US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CS822

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Location

شنينة, Shanina, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.0089089, 39.0964794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and nine civilians, including two women and up to seven children, were killed – and up to 45 others were wounded – in alleged Coalition airstrikes in the Shaneina refugee camp to the north of Raqqa city.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported that 14-year-old Abdullah Mohammed al Fayad, Abu Zuhri, his wife and his child were among the dead.

Euphrates Post reported that Hassan al Madawar, his wife and his child were also killed in the alleged airstrikes.

Both sources also reported that one civilian had to have his legs amputated as a result of being injured in the airstrikes.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that a 14-year-old boy was killed in the alleged airstrikes, but did not name the victim. It is not clear whether that victim was Abdullah Mohammed al Fayad as named by RBSS or another child. RBSS also reported that al Fayad’s entire family and “the whole family of Hanzal” were injured in the strikes.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at five including three children and one woman.

Qasioun, who also blamed the Coalition, put the death toll at nine with 23 more wounded.

However, AlJazeera, pointed towards “an aerial bombardment and US artillery”, reporting the death of nine children and injury of 45 more civilians – “mostly children and women”.

A further victim was named as Hiyam Mohammad al Fayyad by Al Raqqa Truth, which reported that he died from injuries sustained in the event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Mohammed al Fayad
14 years old male killed
Abu Zuhri
Adult male killed
Hassan al Madawar
Adult male killed
Hiyam Mohammad al Fayyad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–7 children1–2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–45
  • 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 (21) [ 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 Shanina, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV086849
    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

For May 12th-13th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a front-end loader, an ISIS crane, and a house-born improvised explosive device.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–7 children1–2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–45
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS823

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Location

مزرعة العدنانية, Adnaniya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.015556, 38.885556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Adnaniya farm in Raqqa.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) named the victim as 30-year-old Abdullah al Khalawai.

Both RBSS and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah al Khalawai
30 years old 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 (5) [ 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 Adnaniya Farm, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV896856
    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

For May 12th-13th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a front-end loader, an ISIS crane, and a house-born improvised explosive device.”

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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS824

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Location

عكيرشي, `Ukayrishah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.85817, 39.126332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 12 and 30 civilians – mostly women – were killed when alleged Coalition airstrikes hit al A’Keirshi village in the countryside of Raqqa, according to local media.

The victims were reportedly farm workers who were travelling in three cars to their place of work when they were struck by the air raid.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Euphrates Post, which provided the most extensive coverage of the incident, both reported that 22 people were killed.

According to Alhasaka Alarabea, at least 20 people died, while Q_Alenzy referred to the victims as “cotton workers”, reporting that they were returning from work when their cars were struck.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Syran Network for Human Rights both out the death toll lower, at at least 12. At least eight others were reported wounded by RBSS.

Al Hasaka Rasd reported that “20 female agricultural workers” died in the Coalition strike, while the Smart News Network – citing Reuters – put the death toll as high as 30, of which it said 22 were women.

Euphrates Post listed two female internally displaced people in addition to the victims mentioned below.

RBSS named one of the victims (and provided a picture) as:

Nawwaf Mohammed Al Turki al Sawa’an [M] – Al Ragga Truth also named him, saying he died when Coalition planes targeted his motorbike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Kafaa Ali al Saleh al Mustapha
Adult female killed
Sumaya Khalaf al Saleh al Hamoud al Mustapha
Adult female killed
Sabreen Ahmad al Hamoud al Mustapha
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Rakiya Hassoud al Ahmad
Adult female killed
Khazna Al Abboud Al Hussein
Adult female killed
The daughter of Khalaf Al Jassem al Hamoud
Adult female killed
Hanan al Faisal al Khalaf Al Turki
Adult female killed
Jaziya al Al Jassem al Saleh al Tammas
Adult female killed
Maha al Abboud al Hussein
Adult female killed
Mohammad al Ali al Ahmad al Saleh
Adult female killed
Nawwaf Mohammed Al Turki al Sawa’an
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 30
  • (11–22 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–12
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Nawwaf Mohammad Al Turki al Sawa’an, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al A'keirshi, May 14th (via RBSS)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV1138368199
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 12th-13th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a front-end loader, an ISIS crane, and a house-born improvised explosive device.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 30
  • (11–22 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–12
  • 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 (25) [ 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

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]

Incident Code

CI712

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Location

near Mosul, Iraq, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.

Incident Code

CS825

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Location

near Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.

Incident Code

CI709

Incident date

May 13, 2017

Location

عنه, Anah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.372699, 41.986442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Residents and local press said that up to 100 civilians were killed and dozens wounded after Coalition airstrikes and guided missiles allegedly hit multiple locations in and around Anah town, in Anbar province, on a Saturday evening.

Noor Al Mustafa Dawood reported that “the bombing continued with more than four airstrikes and four missiles directed so far” and listed the locations of the shelling as follows:

– Airstrikes on the cemetery, while a funeral of an ISIL was going on

– Bombing on the Internet Hall in Al Hadra Street

– The bombing of the house of Ibn Faiq Rashad II, “which was considered a house of money”

– On Abu Fahad House, the head of the “movement of the solution”. As well as full destruction and reports of minor civilian casualties

– Bombing on the building of Haj Badia Khairi Ghi in Al-Hadra Street – news about the the death of the resident and the serious injuries of [other] people

– Targeting Pick up wheel in Al Hadra Street for people. Unidentified civilians were killed.

– Bombing near the stadium without knowing the details.

Yaqein Agency said that the Coalition had also “deliberately targeted” a hospital and a market.

On Monday 15th May Yaqein reported that the death toll had risen to more than hundred civilians. The press source had told the media agency that “the international Coalition forces launched violent raids on the district [in the] west of Anbar province” and that “the shelling killed more than 100 civilians and wounded dozens.” It furthermore said that residents were confused whether they should stay in the house – at the risk of seeing walls fall on them – or go out and be exposed to the risks there. The source said that “the bombing of the International Alliance is the most violent of its kind as the Coalition aircraft directed 4 airstrikes and used guided missiles in the bombing.”

Local residents named various people who were killed as a result of the shelling.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied involvement in the incident: “May 13, 2017, near Anah, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abu Yasser
Age unknown male Brother of Bassem Hamra killed
Bassem Hamra
Age unknown male Brother of Abu Yasser killed

The victims were named as:

Sheb Obeida Wael Hussein
Adult male had moved to his neighbour in the city of Ana that day killed
Jamil Al Ani
Child male killed
Jassim Mohammed Saleh Al-Hamra
Adult male killed
The son of Uday Attawi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 100
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Jassim Mohammed Saleh Al-Hamra (via Rawa, Facebook)
  • Obeida Wael Hussein Jamil Al Ani (via Rawa)
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 Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGU742070
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • 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

For May 12th-13th, the Coalition did not report any strikes near Anah.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 100
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI710

Incident date

May 13, 2017

Location

راوة, Rawah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for an incident it said was reported by an NGO, but which Airwars was unaware of.

The Coalition reported: “May 13, 2017, near Rawa, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Rawa, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 12th-13th, the Coalition did not report any strikes near Anah.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]