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

CS323

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

غيطون, Ghaytun, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4858147, 37.3050857 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Islamic State’s media wing Al A’Amaq claimed that “nine people from one family were killed in an American raid on the village of Ghaitoun east of the town of Mare’ in the northern Aleppo countryside.” That assertion appeared to be the basis for most other media reports.

Syria Press Centre said the attack happened in the early hours of the morning. The Syrian Observatory added that “the number [of deaths] is likely to rise due to some serious injuries.”

However, in a December 2016 release the Coalition denied responsibility, noting that “(8.) Oct. 1, 2016, near Ghaytun, Syria: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ 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 Ghaytun, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 1, 2016

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 30th-October 1st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mar’a, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed a vehicle, a command and control node, a fighting position, and a heavy machine gun.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS344

Incident date

October 22, 2016

Location

حاجي كوسا, Haji Koussa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5563, 37.63915 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several outlets including Halab Today TV reported that a 15 year old girl named Iman Sillo was killed “following Coalition raids.” One report, from Hara FM, indicated that two civilians were killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Iman Sillo
15 years years old female killed

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ 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 Haji Koussa, 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 October 21st-22nd the Coalition reported “Near Washiyah, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.” For October 22nd-23rd the Coalition reported “Near Mar’a, one strike destroyed an ISIL artillery system.”

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI320

Incident date

November 4, 2016

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 local outlet reported an alleged Coalition bombing in an industrial area in Mosul, causing unknown casualties.

Iraq 24 News reported widescale Coalition bombing in Mosul, including the industrial area. This led to four civilian casualties in addition to the dead Daesh, continued the report.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported Coalition strike (via Iraq 24 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 November 3rd-4th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed five mortar systems, four vehicles, three ISIL-held buildings, two VBIEDs, two fighting positions and an ISIL headquarters building; and damaged two fighting positions and a front end loader.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS373

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Location

أبو وحل, Abu Wahil, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.03892, 39.28914 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians reportedly died in a Coalition airstrike on Abu Wahil village, according to sources.

Syria News Desk reported the following: “The media opposition activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from Abu Wahil, said Coalition aircraft targeted with severe rocket explosion the homes of civilians in both villages, which led to the deaths of three civilians in Abu Wahil and one in Mazra’at al Qadisiyah, as well as confirming the presence of six wounded in a critical condition who were transferred to the National Hospital in Raqqa under the control of ISIL. The source said the raids also resulted in the deaths of a number of livestock in Abu Wahil and the destruction of five houses completely and partially destroyed in six other houses, in addition to physical damage to other property.”

Syria Press tweeted that Coalition strikes were taking place in the vicinity, while Smart News reported “Casualties due to coalition airstrikes in Mazra’at Al Qadissiya and Abu Wahil in Raqqa.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 Abu Wahil, 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 14th-15th, the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle. Near Ayn Isa, five strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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

CI351

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Location

Mosul, Karama, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Local sources said one civilian was killed by Unknown bombing in Karama neighbourhood east of Mosul.

Airwars’s researcher contacted Zareen Ali, the victim relative who published the death event post and Ali had confirmed that bombing was by Daesh mortars.

In their June 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:

Firas Hassan Osman
Adult male killed

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 (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Firas Hassan Osman

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
    38SLF396236
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • Nov. 26, 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. 3067/CI351 38SLF396236

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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI369

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

النور والتأميم, Mosul, Noor and Ta’mim, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3638331, 43.1857967 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fifteen civilians were reported killed in fighting between ISIL and Iraqi forces.

Said Noor Ahmed Halbusi, a doctor at a field hospital, told Anadolu he had received 15 bodies, including seven from one family. The civilians were killed in fighting between Iraqi forces and ISIL inside Mosul it said. Yaqein reported the same figures but said the victims died from government mortar fire.

Rudaw instead said that rocket-propelled grenades were responsible and that the culprit was unknown.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image reveals the destruction that followed the shelling between Iraqi forces and ISIL which led the killing of seven civilians in Mosul, Noor and Ta’mim (via Yaqein)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Not relevant on this occasion.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • 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

CI388

Incident date

January 3, 2017

Location

دوميز, Mosul, Domiz, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.308278, 43.2038212 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were killed and four injured in the Domiz neighbourhood of Mosul, according to local media.

A local source told Shafaaq news that an “unidentified warplane” opened fire from its on-board machine gun in the neighbourhood in south-east Mosul.

The story was also reported by Nineveh Media Center, confirming the death of five and the injury of four civilians. The news agency did not identify the culprit.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul did not refer to a machine gun. However, the report did make mention of an airstrike on the same location and date: “In the afternoon of 3 January 2017, an airstrike targeting a gathering of ISIL members reportedly killed five civilians and wounded four others, including one woman, in the Domiz neighbourhood of southeastern Mosul.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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, Unknown

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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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
Official source

For January 2nd-3rd publicly stated: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed three buildings, a heavy machine gun, two mortars, a piece of engineering equipment, a VBIED, and a front-end loader; damaged 17 supply routes; and suppressed four mortar teams.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI433

Incident date

January 18, 2017

Location

الزاب, Al Zab, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.2697714, 43.458867 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources said that dozens of civilians were killed or injured when a Coalition airstrike hit a health center, a power station and a market in Zab town, southwest of Kirkuk.

Raedlay posted a video showing the aftermath of the strikes and the destruction of the health center. Correspondences Team said that four strikes had been carried out, blaming the Coalition.

Journalists had told Iraqyoon that the raids had killed and wounded dozens of civilian doctors, and had “destroyed the headquarters of the old ID office and medical clinic”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (7) [ 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 Zab, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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
Official source

For January 17th-18th the Coalition did not report any strikes in Al Zab. However it said: “Near Huwayjah, one strike destroyed a weapons cache.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]