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

CS1865

Incident date

December 5, 2018

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike killed up to 25 civilians according to sources on the ground. The dead reportedly included the families of two ISIS fighters.

A single source, Suriye UAD Facebook page, reported that five civilians were killed including a woman, whereas other sources such as Step News and Baladi News reported that as many as 25 civilians were killed and 17 others were injured.

One local source told Airwars that among the victims were two members of ISIS. The families of these ISIS members were reported killed as well. According to Palmyra Facebook page, seven family members of ISIS member Ibrahim Mahmoud al-Assaad died, most of whom were children. Other sources confirmed a total of eight deaths.

Revolution Palmyra additionally reported that ISIS member “Yasser Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Al Jazzar, his wife Hiba Walid Turki and all four of their children” were killed in the airstrike. The death of Yasser was reported confirmed, but the bodies of the family members were alleged missing. 

Al Soussa Youth Facebook pages added that the Coalition had launched more than 40 air strikes and artillery shells in the vicinity on the day in question. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Wife of Ibrahim Mahmoud al-Assaad
Adult female killed
Ibrahim Mahmoud al-Assaad
Adult male ISIS member according to Palmyra Facebook page killed
Khalil Ibrahim Al - Saeed
Child male Child of Ibrahim Mahmoud al-Assaad killed
Mahmoud Ibrahim Al - Saeed
Child male Child of Ibrahim Mahmoud al-Assaad killed
Ghufran Ibrahim Al - Saeed
Child male killed
Daughter of Ibrahim Al-Saeed
Child female killed
Ayat Ibrahim Al - Saeed
killed

Family members (6)

Yasser Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Al Jazzar
Adult male ISIS member according to Palmyra Facebook page killed
Hiba Walid Turki
Adult female Wife of Yasser Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Al Jazzar. killed
Child of Yasser Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Al Jazzar.
Child killed
Child of Yasser Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Al Jazzar.
Child killed
Child of Yasser Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Al Jazzar.
Child killed
Child of Yasser Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Al Jazzar.
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 25
  • (6–7 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • ISIS member Ibrahim al-Said, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin in December 6th 2017 (via Palmyra Facebook page).
  • Children of Ibrahim al-Said, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin on December 6th 2017 (via Palmyra Facebook page).
  • Yasser Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Al Jazzar, alleged ISIS member killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin on December 6th 2018 (via Revolution Palmyra Facebook page).
  • Children of Yasser Abdul Razzaq Ahmed Al Jazzar, alleged ISIS member, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin on December 6th 2018 (via Revolution Palmyra Facebook page).
  • Children of Abdul Razzaq al-Jazzar, reportedly an ISI member, who was killed with his wife and children by an alleged Coalition airstrike on the city of Hajin (via Palmyra).
  • Child of Abdul Razzaq al-Jazzar, who was killed with his wife and children by an alleged Coalition airstrike on the city of Hajin (via Palmyra).
  • Child of Abdul Razzaq al-Jazzar, who was killed with his wife and children by an alleged Coalition airstrike on the city of Hajin (via Palmyra).

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Dec. 5 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 41 strikes consisting of 82 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 41 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 19 fighting positions, three command and control nodes, three vehicles, two staging areas, two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, two supply routes, two logistics facilities, one piece of heavy equipment, one media cell and one building.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Dutch F-16's supported ground troops during 9 missions in the fight against ISIS. Weapons were deployed during 6 missions. The aircrafts were operational above Syrian provide Deir Al Zour near Abu Kamal and targeted vehicles, logistical places and IS-fighters.

In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 6 werden wapens ingezet. De toestellen kwamen in actie boven de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour bij Abu Kamal. Hierbij zijn voertuigen, logistieke opslagplaatsen en strijders aangevallen.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Wednesday 5 December – Typhoons bombed two terrorist positions north-west of Hajin...On Wednesday 5 December, Typhoons supported an SDF advance north-west of Hajin. The SDF came into contact with two Daesh positions, but heavy cloud gave the terrorists no protection and both targets were successfully struck with Paveway IVs.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For December 5th to 11th, France reports that it carried out 20 sorties and 7 strikes. Task Force Wagram carried out 38 firing missions (20 lighting, 18 destruction). Since November 21, 161 fire missions have been carried out and nearly 1,000 shells have been fired. Airwars reached out to French MoD to ask where the airstrikes were conducted and was told that all seven strikes were near Hajin

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Ø Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie Dans la région d’Hajine, dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, profitant de conditions météo défavorables, Daech a mené plusieurs attaques. Celles-ci se sont à nouveau heurtées à des frappes aériennes et des tirs d’artillerie de la coalition. Au bilan, grâce à l’appui de la coalition, les forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS) ont repris leur progression méthodique dans la zone. Ø Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, la situation est inchangée. L’activité de Daech est contrainte par les opérations des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI). A la frontière, l’effort visant à contrer toute tentative d’infiltration de Daech depuis la Syrie est maintenu. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La frégate légère furtive Aconit patrouille en Méditerranée orientale dans le cadre de la fonction stratégique connaissance et anticipation. Ø La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram continue d’appuyer les forces démocratiques syriennes qui luttent contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Elle a réalisé cette semaine, depuis le territoire irakien, 38 missions de tir (20 éclairement, 18 destruction – bilan du 28 novembre au 4 décembre inclus). En trois semaines, Wagram a fourni un effort important pour stopper les contre-attaques de Daech puis appuyer les opérations des FDS qui reprennent l’initiative dans les derniers réduits tenus par l’organisation terroriste. Ainsi, depuis le 21 novembre, 161 missions de tir ont été réalisées et près de 1000 obus ont été tirés. Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2326 missions de tirs. Ø Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 20 sorties aériennes (bilan du 5 au 11 décembre inclus). Les Rafale français ont été significativement engagés dans l’appui aux FDS puisque les équipages ont conduit 7 frappes cette semaine permettant de neutraliser 9 objectifs ennemis. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8708 sorties / 1489 frappes / 2292 objectifs neutralisés. Ø Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne. Elle conseille également les brigades subordonnées, dont la 106ème brigade d’artillerie irakienne. La TF Narvik, poursuit sa mission de formation et de conseil de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Le stage de formation au recueil de renseignement s’est achevé après six semaines d’instruction. Narvik forme actuellement les Irakiens dans les domaines suivants : mise en œuvre d’armes lourdes, combat motorisé, lutte contre les engins explosifs improvisés, sauvetage au combat et tir de précision.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 25
  • (6–7 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI598

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to 25 civilians were killed and between 23 and 26 injured in airstrikes and artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in West Mosul.

Fareek Al-Morasleen said on Facebook that US airstrikes and artillery had led to the casualties. The other source did not say who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–26
  • 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 (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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 31st- April 1st the Coalition reported: “Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed two fighting positions, a VBIED, a sniper weapon system, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged three supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed 12 ISIS mortar teams, four ISIS tactical units, two ISIS heavy machine gun teams, and an ISIS sniper team.“

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    23–26
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1551

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Location

Near al Rahman Mosque, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.455167, 40.917541 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major civilian casualty incident took place at Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor Governorate, at dawn September 29th – 30th, killing up to 25 civilians with 24 to 40 more wounded, local sources said.

According to numerous reports “mostly women and children died”. An initial report by Euphrates Post documented four dead and 30 wounded, though this rose to nine fatalities in a second report. It listed the following victims in addition to those named below:

Two displaced family members from Deir al-Zour

Three people from a displaced family from Raqqa and Iraq

Subsequent reporting from Euphrates Post described the site of destruction following the raids “as the house of Firas Moussalli near the mosque of Rahman” (pictured). A sixth report identified 11 victims, including a whole family displaced from Deir Ezzor.

Free Deir Ezzor Radio initially reported seven dead and 40 wounded following “targeting of military aircraft” on “several residential sites” of the city, “which led to the destruction of a number of houses and apartment and some shops”. It listed areas affected as:

A house near the Rahman Mosque
Dr. Jamal Al Farhan Building in Al Fayhaa Square
A market in the Center of Fayhaa Square
Baath Preparatory School in the Associations neighborhood
The perimeter of the starting position, in the vicinity of Aisha Hospital
Roundabout of Martyrs, near the cemetery of martyrs

The number killed was expected to rise according to the DeirEzzor24 correspondent who predicted “high number of martyrs due to the presence of wounded in critical condition” reportedly they “were transferred to hospitals nearby”.

According to a later report by Free Deir Ezzor Radio, the death toll did rise significantly. It alleged 20 died on September 30th in Abu Kamal.

Smart was one of the few sources that blamed the US-led Coalition, asserting that nine were killed and dozens injured, “by an airstrike likely by the international coalition”. Local activists quoted by Smart alleged 40 wounded and reiterated the list of neighbourhoods affected. The activists added that “the wounded had sought shelter in the field in the town”. Baladi also blamed the Coalition and reported 11 dead including a whole family, the account correlates with earlier reports of an entire family displaced from Deir Ezzor allegedly killed in the offensive.

Two daughters of Laith Bassam Alawi, also mentioned by the Euphrates Post, were later documented by Sharqiya Voice as Genie Laith Alawi and Rehab Laith Alawi. The report did not specify a culprit.

Euphrates Post reported the death of the girl Zamzal al Zahri Jamal al Zahri (pictured) and latterly reported the death of Mrs. Wala’a Liwaa al Said Hibet and her children: her son Othman Al-Rawi and her daughter Lian Al-Rawi.

Jisirtv blamed Russia for the strikes, as did Euphrates Post and the Syrian Network for Human Rights amongst other sources. Euphrates Post, however, were not certain and said the strikes “were likely Russia”. Alrafiden and Smart blamed the Coalition. Many sources did not apportion blame. Free Deir Ezzor Radio referred to “military aircraft”. The majority of sources blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Genie Laith Alawi
3 years old female Daughter of Laith Bassam Alawi killed
Rehab Laith Alawi
4 years old female Daughter of Laith Bassam Alawi killed

Family members (3)

Wala’a Liwaa al Said Hibet
Adult female Mother killed
Othman Al-Rawi
Child male Son killed
Lian Al-Rawi
Child female Daughter killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Jamal Al-Farhan
Adult male killed
Souad Shafiq Taha
Adult female killed
Suad Taha Alshafq
Age unknown male killed
Jenan Farouk Farhan
Age unknown female killed
Aula Farouk Farhan
Age unknown female killed
Amman Ismail al-Alwani
Age unknown male killed
Farouk Farhan al-Aloni
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Jamal Al-Farhan
Adult male killed
Qutada Abdulqader Al-Fahd
Age unknown female killed
Wife of Dr Abdullah Turki
Adult female From Mayadeen killed
Ahmed Hammadi Al-Musalli
Age unknown male killed
Zamzal al Zahri Jamal al Zahri
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 25
  • (4 children3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–40
  • 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]

  • Ahmed Jamal Al-Farhan allegedly killed at dawn Sept 29th/30th by airstrikes in Abu Kamal (via Euphrates Post)
  • Zamzad al-Zahri Jamal al-Zahri
  • Aftermath of the attack
  • Genie Laith Alawi and Rehab Laith Alawi

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple locations in Abu Kamal: Al Fayhaa (الفیحاء) square area; The Baath School in Associations neighborhood (الجمعیات); the perimeter of the starting position (مركز الانطلاق), in the vicinity of Aisha (عائشة) hospital; the Martyrs Roundabout (دوار الشهداء) area, near the Martyrs Cemetery (مقبرة الشهداء) close to the Fatima Al Zahra (فاطمة الزهراء) and Al Rahman (الرحمن) mosques. The coordinates for Al Rahman mosque (الرحمن) are: 34.454899,40.917142. Airwars has geolocated the photograph of the destroyed building near Al Rahman mosque to 34.455167,40.917541, with the camera facing Southwest.

  • Local media reports of the incident included a photograph of a destroyed building near Al Rahman mosque (الرحمن). The geolocation is 34.455167, 40.917541 with the camera facing Southwest.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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

For September 28th – 29th the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroyed two fighting positions and a supply route; and damaged a fighting position.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 25
  • (4 children3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–40
  • 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

CI262

Incident date

July 1, 2016

Location

زانكورة, Zankura, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.5207175, 43.0906963 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 25 internally displaced Iraqis were reported killed in Zankura following alleged Coalition strikes and Iraqi government shelling.

Iraqi Revolution reported the martyrdom of at least 25 civilians, mostly women and children, in a massacre by the international Coalition and [Iraqi] government aircraft following the bombing of the home of Saleh Hajji at Zankura, northwest of Ramadi, which was being used by a number of homeless families.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (6 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 30th-July 1st, the Coalition reported that “Near Ramadi, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL mortar system, and an ISIL staging area and damaged two ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (6 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

CS1727

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.560877, 40.935767 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 8 and 25 civilians reportedly died and as many as “dozens” were injured as a result of a claimed Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Sha’afa.

An Abu Kamal local later told Al-Hail that the bombardment had wounded “mostly women and children”.

Orient News carried the most detailed report, noting that “Local sources from the region told Orient that the bombing targeted the town of Al-Sha’afa, which lies in the city of Abu Kamal, adjacent to the Iraqi border, killing 25 civilians, besides injuring others, and it’s the second massacre of its kind in this past week. For its part, the Euphrates Post said that the air bombardment targeted the town’s school, which led to its complete destruction and the destruction of four houses in the vicinity, noting that most of the dead are displaced people in the town and were living in the school after not being able to move any further.”

Sound and Picture, Baladi News and Deir Ezzor 24 all mentioned that the airstrike had hit a school housing families or Internally Displaced Persons. It is important to note that Baladi News quoted Al A’amaq, the media wing of so-called Islamic State, as its main source.

The incident occured around dusk.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Significant destruction at al Shafa'a on February 23rd, as a result of a reported Coalition strike (via Orient News)
  • Significant destruction at al Shafa'a on February 23rd, as a result of a reported Coalition strike (via Orient News)
  • Significant destruction at al Shafa'a on February 23rd, as a result of a reported Coalition strike (via Orient News)
  • Significant destruction at al Shafa'a on February 23rd, as a result of a reported Coalition strike (via Orient News)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 23rd, the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 23 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets.
• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed a fighting position.
• Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged a Daesh tactical unit and an IED facility."

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For February 21st-27th, the Netherlands report that its F16s attacked ISIS combatants and vehicles on one occasion near Abu Kamal, Syria. The jets supported ground troops during 9 missions, including in the Nineveh, Kirkuk and Al Anbar provinces in Iraq.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 28-02-2018 | 12:00 In Mali zijn Nederlandse militairen begonnen met operatie Kronos. Ten oosten van de stad Ansongo brachten zij in kaart in hoeverre vanuit het zuiden oprukkende terroristische groeperingen invloed uitoefenen op de lokale bevolking. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 21 tot en met 27 februari 2018. Nederlandse verkenners in gesprek met de lokale bevolking. De operatie werd uitgevoerd door langeafstandverkenners. Zij voerden gesprekken met de inwoners. In het weekend is alle informatie verwerkt, vond materieelonderhoud plaats en werd de 2e fase van de operatie voorbereid. Deze startte maandagochtend. Nederlandse F-16 in Jordanië. Irak en Oost-Syrië Nederlandse F-16’s vielen ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen ISIS-strijders en voertuigen aan. Dat gebeurde in de omgeving van Abu Kamal in de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië. De jachtvliegtuigen ondersteunden grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies, waaronder in de Iraakse provincies Ninawa, Kirkuk en Al Anbar. Bij 1 missie werden wapens ingezet. Voor Operation Inherent Resolve trainden Nederlandse militairen samen met diverse partnerlanden Peshmerga-strijders in Irak. 2 trainingsteams verzorgden afgelopen weken de basisinfanterieopleiding voor de manschappen en een leiderschapstraining voor de kaderleden. Woensdag vond in het noordelijke trainingscentrum een door de Nederlanders, Hongaren en Italianen georganiseerde eindoefening plaats. 100 Peshmerga ontvingen hiervoor een certificaat. De genie trainde eenheden van de Zerivani (militaire politie) in het detecteren en onschadelijk maken van geïmproviseerde explosieven. In het westen van Irak werkt een chirurgisch team in het Amerikaanse Role 2 hospitaal. De Nederlandse medici werken daar nauw samen met een Brits team.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Feb 21st-27th, France reports 25 sorties and four strikes were made in the Abu Kamal area in support of the SDF in the Euphrates Valley. The Wagram Task Force continues its support for security operations in the Euphrates Valley. This week, three ‘lighting missions’ were carried out for the Iraqi security forces.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, les opérations se poursuivent. Les objectifs demeurent de : défaire les poches terroristes résiduelles en Syrie ; sécuriser les territoires récemment libérés en Irak. Poursuite des combats en Syrie En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes poursuivent leurs efforts sur les rives orientales de l’Euphrate afin de réduire les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la zone. Cette semaine encore, elles ont progressé lentement en raison des mauvaises conditions météorologiques. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les Forces de Sécurité poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation sur l’ensemble du pays. Celles-ci se sont concentrées cette semaine sur le plateau d’Hawijah et le Sud de l’Anbar. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE La Task Force Wagram en appui des opérations de sécurisation La Task Force Wagram poursuit son appui aux opérations de sécurisation menées dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, trois missions de tirs ont été réalisées au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes (3 missions d’éclairement – bilan du 21 au 27 février). Depuis le début de sa mission, la TF Wagram a réalisé 1625 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Cette semaine, l’activité aérienne a permis d’assurer des missions de renseignement et d’appui au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes et des forces démocratiques syriennes. Elle a donné lieu à 25 sorties aériennes (bilan du 21 au 27 février) au cours desquelles quatre frappes ont été réalisées dans le secteur d’Abu Kamal en appui des forces démocratiques syriennes combattant les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 7815 sorties / 1443 frappes / 2233 objectifs neutralisés.’

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI203

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Location

الثقافية, Mosul, cultural group area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375, 43.141667

Airwars assessment

At least 15 civilians were claimed killed alongside 40 or more Daesh fighters, in an alleged Coalition air raid on Mosul.

NRN News first flashed at around noon local time “the fall of dozens of civilians by bombings on both sides of the city. More soon.”

In a later bulletin, the news agency said the Coalition had struck three sites in the city. The first was a cafe near Mosul’s Office of Marriage Contracts, which according to NRN “is a favourite meeting place for foreign elements in Daesh.”

Following an initial attack “people gathered around the place to help the wounded. But a second missile led to a fall of more than fifty civilians among the dead and injured.” NRN later placed the civilian death toll here at 25. Up to 40 fighters also reportedly died.

The second series of airstrikes was said to have targeted the University of Mosul’s campus. According to NRN “our correspondent says that the second bombing targeted the presidency of the University of Mosul building, killing Daesh’s Minister of Higher Education in addition to the killing and wounding of more than 50 others, including foreigners. Planes also bombed another building on campus, a Faculty of Engineering building where mechanics worked on improvised explosive devices and explosives.” A later single source report claimed that as many as 90 students were killed in this attack, with 155 seriously injured.

A third site in the east of the city at Camp Ghazlani was also reportedly bombed.

Governor of Nineveh Province Nofal Sultan later blamed the Coalition for “dozens of civilian deaths.” He also called for the Coalition to improve the accuracy of its strikes, noting that 2 million ordinary Iraqis were still trapped in Mosul.

The Coalition later confirmed it had carried out the strikes, with spokesman Colonel Steve Warren noting that alleged civilian casualties were under investigation.

In a Daesh propaganda video issued four months later, UK reporter John Cantile gave what appears to be ISIL’s own civilian casualty estimate for the event – noting that 15 civilians died with 103 injured.

Multiple sources names three victims who were killed and one man badly.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Haitham Abu Maryam
Adult male killed
Ashraf
Adult male killed
Raed Abu Ahmed
Adult male killed
Mahmood Abu Shaker
Adult male (via @mosul.kadema) injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 25
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–103
  • 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 (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Reported Coalition strike on Mosul March 19th 2016 (via Al Ghad FM)
  • Coalition airstrikes target central Mosul on March 19th 2016 (via Daesh propaganda)
  • An image shows the victim who was killed in an alleged Coalition air raid on Mosul (via NRN News)
  • An image reveals the smokes that followed shelling that targeted the cultural group area, the police district and the College of Engineering and the door of the presidency of the University of Mosul (via Nineveh)
  • A picture of Mahmood Abu Shaker who was injured following an alleged Coalition air raid on Mosul (via @mosul.kadema)
  • Another image shows smoke followed shelling that reportedly targeted the presidency of the University of Mosul, March 19th (via Alghad FM)
  • A picture of the victim (Raed Abu Ahmed) who was killed in a strike on Mosul, March 19th (via MNN)
  • An image of the victim Haitham Abu Maryam who was killed during the shelling on March 19, 2016, in Mosul (via MNN)

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 March 19th-20th 2016., the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, six strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL assembly area, an ISIL supply cache, and three ISIL vehicles and damaged an ISIL-used bridge section and suppressed an ISIL fighting position.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 25
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–103
  • 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 (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI545

Incident date

March 15, 2017

Location

Mosul, Hermat, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Local eyewitnesses reported the deaths of 25 civilians following an air or artillery strike on the hermit area of West Mosul.

An unpublished Amnesty International field investigation was shared with Airwars: ““On the street we were staying, in my uncle’s house, three houses were levelled by one attack, around 12pm on 15 March. I don’t know if it was mortars, or artillery, or an airstrike. I think it was artillery, because I heard the “ssssss” sound before it hit. After the attack, 5 families were dead under the rubble – at least 25 people. One of the families was headed by “Abu Amar.” No IS fighters were killed. Our neighbours said that IS fighters ate lunch in one of the house, and they prayed there. Of course the strike came 20 minutes later, when the fighters were already gone. I saw the destroyed houses the next morning, when we ran out of the house. The houses were on our same street, just one house away from ours.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abu Amar
Adult male Head of family killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ 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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 14th-15th: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS sniper team; destroyed 11 fighting positions, five mortar systems, three watercraft, two supply caches, two VBIEDs, a medium machine gun, a heavy machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an anti-air artillery system, and an ISIS headquarters; damaged 18 supply routes; and suppressed 11 ISIS mortar teams and six ISIS tactical units.” For March 15th – 16th: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed 11 fighting positions, four mortar systems, two ISIS-held buildings, two vehicles, a medium machine gun, an artillery system, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged 17 supply routes and three ISIS-held buildings; and suppressed six ISIS mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS420 TS030

Incident date

December 23, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 20 and 25 civilians died in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) raid on al Bab.

According to ISIS’s media wing, “Turkish planes committed a new massacre in al Bab for the second day running – initial toll of 20 dead.”

Umayya reported the death toll as being possibly even higher than 25: “The number of people killed in Turkish airstrikes on the city of Bab on Friday rose to more than 25, mostly civilians, including seven children and ten women, including four families killed in the rubble of their homes, in addition to dozens of injuries.”

Graphic images posted on social media showed several slaim children.

LCCSY was the only source to attribute the attack to the US-led Coalition. In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event was presently assessed as ‘Not credible for Coalition caused civcas.’ It also stated that “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Mohammad ali Al Ragheb
Adult male killed
Najah
Adult female Mohammad ali Al Ragheb's wife killed
Manal al Ragheb
Age unknown female Mohammad ali Al Ragheb's daughter killed
Manal al Ragheb's son
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Kheir al Ragheb
Age unknown male Mohammad ali Al Ragheb's son
Mohammad Kheir al Ragheb's wife
Adult female killed
Mohammad Kheir al Ragheb's son
male Also named Mohammed killed
Mohammad Kheir al Ragheb's daughter
female Najjah killed

The victims were named as:

Khalil Zakariya al Saleh [al Shafi’i]
Age unknown male killed
Abu Asa’ad al Maghribi
Age unknown male killed
Abu Daham family
Age unknown not yet confirmed] killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 25
  • (3–7 children3–10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Tweet saying more than 75 civilians killed in al Bab in alleged Turkish raids and reports that daesh is preventing civilians from leaving. 23rd December 2016. (via salam_alfraty2)
  • 20 civilians reported killed in alleged Turkish strikes on al Bab. 23rd December 2016. (via Kalmuqdad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of children killed in alleged Turkish strikes on al bab. 23rd December 2016. (via Khaled_qahtan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of children killed in alleged Turkish strikes on al bab. 23rd December 2016. (via Khaled_qahtan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of children killed in alleged Turkish strikes on al bab. 23rd December 2016. (via Khaled_qahtan)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Bab, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 22nd-24th the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in Aleppo governorate.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 23 December – Typhoons bombed a terrorist position north of Tabaqah in Syria; in Iraq, Tornados hit a weapons cache north-east of Haditha, and a Reaper destroyed an artillery gun near Mosul…The next day [Dec 23rd], Typhoon FGR4s, armed with Paveway IV guided bombs, patrolled over Syria and successfully attacked a terrorist position which SDF fighters had encountered to the north of Tabaqah, near Lake Assad. In Iraq, Tornados used Paveway IVs to destroy a weapons stockpile some 50 miles north-east of Haditha, whilst a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft assisted the Iraqi operations in Mosul; its crew conducted a thorough check for civilians who might be at risk before a successful coalition air strike destroyed another weapons stockpile. The Reaper then delivered an attack using one of its own Hellfire missiles to destroy an artillery piece loaded on a trailer – as with the tank, the terrorists had attempted to hide the gun under a tarpaulin in thick woodland to the north-west of the city, but to no avail.’

Danish Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Danske øjne styrer fly sikkert gennem Irak og Syrien “Hvis man forestiller sig at skulle lande i en lufthavn eller flyve, hvor flyvelederne sidder med lukkede øjne, så har man situationen, hvis vores radar ikke snurrede rundt.” 23-12-2016 – kl. 11:00 Af radarbidraget og ACW I en amerikansk enhed arbejder et mindre radarbidrag fra Flyvevåbnet, hvor de holder styr på luftrummet over Irak og Syrien i kampen mod ISIL. Kingpin bliver kontrolcentralen kaldt, hvorfra det amerikanske flyvevåbens 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron sammen med både australiere, englændere og danskere er øjne, øre og guidende hænder for flytrafikken. 24 timer i døgnet holder de øje med luftrummet over Afghanistan, den Arabiske Gulf, Irak og Syrien. De danske udsendte fra Flyvevåbnets Air Control Wing koncentrerer sig om Irak og Syrien og går under kaldenavnet Gotham, hvor de blandt andet anvender den danske radar på Al Asad Airbase i Irak, som er en del af det samlede danske radarbidrag. Men de trækker også på en række andre radarer, radioer og overvågningsfly, så der konstant kan produceres et opdateret luftbillede, så flyene kan blive støttet i deres missioner. – Vi er et relativt lille bidrag på i alt cirka 30 mand med operatører og radarteknikere, men effekten af bidraget er enormt. Hvis man forestiller sig at skulle lande i en lufthavn eller flyve, hvor flyvelederne sidder med lukkede øjne, så har man situationen, hvis vores radar ikke snurrede rundt, siger chefen for radarbidraget, oberstløjtnant Kim Krogh.’

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 25
  • (3–7 children3–10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]