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

CS881

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Location

جامع الفواز, Fawwaz Mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95268, 39.01331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Al Araby, “a civilian was killed as a result of renewed artillery shelling of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units on al-Fawaz mosque area, in conjunction with battles.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named the victim as Muhammad al-Taqi but didn’t say who was responsible for his death.

In July 2018 the US-led alliance accepted responsibility for the death, stating that “During a strike on [a] Daesh VBIED factory, one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this event accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad al-Taqi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Muhammad al-Taqi, killed when a shell hit him at al-Fawaz Mosque, May 29th (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.95268, 39.01331

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV012787
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • May 29, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. During a strike on Daesh VBIED factory, one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 28th-29th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, two VBIED factories, two VBIED facilities, and an ISIS mechanical facility.” It additionally reported for May 28th that “Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed a weapons cache, an ISIS staging area, and three fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS931

Incident date

June 7, 2017

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.9817, 40.46918 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An adult male, also an agricultural worker, was named as a victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mahkan town by local media. Sources said that he died from wounds sustained in the strike.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in a report on June 11th, “an agriculture engineer died from injuries he had suffered in shelling by warplanes believed to belong to the international coalition on a bus carrying him in al-Koriyah town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor days ago.”

In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS person of interest in a moving vehicle. At the moment of impact, a separate civilian vehicle passed the target vehicle. Regrettably, it appears that a civilian in the passing vehicle was unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the coordinates for this event accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed al-Khamis
Adult male an agricultural worker killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 34.974444, 40.485556

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mahkan, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU341720
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • June 7, 2017, near Mahkan, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS person of interest in a moving vehicle. At the moment of impact, a separate civilian vehicle passed the target vehicle. Regrettably, it appears that a civilian in the passing vehicle was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 7th-8th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 7 June – a Reaper killed two terrorists planting booby-traps in Raqqa, while a Tornado and a Typhoon attacked two Daesh-held buildings south-west of the city… The RAF is continuing to support Iraqi forces in their effort to liberate western Mosul. While the operating environment in the city is very challenging, particularly given the closely-packed buildings, very narrow streets, and the density of the urban population, our aircrew have continued to deliver precision strikes in close support of Iraqi troops on the ground. Daesh’s current tactics, including the illegal use of civilians as human shields, and fighting from sites such as schools, hospitals, religious sites and civilian neighbourhoods, increases the risk to innocent life. While no military operations come without risk, particularly in dense urban environments and against such inhuman Daesh tactics, the RAF continues to take all steps necessary to minimise civilian casualties. Royal Air Force aircraft have provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who are now fighting Daesh on the outskirts of Raqqa. In Mosul, our aircraft are continuing to assist Iraqi troops in clearing remaining Daesh positions in and around the city. A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft flew an armed reconnaissance patrol over northern Raqqa on Wednesday 7 June. It observed two extremists burying booby-traps along routes into the city. Hellfire missiles were deployed, killing both. Some 45 miles south-west of Raqqa, a mixed pair of Tornado and Typhoon fast jets used a Brimstone missile to hit one Daesh-held building. A Paveway IV guided bomb left a second target on fire.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI876

Incident date

April 2, 2018

Location

Al Qanus Island, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.68073, 43.28055 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event not tracked by Airwars at the time, in July 2018 the Coalition self-reported that it had accidentally killed one civilian and injured a second in an action near Qayarrah.

According to the report, “April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

Airwars researchers could find no public records of reported civilian harm in the area that day. They were however able to identify an ISIS propaganda video, which referenced “a martyrdom operation on a gathering of Iraqi forces near the village of Imam south of the city of Qayyarah.” The video itself has since been deleted.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.68073, 43.28055

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE444499
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 2nd, the Coalition reported that “On April 2 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets. Near Bayji, one strike engaged a Daesh tactical unit. One strike was conducted near Qayyarah.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS334

Incident date

October 9, 2016

Location

بادية هجين, Hajin Desert, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.68544, 40.83942 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 3 and 4 civilian drivers were reported killed in Coalition raids in the desert outside Deir ez-Zor, accoring to multiple local sources.

The Coalition reported that it attacked multiple “supply routes” in the area during this period. In November 2017 it confirmed responsibility for the event.

However, the Coalition admitted to having killed only one civilian: “Oct. 9, 2016, near Deir ez-Zoor, Syria, via web report. During a Coalition strike that engaged a Daesh tactical unit and destroyed Daesh fuel trucks, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

Deir Ezzor Free Broadcast reported that three truck drivers transporting fuel in the desert of Hajin were killed “following international coalition raids.”

A report from Qasioun stated that “international coalition planes launched at dawn today Monday air raids targeting fuel transport trucks in the Hajin desert in Deir Ezzor countryside which led to the death of 4 people and injury of 3 others.” A number of other outlets placed the death toll at three.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: three people fuel truck drivers in the desert of Hajin in the eastern countryside killed following international coalition raids.
  • Translation: Deir Ezzor countryside - al Natek correspondent: warplane raid on Hajin desert [in al Jazira area in the Bukamal countryside] and news of the death of one person.
  • Translation: a warplane raid on Hajin desert.
  • Translation: News just in - Deir Ezzor: 3 people killed, fuel truck drivers, in Hajin desert in the eastern countryside as a result of raids by the international coalition.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 34.7187577, 40.9177208

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Deir ez-Zoor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU685397
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017

  • Oct. 9, 2016, near Deir ez-Zoor, Syria, via web report. During a Coalition strike that engaged a Daesh tactical unit and destroyed Daesh fuel trucks, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike damaged three ISIL supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI310

Incident date

October 25, 2016

Location

Mosul, Buwayd, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.42591, 42.77015 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition admitted in its February 2017 civilian casualty report that it had killed one civilian during a strike on a moving vehicle.

The report noted “During a strike on ISIL fighters in a moving vehicle it is assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when the target vehicle passed his location at the time of the munition’s impact.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for the event, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF001335
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2017

  • Oct. 25, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIL fighters in a moving vehicle it is assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when the target vehicle passed his location at the time of the munition’s impact.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

At the time, the Coalition publicly noted for October 25th-26th that “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and a mortar system and destroyed seven vehicles, seven tunnels, seven mortar systems, four fighting positions, four supply caches, three staging areas, three ISIL-held buildings, a communications facility, and a VBIED.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI360

Incident date

December 3, 2016

Location

حي النور, Mosul, Noor, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35634, 43.18668 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Mosul.

Their February 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike on ISIL fighters firing a mortar on partnered forces it is assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

The incident appears to refer to an event at al Noor neighbourhood, which was captured by Iraqi security forces shortly afterwards. According to a local eyewitness who spoke with Airwars, Coalition strikes damaged nine civilian houses during the attack near the Aesha Mosque. One man who was killed had been identified by name.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for the event, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Huthiefa Talal
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3638331, 43.1857967

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF373250
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2017

  • Dec. 3, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIL fighters firing a mortar on partnered forces it is assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

At the time, the Coalition publicly noted for December 3rd-4th that “Near Mosul, three strikes [1 British] engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed a mortar, a weapons cache, four ISIL-held buildings, a command and control node, an explosives factory, and a heavy machine gun; damaged a land bridge, an ISIL-held building, and 16 supply routes; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1317

Incident date

August 2, 2017

Location

الطب الحديث, Al Toubb al Hadith, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95448, 39.00222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six people; two women, two children and two men were killed when the building they were sheltering in was hit in an airstrike in Al Toubb al Hadith, Raqqa, a joint Amnesty International/Airwars report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” found after conducting field research on the ground. Additionally, several local sources echoed the death of one of the six victims, namely Mohammed Ahmed Abdel-Rahim al Shalash.

Besides from Mohammed, only one of the other fatalities was identified by name. However, according to Amnesty and Airwars’ research, who talked to a relative of the victims named Jamal, the remaining four victims were two women, one female child and one male child.

According to Al Hassaka Rasd, “The young man Mohammed Ahmed Abdel-Rahim was killed in artillery shelling on the Modern Medicine area. He was buried in the courtyard of his house as it was not possible to bury him in the cemetery”.

Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa.

In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted two airstrikes and one artillery strike. The airstrikes targeted one ISIS weapons cache and one ISIS command and control facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed in each of these strikes. On the same day, the Coalition conducted one artillery strike on ISIS defensive fighting positions. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike. Regrettably, these three strikes resulted in the unintentional death of three total civilians. ”

In a later conversation with Airwars, the Coalition noted that this incident was most likely one of the airstrikes that they conducted on this day as it was in a similar location to one included in the above February report – not artillery as the allegation suggests. The other air and artillery strikes that they included in the report had not been previously flagged to the Coalition and were found while assessing this Airwars allegation – they are listed below as CS1317a and CS1317b.

Finally, it should be noted that Amnesty and Airwars’ research was only able to locate the incident somewhere between July 25th and August 24th. But given the local sources’ reports from August 2nd, the incident is assessed to have taken place on that particular day.

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Ahmed Abdel-Rahim al Shalash
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Ahmed Abdel-Rahim, reportedly killed by artillery on August 2nd 2017 in Al Toubb al Hadith, Raqqa, (via Al raqqa ahlna)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the district of Al Toubb al Hadith (منطقة الطب الحديث), also known as the Modern Medicine District, in the city of Raqqa (الرقة), for which the coordinates are: 35.956488, 39.001173. Satellite imagery shows multiple strikes in the area between August 1 and 7, but no one incident could be isolated. Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 35.9525, 39.002222    

  • Multiple damaged buildings seen around the National Hospital area (left: August 1, 2017; right: August 7, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV002789
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • August 2, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conduced two airstrikes and one artillery strike. The airstrikes targeted one ISIS weapons cache and one ISIS command and control facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed in each of these strikes. On the same day the Coalition conducted one artillery strike on ISIS defensive fighting positions. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike. Regrettably, these three strikes resulted in the unintentional death of three total civilians.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 2nd-3rd: “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two vehicles, a supply cache, a VBIED, a mortar position, an ISIS UAS site, and a generator.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 2, near Raqqah, Syria, 20 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two supply caches, a tactical vehicle, a tunnel, a VBIED factory, and a command and control node.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 2 August – Typhoons destroyed a Daesh strongpoint in Raqqa…Typhoons provided further close air support to the SDF on Wednesday 2 August; they found themselves coming under sustained heavy machine-gun and sniper fire from a building in Raqqa, but were able to pinpoint the Daesh position, allowing our aircraft to attack with a Paveway IV.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI874

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Central, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.39539, 40.99403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that raids carried out on Al Qaim had resulted in the deaths of at least 45 civilians and had left dozens of people injured. The US-led Coalition later conceded one civilian death in the event.

Both Omar Al Halbusi and the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq blamed the Coalition, with the latter citing a press source indicating the death of 45 civilians and dozens injured.

Yaqein also reported on aircraft and artillery bombing, indicating that indiscriminate shelling of residential areas took place in the centre of Al Qaim. The news agency put the death toll at between 45 and 50 civilians but did not identify the culprit.

In its November 2018 monthly casualty report the Coalition accepted responsibility for one death during the event, noting that “Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS headquarters. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally killed in the blast. The headquarters was destroyed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The incident was first reported on November 1, 2017 at 4:00 pm by .

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Qaim (القائم) for which the coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Qaim, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU833078
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018

  • On Nov. 1, 2017, near Al Qaim, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS headquarters. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally killed in the blast. The headquarters was destroyed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 31st-November 1st, the Coalition reported at the time that “Near Al Qaim, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and damaged an ISIS supply route and destroyed a command and control node, a weapons cache, an ISIS headquarters and a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]