US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
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Incident Code

CI823

Incident date

August 5, 2017

Location

الكرابلة, Al Karabila, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.36876, 41.07712 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 injury of one civilian in an event near Karabilah, Iraq.

Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS vehicle, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.”

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

Airwars researchers could not find any locally reported claims of civilian harm in the area on this day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 34.37695, 41.05442.      

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 injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Karabilah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU910050
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • Aug. 5, 2017 near Karabilah, Iraq via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS vehicle it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 4th-5th, the Coalition reported no strikes near the Al Qaim district.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

CI855

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

الجماهير, Al Jamahir, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.39366, 40.98964 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 injury of one civilian in an event near Al Jamahir, Iraq.

Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition report, Airwars had geolocated this incident to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 34.395, 40.991944

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 injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Jamahir, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU829076
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • Sept. 25, 2017 near Al Jamahir, Iraq via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 24th – 25th the Coalition reported no strikes in Al Qaim.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

CI033

Incident date

January 24, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The previously-secret CENTCOM file also noted reports by redacted “prominent anti-ISIL Twitter users” that “civilians are being killed in the bombardment.”

With so few details to go on, CENTCOM concluded that there was “insufficient evidence to determine date and time of any specific allegation.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:24:"insufficient_information";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • ISIL promoters claimed bombardment of Mosul was bringing about CIVCAS. Insufficient evidence to determine date and time of any specific allegation.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI065

Incident date

April 29, 2015

Location

حي الجغيفي, Fallujah, Jughaifi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.366667, 43.792778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local reports, coalition airstrikes killed nine civilian non-combatants and injured three more in Al Sharika Street, Aljughaifi neighborhood. The dead were named by the Iraqi Revolution website as “belonging to the family of Khamis Sufook al-Jumaili, killing him and his wife and her sister, their sons and daughters, as well as his brother the householder.”

The Iraqi Spring project named the dead.

 

The incident was first reported on April 30, 2015 at 1:06 pm by Iraqi Spring Media Center.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb
Adult male Named by Iraqi Spring, father killed
Nahida Hilal Theyab
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, mother killed
Najeiya Talal Hadid
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, mother of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb
Salima Sifog
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, sister of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb
Aws Khamis Sifog
Child male Named by Iraqi Spring, son of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb killed
Bushra Khamis Sifog
Child female Named by Iraqi Spring, daughter of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb
Khitam Khamis Sifog
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, daughter of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb killed
Jinan Khamis
Adult female Named by Iraqi Spring, daughter of Khamis Sifog Theyab Ashibeeb killed
Sijad Mohamad Ali
Child male Named by Iraqi Spring, son of Jinan Khamis killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (5 children3 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Image of destruction posted by Iraqi Spring
  • Image of destruction posted by Iraqi Spring
  • Image of destruction posted by Iraqi Spring
  • Image of destruction posted by Iraqi Spring

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of the alleged victims

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Sharika road in the Al Jughaifi neighbourhood (حي الجغيفي) in the city of Fallujah, Anbar Province, Iraq. The coordinates for the midpoint of Al Jughaifi neighbourhood (حي الجغيفي) are: 33.366667, 43.792778.

  • Al Jughaifi neighbourhood (حي الجغيفي) in the city of Fallujah

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

A single strike in the area was reported for April 28th-29th 2015: “Near Fallujah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL trench complex.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (5 children3 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI097

Incident date

August 27, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the local news agency NINA, reported that 12 civilians were killed in a Coalition raid on the Rifai and Al-Najjar areas west of Mosul, including a child and four women. Four other people were said to have been critically injured.

In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition classed the even as non credible on grounds of a current lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Aug. 27, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

A pair of Coalition strikes were reported in the vicinity for August 26th-27th 2015: “Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL checkpoints and an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI130

Incident date

October 26, 2015

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilian homes were hit in an alleged night time Coalition airstrike – killing an unspecified number of civilians, according to local reports. The event took place near So’dud School and al Tawfiq mosque in Jugheifi neighbourhood.

Al Fallujah News posted a picture of a burning building, though said the damage was instead due to “constant bombardment by the government.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Images of the burning building allegedly hit in airstrikes

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No Coalition strikes were publicly reported at Fallujah for October 25th-26th 2015.

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
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI162

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Location

حي الوحدة, Mosul, Wahida, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3290942, 43.1870842 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the second of three claimed incidents in Mosul on this date, it was reported that 17 civilians – including four women and five children – were killed in an alleged Coalition strike in the Wehda and Methak neighbourhoods east of Mosul.

However, there was some doubt regarding the incident, with NRN News reportedly denying that civilians had died.

In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (5 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF373220
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • December 21, 2015, in Wahida, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2873/CI162 38SLF373220

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports that on December 21st-22nd 2015, “Near Mosul, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, 12 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL bunkers, and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (5 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI194

Incident date

February 20, 2016

Location

عامرية الفلوجة, Ameriat al Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.1706776, 43.8636875 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ameriat Al Fallujah council complained that a mistaken strike by undefined aircraft had hit a civilian house in the village 17km south of Fallujah, which resulted in the death of one civilian and the injuring of 7 others.

According to Shaker Mahmoud, head of the council, the strike hit a house in the Heramat Amiriyah district. He also complained that “the region is controlled by Iraqi security forces and tribesmen.”

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes in the vicinity of Ramadi that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event at Ameriat al Fallujah.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture of a destroyed site by unidentified aircraft which led to killing one civilian and seven injured on February 20 strike near Fallujah (via Iraq News)
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an unknown airstrike targeted a civilian house by mistake in Ameriat al Fallujah area south of Fallujah, which led the killing of one and caused an injury of seven people (via alsumaria.tv/news)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

On February 19th-20th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Fallujah, one strike destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece.”

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]