US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Syria
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Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
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Incident Code

CS020

Incident date

November 6, 2014

Location

موقة, Muqah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.499025, 36.639595 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that up to four unnamed children under the age of 10 died in a coalition airstrike on Mouka – described as one girl and two or three boys.

In contrast, the VDC lists three unidentified bodies (two adult males and one female child) noting that they were “Martyred due to the regime air forces’ shelling.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children2 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Muqah, 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

The only coalition airstrikes officially reported for November 5th-7th 2014 took place at Kobane in Aleppo governorate, and at Tal Abyad (Ar Raqqah governorate.) Additional strikes targeted the area around Sarmada to the west of Aleppo.

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 children2 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS018

Incident date

November 5, 2014

Location

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3333335, 40.1499999 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An internal Coalition report noted that “Open source video indicated that three civilians were killed in a deliberate strike on an oil collection point in DeZ.” Airwars researchers have identified what they believe to be the [graphic] video in question, which was posted to YouTube on November 11th 2014.

The Coalition was unable to verify the claims, though assessed that “No further inquiry required.” As an internal CENTCOM document notes: “Review could not determine that the video came from the strike in DeZ. Although there was a US strike on the oil collection site, the target was validated through the JTCB [Joint targeting Coordination Board?]. Targeting was mitigated – it was a night strike on a specific target where NCV [Non-Combatant Value] was assessed as 0, with mitigated weapons effects.

WSV [weapon system video] cleared target. There was no way to determine authenticity of allegation.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS017

Incident date

October 28, 2014

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.59539, 39.128559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An internal Coalition report, citing web sources, noted claims that civilian casualties had been alleged at Slouk “on a strike on some grain silos.” The aircraft was likely to have been a US armed drone, due to the Hellfire missile used.

An initial investigation concluded that there had been no civilians injured: “The only strike that corresponded with the report was a strike on a tank about 70km N of Raqaa. Review of the aircrew’s video showed that the strike conducted with [] AGM-114, struck the target. No civilians were present on the video, either pre- or post-strike… No further inquiry required.”

A search of public records by Airwars found that the location of the Coalition’s strike did appear to be Slouk. As Raialyoum reported at the time: “The strikes [which were attributed instead to October 29th]continued in the northern countryside, targeting granaries [silos] around Slouk 80km north of Raqqa city. These are believed to be used by IS as stores for heavy weapons that were captured from Brigade 80. The raid resulted in the destruction of part of the silos, and an IS tank parked nearby.”

An Islamic State propaganda video released on November 2nd 2014 alleged that civilians had died in the attack, showing the corpses of what it said were two petrol sellers. However no reference was made to grain silos.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    NE of Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • The only strike that corresponded was on a tank about 70 km N of Raqqah. Review of the aircrew’s video showed that the strike, conducted with AGM 114, struck the target. No civilians were present either pre- or post-strike. An internal review of a strike during the initial deliberate strikes in Syria prior to 29 September on the area IVO grain silos in Idlib had already been conducted, determined not to have been CIVCAS.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS015

Incident date

October 18, 2014

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 single source, the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies, claims that one civilian, from Al Shadadi, Hasaka, in a coalition airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohssein Khalaf Al Abeed Al Khoshman Al Fadel
Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

A single source only mentions Al Shadadi town. The coordinates for ( الشدادي ) Al Shadadi are: 36.056316, 40.730438

  • ( الشدادي ) Al Shadadi

    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 al-Shadadi, 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

The coalition reports multiple airstrikes in Syria October 17th-19th 2014 targeting ISIL oil installations, though no event precisely matches. According to Airwars’ Syrian researcher, the most likely possible match would be three bombings reported at Khusham: “Khusham is on the Euphrates SW of Hassaka. Since the strikes were NE of Khusham, and depending on how far, the actual location could well be Shadadi.”

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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS016

Incident date

October 18, 2014

Location

المريعية, Mrey'iya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2726894, 40.2245951 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Damascus Centre for Human Rights two civilian males – both members of the same family – died in an airstrike on the village of Al Maya’iya.

Syrian Martyrs also named the two victims, while the DinSyr twitter feed reported “Hamza Ahmad al-Abd Al Jalil Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Jalil. Their bodies were identified among the victims of the International Coalition raids.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hamza Ahmad Al Abd Al Jaleel
Age unknown male Named by DCHRS killed
Mahmoud Ahmad Al Abd Al Jaleel
Age unknown male Named by DCHRS killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (0–2 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Hamza Ahmad al-Abd Al Jalil Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Jalil Their bodies were identified among the victims of the International coalition raids."

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Marya’iya ( المريعية ) village in Deir Ezzor: 35.2726894, 40.2245951

  • Al Marya’iya ( لمريعية )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 reports three events in the vicinity between October 17th-19th 2014. In the first, “One airstrike took place southeast of Dayr Az Zawr and damaged an ISIL modular oil refinery.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • @DinSyr tweets that the bodies of Hamza Ahmad al Jalil and Mahmoud Ahmad al Jalil were found following international coalition raids, 19th October, 2014.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (0–2 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS014

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An airstrike on a gas station near the Konoco gas refinery reportedly killed between three and four civilians.

A subsequent investigation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights later noted: “Around 7:00pm the international alliance warplanes targeted a gas station and an oil well in Deir Ezzor countryside which is located near Khasham town. the oil well is for Konico gas plant and it is three KM away from it. the shelling caused fires in a number of tanks. The airstrike killed three civilians who used to work in the oil trading field. Usually, many people come to this well to buy petrol and oil. Also we documented 11 injured including critical cases in addition to six who are still missing. Furthermore some ISIS military vehicles were damaged.”

Three killed civilians were later named by the VDC.

According to SN4HR and VDC, a fourth non-combatant, from Al-Jurathi town, was killed in a related coalition airstrike nearby.

Prompted by the US State Department six months later, CENTCOM re-examined claims of civilians killed at Khesham. Weapon system video from the time was reviewed and air crews interviewed.

Investigators finally concluded that there was “Insufficient evidence to determine CIVCAS.” Yet at the same time, they admitted to “limited video analysis” and “ntermittent visual contact with the ground.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Ash-Shaher
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adnan Al-Abd Al-Eid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Ahmad Ali Al-Afien
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Hamza Hamoud Al-Ghazi
Adult male Listed by VDC, from Al-Jurathi town killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (8) [ 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Khasham, Deir ez Zor Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Insufficient evidence to determine CIVCAS. CFACC reviewed WSV. INTEL determined that the location was under strict ISIL control. The target was validated through the JTCB. Crews reported they did not observe any personnel on their targeting pod prior to weapon release. Given the limited video analysis available the CFACC assesses there is insufficient information to make a characterisation. Intermittent visual contact with the ground showed no personnel present in the target area. // CAOC conducted a deliberate strike on 16 Oct 14 on the Barghooth Crude Oil Collection Point

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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

Incident Code

CS013

Incident date

October 16, 2014

Location

كبيبة, Kabiba, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1244954, 41.0433769 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major night time coalition air raid targeting oil facilities used by Islamic State, five civilians including a 7- or 10-year old boy were reported killed. The dead were later named by various sources.

In a detailed report on the event, SN4HR later noted: “Those civilians are from Kabiba town and they work on selling oil to the traders, owners of the primitive oil refineries and power planes. SN4HR documented the killing of five civilians, including a child that was with his father at the site, in addition to six injured who all were oil traders and tanker drivers. Also the shelling caused fires in many vehicles and cars. Investigations showed that there were ISIS fighters and military vehicles [present] at the time of the attack.”

Six months after the event CENTCOM opened an investigation into the incident at the prompting of the US State Department – which had forwarded a copy of the SN4HR report. A review of full motion video and post strike images was deemed “inconclusive,” with investigators noting that “Information has been preserved if we receive anything further.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Raed Mohammed Eid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Saleh Al-Ahmad Al-Nasser
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mahidi As-Saleh Mohammad Al-Khalil
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Allawi Al-Hams
Age unknown male killed
Laith Al Khalif al Mashieh
Child male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photo which appeared with the news piece about the incident on the Free Syrian Army's website which is no longer available. Airwars couldn't verify whether the photo was in Kabiba or from a previous shelling elsewhere.

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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Hasakeh, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • SNHR. The FMV and post-strike images are iNoNlusive.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS012

Incident date

October 15, 2014

Location

كۆبانی, Kobanî, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.8883919, 38.3528042 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Kobanî official reported that a civilian – an 87 year old woman – and six Kurdish fighters from the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) died in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in the besieged city.It was also reported that two hospitals in the town had been destroyed.

According to Sky News Arabia, Kurdish sources said that the bombing occurred near Al-tall Street in the city. It represented the first known alleged Coalition ‘friendly fire’ incident in Syria.

CENTCOM disputed the claims, noting internally that Kurdish YPG sources instead insisted the elderly woman “was executed by ISIL forces.” The declassified report also concluded that no hospitals had been targeted by the Coalition, although it was conceded that “The closest target struck was approximately 100m away.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Original caption: "the coalition has intensified its raids on Kobane and its surroundings." (via Sky News Arabia)

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
    Kobani, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Open sources reported that an 87 year old woman was killed during a dvnamic stirke IVO Kobanl, and that two main hospitals were destroyed by us bombing. Neither allegation credible. No CIVCAS determined. SiNe 29 Sep 14, no women or children have been observed by TF IVO Kobani. No reporting or intel supports the death of the 87 year old civilian from US airstrikes. Information provided by the YPG in the ground indicates that the woman alleged killed was executed by ISIL forces, and that the reported source of the report was not in Kobani at the time of the report. IRT the hospital, TF ID’d 3 hospitals IVO Kobani. None have been targeted. The closest target struck was approximately 100m away

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]