US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CS285

Incident date

July 28, 2016

Location

الغندورة, Al Ghandoura, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.67554, 37.75664 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 22 civilians were killed in a Coalition airstrike on the village of al Ghandourra. According to Syria Newsdesk, the noon strikes hit the main market and the elementary school in the town, which was occupied by so-called ISIL.

The US later admitted to inadvertently killing 15 civilians in the incident, claiming that “the munition struck the vehicle after it slowed in a populated area after the munition was released.”

Extremely graphic footage later released by ISIL’s media wing showed much of the market destroyed, with significant civilian casualties. One unnamed eyewitness states: “Today the crusader coalition planes bombed this market, a market full of civilians, so that pieces of bodies were flying around, men, women and children. There are bodies that have turned to charcoal that can’t be identified, and others are in pieces that their families can’t identify them. Is this place a place of the mujahedin? We ask God almighty to destroy America and all those who support it, we ask God to destroy the coalition and all its allies and all those who are fighting Muslims, all those who are aggressing against Muslims. Where are you Muslim ummah where are you?”

According to the Syrian Observatory, 28 civilians “were killed when warplanes of the international coalition committed a massacre in the town of al-Ghandour in the northwestern countryside of Manbij city east of Aleppo province. The town is more than 23 kilometres away from Manbij city, and the death toll is expected to rise because there are some people in a critical situation. Also, SOHR received information that 13 other people were killed in the same bombing, but they were not identified yet, and it is unknown whether they were civilian citizens or members from the ‘Islamic State’.“

The Pentagon announced later that day it was conducting an investigation into al Ghandourra: “U.S. Central Command initiated an assessment following internal operational reporting that a strike today near Manbij, Syria may have resulted in civilian casualties. We can confirm the Coalition conducted airstrikes in the area in the last 24 hours.” A senior US military official told Airwars that the Coalition’s internal monitoring had already raised concerns relating to the al Ghandourra strike – and that the decision to proceed almost immediately to an investigation represented a more pro-active approach to civilian casualty allegations.

An Amnesty case study published in October 2016 used satellite and photograph analysis to determine the likelihood of civilians having been killed: “The strikes reportedly hit the public market, as shown in a video clip which Amnesty International was able to geolocate in al-Ghandoura’s central main street and other images of the immediate aftermath of the attack in which dead bodies and significant destruction is clearly visible. One child victim shown in several on-line images of the attack’s aftermath is also clearly visible at the start of the video clip. Amnesty International was unable to find any of the images on-line before the date of the incident,” the NGO noted. “Amnesty International is concerned that the loss of civilian life in the strike resulted from a failure by the Coalition forces to take necessary precautions and the attack may have been disproportionate or otherwise indiscriminate.”

The Coalition conceded that it had killed 15 civilians in a statement issued on December 1st 2016: “Near Arghanndorh, Syria: During a strike on a moving ISIL vehicle, 15 civilians were inadvertently killed when the munition struck the vehicle after it slowed in a populated area after the munition was released.”

The Syrian Network eventually concluded that 22 civilians had died in the attack. It quoted local eyewitness Mr. Safi Al Sayed: “I saw two warplanes for the international coalition forces soaring in the sky. They were supporting the Kurdish forces in their clashes with ISIS near our town. The warplanes fired a missile that targeted shops near the town mosque. In just moments, the shops were reduced to ruins and everyone was inside were turned into burned dead bodies. I smelled the burned dead bodies. It was a tough thing to see.”

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)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed

Family members (5)

Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed
Child male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 41
  • (3–10 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • An apparent image of the July 28th strike on al Ghandoura (via Tokhar )
  • Amnesty satellite analysis of a Coalition airstrike at al Ghandour in July 2016, which likely killed 28 or more civilians
  • An apparent image of the July 28th strike on al Ghandoura (via Tokhar )
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims in the airstrike in Al Ghandoura (via Lens young manbij).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims in the airstrike in Al Ghandoura (via Lens young manbij).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims in the airstrike in Al Ghandoura (via Lens young manbij).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims in the airstrike in Al Ghandoura (via Lens young manbij).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims in the airstrike in Al Ghandoura (via Lens young manbij).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims in the airstrike in Al Ghandoura (via Lens young manbij).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims in the airstrike in Al Ghandoura (via Lens young manbij).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims in the airstrike in Al Ghandoura (via Lens young manbij).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims in the airstrike in Al Ghandoura (via Lens young manbij).
  • Photos showing the signs of destruction in al Ghandoura (via Al Tokhar al Kabir).
  • Photos showing the signs of destruction in al Ghandoura (via Al Tokhar al Kabir).
  • Photos showing the signs of destruction in al Ghandoura (via Al Tokhar al Kabir).
  • Photos showing the signs of destruction in al Ghandoura (via Al Tokhar al Kabir).
  • Photos showing the signs of destruction in al Ghandoura (via Al Tokhar al Kabir).
  • Photos showing the signs of destruction in al Ghandoura (via Al Tokhar al Kabir).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Some of the victims killed in the air strike (via SNHR)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.677467, 37.7545406

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
    15
  • Stated location
    near Arghanndorh, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA889596
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 1, 2016
  • July 28, 2016, near Arghanndorh, Syria: During a strike on a moving ISIL vehicle, 15 civilians were inadvertently killed when the munition struck the vehicle after it slowed in a populated area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 28th-29th the Coalition stated: “Near Manbij, 19 strikes struck 19 separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 17 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, and two ISIL vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 41
  • (3–10 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25–40
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS863

Incident date

May 25, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.01979, 40.45123 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 15 and 40 civilians including two to five children and one to three women died, and up to 15 more were injured, in airstrikes on multiple locations in Al Mayadeen. Local sources were initially conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, Iraqi warplanes or Russia.

However, in April 2018 the Coalition claimed responsibility for the event:  “It was assessed that during a strike on an ISIS media center and headquarters 15 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

In an interview with ITV News in summer 2019, British ISIS fighter Alexanda Kotey claimed that up to 40 people died when a single apartment block [presumably the al-Dahmoush building, see below] was bombed that day – including a notorious British ISIS supporter Sally Jones, known as the ‘White Widow’, and her 12-year-old son Jojo.

Many sources, including Euphrates Post, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Smart News Network, initially reported the death of four non-combatants on May 25th. Other sources, however, put the death toll higher, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting that up to 35 civilians died, including many family members of IS.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “Reliable sources confirmed to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that the strikes on the Dahmoush building have killed 26 other people at least, most of them are from the families of the organization’s members, others were injured and went missing due to these airstrikes. The Syrian Observatory learned that those who were killed, injured and missing belonged to 7 families of members of the ‘Islamic State’ organization”.

On May 30th Euphrates Post also reported “The death of the mother of Saddam, the wife of Hussein al-Hamad al-Arrouk, who was injured by the raids that targeted the city of Al-Mayadeen a few days ago. She joins her husband, her sons, her daughter and her grandson.”

The Observatory documented a number of strikes by Coalition jets: “At 7:25 pm two warplanes accompanied by two drones hovered in the sky of Al-Mayadin city, coinciding with citizens’ entry to the city’s mosques. Both warplanes carried out 4 strikes using 4 consecutive rockets, the first two rockets targeted the 4-storey al-Dahmoush building, which housed family members of the ‘Islamic State’ organization of Syrian and Moroccan nationalities. It was destroyed completely, and the raid killed a man and 2 women and a baby from Al-Mayadin. A second raid targeted the market of the city, which killed a woman, her 2 children and 2 other children. The number of Syrian people who were killed has become 9, including 5 children and 3 citizen women.”

Arabic.rt also put the death toll at 35 and blamed the Coalition.

However, Zamanalwsl pointed towards Iraqi warplanes.

Two other sources – Alaraby and @abojannarawi201 said that Russia was responsible.

According to Alaraby, Russian warplanes carried out three strikes, and “one of the raids targeted the market of the Office of the vicar in the city centre, and civilian homes resulted in the deaths and injuries.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights later reported: “The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights received information from reliable sources about the presence of Ryan Meshaal in al-Dahmoush building 3 hours before it was targeted by the International Coalition; at 7:25 in the evening of Thursday the 25th of May 2017, while the Syrian Observatory can’t confirm whether Ryan Meshaal [one of the founders of IS media agency A’amaq] is among those who were killed by the airstrikes that targeted the building and killed 26 persons of the organization’s families, also the airstrikes caused injuries and some people gone missing, where the Syrian Observatory learned that those who were killed, injured and lost belong to 7 families of the Islamic State organization’s members.”

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)

Mohammed Abdul-Wahab Al-Aziz
Adult male killed
Wife of Martyr Mohammed Abdul Aziz
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Wife of Muhannad Rahbi
Adult female killed
Mohamad Muhanad Waka’ al Rahbi
Child male Baby son of Muhannad Rahbi killed

The victims were named as:

the mother of Saddam
Adult female wife of Hussein al-Hamad al-Arrouk killed
Jojo Jones
12 years old male Son of Sally Jones, aka the 'White Widow' killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 40
  • (2–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The child Mohamad Muhanad Waka’ al Rahbi alleged killed with his mother in shelling by the Coalition forces on al Mayadeen city in Deir Ez-Zour, May 25, 2017 (via SN4HR May 25th 2017).
  • The child Mohammad Muhannad al Rahbi who was killed with his mother in shelling by the Coalition forces on al Mayadeen city in Deir Ez-Zour, May 25, 2017 (via Euphrates post on November 26th 2018).

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

  • 37SFU324762

    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
    15
  • Stated location
    near Al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018
  • May 25, 2017 near Al Mayadin, Syria via Airwars report. It was assessed that during a strike on an ISIS media center and headquarters 15 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS barge.“
For May 25th-26th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed seven ISIS oil trucks, four ISIS barges, an ISIS well head, a command and control node, and an ISIS headquarters."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 40
  • (2–5 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI500

Incident date

March 1, 2017

Location

النبي شيث, Mosul, Nabi Sheet, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.334635, 43.135051 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local residents said 14 civilians from three families were killed in a Coalition airstrike reportedly targeting a car bomb parked near their houses in Nabi Sheet neighborhood, at the right side of Mosul.

The sources reported that “the victims’ bodies [are] still under the rubble and could not be pulled out because of the intensification of the fighting in the region.” All sources blamed the Coalition for the raids.

Locals reported to FaceIraq News that “the three families are Nazim Abdul Rahman Chet‘s family; the family of Dawood, Suleiman, and the family of Yousef Mahmoud Salhan.”

On April 30th 2017 the Coalition claimed responsibility, noting: “March 1, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED factory, it was assessed that the strike blast set off a secondary explosion of an ISIS VBIED parked next to a house down the street from the target location resulting in the unintentional death of 14 civilians.” A senior official later confirmed to Airwars that the incident occurred in Nabi Sheet.

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
    14
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood at 36.33305, 43.13709

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)
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    14
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF328225
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • March 1, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED factory, it was assessed that the strike blast set off a secondary explosion of an ISIS VBIED parked next to a house down the street from the target location resulting in the unintentional death of 14 civilians.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 1st-March 2nd the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 19 fighting positions, four supply caches, four mortar systems, four VBIEDs, three tunnels, two recoilless rifles, two VBIED factories, an ISIS-held building, a command and control node; and a barge; damaged 10 supply routes and two tunnels; and suppressed 14 mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1208

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Location

البدو, Ar Raqqah: Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95178, 39.00111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that 13 civilians, including two children, died and eight were wounded in Raqqa’s Al Badou neighbourhood.

According to Smart, “13 civilians were killed, including two children, and eight others were wounded in the past 24 hours by an aerial bombardment that is likely to be the international coalition and SDF artillery on the Nahdha and Bedouins neighborhoods and next to the Andalusia oven and behind the Modern Medicine Hospital.”

Alaraby and Qasioun also blamed the Coalition.

In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged four Daesh defensive fighting positions near the Hospital of Modern Medicine. Regrettably, 13 civilians were unintentionally killed and eight civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the target location.”

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
    13
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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 neighbourhood/area at 35.961778, 39.006083

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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    13
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near al Badou, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV001786
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019
  • July 15, 2017, near al Badou, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged four Daesh defensive fighting positions near the Hospital of Modern Medicine. Regrettably, 13 civilians were unintentionally killed and eight civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the target location.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 15th-16th: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, two anti-air artillery systems and a VBIED.” It was additionally reported that “On July 15, near Raqqah, Syria, 12 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, three mortar team positions, a mortar system, a fighting position and a vehicle.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Saturday 15 July – Tornados hit a sniper in Mosul, Typhoons and Tornados attacked mortar positions in Raqqa… The following day [July 15th], Tornados and Typhoons utilised eleven Paveway IV bombs against mortar positions in Raqqa, whilst a pair of Tornados used a Brimstone missile against a sniper holding out in western Mosul.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1368

Incident date

August 13, 2017

Location

فردوس, Ar Raqqah: Fardous neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.953582, 39.004436 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twelve civilians died and six more were wounded in Coalition air or artillery strikes on Raqqa, according to local media. The action was later confirmed to be a British airstrike.

In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters utilizing a mortar system in a building used as a defensive fighting position. Regrettably, 12 civilians were unintentionally killed and six were unintentionally injured as a result of the blast.”

Multiple sources blamed Coalition air and/or artillery strikes for the death of ten civilians and injury of more. Raqqa Truth said that six were wounded in addition to ten killed.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Coalition struck the “Ferdus Furnace area and other areas in the city”. It put the death toll at 12.

Zakaria has been removed from this incident as the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported that he died on October 11th with his nephew while riding a motorbike.

The February 2019 assessment appears to be a reassessment of a March 2018 decision in which the Coalition originally confirmed one death – though we currently cannot be sure that this was referring to this incident.

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

In March 2020, Airwars and the BBC published an investigation revealing that the UK was refusing to accept responsibility for civilian harm in this and two other events – despite confirming that the RAF had conducted the strikes.

Senior MoD officials revealed that they were insisting upon ‘hard facts’ when determining casualties – an almost impossible bar to surmount, and at odds with the US-led Coalition’s own ‘balance of probabilities’ approach.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • # Raqqa: 10 martyrs and a number of wounded by aerial bombardment and artillery by the coalition aircraft on the neighborhoods of Al-Rigga city.

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
    12–13
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    6
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV004788
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • August 13, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters utilizing a mortar system in a building used as a defensive fighting position. Regrettably, 12 civilians were unintentionally killed and six were unintentionally injured as a result of the blast.

  • Aug. 13, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a Coalition strike to engage an ISIS-controlled building a civilian entered the area of the strike and it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For August 12th-13th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and destroyed three command and control nodes, two ISIS headquarters, an ISIS UAS launch site and a vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 12, near Raqqah, Syria, 21 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position, an anti-aircraft artillery system, and a mortar system.” And that “On Aug. 12, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position.”

French Military
  • English
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    Original

For Aug 9-15th, France report 2 strikes in Raqqah, Syria – and 13 artillery missions in Mosul.

#Chammal : 2 frappes et 13 missions d’artillerie en Irak et en Syrie cette semaine.

French Military
  • English
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    Original

In the past week, (11th-18th) France conducted 27 sorties, including 22 armed reconnaissance and ground support (CAS), 1 refueling outlet and 4 intelligence gathering sorties by Atlantic 2 or Rafale patrols. Two strikes were carried out in the Raqqah region of Syria. They helped support the Syrian democratic forces in their offensive to retake the city.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, A Raqqah, la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes se poursuit. Au sud de la ville, la manœuvre de tenaille, amorcée il y a 15 jours, s’est achevée en fin de semaine dernière. Elle a permis de réaliser la jonction des fronts est et ouest. Depuis, les forces démocratiques syriennes ont relancé une offensive vers le centre de la ville mais elles font face à une défense acharnée des combattants de Daech. En Irak, Les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations dans l’objectif de libérer, à terme, le nord de l’Irak. Actuellement, elles focalisent leur effort sur l’encerclement de la ville de Tall Afar. Les combattants de l’organisation terroriste réalisent un travail de valorisation de leurs positions défensives pour se préparer aux combats à venir alors que les populations tentent de fuir la ville. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Les soldats de l’opération Chammal poursuive leur mission d’appui au profit des unités irakiennes engagées contre Daech. Cette semaine, sur le théâtre, les aéronefs ont réalisé 27 sorties aériennes dont 22 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), 1 sortie de ravitaillement ainsi que 4 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Deux frappes ont été conduites dans la région de Raqqah en Syrie. Elles ont permis d’appuyer les forces démocratiques syriennes dans leur offensive pour reprendre la ville. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 13 missions de tir en appui de la 15e division à l’ouest de Mossoul vers Tal Afar. En particulier, les artilleurs ont fourni des feux de harcèlement et d’éclairement pour interdire aux combattants de Daech de mener des actions au sol ou de réaliser des tirs indirects contre les positions irakiennes. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1330 frappes, 2102 objectifs détruits et 6946 sorties. ‘

UK Military
  • English
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    Original

‘Saturday 12 August – Typhoons destroyed a Daesh headquarters in Raqqa… Typhoons maintained a presence over Raqqa over the weekend, destroying a Daesh headquarters building on Saturday 12 August…’

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 target
    ISIS

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI591

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35103, 43.11055 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Dozens of civilians were reported killed or injured after Coalition airstrikes and possibly unidentified mortars hit houses in Zanjili neighbourhood, in West Mosul.

Suhaib Al Mashhadany posted a video on Facebook showing a young girl, allegedly the only survivor of the family after shelling hit their home.

Two sources, Iraqyoon and Yaqein, blamed the Coalition for airstrikes. Yaqein published a video posted by Al Amaq [ISIL press agency], which showed extreme damage and a significant number of civilian casualties. One traumatised child says “Please uncle help my brother, his body became fragments.. please uncle inside the home…” Another witness says to camera “Airstrikes are targeting us. It’s only a residential area, nothing is here.. all the people are dead and nothing is left.”

Ninawa Media Center reported the death of a civilian when a mortar (unspecified) hit his/her home at Zanjili, in what may be a separate event.

In December 2018 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident, noting: “The Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS Command and Control facility and a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) facility. These facilities were engaged with precision munitions. The Command and Control facility was destroyed with no civilian casualties. The VBIED facility was destroyed; however, the bomb making material within the facility caused a large secondary explosion. Regrettably, during the explosion 12 civilians were unintentionally killed.”

A UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “On 30 March, airstrikes reportedly hit four ISIL sites in the ISIL-controlled Zangele neighbourhood, western Mosul, killing 12 civilians, including a child, and wounding three others, including two children. According to an eyewitness, ISIL members prevented families from recovering bodies of relatives until ISIL had filmed the bodies. It was also reported that victims were used as human shields because ISIL had installed weapons at the incident location.”

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
    12 – 24
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Survivors search for victims following a reported Coalition strike on Zanjili, Mosul March 30th [image via ISIL video]

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)
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    12
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF307238
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • On Mar. 30, 2017, near al-Zinjili neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. The Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS Command and Control facility and a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) facility. These facilities were engaged with precision munitions. The Command and Control facility was destroyed with no civilian casualties. The VBIED facility was destroyed; however, the bomb making material within the facility caused a large secondary explosion. Regrettably, during the explosion 12 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 29th-30th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed two command and control nodes, two mortar systems, a fighting position, and a UAV facility; damaged 19 supply routes; and suppressed 10 ISIS mortar teams and seven ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1087

Incident date

June 25, 2017

Location

قريب من الميادين, near Al Mayadin, Deir Ez-Zour, Syria

Geolocation

35.01979, 40.45123 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 later confirmed the deaths of twelve civilians in an event near Al Mayadin.

Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed one ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 12 civilians were unintentionally 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • 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
    12
  • Stated location
    near Al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017
  • June 25, 2017, near Al Mayadin, Syria, via media report. During a Coalition strike that destroyed one ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 12 civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS-held buildings, two command and control nodes, an ISIS staging area, a mortar system, a tactical vehicle, and an ISIS oil refinery.”

For June 25th-26th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed six ISIS oil storage tanks, four ISIS pump jacks and two ISIS facilities.” It additionally reported that “On June 25, near Dayr az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS-held building.“

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI417

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

قرب مسجد الخشاب ، العربي, Vicinity of Al Khashab Mosque, Al Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.40393, 43.11644 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said heavy artillery shelling which targeted Al Arabi neighbourhood at the left side of Mosul had left dozens of civilians dead or wounded.

In October 2020, the US-led Coalition conceded killing 12 civilians and injuring a further ten in this event.

Iraqyoon said at the time that witnesses had reported to the Iraqi news agency that “the near-Khashab mosque area in the north of the Al Arabi neighborhood of Mosul came under artillery shelling by Iraqi forces.”

Nineveh Media Center reported that a clinic in the neighbourhood had also been targeted. It spoke of heavy, unidentified shelling.

In earlier monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition had indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation was in the process of being assessed. On October 29th 2020, officials confirmed the incident, noting: “Jan. 12, 2017, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, twelve civilians were unintentionally killed and ten were unintentionally wounded as a result of the strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of shelling on Al-Arabi neighbourhood in Mosul, on January 12th (via Iraqyoon)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike within the vicinity of Al Khashab Mosque (جامع الخشاب), at the coordinates: 36.402348, 43.118259. Coalition has confirmed the location of this strike (within 100m), north of Al Khashab Mosque at the following coordinates: 36.40393, 43.11644.

  • Reports of the incident mention a strike within the vicinity of Al Khashab Mosque (جامع الخشاب). Coalition has confirmed the location of this strike (within 100m), north of Al Khashab Mosque.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    12
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    10
  • Stated location
    in Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF311304
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020
  • Jan. 12, 2017, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, twelve civilians were unintentionally killed and ten were unintentionally wounded as a result of the strike.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]