US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CS157

Incident date

December 16, 2015

Location

عيساوي, `Isawi, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.6888933, 39.0555596 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person named as Ahmad Al A’bd was reported killed and his cousin Wa’el Al A’bd injured after unexploded ordnance detonated – allegedly the result of a Coalition airstrike on the village in June.

In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad Al A’bd
Adult male reported killed after unexploded ordnance detonated killed
Wa’el Al A’bd
Adult male Ahmad's cousin, injured in the incident injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Al A’bd (via Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA050604
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • December 16, 2015, in Isawi, 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. 2885/CS157 37SEA050604

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The precise date on which the unexploded ordnance was originally dropped is unclear, though Welati refers to four Coalition strikes on June 14th 2015.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS168

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilian men – three from the same family – were named as killed by ‘Coalition air force shelling’ near Shadadi, after earlier reports of aircraft from the western alliance circling over the town. The death toll was later raised to 10 by some sources.

According to Qasioun the deaths occured after Coalition aircraft struck the Kabiba oil wells: “Several fuel tanks owned by civilians were left burning.”

The Violations Documentation Centre identified four of the victims as:

Mohammad Hosain al-Hajini

Bashar Hosian al-Hajini

Qosai Hosain al-Hajini

Saleh al-Mowafaq

In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Qosai Hosain al-Hajini
Age unknown male killed
Bashar Hosian al-Hajini
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Hosain al-Hajini
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Saleh al-Mowafaq
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (4 men)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: International coalition planes circling the skies of al Shadai - May god have mercy

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
    37SFV558915
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Jan. 27, 2016, in Shadadi, 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. 2902/CS168 37SFV558915

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 26th-27th 2016, the Coalition publicly reported that “Near Al Hasakah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (4 men)
  • 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

CS189

Incident date

March 12, 2016

Location

Al Mashlab, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to Al A’amaq Media – linked to Daesh – “A child and his father were killed in a raid by an unmanned American plane on the outskirts of Raqqa city.”

No other sources in the city reported civilian casualties. However Raqqa is Being Slaughtered did note that “An unmanned plane targets a Daesh pickup truck east of the city of Raqqa in Al Mashlab neighbourhood.”

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition said there was not enough evidence showing civilians were killed in the strike: “Mar. 12, 2016, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report: 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.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ 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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 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 March 12th-13th 2016, the Coalition has confirmed that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS200

Incident date

April 10, 2016

Location

تل حسين, Tall Hussein, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.51693, 37.54187 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources named five civilian victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tal Hussain.

Almost all sources blamed the Coalition for the civilian deaths, although Halab News and the Syrian Human Rights Committee said Russia was responsible. The village was the scene of a major battle for control between rebels and Daesh fighters.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammad Saleh al-Sheikh
35 years old male 35-year old married father killed
Saleh al-Sheikh
70 years old male Married with sons

Family members (3)

Ahmad Abdulqader al-Obeid
65 years old male
Ahmad Abdulqader al-Obeid
16 years old male killed
Abdulqader al-Obeid
50 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman4 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 5 civilians killed following international coalition bombing of the village of Tal Hussein in the northern Aleppo countryside. (via Step Agency)
  • Translation: martyrs in a coalition raid on the village of Tal Hussein in the northern countryside. (via Jisir TV)
  • Translation Aleppo, northern countryside, 5 civilians killed in coalition raids on the village of Tal Hussein (via Moazz al A’bbas)
  • Translation: the victims of coalition raid on the village of Tal Hussein in the Aleppo countryside: The architect Abd al Qader al Obeid 50 years old Ahmad Abd al Qader al Obeid 16 years old Saleh Al Sheikh 75 years old Mohammad Saleh al Sheikh 35 years old Nafe’i al Deek 65 years old (via Abo Obada Alshami)

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 April 10th-11th 2016 the Coalition reported the following strike in Aleppo governorate: “Near Mar’a, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, seven ISIL vehicles, two ISIL tactical vehicles, and an ISIL house borne improvised explosive device (HBIED).“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman4 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS222

Incident date

June 1, 2016

Location

السكاوية, Al Sakkawya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.510278, 38.019444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult civilian male named as Saif Al Din Mohammad Al Sheikh was reported killed by a single source.

According to the Syrian Network, “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted residential houses in Al Sakkawya village, affiliated to Manbej city in the eastern suburbs of Aleppo, which resulted in the killing of the young man Saif Al Din Mohammad Al Sheikh. The village was under the control of ISIS on the day of the incident and it is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.”

No other information is presently known.

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:

Saif Al Din Mohammad Al Sheikh
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA243329
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • June 1, 2016, in Sakkawya, 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. 2967/CS222 37SDA243329

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for May 31st-June 1st 2016 that “Near Manbij, 18 strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units, two ISIL headquarters, two ISIL logistics facilities, an ISIL assembly area, an ISIL weapons cache, and an ISIL training base and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL headquarters, two ISIL vehicles, two ISIL mortar systems, an ISIL cave entrance, two ISIL communication towers, an ISIL artillery system, an ISIL ammunition storage facility, and six ISIL-used bridges and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI260

Incident date

June 30, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East [Cultural group], Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.368483, 43.184281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, a targeted Coalition strike on the local head of ISIL’s sharia courts killed both him and his wife. They reportedly held French passports. The strike targeted the Al-Majmoa’ Al-Thaqafiya area of western Mosul.

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ 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
    38SLF371263
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • June 30, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2985/CI260 38SLF371263

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 29th-30th 2016, the Coalition reported that ” Near Mosul, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL supply cache.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS268

Incident date

July 17, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5165345, 37.9499531 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fifteen or more civilians reportedly died in an alleged Coalition night time strike on the Al Hazwana neighbourhood of Manbij, according to multiple reports.

Manbij Mother of all the World said the ‘terrible massacre’ took place near the al Karama school.

The Syrian Observatory issued an urgent call to the Coalition and its allies: “We in the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights call upon the international Coalition to be very careful in the military operation of Manbij, due to the presence of tens of thousands of civilians inside Manbij city, which –iif it continues to be targeted by inaccurate air and missile strikes– will cause tens of new massacres against civilians, of whom 104 at least were already killed [by the Coalition], including 45 children and citizen women.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jassem al Saidi
Adult male Motorbike mechanic, killed with his entire family killed
Bashar Mohammad al Ibbo
Adult male killed
Bashar Mohammad al Ibbo
Adult killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Bashar Mohammad al Ibbo, reportedly killed in a Coalition strike at Manbij on July 19th (via Manbij Mother of All the World)
  • Al Hazwana neighbourhood al Karama school (via Manbij mother of all the world)

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 July 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, 11 strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 22 ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI288

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Location

عكاشات, Akashat or Saada, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.6696398, 39.9680901 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike in the al Qaim area resulted in the deaths of five civilians including two named children, according to reports.

Yaqein placed the incident on the evening of Saturday 17th. Picture of two unnamed boys emerged the same day, whose deaths were blamed on the Coalition. Two other civilians named as were among those reported killed – and another man was additionally reported killed at Rawa.

Samarra TV located the incident at one of two villages: Local sources confirmed on Saturday, killing a number of civilians, including children, caused by aerial bombardment targeted Akashat and the village of Saada and hand-Obeidi areas in the district-based western Anbar.

Reporting for this event and that above (at Rawa) remains confused.

Given reported British incidents 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.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Abdel Karim
Age unknown male Via Algrbia Alhadath killed
Abu Fatima al-Kubaisi
Age unknown male Via Algrbia Alhadath killed
Abdel Karim
Age unknown male Via Rawa killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children2–3 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Picture one of two boys reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition strike at Al Qaim on September 15th-16th 2016 (via news of Iraq)
  • Picture one of two boys reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition strike at Al Qaim on September 15th-16th 2016 (via news of Iraq)
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Coalition strike at Al Qaim on September 15th-16th 2016 (via samarra tv)

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
    37SET897259
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 16, 2016, in Akashat, Iraq via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3048/CI288 37SET897259

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 16th-17th 2016, the Coalition reported no strikes near al Qaim, though did declare others in Anbar province: “Near Hit, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a building… Near Ramadi, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and a staging area and destroyed a fighting position and a building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children2–3 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]