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

CS082

Incident date

June 19, 2015

Location

عربيد, Arbeed, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.5716263, 39.1553539 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported 1am airstrike on the ISIL-occupied village of Arbeed was said to have killed two women at the home of Adel al Kharfan. Mr al Kharfan’s wife (a mother of six children) died along with her relative, the wife of Ismael al Kharfan and a mother of four.

Mr al-Kharfan’s son later told SN4HR: “We went back to our town to find our house completely destroyed and turned to rubble. There was shrapnel left from the rockets everywhere. We pulled out my mother’s body and that of my aunt Sara.”

Buzzfeed also later reported on the event, noting that “Khawla Yassin al-Ali, 47, spent her days taking care of her paraplegic husband in their village outside the border town of Tel Abyad. She was killed by a coalition strike on June 19, said her son, Mohammad Adel al-Kharfan. “We are farmers,” he said. “I don’t understand why they bombed my home.”

The incident occured at approximately 1:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

47 years old female Wife of Adel al Kharfan, mother to six children: Kinda [1988], Alya [1993], Fatima [1992], Mohammad [1994], Hisham [1995] and Abdulhamid [1998] killed
52 years old female Wife of Ismael Al Kharfan and mother of four. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Khawla Yassin al-Ali (image courtesy of family/ Buzzfeeed News)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a house in the village of Arbeed (عربيد), Ar Raqqah, for which the exact coordinates are: 36.5716263, 39.1553539

  • Structural damage shown on satellite imagery (left: 18 May, 2014; right: 8 May, 2016)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Image indicating the location of the destroyed building

    Imagery:
    SN4HR

  • Before and after the building was hit

    Imagery:
    SN4HR

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 Arbeed, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA139473
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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.

Media
from belligerent (2) [ collapse]

  • Image showing exact location of the house that was targeted. [via: SN4HR report, 11th August 2015]
  • Images showing the aftermath of the alleged coalition shelling of the al Kharfan home. [via: SN4HR report, 11th August 2015]

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI085

Incident date

July 18, 2015

Location

مجارين, Majareen, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

According to local MP Abdulrahman al Louzi, a dozen male agricultural workers died when the Coalition struck the village of Majareen.

Among the dead were said to be five brothers from one family. The men were reported to have been converting hay to animal feed at the time of the attack.

According to al-Louzi, “I did not want to comment on this until I was quite sure that those people killed are civilians, because I’m not ready to defend anyone linked to Daesh. Sources today confirmed that those persons are actually civilians, and that among them were five brothers from one family.“

In its civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘not credible, asserting: “July 18, 2015, in Majareen, 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. 2786/CI085 38SKF956266”.

Officials published a location for the event to within 100 metres of where they had remotely assessed the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (5–12 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ 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
  • Stated location
    in Majareen, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF956266
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • July 18, 2015, in Majareen, 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. 2786/CI085 38SKF956266

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (5–12 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI100

Incident date

September 3, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A single source, NINA, alleged that the Coalition had killed 13 civilians during airstrikes on ISIS targets in the south of Mosul city.

According to the National Iraqi News Agency, “33 civilians were martyred and wounded, including women and children, following aerial bombardment by the international Coalition which targeted residential areas in the south of Mosul, according to local residents. Residents said the international coalition bombed dozens of houses that had been occupied by Daash previously, but which had been evacuated almost a year ago.

“They said 13 civilians were killed, including three women and seven children, and about 20 civilians, including women and children, and the elderly were also injured, when aircraft “targeted Daesh nests in the Jawasaq area [of Mosul] as well as Aldndan and Aekadat.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “September 3, 2015, 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. 2815/CI100 38SLF293240”.

The Coalition published a location for the assessment identifying to within 100 metres the area where it had focused its review.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (7 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ 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
  • Stated location
    in Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF293240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • September 3, 2015, 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. 2815/CI100 38SLF293240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 2nd-3rd 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL observation tower and destroyed two ISIL checkpoints, two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (7 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI120

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that either government shelling or a warplane from the international Coalition struck civilians betwen noon and 1pm as they were using the Albu Shajal crossing point north of Fallujah, allegedly killing up to 14 non-combatants and injuring 12 more. According to Al Fallujah News there were two strikes at the crossing point, separated by several hours.

Al Alamy, claiming to cite medical officials at Fallujah Hospital, reported that “Our hospital emergency department for Thursday, October 8th 2015 has so far [midnight] received twelve injured (including five women and five children) and fourteen martyrs (including four women and six children).

One local news service carried pictures of locals giving blood in response to an emergency request.

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 14
  • (6 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • People donating blood in Fallujah because of the alleged incident

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
    38SLB872911
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020
  • October 8, 2015, in Fallujah, 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. 2841/CI120 38SLB872911

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 7th-9th 2015, no publicly-reported Coalition strikes appeared to match the event.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 14
  • (6 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI143

Incident date

November 19, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least ten civilians were reported killed and 13 or more injured, after a Coalition strike at 8.30am which targeted a Daesh IED facility also reportedly hit a next-door dairy factory in Mosul.

According to the local Nineveh Reporters’ Network, the attack “killed all elements of the organization [Daesh] who were inside the booby-trapping plant, but also damaged a large dairy building next door, killing approximately five civilian workers and injuring 13 others.”

The minimum death toll was later raised to ten, with one victim named as Yasir Nazir al-Tai Abu Mustafa, a 45-year old father. NRN later published an interview with a neighbour: “Yasir had four children, the eldest a student in the first year at intermediate school. Yasir was working as a taxi driver too, because of the bad economic situation and to protect his family from poverty and hunger… We have lost a dear friend and a good brother to us.

With claims that as many as 50 civilians were killed and injured, the event led to fresh calls for the Coalition to be more careful in its targeting of the city.

In a later statement to CBC News, Canadian Forces Major General Charles Lamarre said the strike had been reviewed and “did not reveal any information to suggest that civilians had been harmed or killed… The nearest structure to the strike was well outside of the explosive radius of the weapons used‎.”

However graphic video footage released by Islamic State showed not only the apparent destroyed IED facility but also a badly damaged adjacent building, including dead and injured persons.

See also CI143.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yasir Nazir al-Tai Abu Mustafa
45 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–28
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of Canadian strike at Mosul November 19th which reportedly killed 10 civilians (via Nineveh Reporters Network)
  • Yasir Nazir al-Tai, a father of four reportedly killed in a Canadian strike (via NRN News)
  • Another image of the aftermath of the attack (via NRN)
  • Another image of the aftermath of the attack (via NRN)
  • Another image of the aftermath of the attack (via NRN)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition has confirmed targeting an IED facility in the city on November 19th 2015: “Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL weapons vehicle borne improvised explosive device manufacturing facility.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–28
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI167

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, General hospital, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.353889, 43.7925 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fallujah’s General Hospital was cited as reporting that seven people were killed – including five children and one woman – following an alleged Coalition airstrike. Three women and a child were also said to have been injured.

However, the Iraqi Spring Media Center did not attribute the incident to any party. And artillery sheling of the city by Iraq Army forces was also reported.

In its July 2017 report the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of limited information: “Dec. 25, 2015, near Fallujah, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Fallujah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported that for December 25th-26th 2015: “Near Fallujah, two strikes destroyed two ISIL tunnels, two ISIL improvised explosive device (IED) factories, and wounded an ISIL fighter.”

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
    7
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS221

Incident date

June 1, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Ten named civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes on the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of Raqqa.

According to the local Civil Defence, “four civilians were martyred due to successive airstrikes by coalition warplanes on Mashlab neighbourhood according to local source.” The Syrian Observatory reported 10 civilian deaths from airstrikes in Al Mashlab and elsewhere in Raqqa, though did not attribute responsibility.

Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered also reported 10 deaths, most of whom it named: “The raids targeted the following sites: The houses of Ali Bashir, Mohammad Alkajwan and Ahmed al-Huwaidi, Al-Halisat mosque and the shops of Alkajwan family.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime, putting the death toll at 10 including one child and two women.

Al Raqqa also said the regime were responsible, as did the Pride Revolution.

A Tweet by Aleppo Now alleged the Coalition were responsible: “coalition planes target al mashlab neighbourhood in raqqa – the biggest centre for Daesh – with several raids.”

RBSS published a number of reports on “warplanes” targeting the Al Mashlab neighbourhood, but did not say who the planes belonged to.

They said that the following areas were targeted:

1 – the hospitality areaof al Sheikh Ali Al Bashir

2 – the house of Hammoud al Kajwan

3- the house of Mr. Ahmad al Huwaidi

4- near al Kajwan shops.”

However, Raqqa News Network said that this was a Russian incident:

Treacherous Russian warplanes launched four raids on the city of Raqqa targeting the neighborhood of al Mashlab.”

While the Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the vicinity of raw on June 1st, these appear to have targeted nearby oil facilities rather than the city itself. Both the Assad regime and Russia may also have been responsible.

In the first 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:

Family members (2)

Ali Alkajwan
Age unknown male killed
Ali Alkajwan's nephew
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Mohammed Jerkh
Age unknown male killed
Walid Jerkh
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

A woman from Mustafa Al Obied family
Age unknown female killed
A woman from Mustafa Al Obied family
Age unknown female killed

Family members (1)

Hammoud al Kajwan and his family
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed al-Huwaidi
Age unknown male killed
Hassan Alharweel
Age unknown male killed
Tamer Marzouk
Age unknown male killed
Issa Alkajwan
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Alkajwan
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Alharweel
Adult male killed
Adel al Jarakh
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad al Huwaidi (via RBSS)
  • Translation: regime planes launched 4 raids this afternoon targeting al Mashlab neighbourhood which led to the death of an entire family. (via Newsffffff)
  • Translation: raqqa - coalition planes target al mashlab neighbourhood in raqqa - the biggest centre for Daesh - with several raids.

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
    37SEV043777
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • June 1, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 2966/CS221 37SEV043777

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports for June 1st-2nd 2016 that “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes destroyed six ISIL oil pump jacks and an ISIL crane.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS242

Incident date

June 27, 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

Up to seven civilians from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Manbij, according to multiple sources.

Manbij Mother of the World placed the death toll at 7, though the Syrian Network reported that four died – including 2 children.

However a local activist (whose account is now suspended by Twitter) challenged the claim: “The news of the death of an entire family in their home near al Sharia school west of the town is a lie. There are no civilians there as some of them fled and others are taking refuge inside the city.”

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
    4 – 7
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: the news of the death of an entire family in their home near al Sharia school west of the town is a lie. There are no civilians there as some of them fled and others are taking refuge inside the city (via Hodhod_Minbig1).

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
    37SDA065429
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • June 27, 2016, in Manbij, 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. 2983/CS242 37SDA065429

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 26th-27th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, seven strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL tunnels and damaged an ISIL fighting position and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Monday 27 June – Typhoons provided close air support to Syrian democratic forces fighting in Manbij…On Monday 27 June, while Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s conducted reconnaissance missions to gather intelligence on Daesh activity, Typhoon FGR4s and Reaper remotely piloted aircraft provided support to both Syrian democratic forces and Iraqi units. The same day, in Syria, a pair of Typhoons conducted a successful attack with Paveway IV guided bombs against a Daesh strongpoint on the south-western outskirts of Manbij.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]