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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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CS1715b

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Location

near al-Khashmah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.62996, 40.92873 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians in an event near al-Khashmah.

In its April 2019 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted multiple engagements against Daesh forces. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the targets.”

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
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    4
  • Stated location
    near al-Khashmah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU768337
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019

  • Jan. 20, 2018, near al-Khashmah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted multiple engagements against Daesh forces. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the targets.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

On Jan. 20 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 19
engagements against ISIS targets.
- Near Abu Kamal, 12 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed two
fighting positions, a staging facility, a VBIED, three weapons caches, two ISIS
headquarters, an ISIS motorcycle, an ISIS construction vehicle and an ISIS-held
building.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1441

Incident date

September 4, 2017

Location

Raqqa city: Traffic Park, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.96079, 39.00444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man was locally reported killed following alleged artillery shelling near the Traffic Park in Raqqa. Both the Coalition and the US individually later admitted responsibility

According to local reports at the time, father of six Abdul Ghani Ahmed al-Yusuf al-Bashir was killed when a shell fell near Traffic Park.

While some sources blamed the SDF, Airwars understood at the time that only the Coalition had access to artillery in Raqqa.

In January 2020, the US-led Coalition admitted responsibility for the event – noting that “Coalition forces conducted multiple strikes against Daesh facilities. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of these strikes.” This appeared to be an amalgam of several civilian harm claims.

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon admitted responsibility for this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Ghani Ahmed al-Yusuf al Bashir
44 years old male father of six killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Ghani Ahmed al-Yusuf al-Bashir, reportedly killed when a shell fell near Traffic park in Raqqa, Sept 4th (via RBSS)
  • 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 35.960918, 39.004383.

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
    4
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV004796
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 13, 2020

  • 2. Sept. 4, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition forces conducted multiple strikes against Daesh facilities. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of these strikes. 2147/S1262 37SEV004796

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 3rd – 4th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 21 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed 13 fighting positions, two pieces of ISIS communications infrastructure, two vehicles, a VBIED, a command and control node, and a logistics node.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed a VBIED and a fighting position and suppressed two fighting positions.” And that “On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions.” And also that “On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions.” Plus “On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed two command and control nodes, a logistics node, a fighting position and suppressed a fighting position.”

For September 4th - 5th the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah , 23 strikes [2-3 British] seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, four oil stills, three oil trucks, two logistics nodes, and a command and control node; and suppressed two fighting positions" Plus "On Sept. 4, near Raqqah , one strike destroyed five fighting positions"

Additional Press Release for September 5th : Additional press release CJTFOIR on September 5th:

'CJTF-OIR transitions commanders in the mission to destroy ISIS

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, III Armored Corps Commanding General of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) from Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, XVIII Airborne Corps Commanding General, during a Sept. 5 ceremony here, which hosted an audience of hundreds of US and Coalition Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.

Presiding over the transfer of authority of the Commanding General for US Central Command, Gen. Joseph L. Votel.

Veiled confidence that the III Corps team from Fort Hood, Texas will be ready to continue the fight to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

"When III Corps was here last, they were instrumental in increasing the pressure on ISIS and setting conditions by Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian opposition groups," Votel said. "Their hard work to the recapturing of Fallujah and the airfield at Qayyarah-posturing ISF to begin clearing Mosul, the ISIS stronghold in Iraq."

The III Armored Corps previously led the CJTF-OIR Coalition from Sept. 2015 to Aug. 2016.

Since redeploying just over a year ago, the Soldiers of the Armed Corps have gone to the forefront of the task of preparing for the mission.

"ISIS" brutality forces us to look deep into the heart of darkness. They condone the systematic murder of women and children, the enslavement of religious minorities, and the torture and execution of prisoners, "Funk said. "As a result of the magnificent work of this strong Coalition, real change is happening. ISIS is on the run. "

Airborne Corps' support to its partners in the achievement of major milestones in the campaign to ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Security Forces defeated ISIS in their capital of Mosul in Iraq, while Syria's Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Arab Coalition steadily made progress against ISIS's global capital in Raqqah, Syria.

Townsend Lauded Coalition Partners' Efforts in Iraq and Syria over the past year. Our Iraqi partners have liberated Mosul. Our Syrian partners are more than half of Raqqah. And the Iraqis have regained control of Tal Afar and the rest of Ninewah for good measure, "said Townsend. "I think it's all about you, we're able to partner with you."

Since its establishment in June 2014, CJTF-OIR - a global Coalition of more than 72 nations and organizations - has increased the capabilities of partner forces, and significantly degraded the ability of ISIS to plan, resource and execute attacks worldwide. Their collective accomplishments include:

* Trained and equipped nearly 115,000 Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and over 11,000 vetted-Syrian counter-ISIS forces.
* Recaptured over 82,000 square kilometers of territory previously held by ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
* Set free over 5.5 million men, women and children in Iraq and Syria.
Conducted over 26,000 strikes against ISIS in support of partner forces in Iraq and Syria.

Funk shared his vision for the CJTF-OIR mission ahead.

"The very existence of ISIS poses a threat to the civilized world and our way of life. We must defeat them, and our collective effort WILL defeat them, "Funk said."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa , striking six Daesh positions including a heavy machine-gun and two sniper ... for the Syrian Democratic Forces in Daesh inside Raqqa . Our aircraft delivered six attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs against Daesh positions, often having to strike targets very close to the Syrian Democratic Forces, including a heavy machine-gun and two sniper teams.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • 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

CS245

Incident date

July 3, 2016

Location

الخفسة, Al Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52415, 37.95006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were killed and three injured in a US strike at Al Khafsa.

According to the Manbij Coordinating Committee, “the village of Arba’a Kbeer [al Hamr] suffered Coalition raids on the road between Manbij and al Khafsa. There are wounded and one death of a displaced person in the area.” One of the dead men was named as Muhammad Waleed Al Hamood al Sheikho. Those injured were named as the children of Mustapha Ibrahim al Khalif.

Baladi News placed the death toll at four: “Just after midnight Coalition aircraft carried out a series of raids on a number of villages and towns along the Maskana – Manbej road, near al Khafsa and al Ma’moura [al Mahdoum] village at Arba’a Kabir – killing 4 people and leaving several wounded, some critically.”

The US later confirmed it had killed four civilians, noting: “Near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL fighting position, it is assessed that four civilians were killed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Waleed Al Hamood al Sheikho
Adult male killed
Children of Mustapha Ibrahim al Khalif
Age unknown It's unknown how many children were wounded injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Mohammad Walid al hamoud al Sheikho killed due to his wounds sustained in coalition bombing of al Khafsa in the Manbij countryside.
  • Translation: coalition planes target the village of Arba’a Kbeer in the southern Manbij countryside and there are new of civilian casualties.
  • Translation: #Al Khafsa - the village of Arba’a Kbeer [al Hamr] suffered coalition raids on the road #Manbij #al Khafsa. There are wounded and one death of a displaced person in the area.
  • List of the martyrs killed in Aleppo on July 5th, 2016.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.2308082, 38.021965

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
    4
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA060426
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • July 3, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL fighting position, it is assessed that four civilians were killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 2nd-3rd 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, six strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI372

Incident date

December 14, 2016

Location

حي السكر, Mosul, Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.386139, 43.168111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition strike on al Sukkar, survivors told the US news magazine Buzzfeed. The alliance later accepted responsibility for the incident.

Buzzfeed met with survivors in mid-2017, with the outlet later sharing its incident notes with Airwars: Eyewitness told journalist Mike Giglio when he met him at his home he had lost his wife and three daughters.

Date and approximate time: December 14, 2016, at around 12:45 pm

Casualties: The wife and three daughters of Abu Ali, a Jordan native who has been living in Mosul since the 1980s.

Comments: Abu Ali left his home to get gas for the family generator when the strike hit. There was no fighting in the neighbourhood. It had a heavy ISIS presence, but there were no ISIS-held buildings in the immediate vicinity. Abu Ali and witnesses were not sure why the strike hit there; they speculated that might be an important ISIS member was driving by. The blast destroyed the home and killed everyone inside.

In its September 2017 monthly casualty report, the Coalition accepted responsibility: Dec. 14, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: During a strike on an ISIS mortar position engaging partner forces, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Officials confirmed to Airwars that this incident related to al Sukkur, with coordinates matching those provided by Buzzfeed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

The wife of Abu Ali
Adult female killed
Abu Ali's daughter 1
Age unknown killed
Abu Ali's daughter 2
Age unknown killed
Abu Ali's daughter 3
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sukkar (السكر) in the east of Mosul. The generic coordinates for this neighbourhood are: 36.3910949, 43.1676006. Exact coordinates of the strike were provided by the eyewitness: 36.386139, 43.168111.

  • Location of the strike in the neighbourhood of Sukkar (السكر) in the east of Mosul

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    4
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3569628336
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017

  • Dec. 14, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: During a strike on an ISIS mortar position engaging partner forces, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 13th-14th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, a supply cache, a bunker, a tunnel, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and a mortar system; suppressed two mortar systems and a bunker, and damaged six supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS998

Incident date

June 15, 2017

Location

الانتفاضة, Ar Raqqah: Near Khaled Bin Waled school, Intifada neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.944566, 38.994456 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians – including a father and his three children – died in a Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Al Intifada neighbourhood, local sources reported. The Coalition later conceded to have killed four civilians in the strike.

Besides from the killing of a father and his three children, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) additionally said that “the wife of the Engineer Hussein Ali Al Mohammed” [Ibrahim Ali Mohammed’s brother’s wife] also died.

According to RBSS, “the International Alliance committed a massacre by shelling a residential house near the Khalid Bin Al Waleed School in the Al-Intifada neighbourhood west of the city centre of Al Raqqa. The martyrs had attempted to leave the city of Al Raqqa for several days ago but they were forced to return to Al-Raqqa after their car was burned by Daesh.”

Jisrtv, who also blamed the Coalition reported that raids “targeted houses near the Khalid bin al-Walid school in Al-Intifada neighbourhood.”

The Coalition confirmed that it unintentionally killed four civilians during an airstrike near al Intifada neighbourhood, Raqqah on June 15, 2017. In their monthly civilian casualty report, they noted “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.” Moreover, Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SDV995778 (Military grid reference with 100 m accuracy).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Ibrahim Ali Mohammed
Adult male killed
Ayham (son of Ibrahim Ali Mohammed)
2 years old male killed
Iyad (son of Ibrahim Ali Mohammed)
Child male killed
Amal (daughter of Ibrahim Ali Mohammed)
8 years old female killed

The victims were named as:

Wife of the Engineer Hussein Ali Al Mohammed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A photograph showing the destruction of Ibrahim Ali Al Mohammed's house following an alleged Coalition raid, June 15th (via RBSS)
  • Ayham and Yad, the two sons of Ibrahim Ali al-Muhammad, who were killed along with his daughter, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa's Al Intifada neighbourhood, June 15th (via RBSS)
  • The Coalition airstrikes reportedly killed a family of four, including father Ibrahim Ali Al Muhammad, his two year old son Ayham Al Mohammed and his 8 year old daughter Amal Al Mohammed (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

  • The US-led Coalition officials informed Airwars that the incident occurred at 37SDV995778 (Military Grid Reference System coordinate, accurate to 100 m).

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    4
  • Stated location
    near Al Intifada neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV995778
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • June 15, 2017 near Al Intifada neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via regional humanitarian organization. During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, three ISIS boats, and a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

For June 15th-16th the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and a sniper and destroyed nine fighting positions, four vehicles, three mortar systems, two supply caches, two ISIS headquarters, a heavy machine gun, and a home-made explosives factory.” It also additionally reported that “On June 15, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes destroyed eight fighting positions, an ISIS headquarters, and a tunnel, and suppressed two snipers.” And that “On June 15, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed six fighting positions, five ISIS staging areas, two command and control nodes, an ISIS headquarters, and a supply cache, and damaged 10 fighting positions and two VBIED facilities.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For June 14th-20th, 19 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria. Most of them were carried out during the Battle of Mosul, in support of the Iraqi fighters engaged in the fighting to drive ISIL out of its positions in the North of the Medina. The other strikes were carried out in support of the fighting for the capture of Raqqah, and against flows of arms and fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 34 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elle ont été réalisées dans le cadre de la bataille de Mossoul, en appui des combattants irakiens engagés dans les combats pour chasser Daech de ses positions au Nord de la Médina. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en appui des combats pour la prise de Raqqah, et contre des flux d’armes et de combattants en Irak et en Syrie.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Thursday 15 June – A Reaper destroyed a terrorist vehicle in eastern Syria. Typhoons struck three targets in Raqqa, while Tornados and Typhoons hit a mortar near Tal Afar and six targets in Mosul…The following day [June 15th], a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft conducted armed reconnaissance in eastern Syria, some 35 miles north-east of Dayr az Zawr, and used a Hellfire missile to destroy a terrorist truck. Two Typhoons also struck three Daesh positions in Raqqa in support of the offensive by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1751a

Incident date

May 15, 2018

Location

السوسة, near As Susah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.51851, 40.96319 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians near As Susah.

In its July 2018 report, the Coalition noted: “During a strike on Daesh IED facility, four civilians were unintentionally killed”.

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
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    4
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near As Susah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU802214
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • May 15, 2018, near As Susah, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh IED facility, four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Near Abu Kamal, eight strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed one
Daesh command and control center, one Daesh vehicle, one Daesh-held building
and one Daesh IED facility.
 Near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed four Daesh command and control centers.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS768

Incident date

May 4, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94096, 39.00998 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 6 and 12 civilians died and up to 17 were wounded in a Coalition airstrikes on three locations in Raqqa, according to local media. The Coalition later confirmed to have killed four and injured seven civilians in this strike.

According to Alitihad Press, “local sources in Al Raqqa confirmed that several international air strikes targeted the postal and car park areas in the center of the city, which led to the death of a number of civilians killed. It was not known whether any elements of Da’ash were killed. ”

Syria News Desk provided more details on the locations which were struck, reporting: “The opposition media activist Mohammed Osman from al-Raqqa countryside told the Syrian News desk that five civilians were killed and at least 10 were wounded by two raids targeting a residential building near the post office in the city center. Four others were killed and seven were hit behind the “Pullman Garages [coach station] west of the city, while three were killed by a raid on a residential site in Panorama district in the city center.”

Syria News Desk also attributed the raids to the Coalition, putting the death toll at 12 with 15 more wounded.

In its January 25 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition confirmed responsibility for civilian harm in this event. It stated: “During a Coalition strike which destroyed a building being used as ISIS headquarters and lethal aid supply building for nearly two years it was assessed four civilians were unintentionally killed and seven civilians were unintentionally injured.”

Coalition officials told Airwars this incident occurred at the location 37SEV009774 (Military grid reference with 100 m accuracy). This confirmed the event took place in the the post office and “Pullman” coach station (موقف باصات كراج البولمان).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hammoud Abboud al Sheikh Hassan
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

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
    4
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    7
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV009774
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • May 4, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed a building being used as ISIS headquarters and lethal aid supply building for nearly two years it was assessed four civilians were unintentionally killed and seven civilians were unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 3rd-4th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed a command and control node,” later adding that “Near Raqqah, May 3rd, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a mortar system.”
For May 4th-5th: “Near Raqqah, three strikes destroyed a front-end loader and an ISIS well head.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

CHAMMAL OPERATION ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION In Syria the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue their progress against Daesh. In the region of Raqqah they have proceeded this week to secure territorial gains made the previous week in the north of the city, neutralizing several pockets of resistance still occupied by terrorist fighters. Further west, the SDS continue to expand their controlled areas, gradually tightening those held by Daesh on the town of Tabqah and its dam. In Iraq, Daesh is still trying to maintain an atmosphere of insecurity in the Anbar and the Tiger Valley in order to divert the Iraqi military effort from Mosul. In the region of Mosul, the situation has changed little this week with the exception of a breakthrough in the south-west of the city. With unfavorable weather conditions, the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) marked an operational pause to regenerate their potential, while maintaining pressure on the Medina neighborhood. To the north-west, on the outskirts of the city, the 9th Division is still engaged in security actions of its control zone centered around Badush, and is still under attack by terrorist groups. Further south, in the city of Mosul, the ICTS and the FEDPOL maintained their position in and around the medina by repelling several attempts by Daesh fighters. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAMMAL FORCE Fire support - TF Wagram The Task Force (TF) Wagram continued this week its shooting missions in support of the 9th Iraqi Division engaged in the Badush region. The 29 illumination and interdiction missions carried out in support of Iraqi units contributed to the security of the Iraqi zone control system in the face of harassing actions by Daesh groups seeking to infiltrate. Air support to the Levant This week, the aircraft of Operation Chammal made 40 sorties, including 30 for armed reconnaissance or ground support (CAS), 2 for air command and control, 5 for refueling, and 3 for intelligence gathering. 3 strikes were carried out by French planes in Iraq and Syria, in support of ongoing operations in Mosul and Tabqah, as well as in the Anbar Valley. '

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION En Syrie les Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) poursuivent leurs avancées contre Daech. Dans la région de Raqqah elles ont procédé cette semaine à la sécurisation des gains territoriaux réalisés la semaine précédente au Nord de la ville, en neutralisant plusieurs poches de résistances encore occupées par les combattants terroristes. Plus à l’Ouest les FDS continuent d’étendre leurs zones contrôlées, resserrant progressivement celles tenues par Daech sur la ville de Tabqah et son barrage. En Irak, Daech cherche toujours à entretenir une atmosphère d’insécurité dans l’Anbar et dans la vallée du Tigre afin de détourner l’effort militaire irakien de Mossoul. Dans la région de Mossoul, la situation a peu évolué cette semaine à l’exception d’une avancée dans le sud-ouest de la ville. Avec une météo peu favorable aux opérations, les Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) ont marqué une pause opérationnelle pour régénérer leur potentiel, tout en maintenant la pression sur le quartier de la Médina. Au nord-ouest, sur les abords de la ville, la 9e division est toujours engagée dans des actions de sécurisation de sa zone de contrôle centrée autour de Badush, et qui fait toujours l’objet de tentative d’infiltrations de groupes terroristes. Plus au sud, dans la ville de Mossoul, l’ICTS et les FEDPOL ont maintenu leur position dans et autour de la médina en repoussant plusieurs tentatives de sorties des combattants de Daech. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a poursuivi cette semaine ses missions de tir en appui de la 9e division irakienne engagée dans la région de Badush. Les 29 missions d’éclairement et d’interdiction réalisées en appui des unités irakiennes ont contribué à la sûreté du dispositif de contrôle de zone irakien face à des actions de harcèlement menées par des groupes de Daech cherchant à s’infiltrer. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 40 sorties aériennes dont 30 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), 2 de commandement et de contrôle aérien, 5 de ravitaillement, et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 3 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, en appui des opérations en cours à Mossoul et Tabqah, ainsi que dans la vallée de l’Anbar.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI234

Incident date

April 29, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.39711, 43.14113 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The attempted US targeted killing of the Australian Neil Prakash, ‘an ISIL external operations facilitator’ instead “struck three civilians on the road and one civilian located on an adjacent compound,” CENTCOM admitted three months later.

Among the four civilians who were killed in the airstrike that day, one man was named by local sources, Ziad Khalaf Awad, who was a university teacher.

Although Neil Prakash was widely reported killed in the attack at the time, the New York Times confirmed in November 2016 that he was still alive: “An Australian, Neil Prakash, was targeted in a strike around the same time. A senior American official said that Mr Prakash was wounded but survived. In the last few weeks, however, a Middle Eastern government arrested Mr Prakash, another senior American military official said.” ABC News Australia reported that Prakash “was arrested by Turkish officials when he tried to cross the Syrian border into Turkey using false documents and a fake name.”

According to the New York Times, “among the injured was Hassan Aleiwi Muhammad Sultan, now 16, who was playing soccer nearby and still has shrapnel in his spinal cord. His family can barely afford his wheelchair.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dr Ziad Kalaf
Adult male (via @2011iqbgd2017 tweet) killed
Hassan Aleiwi Muhammad Sultan
11 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Dr Ziad Khalaf, reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Mosul April 30th 2016 (via Mosul News Agency)
  • A tweet contains an image of "Dr Ziad Khalaf is a professor in the Mosul university who was killed by an alleged Coalition strike on the left neighbourhood side of the city of Mosul on April 30th 2016" (via @2011iqbgd2017 tweet)

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast, Killed in adjacent structure
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    4
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF333296
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 28, 2016

  • On April 29, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, during a strike targeting Neil Prakash, an ISIL external operations facilitator, it is assessed that four civilians were killed when the weapon struck three civilians on the road and one civilian located on an adjacent compound.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for April 29th-30th 2016 that “Near Mosul, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL assembly areas, two ISIL bed down locations, two ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL weapons cache.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]