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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Incident Code

CS053

Incident date

February 6, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A coalition airstrike allegedly killed four unnamed civilian males in the vicinity of Al Shadadi, according to VDC. The Step news agency reported multiple coalition strikes in the vicinity: “The Alliance today carried out a number of raids on ISIL targets south of Al Hassakah. Five missiles fell on the city of Shadadi followed by 8 more on the organisation’s barriers around Shadadi including barrier number 47 where 5 members were killed and a further 14 wounded, most of them in critical conditions. Other strikes targeted… the southern entrance to the city of Al-Hasakah.”

Another news site reported a major coalition raid, describing more than 20 attacks around Shadadi and adding that “there are reports that there have been civilian deaths.”

 

The incident was first reported on February 6, 2015 at 12:08 am by Step News.

Summary

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

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Shadadi town ( الشدادي ), South Al-Hasakah Governorate, Syria. The location for the midpoint of Al Shadadi town ( الشدادي ) is: 36.056316, 40.730438

  • Al Shadadi town ( الشدادي )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 al-Shadadi, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV558915
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition reported airstrikes in the vicinity on both February 5th-6th and February 6th-7th 2015, noting respectively that “Near Al Hasakah, an airstrike struck multiple storage and staging facilities” and that “Near Al Hasakah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL mobile oil rig.“

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS051

Incident date

February 4, 2015

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

An internal CENTCOM review cited claims from a redacted Twitter user that “Coalition aircraft killed an entire family in an airstrike on Ar Raqqah ‘in response to the killing of Jordanian pilot Mu’adh al-Kasasibah.’ The allegation was accompanied by an attached photo showing the alleged victims wrapped in white cloth.“

An internal review found that there had been no Coalition strikes at Ar Raqaa since February 2nd 2015, noting that the claims were “Not credible. No further inquiry required.”

A search by Airwars found no additional claims of civilian casualties at the time, though it was reported that the Coalition had stepped up surveillance over the city on February 4th: “Activists reported several coalition surveillance planes flying over the city starting from dawn today, at a time that IS is fortifying its military presence in the city of Raqqa and Tal Abiyad. The organisation has announced a curfew for civilians from 11 pm until dawn.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Social media. Unfounded, no air strikes in vicinity.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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

CS050

Incident date

February 2, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a second alleged incident in the area for this night, it was reported that civilian oil workers died in a Coalition attack. According to Thiqa, “preliminary reports refer to the fall of the martyrs among civilians working in the oil, as well as a number of wounded civilians arrived at the field hospital located in the region , while the fate of dozens of other civilians remains unknown as it is not possible to reach the area because of the intensive coalition flights over the area.”

An internal CENTCOM investigation noted allegations on Twitter that the Coalition had “targeted the oil refineries in Kubaniyah, Al Hawl, and Tishrin in Al Hassakah governorate, killing several employees and workers.” A heavily redacted summary concluded that there was “not enough information to confirm credibility.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video showing alleged coalition strikes on oil fields near al Shadadi, al Hassaka. Published by SOHR on 4th February 2015.
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
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Hasakah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Coalition aircraft bombed ISIL locations in southern and southeastern Al Hasakah killing or wounding several people. Not credible. Review of WSV conducted.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS049

Incident date

February 2, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Major coalition air raids on the oil fields around Shadadi reportedly led to the deaths of up to four non-combatants. Residents described a significant attack, with one site reporting: “Among the most prominent oil fields targeted were Al Rawees and Al Howyaziah east of Shadadi. The fires are also still burning in Kabiba close to the gas factory, north of Shadadi. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the flames and sound of explosions were seen and heard dozens of kilometers from the bombing site. The villages near the oil fields have seen a large displacement of civilians who left for fear of further raids, as the coalition’s flights are still being seen and heard flying overhead.“

According to SNHR, a 70 year old man died with his two daughters, aged 27 and 25, when their mud-built home near to an oil field was bombed. Eyewitness and near neighbour Mahmoud al-Hadidya told the group: “The home has been completely destroyed, killing Ibrahim with his two daughters… and had turned their bodies to pieces. We found Ibrahim’s hand next to the house, and we were collecting bits of flesh and body parts until the early hours of the following morning.”

Another eyewitness, named by ARA news as local resident Suleiman Al Awda, said “the raid caused the death of Ibrahim Almusjul and all members of his family, after targeting of the Gona oil fields near his home by coalition aircraft.” The family was buried in Hadidiya Cemetery. There were additional claims that “dozens” of civilians were injured in the coalition attack.

CENTCOM investigators were made aware of the alleged deaths within 24 hours, a declassified report later revealed, noting that “Coalition aircraft reportedly killed a family in an attack on their house near the Ghunah oilfields“.

However it was swiftly concluded that the claims were “not credible.” In a highly-redacted section of the report, it was also noted that the Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar “assesses not enough information to confirm credibility.”

 

The incident occured at 19:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ibrahim al-Mussul
70 years old male Surname also someimes pronounced as al Musjul killed
Jozah Ibrahim Al-Mussul
27 years old female Ibrahim's daughter killed
Zahra Ibrahim Al-Mussul
25 years old female Ibrahim's second daughter killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women1–4 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Video showing alleged coalition raids on the oil fields near al Shadadi in southern Hassakah. [Via: SOHR 4th February 2015]
  • Grainy photo published by SOHR on 3rd February 2015 purportedly showing 'International-Arab coalition bombing in areas in South and south East of al Hassakah which led to injured and reported deaths.'
  • Victim Ibrahim al-Mussul, almost 70 years old. [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 2015]
  • A flock of sheep purportedly killed in the strike that targeted Ibrahim's home [Via: SN4HR report published on March 10th 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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Ash Shadadah, Al Hasakah ProviNe, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Coalition aircraft reportedly killed a family in an attack on their nouse near the Ghunah oilfields in northern Ash Shaddah. Not credible. After assessing the information on the four targets XXX XXXX CADC agrees that it is not a credible allegation. Not enough information.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 2nd 2015, the Coalition publicly reported that "Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck multiple ISIL oil pump jacks and destroyed four ISIL mobile drilling rigs."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women1–4 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS048

Incident date

January 29, 2015

Location

الطيانة, Eastern Al Buwaida or Kobane, Homs or Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

34.993798, 40.548059 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A non-combatant civilian male, Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Bkar, from the town of Al Kussair near Homs was reported killed in an airstrike.

While Syrian Martyrs attributed the strike to the Coalition, VDC blamed the Assad regime. Other reports were unclear. The location of the man’s death was also confused, given variously as Kobane in Aleppo governorate, or eastern al Buwaida, near Homs.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “January 29, 2015, in Tayyani, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2794/CS048 37SFU413734”

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Bkar.
Adult male He is originally from al Buwaida al Sharqiya in Homs, reported killed in Kobani, Aleppo according to VDC in regime shelling killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

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
  • Stated location
    in Tayyani, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU413734
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition

  • January 29, 2015, in Tayyani, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2794/CS048 37SFU413734

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Five coalition airstrikes are confirmed for the vicinity of Kobane for January 28th-29th 2015: “Near Kobani, five airstrikes struck an ISIL fighting position, three ISIL tactical units, and a large ISIL unit.” An additional two strikes are confirmed for January 29th-30th: “Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck two ISIL staging positions and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and one ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Incident Code

CS047

Incident date

January 25, 2015

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.197971, 37.1656697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Martyrs website identified a single non-combatant victim of a reported Coalition strike in Aleppo.  He was also named by the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Research which said he was originally from Idlib, though didn’t specify if he was a civilian or a militant.

However, all other sources described al Jolani as a combatant (sometimes known as ‘The Emir of Jabhat Al Nusra in Aleppo’), who fought with the Al Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front. He was described as having been killed in an assault by the Syrian Army on January 25th.

In a third version of events, the Siraj agency claimed Abu Khadija actually died on January 28th, succumbing to injuries received on January 19th in a Coalition airstrike on his vehicle. Another Nusra Front commander, Abu Omar al-Hamwi, reportedly died at the scene. How the militant commander was then able to tweet four days later is unclear.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “January 25, 2015, in Aleppo, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action.”

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abu Khadija al Jolani
Adult male He was later identified as a militant killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Al Jolani, 'the Emir of Aleppo', wrongly described in one report as a non-combatant [via: Orient News]

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
    in Aleppo, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA351075
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • January 25, 2015, in Aleppo, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2793/CS047 37SCA351075

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No coalition airstrikes were publicly reported for the vicinity of Aleppo on either January 24th-25th or January 25th-26th 2015.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS046

Incident date

January 19, 2015

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An internal CENTCOM review cited reports from the ‘pro-opposition’ Step News Agency that three civilians had died when Coalition missiles struck homes in al-Shaddadi. According to the news site, “two civilian houses were targeted leading to the martyrdom of three from one family and several wounded including women and children.”

The Coalition concluded that its aircraft were not responsible, with no strikes on the day at the reported location: “J2 [military intelligence] conducted a review of recent strikes in and around Al Hassakah. 2 engagements found.

#1894 JAN15, ISIL personnel targeted 66KM NE of Al Hassakah. Not IVO [in vicinity of] city or structures. #1918 JAN15 covered Revetment, 25KM SE Al Hassakah. Occurred after reported time.”

As a result the Coalition decided the claims were “Not credible. No further action required.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Shaddadi village, Al Hasakah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Pro-opposition FB page Step News AgeNy alleges coalition airstrike targeted 3 houses in Al Shaddadi killing 3 civilians and wounding several others. / 2 engagements found. Not credible.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS045

Incident date

January 18, 2015

Location

الطيانة, Tayyani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.993816, 40.54807 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An adult civilian male, was reported by a number of sources as killed in a coalition airstrike on his neighbourhood.

 

The incident was first reported on January 18, 2015 at 3:45 pm by Dayr az Zawr TV.

The victims were named as:

Bandar al-Shareidah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident place the alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Tayana ( الطيانة ), Deir Ezzor. The location for the midpoint of Al Tayana village ( الطيانة ) is: 34.993816, 40.548070

  • Al Tayana village ( الطيانة )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 Tayyani, Syria
    Nearest population center

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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No coalition airstrikes were publicly reported for Dayr az Zawr governorate on either January 17th-18th or January 18th-19th 2015. A spokesman also later told Airwars that “no Coalition airstrikes have taken place in the vicinity” on that date.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]