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

CS179

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Location

الدشيشة, Dashisha, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.0436, 41.16444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian brothers named as Farhan and Adnan Ali Khodar were reported killed after their motorbike was struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike.

According to the Damascus Center, the two brothers were buried together.

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 (2)

Farhan Ali Khodor
Adult male killed
Adnan Ali Khodor
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 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]

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
    37SFV949909
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Feb. 18, 2016, in Dashisha, 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. 2908/CS179 37SFV949909

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 17th-18th the Coalition reported that “Near Al Hasakah, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 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

CS178

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Location

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.765641, 40.771032 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Hassakah Youth Movement was among a number of sources reporting civilians killed by the Coalition at Al Markada, saying Coalition aircraft had struck a medical facility: “News in regarding people martyred following international Coalition bombing of the hospital in Markada.”

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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]

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
    37SFV600594
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Feb. 18, 2016, in Marqadah, 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. 2909/CS178 37SFV600594

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 17th-18th the Coalition reported that “Near Al Hasakah, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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

CS176

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Location

الهول, Al Hawl, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.390223, 41.149297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Hassakah Youth Movement, “International Coalition planes have carried out several raids along the front lines south west of Al Hawl and targets in the village of Al Hazim. There are reports of the martyrdom of several civilians.“

Shaam News also reported that Coalition airstrikes in support of Kurdish forces “led to the deaths of a number of civilian martyrs in Al Hazim.”

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 the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFA927293
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Feb. 17, 2016, in Al Hazim, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2906/CS176 37SFA927293

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 16th-17th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Al Hasakah, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, four ISIL buildings, and an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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

CS177

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Location

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.5044792, 40.74354 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Coalition airstrikes on three or four Daesh-controlled villages killed 15 civilians including three children, according to both the Syrian Observatory and the Hassakah Youth Movement.

In a later report, the Damascus Center noted: “On the afternoon [of Wednesday 17th February 2016), planes likely to be the Coalition launched more than ten air strikes, affecting several civilian sites in the countryside of southern Hassakah including houses inhabited by unarmed civilians. More than 40 civilians died and nearly 70 were wounded, with the following towns south of Hassakah targeted: (Traykham, Al Hadidiya, al Madina, Al Khalifa “Gouna”, Alhalil, Abu Vichke, Umm Hajra, Al’ammo, Alhoiesh “Albu Frio”).“

Blogger Siraj al Hasskawi later issued the names of those he said had died.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ali Zirro
Age unknown male Al-Haleel village killed
Ali Zirro's wife
Age unknown female Al-Haleel village killed

Family members (2)

Ahmed Ali Zirro
Age unknown male Al-Haleel village killed
Ahmed Ali Zirro's wife (Sabha Abdullah al Da'as)
Age unknown female Al-Haleel village killed

Family members (1)

the entire Tahmaz Family
Age unknown Traykham village killed

Family members (1)

the family of Khalaf Al Hussein
Age unknown Traykham village killed

Family members (1)

the family of Hamdan Khalfan al Ali
Age unknown Traykham village killed

Family members (1)

Two families from Al-Immo village
Age unknown Al-Immo village killed

The victims were named as:

The family of Ahmad al A’keel
Age unknown Al-Haleel village killed
The family of Hammoud al A’keel
Age unknown Al-Haleel village killed
the child Hanan Hammoud Al A’keel
Child Al-Haleel village killed
Child Abdul al Samad al Saleh
Child male Al-Haleel village killed
the family of Ayed Zeib
Age unknown Al-Haleel village killed
Adour al Hamdan’s family
Age unknown Abu Fishke village killed
The family of Ibrahim Al-Ahmad
Age unknown Al Hadadiya village killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 40
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • 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 (11) [ 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 February 17th-18th the Coalition reported that “Near Al Hasakah, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 40
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS631 CS176a

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Location

تل الجاير, Al Jayer, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.033926, 41.0987592 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An airstrike targeted a local taxi bus killing between ten and 15 civilians including up to seven children according to sources – although there was disagreement over whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible.

According to the Hassakah Youth Movement, “the Hyundai belongs to Hussein Morei Al Atiya [who died in the attack]. Mr Atiya transports villagers to Al Hassaka on a daily basis to the goat market in the city.” It added that five of those who died were from the Al Addad family – who had recently been detained by Daesh and were only released that day.

The Syrian Network, the VDC and All4Syria blamed Russia.

In a detailed later report, the Damascus Center later noted: “At approximately 9:35am on Wednesday February 17 2016, the skies of  South Hasaka witnessed a squadron of fighter jets, the colours of which were white and dark white – thought by activists in the field and observers to be Russian aircraft.“

Orient News said 10 were killed, while Sinna put the death toll at 12, including “two children who came out of an IS prison in exchange for a fine and were on their way to the city of Hasaka“. The media activist “yaman Al_huskkawi” said that the strike was on a public bus. Both sources said that Russia was responsible.

However other sources alleged that the Coalition may have been responsible.

Shaam News noted: “Activists said an anonymous aircraft believed to belong to the international alliance targeted a civilian car in a village in the area of Abd al Aziz mountain on its way to the city of Hasaka. This resulted in the deaths of ten civilian passengers and the injuring of others.”

Al-arabeya reported: “Warplanes thought to be from the coalition lead by the United States ( though not sure) targeted a civilian car in Jayer town, Hasaka near Mountain Abdulaziz which killed 10 people and wounded others. The car owner is a civilian and used to pick up passenger daily to the sheep market.”

Alhayat also blamed the Coalition, putting the death toll at 15 including three children, as well as nine members of ISIS.

Six victims including two children were named.

Plus four unnamed civilians. According to Sinna there were four unidentified children.

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:

Abd al-Aziz al-Addad Abu Shahin
60 years old male Listed by VDC killed
Faysal Abd al-Aziz al-Addad
35 years old male Listed by VDC killed
Mohammad al-Hamdo
19 years old male Listed by VDC killed
Rageb al-Attalah
16 years old male Listed by VDC killed
Ahmad al-Hwail
14 years old male Listed by VDC killed
Hosain Morei al-Atia
Adult male Listed by VDC, Driver killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (2–7 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video of the alleged strikes. (via, Jisr TV)
  • Aftermath of an attack on the market. (via, Al-arabeya news)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

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
    37SFV890897
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Feb. 17, 2016, in Tal Al Jayer, 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. 2907/CS176a 37SFV890897

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 16th-17th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Al Hasakah, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, four ISIL buildings, and an ISIL fighting position.”
And for February 17th-18th it reported that “Near Al Hasakah, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (2–7 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS173

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Location

حماة, Hama, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.3949071, 36.543143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on a possible incident “near Hama, Iraq”. Officials later informed Airwars that the alleged incident in fact took place near Hama, Syria.

The incident was reported in the December 2016 Coalition report as: “Feb. 15, 2016, near Hama, Iraq: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.”

In January 2017, the same incident was published with the correct location but incorrect date: “1. Feb. 2, 2016, Hama Province, Syria: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

In February 2017, the Coalition republished the incident and corrected the date: “1. Feb. 15, 2016, Hama Province, Syria, via social media report: Date correction. This report was previously incorrectly released as Feb. 2, 2016 in the Jan. 2, 2016 monthly report. No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

Airwars researchers have so far found only one report of civilian casualties that day in Hama but the source claims Russia was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: # Masar press # Hama - 3 martyrs and a number of wounded following a Russian air raid on the town of Harbnafsa in the southern countryside (via Masar Press Net)
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 Hama ProviNe, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 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 February 14th-16th 2016, the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in Hama governorate.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS172 RS622

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Location

الشدادي, Al-Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.408116, 40.3085589

Airwars assessment

Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports.

Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at Auto Bakery, although other sources said those killed were bakery staff.

Al A’maq Media (close to Daesh) initially blamed the attack on Russia but later noted: “Correction: a Source to al A’maq: the raids that destroyed the bakery of Shadadi killing 15 of its staff was carried out by international coalition planes, not Russian planes.” The VDC attributes the attack to Russia.

In a lengthy report [in Arabic] on the attack, the Damascus Center later cited eyewitness Nabila um Khaled: “We were standing in front of the oven waiting to get the bread, everyone present was a civilian. The day before we didn’t leave the house for fear of bombing from the air… We looked to the sky and saw three or more planes flying in the air, their color almost cyan [light blue]. After less than a minute we started to tell each other that we had to leave the place and run away, because the aircraft were flying at low altitudes. But we did not have time to move. After less than a minute, as I said what we saw was a rocket hit the oven building where people were lined up. Those at the front of the line are the victims who died in the massacre. My sister and I were standing at the back, I was hit by shrapnel, and my sister was left in a serious condition, though she is now improving.”

The Coalition later appeared to confirm it had carried out strikes in the vicinity, saying it had destroyed ‘an ISIL building’ near Al Hassakah. Heavy airstrikes had been recorded in the town in preceding days, given an imminent ground assault to recapture Al Shadadi from Daesh. In contrast, Russia did not publicly report carrying out airstrikes in Al Hassakah governorate.

The Daily Beast later reported that “U.S. Central Command, which leads the U.S. military in the Middle East, is investigating the latest allegations of civilian deaths to determine if they are credible and conduct a proper military investigation, Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, told Pentagon reporters during a briefing Thursday….Brown said he could not say whether the coalition was conducting strikes at the same time residents were alleged to have come under attack, but he noted that coalition forces “have been striking that area for the past several days.”’

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Anwar
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Anwar
Age unknown male killed
Taha Khleif
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad al-Haboud
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad al-Mekhlef
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Mustafa al-Khallouf
Age unknown male killed
Alaa Hussain Dkheil al-Kreiei
Age unknown male killed
Qahtan al-Elwi al-Suleiman
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 28
  • (4 children1 woman8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Kahtan Al A’lawi Al Sleiman (via Hassakah Youth Movement)
  • Taha Ajaj and Louai Jazzar (via Hassakah Youth Movement)
  • A photo published by activists of the martyr Ala’a Hussein Al Dakheel (via Hassaka’s Youth Union)

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 February 15th-16th 2016, the Coalition reports that “Near Al Hasakah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 28
  • (4 children1 woman8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS622

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Location

الشدادي, Al Shadadi, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056135, 40.72859 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports.

Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at an auto bakery, although other sources said those killed were bakery staff. Al A’maq Media (close to Daesh) initially blamed the attack on Russia but later noted: “Correction: a Source to al A’maq: the raids that destroyed the bakery of Shadadi killing 15 of its staff was carried out by international coalition planes, not Russian planes.” The VDC attributed the attack to Russia.

In a lengthy report [in Arabic] on the attack, the Damascus Center later cited eyewitness Nabila um Khaled: “We were standing in front of the oven waiting to get the bread, everyone present was a civilian. The day before we didn’t leave the house for fear of bombing from the air… We looked to the sky and saw three or more planes flying in the air, their color almost cyan [light blue]. After less than a minute we started to tell each other that we had to leave the place and run away, because the aircraft were flying at low altitudes. But we did not have time to move. After less than a minute, as I said what we saw was a rocket hit the oven building where people were lined up. Those at the front of the line are the victims who died in the massacre. My sister and I were standing at the back, I was hit by shrapnel, and my sister was left in a serious condition, though she is now improving.”

The Coaliton later appeared to confirm it had carried out strikes in the vicinity, saying it had destroyed ‘an ISIL building’ near Al Hassakah. Heavy airstrikes had been recorded in the town in preceding days, given an imminent ground assault to recapture Al Shadadi from Daesh. In contrast, Russia did not publicly report carrying out airstrikes in Al Hassakah governorate.

Ten adult civilian male dead were later named.

The Daily Beast later reported that “U.S. Central Command, which leads the U.S. military in the Middle East, is investigating the latest allegations of civilian deaths to determine if they are credible and conduct a proper military investigation, Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, told Pentagon reporters during a briefing Thursday….Brown said he could not say whether the coalition was conducting strikes at the same time residents were alleged to have come under attack, but he noted that coalition forces “have been striking that area for the past several days.”’

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Anwar
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Mohammad Anwar
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Taha Khleif
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Mohammad al-Haboud
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Ahmad al-Mekhlef
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Mahmoud Mustafa al-Khallouf
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Ala’a Hussain Dkheil al-Kreiei
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Qahtan al-Alawi al-Suleiman
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Taha Ajaj
Age unknown male killed
Louai Jazzar
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 28
  • (4 children1 woman8–10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Taha Ajaj and Louai Jazzar, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition strike. (via Hassakah Youth Movement)
  • Supposed picture of Kahtan Al A’lawi Al Sleiman, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition strike. (via, Hasakhn News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Supposed picture of Ala’a Hussein Al Dakheel, killed in an alleged Russian and Coalition strike. (via, Hasakhn News)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for February 10th – February 16th, Russia made no public mention of airstrikes in Al Hasskah.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 28
  • (4 children1 woman8–10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (29) [ collapse]