US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

CS1727

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Location

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

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

The incident occured around dusk.

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

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

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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

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

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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

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

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI203

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Location

الثقافية, Mosul, cultural group area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375, 43.141667

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 25
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–103
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 25
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–103
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI545

Incident date

March 15, 2017

Location

Mosul, Hermat, Iraq

Airwars assessment

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abu Amar
Adult male Head of family killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

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

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS420 TS030

Incident date

December 23, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

Graphic images posted on social media showed several slaim children.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

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

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 25
  • (3–7 children3–10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

Geolocation notes

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

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

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

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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

Danish Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 25
  • (3–7 children3–10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Turkish Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI682

Incident date

May 2, 2017

Location

Mosul, Al Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.323338, 43.112861 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twenty five or more civilians were reported killed following a battle in the Hermat area of West Mosul. It was unclear whether Iraqi forces and/or the Coalition were responsible.

Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: “On 2 May, in the early morning, there was a big attack on my street. The attack hit a house that was seven houses away from us. As a car bomb moved down the street, the tank targeted the car bomb, and then the ‘elephant bomb’ targeted the house. I don’t know how many people were killed, but we could hear the screams from the house. They were crying out “they killed our family”, “they killed my mother.”

Later, around 9 or 10am, there was an airstrike on our street. Seven houses were destroyed as a result. I didn’t see the attack, but as we were fleeing the next day, we saw all of the houses destroyed. That attack shock the ground. It felt like there was an earthquake. We could feel the whole earth move. I think it was a “bareena” missile – these go very deep – 3 meters into the ground. At least 23 people were killed from this attack, and one fighter. Most of the 23 were women and children. There were only two men among those killed. I didn’t see the bodies myself, but these are our neighbours, so we know who was killed. Only 13 survived who were living in those houses.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Hermat, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF270259
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 1st-2nd 2017 the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul; two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two mortar systems, a front-end loader, an artillery system, a fighting position, a VBIED factory, and a medium machine gun.” It additionally stated that “Near Mosul, May 1st, three strikes destroyed three VBIEDs and three ISIS fuel tankers, and suppressed three mortar teams.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1730

Incident date

February 25, 2018

Location

ظهرة العلواني, Zahret Al Alwni, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.539793, 40.960979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 10 to 25 civilians had been killed and dozens wounded as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Zahret Al Alwni – an IDP camp located between Al Sousse and Al Sha’afa. Most sources reported that 16 non combatants had died.

According to most reports, the victims of the airstrike were “mostly children and women”. Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24 included a list of the known victim families in their reports:

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the highest tally of at least 25 civilian fatalities, including 7 children and 6 women.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Family of Hussein Al Shuja
killed

Family members (1)

Family of Mohammed Al Shuja
killed

Family members (1)

Family of Ahmed Al Shuja
killed

The victims were named as:

Daughter of Ali Al Shuja
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 25
  • (7 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (13) [ 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
  • Stated location
    near Zahret al-Alwani village, Dier Ezzor, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 25, 2018

  • February 25, 2018, near Zahret al-Alwani village, Dier Ezzor, Syria, via Airwars. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 25th, the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 25 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged a Daesh tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions.”

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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

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

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

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

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 25
  • (7 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI610

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Shafa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35356, 43.12323 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 16 civilians were killed and many were injured in Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes on Al-Shafaa neighbourhood in West Mosul.

In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh mortar position. Regrettably, 16 civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike.”  The Pentagon later declared this to have been a US event.

Sawalef Maslaweya (Facebook) reported unspecified shelling “on the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Nineveh Health Department in the Shifa’a neighborhood, and a house opposite to the Nineveh Health [Department], and 16 members of one family were killed at home.” Mosul Breaking News said “others were injured”. Iraqyoon Agency and Iraqi Spring Media Center also put the death toll at 16 and said they were killed in an airstrike.

Yaqein Agency initially reported one dead and three wounded, but in a later article it spoke of “more than 25 killed and more injured” due to Iraqi government and Coalition airstrikes, though this report also seemed to include a strike in Rifai neighbourhood (see following incident).

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US action – which it also said involved both air and ground forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–25
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Local sources reported airstrikes in Al-Shafaa neighbourhood, West Mosul, which allegedly killed more than 25 civilians, including a family of 16 (via Sawalef Maslaweya, Facebook)
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3534304, 43.1174326

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    16
  • Stated location
    in Al Shafa, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF316248
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 26, 2019

  • April 5, 2017, in Al Shafa, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh mortar position. Regrettably, 16 civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 4th-5th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed two mortar systems, two command and control nodes, a supply cache, and a fighting position; damaged nine supply routes and a bridge; and suppressed 10 ISIS mortar teams and two ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 25
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–25
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI257

Incident date

June 26, 2016

Location

بادوش, Badush, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.39739, 43.15897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 25 civilians were killed and 48 wounded following an alleged Coalition targeted residential neighbourhoods in Badush, north-west of Mosul. Iraqi Revolution reported “dozens of raids, while Iraqi Spring Media said four families were killed.

The US later confirmed two separate casualty incidents in Mosul that day from the strikes – but only admitted to two civilians injured. Two separate case at incidents in Mosul that day from the strikes – but only admitted to two civilians injured: June 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one individual was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon during another strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one individual was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

The case was later amended to one killed: June 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: Number 15 on Nov. 9, 2016, U.S Central Command press release reported that one individual was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon. That was incorrect; it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • Civilians reported injured
    48
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.4175, 42.966389

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF349296
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • during another strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one individual was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 25th-26th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL VBIED storage facility and five bed down locations.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • Civilians reported injured
    48
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]