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

CS264

Incident date

July 15, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, four civilians from one family were killed and 13 additional civilians injured following a Coalition airstrike.

The Syria News Desk reported that “Coalition aircraft launched more than a dozen raids on Manbej, affected some national hospital west of the city perimeter, four of which targeted residential sites in the middle and on the northern edges. The source added that the raids led to the deaths of four civilians from one family, after their home was targeted and completely destroyed and 13 others were wounded, while launching air strike on a bridge near the “Garage” Jarablos north Manbij position, which resulted in its destruction.”

See also the following incident.

The Syrian Network reported Coalition strikes on the city that day but made no mention of civilian casualties: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted Tareaq Jarablos bridge that connects the city of Jarablos and the northern neighborhoods of Manbej city with the center of Manbej city. The bridge was partially destroyed and was rendered out of commission. Manbej city was under the control of ISIS on the day of the incident and it is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.”

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.52692, 37.95592  

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA0652842901
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • July 15, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3011/CS264 37SDA0652842901

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI274

Incident date

August 4, 2016

Location

بعويزة, Mosul, Baweiza, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike in the Baoizh area of Mosul (or Bo’weza) reportedly killed a female child and injured four other civilians.

According to NRN News, a Coalition strike killed a number of Daesh militants but also killed a number of civilians, including a little girl who died under the rubble.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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]

  • Images reveal the destructions that followed an alleged coalition airstrike in Mosul, Baweiza which led to the killing of ISIS fighters and also resulted in the death of a young girl (Via NRN News)

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 3rd-4th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device facility.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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

CS312

Incident date

September 14, 2016

Location

معيزيلة, M’eizileh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6163981, 40.4576683 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians including a child died when a water tanker was struck in Coalition strikes at M’eizileh, according to multiple reports.

VDC named two of the victims who it said died as a result of warplane shelling by international forces.

The reported fatalities may have been confused with reports at nearby al Salhiya which was also struck in a Coalition raid (see above.)

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:

Family members (2)

Saleh al-Elwan
Adult male killed
Nephew of Saleh al-Elwan
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Saleh al-Elwan (via VDC).
  • Al- Salhiya village in eastern Deir Ezzor (via Deir Ezzor 24)
  • Translation: coalition planes target last night a water transport truck on its way to Ma’izlieh fountain in the desert of Deir ezzor.
  • Translation: Saleh al Ulwan and his nephew martyred due to coalition raid on their car near al Maizlieh south west of Abu Kamal.

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
    37SFU336314
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 14, 2016, in Meizileh, 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. 3044/CS312 37SFU336314

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th-14th the Coalition reported that “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed five ISIL supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS353

Incident date

October 29, 2016

Location

العريمة, Al `A'rīma, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4718911, 37.7218151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was killed by coalition raids, according to a single local source.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jassem al Mahmoud
Age unknown 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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 28th-29th, the Coalition reported no strikes in Syria. For October 29th-30th, the Coalition reported “Near Manbij, one strike produced inconclusive results” and “Near Mar’a, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.”

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

CI329

Incident date

November 9, 2016

Location

حي العسكري, Mosul, Askari, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.1703776, 43.2489681 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed followed an alleged Coalition strike, according to one local source.

Hakaek reported that a family of four were killed in a Coalition strike in Mosul. It said strikes hit their home in the Al Askari neighbourhood. A source told Hakaek that ISIL fighters were not in the vicinity at the time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ 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 information on the time and location
  • 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

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 8th-9th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed six ISIL-held buildings, four fighting positions, three mortar systems, a heavy machine gun, and a sniper position; suppressed two tactical units; and damaged a mortar system.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS386

Incident date

November 22, 2016

Location

العبارة, `Abbarah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1553406, 39.0213776 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 20-year old non-combatant male named as Mohammad al Juma’a al Gaddou was killed in a reported Coalition strike on al I’bara, according to two sources.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al Juma’a al Gaddou
20 years years old male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al I'bara, Syria
    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 November 22nd 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed two vehicles, an oil tanker truck, an oil pump, and a VBIED; and damaged a road. Near Ayn Isa, two strikes destroyed a vehicle and an anti-air artillery system.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS404

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Location

العبارة, `Abbarah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1553406, 39.0213776 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including three brothers – along with two ISIL fighters – were reported killed in an alleged Coalition air raid on al Abbara.

Syria News Desk said that “Four civilians and two members of Islamic state were killed and others were injured this afternoon, due to international coalition raids targeting with four raids the village of Al A’bbara under the control of ISIL in the countryside of northern Raqqa.”

According to Smart news, seven civilians were also injured in the attack.

Syrian PC has named three of the dead, all from the same family.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event had been submitted “for further review.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahmad Shareef Sakher
20 years years old male killed
Hussein Shareef Sakher
18 years years old male killed
Mo’ayad Ibrahim Sakher
15 years years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Sharif al Sakhir and his brother Hussein Sharif al Sakhir (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered)
  • Mouayed Ibrahim al Sakhir (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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al-Abbara village, northern Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA020010
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 5th-6th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI376

Incident date

December 25, 2016

Location

البعاج, Al Baaj, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.0426, 41.71632 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media and the area’s MP reported that 20 civilians were killed and 55 injured after unknown aircraft targeted Al Baaj city west of Mosul.

According to Zahid Kotuna, the elected MP for the area, an unknown warplane carried out a fierce air strike on the densely populated civilian town of Baaj 140 km west of Mosul. The bombing caused the deaths of 20 civilians, including children, and the wounding of about 55 others.

Iraqi Spring said that More than 20 civilians were killed and dozens injured as an aerial shelling targeted Sina’a Marketplace in Ba’aj district west of Mosul.

In its February 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition stated that it was not responsible for the event: (7.) Dec. 25, 2016, near al-Ba’aj, Iraq, via media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Civilians reported injured
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ 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 al-Ba’aj, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2017

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 24th-25th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed four buildings, four heavy machine guns, three tactical vehicles, and three VBIEDs; and suppressed nine mortar teams and two ISIL tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Civilians reported injured
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]