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
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
2984 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

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

CS1269

Incident date

July 25, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, near Al-Arbaeen Street, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.017194, 40.449195 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five civilians and possibly dozens more were killed and more than 17 wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mayadin, according to local sources.

7al.net reported: “Saad al-Hamad, a resident of the city of Al-Mayadeen, told Al-Hilal’s website that the international coalition aircraft carried out more than four raids in the center of the city last night, targeting civilian houses at the end of Al-Arbaeen Street, killing five civilians and injuring more than 17.”

Almahawer and Alyaumtv put the death toll at six, with Ayaumtv saying that the strikes occurred at “the residential quarters and areas near Al-Arbaeen Street”.

Albaath, also blaming the Coalition, said that there had been “dozens” of deaths and that the strikes had occurred when civilians were heading to work in the morning.

A lawyer named as Obaid Ahmed Obaid Agha Al-Kaikji was wounded when his home was struck by an alleged Coalition airstrike, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Fawaz Sabra
Adult male named by sawt_ qaryatain killed
Mohammad Shaza
Age unknown male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 24
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Obaid Ahmed Obaid Agha Al-Kaikji, who was reportedly wounded in an alleged Coalitiuon airstrike on his home in Mayadin, July 25th 2017. (via RBSS)

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 Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 July 25th-26th the Coalition reported that “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS oil tanker trailer and a well-head.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the last week (20th-27th) France reports carrying out two strikes in Raqqah, destroying two ISIL combat positions. Task Force (TF) Wagram carried out 21 artillery strikes in Mosul. The overall record of air activity since September 19th 2014 amounts to 1,324 strikes, 2,092 targets destroyed and 6,857 sorties.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah, Daech continue de perdre du terrain, jour après jour, face aux Forces Démocratiques Syriennes. Les combattants terroristes continuent néanmoins de disposer de solides positions défensives dans le cœur de la ville, à partir desquelles ils mènent des contre-attaques régulières et des actions de harcèlement. En Irak, Les forces de sécurités irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation de la ville de Mossoul, face à des équipes isolées de combattants qui continuent de mener des actions symboliques de harcèlement. Dans le même temps, Daech consolide ses positions autour de Tal Afar, pour tenter de résister à l’offensive prochaine de la Coalition pour libérer aussi cette ville. Daech poursuit par ailleurs ses actions de diversion et de harcèlement, en se concentrant dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah. Certaines actions ont également été menées cette semaine dans l’Ouest de l’Irak, dans la région de Rutbah. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 45 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 06 de ravitaillement en vol. Un C135-FR récemment déployé a en effet réalisé de nombreuses missions en quelques jours à peine, soutenant ainsi, à son niveau, la bascule des efforts de la Coalition vers les autres bastions de Daech. Deux frappes ont été menées dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, détruisant deux positions de combattants ennemies, au contact des troupes alliées engagées. De ces positions, des tireurs de Daech tenaient sous leur feu les soldats alliés à une centaine de mètres à peine. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a réalisé 21 missions de tir dont 07 de harcèlement et 14 d’éclairement. Ces missions interdisent une offensive de contre des terroristes vers Mossoul. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 324 frappes, 2 092 objectifs détruits et 6 857 sorties. Le bilan global de l’activité artillerie atteint 1 331 missions.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 24
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI342

Incident date

November 17–18, 2016

Location

حي عدن, Mosul, Aden, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35316, 43.21461 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local reports and an eyewitness inside east Mosul said up to 24 civilians from four families who had been gathered in one room within a three-story house, were killed in Aden Quarter by an alleged Coalition airstrike at 2.30pm during the main offensive by Iraqi security forces.

Iraqi reporter Majid Sharif noted on the day “Heavy fighting in the district of Aden by my brothers, heroes of the fight against terrorism.” And fellow reporter Issa Abdul Razzaq noted that “Counter-terrorism forces have stormed the district of Aden.”

On April 30th 2017, the Coalition confirmed that it had killed eight civilians in the attack: “Nov. 17, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: During a strike on ISIS fighters firing on partnered forces from a building Nov. 18, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 12 civilians unintentionally injured in the building.”

A field report by the Los Angeles Times also confirmed the event: “Sunday’s report confirmed that eight civilians were mistakenly killed and a dozen injured on Nov. 17 in east Mosul’s Aden neighbourhood by a strike meant to hit Islamic State fighters. Victims identified, including an adult man, 6 children and an unborn niece. His mother suffered burns to her scalp and back. His 40-year-old sister’s legs were broken and she still cannot walk. ‘The way they are targeting ISIS is wrong: They will target one ISIS militant, and as a result, many civilians will die,’ Jasim, 30, said Sunday. An unemployed taxi driver, he is trying to get his injured relatives treated, but said no one would lend him the money.”

Between April 2016 and June 2017, reporters Azmat Khan and Anand Gopal visited the sites of nearly 150 airstrikes across northern Iraq for the New York Times Magazine.

Regarding this specific incident, they noted that, “On 11/17-18/2016, the family of Jassim Mohammad Ali was at home when an airstrike hit their home, killing eight of his grandchildren, including one who was born only two days earlier, and injuring three family members.

“Naha Mohammad Hussain, who was among the injured, had just given birth two days earlier, woke up under the rubble, looking up to see sky, thinking about the pain in her right hand and right leg, and where her children were. Her husband pulled her out of the rubble, and she was treated at Salam Hospital. Her right arm has already had three operations, but her hand hangs completely limp. Doctors say she will take two years to recover. Also injured were Zohra Hassan, who has a very deep gash in her head, where you can see her skull, and back, and Fatiiya Jasim, who has a chunk of her left leg missing. The family has rebuilt parts of the house, but still are seeking costly medical treatment for injuries.”

Jassim Mohammad Ali, originally badly injured in the event, passed away in December 2017.

In July 2019, the Coalition additionally 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 (12)

Imad Jasim
5 years old male killed
Ali Faith Jasim
23 years old male killed
Sherhan Younis
12 years old male killed
Zeinoun Younes Jasim
8 years old male killed
Mustafa Husna
5 years old male killed
Wissam Mustafa
4 years old male killed
Jasim Imad Jasim
1 years old male killed
Rahma Omar
1 years old female 2 days old killed
Jassim Mohammad Ali
Adult male Died December 2017 killed
Naha Mohammad Hussain
Adult female Mother of Rahma Omar injured
Zohra Hassan
Age unknown female injured
Fatiiya Jasim
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 24
  • (6–7 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo shows the house which was destroyed by the alleged Coalition airstrike in Aden Quarter in the Baysan neighbourhood of Mosul where reportedly up to 24 civilians were killed (via LA times)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3535686, 43.2141209

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
    Inside target building
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    12
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF398246
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017

  • Nov. 17, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: During a strike on ISIS fighters firing on partnered forces from a building Nov. 18, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 12 civilians unintentionally injured in the building.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 16th-17th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes [1 British] engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed six mortar systems, four watercraft, three storage containers, two fighting positions, two vehicles, a bunker, a trench, and an ISIL-held building; degraded two tunnels; and suppressed two tactical units and a rocket-propelled grenade system.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 24
  • (6–7 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1502

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.454815, 40.965073 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

‘Dozens’ of civilians died in airstrikes on al Baghouz, according to local sources. However reporting was confused with another alleged incident at Al Sukkariya (S1328/CS1501) with no breakdown of casualties.

According to @albokmalnews and @DeirEzzor24, more than nine civilian homes were “completely destroyed in the area of Sukkariyah and in the Baghouz”. The sources said that preliminary information indicated ‘dozens’ had been killed, though neither identified the culprit.

JBC, Aljazeera and Abarhapress said that crude oil refineries in al Al Baghouz had been struck. Jisr TV, Euphrates Post and Shaam all blamed the Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photographs illustrating the devastation caused by the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on the town of al Baghouz, September 17th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Baghouz (الباغوز). Airwars was able to geolocate the images published by Euphrates Post of the destroyed building to these coordinates: 34.454815, 40.965073. On satellite imagery available to Airwars of October 20, 2017, damage can be seen to this building. Reports also mentioned that the airstrike targeted improvised oil refineries near the village at this location: 34.4957, 40.98763.

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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al-Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 16th – 17th the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS boat.”

For September 17th - 18th, the Coalition reported: "Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a logistics node and an ISIS headquarters" and "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a VBIED and an ISIS headquarters"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 17 September – a Reaper eliminated a truck-bomb near Dayr az Zawr, while Tornados bombed a weapons store near Abu Kamal in eastern Syria…The next day, a Reaper conducted yet another successful attack north-east of Dayr az Zawr, eliminating a truck-bomb with a Hellfire, whilst to the south-east, close to the border with Iraq, two Tornados bombed a weapons store near Abu Kamal.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI249

Incident date

June 8, 2016

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3667014, 43.0854607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple civilians were reported killed and injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the July 17th district of Mosul.

According to Mosul Eye, the strikes on a Wednesday night took place at prayer time near a mosque in the Almoghait area – particularly busy during Ramadan. The attack “left several civilians killed and wounded as well as elements of Daesh.” Iraqi Revolution said “dozens of civilians” were killed and injured, publishing a graphic photo of what it said was the attack.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 24
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • a photo shows the aftermath of the alleged Coalition strike on Mosul June 8th which allegedly caused 'dozens' of civilian casualties (via Iraqi Revolution)

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.3667, 43.08545

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2823926324
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • June 8, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 2959/CI249 38SLF2823926324

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 8th-9th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 24
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1841

Incident date

November 17, 2018

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 12 and 24 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, Deir Ezzor. All sources pointed to Coalition artillery and shelling excluding Syrian Unified Observatory – which blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrikes.

Sound and Picture called the event an “aerial bombardment” where “dozens” were injured, while Step News reported that the “International Coalition launched more than 10 air raids on Hajin city early today”. The agency added that potentially dozens remain trapped under the rubble.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2020, the US-led Coalition asserted that “that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video published showing the aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin. Footage shows dozens of civilian casualties including children and a fetus. 17th November 2018. (via @raassaf77)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, 17th November 2018. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Deir Ezzor Radio incorrectly matched the picture of the remains of the victim with a picture of another child. The picture of the alive child shows the victim of an earlier incident and therefore can't be of the same person.

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
    in Hajin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU676401
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020

  • 13.Nov. 17, 2018, in Hajin, Syria, via Airwars. 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. 3232/CS1841 37SFU676401

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 17th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 17 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 37 strikes consisting of 53 engagements against ISIS targets.
]Near Hajin, 37 strikes engaged five tactical units and destroyed 15 buildings, seven supply routes, seven staging areas, four fighting positions, two weapons caches, one media cell, and one tunnel.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

France report that from Nov 14th – 20th, Task Force Wagram conducted 64 firing missions – 47 ‘lighting’, 17 ‘destruction’. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties but there were no strikes.

'‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, marque actuellement un temps d’arrêt. Appuyées par la coalition, les forces démocratiques syriennes se réorganisent et consolident leurs positions avant de relancer leur offensive. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. Evitant le contact, Daech tente d’alimenter un sentiment d’insécurité par des actions clandestines ciblant indistinctement les FSI ou la population irakienne. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Elle a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 64 missions de tir (47 éclairement, 17 destruction – bilan du 14 au 20 novembre inclus).’ Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2165 missions de tirs.'

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For November 14th-20th 2018, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16’s supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 10 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting IS warehouses and fighting positions.

‘In het weekoverzicht van 14 t/m 20 November laat MinDef weten F-16’s te hebben ingezet tijdens 10 missies ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Bij 3 werden wapens ingezet, boven Deir al Zour in Syrie. Opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities van IS zijn vernietigd.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI197

Incident date

March 5, 2016

Location

شركة البناء الجاهز, Mosul, Industrial area in Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.413333, 43.106667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 21 civilians including 13 children reportedly died after an alleged night time Coalition strike on an abandoned factory in Mosul, which was being used by Daesh. The Coalition later said it had targeted an ‘ISIL weapons production facility’ in the city. This may also have been linked to the terror group’s chemical weapons programme according to a later report by the New York Times.

The US admitted seven months later that it had killed 10 civilians in the attack – at the time the highest ever publicly acknowledged civilian toll from a strike: “Near Mosul, Iraq, on strike against an ISIL weapons production facility it is assessed that 10 civilians were killed.”

According to NRN News “the Coalition targeted an old industrial plant in eastern Mosul, killing 10 Daesh militants… Our correspondent also said that the bombing killed and wounded more than 20 civilians from displaced families from western Sunni areas, who were living in the buildings.”

In a New York Times report, the family killed in the strikes had moved into the storage facility, divided it up into separate rooms, brought in a water tank, built a kitchen and a bathroom, all to avoid living in the IDP camps. On the night of the strikes, the whole family, 21 of them, were gathered at the table for dinner. A relative of the family Abdul Aziz heard the explosions, maybe a dozen in all, and later went to the site of the bombing, describing it as “The place was flattened. It was just rocks and destruction. There was fire everywhere.” They returned at dawn, with blankets to carry the dead. “We searched for our relatives picking them up piece by piece and wrapping them.”  Everyone at the dinner had been killed: Zeidan and his wife, Nofa; Araj, Ghazala and their four children; Zeidan’s adult son Hussein, Hussein’s wife and their six children; Zeidan’s adult son Hassan, Hassan’s wife and their two children; and Sawsan, their own beloved daughter.

Sawsan’s father said that “If it weren’t for her clothes, I wouldn’t have even known it was her. She was just pieces of meat. I recognized her only because she was wearing the purple dress that I bought for her a few days before. It’s indescribable. I can’t put it into words. My wife — she didn’t even know whether to go to her daughter, or the rest of the family first. It is just too hard to describe. We’re still in denial and disbelief. To this day, we cannot believe what happened. That day changed everything for us.”

According to the New York Times, the Pentagon had concluded that there was “no civilian presence within the target compound. Though the surveillance video had captured 10 children playing near the target structure, the military officials who reviewed this footage determined the children would not be harmed by a nighttime strike because they did not live there: They were classified as “transient,” merely passing through during daylight hours.” However, a United States Agency for International Development representative had disputed this finding, arguing that it was likely that the family lived in or near the compound because “parents would be unlikely to let their children stray far from home” but her concerns were dismissed.

In a Daesh propaganda video issued four months later, UK journalist John Cantile gave the death toll as 24, reporting from the site: “These were shops, houses and small markets. 24 people were killed, two entire families were wiped out and the houses of one of those families… is just a crater.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ali Fathi Zeidan Al- Manaawi
Adult male (via NRN News) killed
wife of Ali Fathi Zeidan Al- Manaawi
Adult female (via NRN News) killed
Daughter of Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child female (via NRN News) killed

Family members (8)

Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult male (via NRN News) killed
Wife of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult female (via NRN News) killed
Child 1 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 2 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 3 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 4 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 5 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 6 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed

Family members (5)

Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult male (via NRN News) killed
Wife of Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult female (via NRN News) killed
Child 1 Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 2 Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 3 Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed

Family members (5)

Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult female (via NRN News) killed
Husband of Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult male (via NRN News) killed
Child 1 of Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 2 Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 3 Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 24
  • (13 children4 women4 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an unnamed child, killed by an alleged Coalition strike on Mosul March 5th (via NRN News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the child who was killed after the alleged coalition airstrike in Mosul on March 5th (Via NRN News‎)
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Coalition airstrike on an abandoned factory in Mosul (via NRN News‎)
  • An image shows an injured child after the alleged coalition airstrike in Mosul on March 5th (Via NRN News‎)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another image shows a dead child who was killed after an alleged coalition airstrike in Mosul on March 5th (Via NRN News‎)
  • Abdul Aziz Ahmed Araj, right, and his brother Saddam amid the ruins of the warehouse where their brother and other family members were killed. (Image by Ivor Prickett for The New York Times)
  • The site of a Coalition strike in Yabisat, West Mosul on March 5, 2016. (Image by Ivor Prickett for The New York Times)

Geolocation notes

The MGRS provided by the Coalition placed this incident at 36.3457, 43.08219

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    10
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF279240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • On a strike against an ISIL weapons production facility it is assessed that 10 civilians were killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 5th-6th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL weapons production facility and destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 24
  • (13 children4 women4 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]