US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CI505

Incident date

March 3, 2017

Location

Mosul, Al Mahatta, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.332192, 43.121382 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local residents said a number of civilians were killed after an alleged airstrike struck the Abu Huraira School in the station area. The school was reportedly being used by displaced families fleeing the violence in other neighbourhoods.

Mosul Ateka (Facebook) reported Fawad Ali Abu Abdullah as having been killed in the raids on March 3rd, 2017.

On April 30th 2017 the Coalition accepted responsibility for 10 deaths, noting: “March 3, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

A senior Coalition official provided the following coordinates for the strike – 36°19’55.9″N 43°07’17.0″E – which locates it slightly to the south of the Ras al Jadah train station.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: ‘On 4 March, an airstrike reportedly targeted an ISIL convoy in the ISIL-controlled Mahata neighbourhood, western Mosul city. Sources reported that a nearby civilian residential compound was hit, killing 21 civilians, including eight women and six children, and wounding 15 others, including three children and three women. Sources also reported that a number of ISIL militants were killed and their vehicles were destroyed.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fawad Ali Abu Abdullah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 21
  • (6 children8 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from 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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    10
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3138822432
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • March 3, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 2nd-March 3rd the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed six fighting positions, four heavy machine guns, three medium machine guns, two tunnels, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a VBIED, and a VBIED facility; damaged seven supply routes; and suppressed 22 mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 21
  • (6 children8 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI753

Incident date

June 8, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35063, 43.10881 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources referred to the United Nations Human Rights Office saying that 50 to 80 civilians were killed after airstrikes and shelling hit Zanjili neighborhood in West Mosul.

In January 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft struck an ISIS building and unintentionally killed 10 civilians.”

Sawlf Ateka posted a video of a man from Zanjili, saying he lost twelve members of his family under the rubble, and left the house alone.

News of Iraq said in a Tweet that seven families had died under the rubble of their houses in Zanjili neighbourhood “near the mosque of the martyr Fares.” The same was reported by @OHAcaElqEGKAGH6. Both blamed the Iraqi army.

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 80
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Scenes from the aftermath of the attacks

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3502851, 43.1098795

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
    10
  • Stated location
    near Zanjili neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF303245
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 31, 2019
  • June 8, 2017, near Zanjili neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft struck an ISIS building and unintentionally killed 10 civilians.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 7th-8th: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 fighting positions, three heavy machine guns, two VBIEDs, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a command and control node.”

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
    50 – 80
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI467

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35257, 43.120057 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that up to 130 civilians were killed and 78 injured after Coalition airstrikes and/ or Iraqi artillery had struck many residential buildings in Al-Shafaa (Shifa) in West Mosul. The Coalition has confirmed causing 10 deaths.

Press sources had told Yaqein that “the retaliatory shelling by aircraft and artillery by government forces had, from dawn on Sunday, targeted residential neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul, killing 30 civilians, including seven children.”

Iraqi Spring Media Center initially also reported 30 dead, including seven children. It said that Iraqi government forces were responsible for the shelling “with artillery and planes.” In a later post, it put the death toll even higher, at 49, and spoke of 78 wounded, mostly women and children. However, it reported “massive bombing by the Coalition”. Al Jazeera also blamed the Coalition for dozens of civilian deaths, and suggested that the 49 dead and 78 wounded were numbers reported by the ISIL press agency.

Raedlay and Correspondences team reported the same numbers and said these were the result of US strikes on residential buildings and shops in the neighborhood of Shifa.

Correspondences Team later also reported raids near Qasim Al-Khayat (street in Shifa neighbourhood) on a building used by displaced families. It said dozens were killed or wounded.

According to the New York Times, “this strike targeted an apartment complex near the Tahir building in Mosul, where both ISIS members and civilians lived. Down the street was another residential complex where ISIS members’ families lived. The attack on the first complex triggered the explosion of a fuel truck near the second, resulting in fire that destroyed the second complex. The strike was authorized despite numerous “collateral concerns” noted in the report: that there was a regular pedestrian and vehicle presence around the target, at a “moderate to high transient traffic,” and that residences and apartments were near the target. The report concluded that 10 civilians were killed. On the ground, the death toll was much higher. I documented the deaths of 20 civilians in and around the first building, including six members of the family of Yousef Hashim Ali. Dozens of others in the second building burned to death or were severely injured.”

Al Rafidain channel posted a video on Twitter showing the aftermath of the raids on Shifa neighbourhood, including several wounded and dead bodies pulled from the rubble. It said the Coalition was responsible, and equally reported 49 killed and 78 wounded, mostly women and children. The same video was shared by Iraqyoon.

In a report of February 21st, Yaqein suggested the death toll had risen dramatically: “It is noteworthy that about 130 civilians, were killed earlier, on Monday, in the massacre committed by the Coalition forces across the bombed Shifa neighborhood in the west side of the city of Mosul, Nineveh province.”

Mosul Ateka (Facebook) reported that Ammar Abd was killed in the raids: “Martyr (Ammar Abd) will also join the caravan of martyrs in the wake of the bombing that took place yesterday on healing [Shifa] district in the right side of # Mosul, [he] leaves behind three children (..)”.

In another post, Mosul Ateka reported the death of “Engineer Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim after raids on Qasim Al-Khayat (streets in Shifa neighbourhood). Mohammed Hussein Sawas at Shifa has also been named as a victim.

In July 2017 the Coalition confirmed an event at al Shifa as credible: “Feb. 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Abd
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim
Adult male Engineer killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 130
  • (7 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    78
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Ammar Abd was reportedly killed in Coalition raids on Shifa neighbourhood, leaving three children behind (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Mohammed Hussein Sawas at Shifa
  • Yousef Hashim Ali, pictured here standing on the rubble of the building where 6 members of his family were killed. (Image from the New York Times)

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
    10
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3131324695
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • Feb. 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 18th-19th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed four ISIS headquarters, four watercraft, three engineering equipment pieces, three command and control nodes, two artillery systems, a vehicle, an excavator, a fighting position, an ISIS-held building, and an ISIS support facility; damaged nine supply routes and three tunnels; and suppressed 11 mortar teams, and an artillery team.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 130
  • (7 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    78
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI811

Incident date

July 14, 2017

Location

Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.347788, 43.132997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of ten civilians in an event in the Nabi Jaris neighbourhood of Old Mosul.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS tunnel system, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Coordinates supplied by officials to Airwars – 36°20’52.0″N 43°07’58.8″E – placed the strike in a house on the river Tigris, in the residential Nabi Jarjis neighbourhood, Old City of Mosul. The location is close to the Tal Qali’at hill.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    10
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3246424142
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • July 14, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS tunnel system, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed 22 fighting positions and a tunnel, and damaged three fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI303

Incident date

October 22, 2016

Location

فايده, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.5143, 43.26117 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of eight was killed in a Coalition airstrike on the ISIL-occupied village of Fadhiliya. CENTCOM later confirmed it had carried out the airstrikes and had killed all eight civilians.

Iraq based reporter Fazel Hawramy spoke by phone with family members in the village shortly after the event, who confirmed that eight people had died in an 8 pm strike including three children. I could see part of my nephew’s body under the rubble. All of them were dead, said Saeed. What they did to my brother [Amir’s] family was unjust, he was an olive farmer and had no connection with Daesh.

A local source revealed the family member names who were killed in the strike including three children.

According to the Guardian, local MP Mala Salem Shabak confirmed the deaths and said they were caused by air strikes, “as did a local administrator who asked not to be named because he still has relatives inside the village and fears Isis has not been fully routed there.

In an initial statement to the Guardian seen by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed it had opened an investigation into the incident: The Coalition confirms it did conduct strikes on 22 OCT 16 in the area described in the allegation. The Coalition takes all allegations of civilian casualties seriously and will further investigate this report to determine the facts. The Coalition adheres to stringent targeting processes and procedures aimed to minimise risks to non-combatants. Extraordinary efforts are made by the Coalition to identify and strike appropriate targets in order to avoid non-combatant casualties. A spokesperson had previously claimed, There have been no reports of civilian casualties and no confirmed CIVCAS reports for the Mosul operation at this time.

On December 1st the Coalition conceded it had killed civilians, noting: During a strike on a building from which ISIL fighters were firing on partnered Iraqi forces, eight civilians were inadvertently killed.

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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Amer
Adult male killed
Amer’s wife
Child female killed
Child 1
Child killed
Child 2
Child killed
Child 3
Child killed
Daughter-in-law
female killed
Grandchildren 1
killed
Grandchildren 2
killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3 children2 women1 man)
  • 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]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows people removing the bodies followed an alleged Coalition airstrike on the evening of October 22nd 2016 in Fadhiliya (Picture courtesy of Fazel Hawramy)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.5125336, 43.2689667

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
    8
  • Stated location
    near Fasitiyah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF443424
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 1, 2016
  • Oct. 22, 2016, near Fasitiyah, Iraq: During a strike on a building from which ISIL fighters were firing on partnered Iraqi forces, eight civilians were inadvertently killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 22nd 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units, 12 staging areas, six mortar systems, a rocket position and a heavy machine gun; destroyed 21 fighting positions, 10 mortar systems, eight vehicles, eight command and control nodes, seven ISIL-held buildings, five bunkers, four anti-aircraft guns, four artillery systems, three tunnels, three VBIEDs, two supply caches, two heavy machine guns, a VBIED facility and a front end loader; and damaged three VBIEDs, two tunnels, a fighting position, a repeater tower and a vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3 children2 women1 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

CI368

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

حي الفلاح, Mosul, Falah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.39229, 43.17916 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight to eleven civilians – including five children and 8 members of the same family – were killed by Coalition strikes in Mosul, according to local sources.

According to Iraqi Spring, eight civilians from one family, including four children and two women were killed in Coalition airstrikes in the Al-Falah neighbourhood of eastern Mosul.

Several outlets, including Nineveh Media Center, identified 12 victims by names.

The Los Angeles Times interviewed the strike’s sole survivors: Mohammed Mumtaz, 30, and his 8-year-old son, Yaman. Mumtaz said he was not contacted by the coalition, and did not expect compensation. Nothing can compensate for my loss, said Mumtaz, a pharmacist who lost his wife, parents, two brothers, sister-in-law and two nephews.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials requested additional information concerning the alleged event.

On April 30th 2017 the Coalition accepted responsibility for eight deaths, noting: Dec. 11, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: During a strike on ISIS fighters firing on Coalition and partnered forces, it was assessed that the strike impacted an ISIS weapons cache that set off secondary explosions that set an adjacent building on fire killing eight civilians in the building.

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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Haj Mumtaz Abdullah Majid
Adult male killed
the Wife of Haj Mumtaz Abdullah Majid
Adult female killed

Family members (4)

Ammar Mumtaz Abdullah
Adult male killed
Lina Hisham AlAnnaz
Adult female killed
Ahmed Ammar Mumtaz Abdullah
Child male killed
Abdul Rahman Ammar Mumtaz Abdullah
Child male killed

Family members (4)

Adult male Via Monitoring and information killed
Adult female Via Monitoring and information killed
Child male Via Monitoring and information killed
Child female Via Monitoring and information killed

The victims were named as:

Ashraf Badran
Adult male killed
Walied
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (5 children3 women4 men)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

  • A separate photo of the child (Ghani) who was killed with her family following an alleged airstrike on Falah, Mosul (via Mosul Habebti)
  • A tweet contains images of the family members who were killed following the coalition strike on Falah, Mosul (Via Ali Omer @ali3omar)
  • A separate new photo of the child (Ghani) who was killed with her family following an alleged airstrike on Falah, Mosul (via Mosul Habebti)
  • A picture of Walied, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Falah, Mosul (via Ammar Albozenee)
  • A picture of Ashraf Badran, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Falah, Mosul (via Mosul Ateka)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.383778, 43.177611

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 secondary explosion(s), Killed in adjacent structure
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF367290
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • Dec. 11, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: During a strike on ISIS fighters firing on Coalition and partnered forces, it was assessed that the strike impacted an ISIS weapons cache that set off secondary explosions that set an adjacent building on fire killing eight civilians in the building.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 10th-11th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed seven front-end loaders, three fighting positions, two ISIL-held buildings, two tractor trailer trucks, a vehicle, a land bridge, and three tunnels; damaged six tunnels; and disabled two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (5 children3 women4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI229

Incident date

April 19, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34597, 43.09889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, up to eight civilians were killed and others injured after Coalition jets struck the Al Hadbah apartment complex in western Mosul. “Many” Daesh fighters were also reported killed.

NRN said it was a nighttime attack: “Our correspondent says the bombing killed and wounded a number of civilians, noting that foreign elements in Daash were also killed during the shelling. Our correspondent also said the bombing caused considerable material damage to residential buildings and civilian property.” Iraqi Revolution said a neighbourhood gas station was also hit in the Coalition attack.

Reports described the Al Hadbah complex as being inhabited by Daesh fighters and their immediate families.

Two victims were later named two (who may have been sewage workers for the city.), and Daesh-linked A’Amaq media claimed that four children, two women and a man were killed. Al Noor also said that four children and their mother died.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible RAF involvement given declared strikes at Mosul that day, the UK MoD told Airwars: “There is no credible indication of potential UK involvement” in the alleged event of April 19th.”

On July 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “April. 19, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS facility, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 20 were injured.”

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.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male (via Yosif Almashadany FB) killed
Age unknown male (via Yosif Almashadany FB) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1–2 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.34585235, 43.09857692

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
    8
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    20
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF294240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • April. 19, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS facility, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 20 were injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports for April 19th-20th 2016 that “Near Mosul, nine strikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL-used power plant, and four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL supply caches, an ISIL mortar system, and two ISIL vehicles and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1–2 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI418

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Location

الفيصلية, Mosul, Al-Faisiliyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.348018, 43.154196 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said Coalition airstrikes bombed a school inhabited by displaced people in Faisaliyah neighborhood in East Mosul, leaving up to 12 civilians dead or wounded. The Coalition subsequently confirmed responsibility.

News of Iraq reported that the raids on Friday evening had killed and wounded “12 people, mostly women and children.” All sources said the Coalition was responsible for the air strikes.

On March 4th the Coalition admitted responsibility for the event: “Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed. During post-strike video analysis civilians were identified near the house who were not evident prior to the strike.” It also noted that it was assessing at least one other Mosul event for that day: “Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.”

A Coalition official subsequently confirmed to Airwars that this refered to the al Faisaliyah event, providing the grid reference 38SLF3436724131.

On March 18th Airwars spoke with a reported survivor of the incident, who provided photographs and biographical details for five victims – including two of his own children. According to the source the US strike hit the Al Marafa private school at 9am where IDPs were staying.

The incident occured at approximately 9:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdulrahman Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq
Child male killed
Aesha Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq
Child female killed
Sara Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed
Musab Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed
Affan Haitham Hussein Mahmood
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq to Airwars researchers, showing the bodies of two of his children.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another photo provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images provided by Qusay Saad Abdul Razaq.
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:

  • 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
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3436724131
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017
  • Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed. During post-strike video analysis civilians were identified near the house who were not evident prior to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 12th-13th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; destroyed five vehicles, three mortar systems, two UAV launch sites, three fighting positions, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a VBIED manufacturing and armoring facility, a heavy machine gun, a supply cache, and an anti-air artillery system; damaged 18 supply routes; and two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]