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

CS141

Incident date

October 31, 2015

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

Three civilian men were reported killed when their vehicle was struck in a Coalition airstrike, according to reports.

This incident is presently single source only with VDC naming the three men.

In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of proximity: “Oct. 31, 2015, near Al Hawl, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

However, given that the Coalition has confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity on October 30th-31st, Airwars is seeking additional clarification from the Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Salman al-Raya
Adult male from al Hawl, Hassakah, killed in an alleged coalition raid on a civilian car near al Hawl killed
Hazem Saeid al-Abbas
Adult male from al Hawl, Hassakah, killed in an alleged coalition raid on a civilian car near al Hawl killed
Farhan Jomaa al-Hasan
Adult male from al Hawl, Hassakah, killed in an alleged coalition raid on a civilian car near al Hawl killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Hawl, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition confirms carrying out strikes in the vicinity on October 30th-31st 2015: “Near Al Hawl, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL fighting complex.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS140

Incident date

October 22, 2015

Location

البلعوم, Baloum, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0324211, 40.4281855 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to reports civilian facility guard Waleed Mekhlef Al Abbad was killed in a Coalition raid on the Al Omar oil field. According to local reports, midnight airstrikes were followed by a raid involving up to six Coalition helicopters.

Ara News cited media activist Yasser al-Dairi from Al Mayadeen as saying the raid “targeted an important personality in IS and he confirmed that the landing resulted in the arrest of more than one person.”

Mr al Abbad, the civilian nightwatchman reported killed, came from the nearby village of al Baloum.

The Coalition later confirmed carrying out the strikes, with Major Michael Filanowski telling AFP: “There were strikes last night [in the Omar oil field] that struck Daesh-controlled oil refineries, command and control centres and transportation nodes… There were 26 targets and all 26 were struck. That will impact their strategic ability to generate money.”

In subsequent monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed. In April 2021, CJTFOIR declared this event to be ‘non credible – claiming (despite on the record confirmation at the time) that “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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Waleed Mekhlef al-Abbad
Adult male He was a civilian facility guard at al Omar oil field. He was a resident of the village of Baloum in Deir Ezzor killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    near Baloum, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU302775
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 16, 2021

  • Oct. 22, 2015, near Baloum, 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. 2877/CS140 37SFU302775

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition has confirmed attacks in the vicinity for October 21st-22nd 2015: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes struck two ISIL crude oil collection points, an ISIL maintenance and storage yard, an ISIL main petroleum station, and an ISIL cash distribution site.“

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

CS139

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An adult male was killed in a reported Coalition strike at Sukhna. While he was described as a civilian by one source, all others reported that he was in fact a combatant.

The VDC has named Sabri Abd al Wahab al Ozbaki as a civilian victim of what it says was “coalition air force’s shelling.”

However Syrian Reporter noted that “The person known in Raqqa as Sabri Abd Al Wahhab al Ozbaki has been killed. He was the man in charge of the Uzbek and Chechen immigrants in the area. He was killed by an international coalition raid on Al Sukhna in Homs.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sabri Abd al Wahab al Ozbaki
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ 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

The Coalition publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity between October 17th-19th 2015.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS138

Incident date

October 17, 2015

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

Four named civilians were reported killed in an airstrike at Manbij, although opinions were split as to whether the victims had been killed by the Assad regime or by the Coalition. As Ara News noted, “the identity of the planes remains unknown, because of the number of different actors that are bombing the Aleppo countryside including the Coalition, the regime and the Russians. And no side has claimed responsibility until now.”

Several sources named the dead, some named three and others named four civilian men.

The Syrian Network said that three civilians had died – but that they were killed after “regime warplanes fired missiles on Manbej city.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dr Mohammad Al Sam’o
Adult male another source says the victim was the son of Dr. Mohammad Al Sam’o, who is the owner of Al Kura al Ardiya bakery. The son was a first year medical student. killed
Fawwaz Al Ahmad Al Mar’i
50 years old male from al Dadat village in the Manbij countryside killed
Ala’a Al Mohammad
Adult male from Kosak killed
Mohammad Hussein Al Jammi
Adult male also named as Ahmad Hussein al Jammi from the village of Karqawi al Akrad killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An activist @SyrianInstitute tweets that the coalition did not report any raids on Manbij on the 17th. He says the planes that targeted the city were the regime's. 18th October 2018

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

No reference was made to Manbij in Coalition daily reports for October 17th-18th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS137

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1375975, 36.8284035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a Coalition targeted strike, three men were killed when a car was destroyed at Al Atarib on the road between Sarmada and Bab Al-Hawa.

The Coalition originally reported destroying a car at Aleppo on October 15th-16th 2015. This was later amended to a US unilateral action, a targeted killing which the Pentagon said had killed Abdul Mohsen Adballah Ibrahim al Charekh, aka Sanafi al-Nasr (pictured right), described as “a Saudi national and the highest ranking leader of the network of veteran al-Qaeda operatives sometimes called the ‘Khorasan Group’… Al-Nasr is the fifth senior Khorasan Group leader killed in the last four months.”

VDC originally reported three unidentifed males inside the vehicles as civilians. However all three were later admitted by al-Nusra to be combatants, with the others named as Abu Yasser Al Maghrabi and Yassin Al Muhajir, local Aleppo leaders of the group.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ 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 15th-16th 2015, the Coalition originally reported that “Near Aleppo, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS136

Incident date

October 10, 2015

Location

حربل, Harbel, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, sharing the same surname, were reported killed, either by Coalition airstrikes or a car bomb either in Harbel or in Deir Hafer in Aleppo governorate.

According to a Sultan Al-Musalmeh, two “young men” were killed by a car bomb when they were trying to “emigrate from Syria”. All sources identified the individuals as Khaldun Abdullah Al Qatifan and Adel Ali Al Qatifan.

However, almost all other sources reported that the two civilians were killed by Coalition airstrikes. There is confusion regarding the location. Some sources reported that they were killed in Jazrayah, near Deir Hafer in Aleppo province and one source reported they were killed in Harbel, Aleppo.  Only a Facebook post by Mzeereb noted that the two were killed “as a result of airstrikes”, without identifying the culprit.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Khaldun Abdullah Al Qatifan
Adult male From Dara'a al Balad in Dara'a, killed in Deir Hafir Aleppo killed
Adel Ali Al Qatifan
Adult male From Dara'a al Balad in Dara'a, killed in Deir Hafir Aleppo killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Image of the victim Adel Ali Al Qatifan. [Via: VDC]
  • Image of the victim Khaldun Abdullah Al Qatifan. [Via: VDC]

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
    37SCA356002
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 10, 2015, in Harbel, 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. 2868/CS136 37SCA356002

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 9th-10th, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS135

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Location

جبل عبدالعزيز, Abdulaziz Mt, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.408116, 40.3085589 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source listed an adult male non-combatant as a victim of Coalition action. According to VDC, Ahmad Nayef Al Hamad was from Baseera in Dayr ez Zawr, and was killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Abdulaziz mountain in Al Hassaka.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Nayef al-Hamad
Adult male Originally from Baseera, Deir Ezzor. Killed in Abdulaziz Mt, Hassakah killed

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFA173300
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 8, 2015, in Abdulaziz Mountain, 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. 2864/CS135 37SFA173300

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 7th-9th 2015, no Coalition strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS021 CS134

Incident date

October 6, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Observatory, “preliminary information reported the death of civilians – including women and children – in the bombing by Russian warplanes on areas at the eastern outskirts of Palmyra city which is controlled by the ‘Islamic State’.”

According to most sources, between 12 and 14 members of two Bedouin families died, including five children and four women. Russian aircraft reportedly targeted the Al Wadi Al Ahmar [Red Valley] residential area in the east of the city.

The Violations Documentation Center said 15 civilian males were killed, though did not identify any by name. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights instead said 15 Daesh fighters died alongside civilians.

A Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying “We do not hit populated areas .. especially those with antiquities” when asked whether Russia had carried out strikes at Palmyra. Repeated Russian strikes have since targeted the city according to reports.

It remains possible the action was instead by the US-led Coalition, which publicly reported airstrikes at Palmyra on October 1st, 4th, 9th and 10th 2015.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 15
  • (5 children4 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
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Interview with activist confirming that Russian strikes targeted Palmyra. No further details of any casualties, 6th October 2015. (via: Media office of the rebels of Syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

As noted above, Russia explicitly denied carrying out strikes at Palmyra. No Russian airstrikes were publicly reported in Homs governorate for October 6th 2015.

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
    37SDU346251
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 6, 2015, in Palmyra, 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. 2861/CS134 37SDU346251

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition did not report any strikes in Palmyra for October 5th-7th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 15
  • (5 children4 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
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]