Sabria Allawi Ahmad
Age unknown female killed
Ahmed Abdulrazzaq Al-Haj Mohammed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    60 – 73
  • (12–15 children6 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–120
  • 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 (68) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Nasser Abdel Latif Al Mir’i, killed with 10 members of his family, in a strike on Abu Kamal, May 15th (via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    GRAPHIC: The aftermath of an airstrike on Abu Kamal, April 15th (via Syria News Desk)
  • Aftermath of the strike
  • More images of the aftermath
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 Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU762139
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS fuel trucks, two ISIS well heads, and an ISIS pump jack.”

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
    60 – 73
  • (12–15 children6 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–120
  • 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 (68) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI713

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Location

حي النجار, Najjar neighbourhood, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.36012, 43.09335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources, including a friend of one of the victims, said that the entire family of Al-Haj Alaa Al-Safi (consisting of eight people) died after a Coalition airstrike hit their home in Najjar neighborhood, in West Mosul. Sources reported that most of the victims were women.

The Coalition later reported that it had unintentionally killed three civilians in a strike at al Najjar that day. Either France or Belgium appear to have been responsible – though neither country will say.

Bashar Haseeb said on Facebook at the time that Al-Haj Alaa al-Safi was a study friend of his. In a comment he added: “He was a student with me at the Technical Institute and today he, his wife, his mother, his sons, his brother and his brother’s wife died in an airstrike.”

Mosul Facebook page also reported the death of al-Safi. It said that his wife, mother, his daughters, his sister, and the daughters of his sister were also among the victims.

In its July 2017 monthly casualty report, the Coalition appeared to take responsibility for the incident: “May 15, 2017, near Mosul, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, it was assessed that three civilians in a building adjacent to the target building were unintentionally killed.”

Coalition officials later confirmed to Airwars that their report was referring to this incident. The Coalition provided Airwars with a location, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the event near the al Shuhada Mosque in al Najjar.

In March 2020, Airwars, Liberation and De Morgen published a joint investigation revealing that Belgium and France were refusing to accept responsibility for civilian harm in this and other events – despite all other allies ruling themselves out.

Asked to say whether its aircraft were responsible for officially declared civilian harm in up to nine incidents, the Belgian Ministry of Defence told Airwars by email: “For the year 2017, BAF [Belgian Armed Forces] was certainly not involved in all events. With regard to the other data given, BAF was no longer present in theatre. BAF completed its role at the end of 2017. Our conclusion is that all ROEs [rules of engagement] were respected as confirmed by our federal court.”

After confirming receipt from Airwars in June 2019 of details of possible French civilian casualty events, the defence ministry then ceased communication – refusing to answer all subsequent emails.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Al-Haj Alaa al-Safi
Adult male killed
Wife of Al-Haj Alaa al-Safi
Adult female killed
Mother of Al-Haj Alaa al-Safi
Adult female killed
Son 1 of Al-Haj Alaa al-Safi
Child male killed
Son 2 of Al-Haj Alaa al-Safi
Child male killed
Brother of Al-Haj Alaa al-Safi
Adult male killed
Sister in law of Al-Haj Alaa al-Safi
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (4–6 women1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Haj Abddul Rahman Al Safi (via Mosul)
  • Another picture of the victim

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 in adjacent structure
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    3
  • Stated location
    near Mosul
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2893325580
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • May 15, 2017, near Mosul, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, it was assessed that three civilians in a building adjacent to the target building were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, two mortar systems, to medium machine guns, two VBIEDs, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIED facilities, and a supply cache; damaged 13 ISIS supply routes and nine fighting positions; and suppressed three ISIS tactical units and two mortar teams.’

Australian Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

On 15 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck several Daesh fighting positions and a Daesh heavy weapon site with precision guided munitions over several hours of support

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Monday 15 May – Tornados and Typhoons provided extensive support to Iraqi forces in Mosul, striking nine targets… The RAF is continuing to support Iraqi forces in their effort to liberate western Mosul. While the operating environment in the city is very challenging, particularly given the closely-packed buildings, very narrow streets, and the density of the urban population, our aircrew have continued to deliver precision strikes in close support of Iraqi troops on the ground. Daesh’s current tactics, including the illegal use of civilians as human shields, and fighting from sites such as schools, hospitals, religious sites and civilian neighbourhoods, increases the risk to innocent life. While no military operations come without risk, particularly in dense urban environments and against such inhuman Daesh tactics, the RAF continues to take all steps necessary to minimise civilian casualties. Three flights of Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 and Typhoon FGR4 aircraft operated over western Mosul on Monday 15 May. As well as conducting tactical reconnaissance, our aircraft also provided support to Iraqi troops engaged in very close combat with Daesh extremists. Three Brimstone missiles were used in very precise attacks on terrorist firing points, including a medium machine-gun position, while Paveway IV guided bombs struck another machine-gun team, demolished four Daesh-held buildings, and cratered a road to prevent terrorist movements along it.’

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (4–6 women1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI711

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3667014, 43.0854607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two local sources reported that heavy shelling with mortars, artillery and missiles hit the 17 July neighbourhood in West Mosul. The violence reportedly led to the death of Alaa Abdel Moneim Hussein al-Nuaimi – also called Abu ‘Ala – who was married and had three children. He died after a mortar landed on his house in the neighbourhood.

No further details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alaa Abdel Moneim Hussein al-Nuaimi
Adult male Married and father of three killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Alaa Abdel Moneim Hussein al-Nuaimi died in unidentified mortar shelling on his house in July 17, and reportedly left behind his partner and three children (via Sawlf Ateka)
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
Official source

For May 13th-14th: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed a mortar system, a VBIED factory, a rocket cache, a command and control node, a medium machine gun; damaged 19 ISIS supply routes, a front-end loader, a fighting position; and suppressed mortar team.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]