US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CI438

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Location

Wadi Hajjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly injured by ISF (or possibly Coalition) mortars according to eyewitness interviews by Amnesty International.

A previously unpublished assessment which Amnesty shared with Airwars reads as follows: “On 25 January an ISF mortar [Airwars note: presumed – but possibly US, see below] landed on their house in Wadi Hajjar and caused it to collapse. XX believes it was an ISF mortar as he saw a drone in the skies above the house five minutes before the explosion. The house was completely destroyed. The target was likely to have been the neighbouring house, which had been taken over by ISIS. ISIS had also taken over their house 20 days previously. They had had no choice in the matter and had mainly hidden in the basement since then.

XX’s mother – “I have a five year old son whose legs were broken (when the house collapsed due to the mortar strike).” It also opened a wound on her 17 year old daughter’s head. XX’s 17 year old wife suffered a shrapnel wound to her back.”

US forces used heavy mortars in support of ISF during the battle for West Mosul. However it is unclear on which date these began. A senior Coalition official told Airwars that “Mortar fire is not recorded as a strike so we do not have data to provide on specifically where and when they have been used. I spoke to the unit on the ground though, and due the positioning of Coalition forces to support the liberation of East Mosul and the limited range of the mortars, it is very doubtful they were fired prior to the initiation of the liberation of West Mosul.”

While it appears most likely this reported event was a result of ISF actions, it remains possible that it was a Coalition event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

For January 24th-25th 2017, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed four mortar systems, two vehicles, two weapons caches, an ISIL headquarters, an anti-air artillery system, a fighting position, a supply cache, a tunnel entrance, a VBIED, a VBIED facility, an ISIL guard post, an ISIL-held building, and an IED factory; damaged a supply route; and suppressed an ISIL mortar team.”

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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

CI529

Incident date

March 10, 2017

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336804, 43.083396 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local press and residents, as well as al-Amaq (ISIL) press sources, said that Coalition shelling had targeted several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul, especially near apartments in Al-Yarmouk neighbourhood, with munitions equipped with controversial White Phosphorus. No civilian casualties were reported.

Iraqi Spring posted a video on Facebook of al-Amaq agency [ISIL], showing “the effects of the US phosphorus bombing, which targeted residential neighborhoods near the Yarmouk Apartments in the right side of # Mosul city.”

Urgent Mosul News also reported heavy shelling by warplanes in the neighbourhood, but unlike all other sources, did not identify them as being Coalition aircraft.

A Bellingcat investigation later concluded: “The international US-led Coalition appears to have used white phosphorous (WP) munitions in their battle against the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Mosul, Iraq, based on a video posted online by an IS-linked propaganda outlet. It is known that the US has used WP in Iraq, and while aware of the video, the Coalition neither confirmed or denied the specific use of WP in Mosul. It has not been possible to establish whether civilians were present at the targeted site, but when WP is used in residential neighbourhood the tactical military advantage may well be outweighed the stigma of using WP in civilian areas, as a Human Rights Watch employee stated earlier. While the statement was made in the context of attacks, it also holds for other usages of WP. No multimedia or textual information could be found hinting towards civilian injuries or casualties due to the alleged use of WP.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Bellingcat geolocated the March 10th 2017 use of white phosphorous against ISIL in urban Mosul
  • Video reposted by Airwars researcher Christiaan Triebert to Twitter
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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 2017
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 9th-10th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed 11 vehicles, nine mortar systems, eight fighting positions, five VBIEDs, two medium machine guns, two roadblocks, two watercraft, an anti-air artillery system, a supply cache, an ammunition cache, and a recoilless rifle; damaged 15 supply routes; and suppressed 10 mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS635

Incident date

March 28, 2017

Location

Tabaqah, al Nabablah, Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.826646, 38.54559

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.

Incident Code

CS686

Incident date

April 12, 2017

Location

هنيدة, Hunayda, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83234, 38.69938 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Smart News Agency and Microsyriua four civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hunayda.

There is no further information presently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hunayda (هنيدة), for which the coordinates are: 35,83234 38,69938. 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 Hanaida, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017
  • 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. (1318)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqa, eight strikes engaged an ISIS staging area, weapons storage cache, and command and control node.”

For April 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqa seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle and a fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS744

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Smart News Agency, a “likely” Coalition airstrike on the municipal stadium in Raqqa killed two members of ISIL who were in a car which was destroyed, and wounded five civilians who were in buildings overlooking the stadium.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017
  • 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. (1396)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 27th-28th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed a command and control node and a front-end loader.”
For April 28th-29th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed a front-end loader" and "Near Tabqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and four vehicles"

The Coalition later reported: "Additionally, four strikes were conducted in Syria April 28 that closed within the last 24 hours.
Near Tabqah, Syria, on April 28, four strikes destroyed three fighting positions and a VBIED.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

'Chammal: diversity and complementarity of the support pillar Updated: 28/04/2017 On April 23, a French A400M landed for the first time in Iraq. This first logistical link to Baghdad and Erbil is an opportunity to return to the diversity and complementarity of the means of the "support pillar" of Operation CHAMMAL. Chammal: diversity and complementarity of the pillar support These French resources, engaged in the Inherent Resolve interallied operation, have been operating in the Levant from different areas of influence to all the facades of the theater with optimized effects. They make it possible to sustain and last: the logistic support by air to the air bases and the support points in the Levant makes it possible to respond, by its flexibility, to the impromptu needs: repair of a M88 engine of Rafale, electronic bench of an AWACS, Atlantic optronic ball 2 ... Now relying on A400M flights to Iraqi airports, the armed forces are once again reinforcing their reactivity and the support of the three deployed Task Forces (Narvik, Monsabert, Wagram). They make it possible to assess the situation autonomously and to share the information gathered: for the reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence acquisition missions, the Atlantic 2 sensors and the Rafale RECO NG nacelle cameras confirm their high performance. The endurance of the vectors, the diversity of the sensors and the analytical capacities of the French personnel contribute to the good development of the "situational awareness" (Situation Awarness). They make it possible to respond to requests for support from local security forces or to strike Daech in depth on its hotspots. Chammal: diversity and complementarity of the pillar support After a rigorous targeting process and strong national control, the French armies contribute significantly to coalition strikes in various forms: Prepared strikes in the depths of the Iraqi or Syrian theater, targeting targets of vital importance for Daesh as a booby traps factory or illegal trafficking sites, sources of funding for terrorists. SCALP cruise missiles are regularly used for this purpose. By strikes in support of the local security forces: either on demand, on all lines of contact thanks to the Rafale fighters, punctually thanks to the Atlantic 2, or permanently but on a more restricted area, in direct support surrounding units using CAESAR guns. They enable the detection, control and surveillance of allied air movements thanks to the power of the E-3F (AWACS) weapon system deployed in Qatar, high value added aircraft (HVAA) that exceeds regularly the ten hours of flight after a refueling flight. Most of these assets have increased endurance thanks to the C135-FR air-to-air refueler deployed in the United Arab Emirates. The "Dean" of these abilities CHAMMAL continues to contribute to a commitment in the duration of the different effectors on the zone of combat. The complementarity of the French capabilities deployed in the Levant allows to multiply and combine the effects to ensure the effectiveness of support in the fight against Daesh. This diversity illustrates the commitment and strong involvement of the CHAMMAL forces in the coalition. '

‘Chammal : diversité et complémentarité du pilier appui Ajoutez aux favoris Partager Mise à jour : 28/04/2017 Le 23 avril dernier, un A400M français atterrissait pour la première fois en Irak. Cette première liaison logistique vers Bagdad et Erbil est l’occasion de revenir sur la diversité et la complémentarité des moyens du « pilier appui » de l’opération CHAMMAL. Chammal : diversité et complémentarité du pilier appui Ces moyens français, engagés au sein de l’opération interalliée Inherent Resolve, agissent au Levant depuis différentes emprises vers l’ensemble des façades du théâtre avec des effets optimisés. Ils permettent de soutenir et de durer : le soutien logistique par voie aérienne vers les bases aériennes et les points d’appui au Levant permet de répondre, par sa flexibilité, aux besoins impromptus : dépannage d’un moteur M88 de Rafale, banc électronique d’un AWACS, boule optronique de l’Atlantique 2… En s’appuyant désormais sur des vols A400M vers les aéroports irakiens, les armées renforcent à nouveau leur réactivité et le soutien des trois Task Forces déployées (Narvik, Monsabert, Wagram). Ils permettent d’apprécier la situation de manière autonome et de partager les informations recueillies : pour les missions de reconnaissance, de surveillance, d’acquisition du renseignement, les capteurs de l’Atlantique 2 et les caméras de la nacelle RECO NG des Rafale confirment leurs hautes performances. L’endurance des vecteurs, la diversité des capteurs et les capacités d’analyse du personnel français participent au bon développement de la « connaissance de situation » (Situation Awarness). Ils permettent de répondre aux demandes d’appui des forces de sécurité locales ou de frapper Daech en profondeur sur ses points névralgiques. Chammal : diversité et complémentarité du pilier appui Après un processus de ciblage rigoureux et forts d’un contrôle national intransigeant, les armées françaises contribuent de manière significative aux frappes de la coalition sous diverses formes : Par des frappes préparées, dans la profondeur du théâtre irakien ou syrien, en visant des objectifs d’importance vitale pour Daech comme une usine de véhicules piégés ou des sites de trafics illégaux, sources de financement pour les terroristes. Les missiles de croisière SCALP sont régulièrement utilisés à cet effet. Par des frappes en appui des forces locales de sécurité : soit à la demande, sur l’ensemble des lignes de contact grâce aux chasseurs Rafale, ponctuellement grâce à l’Atlantique 2, soit en permanence mais sur une zone plus restreinte, en appui direct des unités environnantes grâce aux canons CAESAR. Ils permettent la détection, le contrôle et la surveillance de l’ensemble des mouvements aériens alliés grâce à la puissance du système d’armes de l’E-3F (AWACS) déployé au Qatar, aéronef à haute valeur ajoutée (HVAA) qui dépasse régulièrement les dix heures de vol après un ravitaillement en vol. Car la plupart de ces moyens disposent d’une endurance accrue grâce au ravitailleur en vol C135-FR déployé au Emirats-Arabes-Unis. Le « doyen » de ces capacités CHAMMAL continue de contribuer à un engagement dans la durée des différents effecteurs sur la zone de combat. La complémentarité des capacités françaises déployées au Levant permet de démultiplier et de combiner les effets pour assurer l’efficacité des appuis dans la lutte engagée contre Daech. Cette diversité illustre bien l’engagement et la forte implication des forces CHAMMAL au sein de la coalition.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1712

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Location

الحمدان, Al Hamdan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.484628, 40.896606 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Free Deir Ezzor, there were “a number of wounded in the village of Hamdan” following Coalition airstrikes.

Both Al Bukamal Mutassil al Aan and Souriyati reported that seven civilians were wounded in al Hamdan and also pointed towards the Coalition.

No additional details are presently known for this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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-Hamdan, Albu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU741175
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On January 10th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, 19 strikes [3 British] engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS supply route, four ISIS vehicles, three control and command centers, a recoilless rifle, two logistics centers, an indirect fire weapon and a VBIED.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Wednesday 10 January – a Reaper hit three terrorist targets in eastern Syria, whilst Tornados destroyed an armed truck…The following day [January 10th], another Reaper worked closely with coalition surveillance aircraft and fast jets in a series of strikes in support of the SDF advance. Our aircraft supported coalition air attacks on a Daesh-held building and a mortar position, and conducted three attacks with its own Hellfire missiles, destroying an armed truck parked under cover of a vehicle shelter, and hitting two groups of terrorists on foot. A flight of Tornado GR4s also took part in this operation, and targeted an armed truck positioned within a compound; the use of a Brimstone missile allowed the vehicle to be destroyed without posing a risk to nearby buildings.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1771a

Incident date

June 13, 2018

Location

البوكمال, near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.47537, 40.95456 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unreported incident, in the US-led Coalition’s August 2018 report, it conceded it had injured one civilian during a raid on an ISIS “supply route” near Abu Kamal.

The coordinates provided by the Coalition locate the incident East of the Euphrates river, in an area labelled Ash Shājilah (ناحية سوسة) on open source maps.

The Coalition’s assessment might relate to incident CS1771, which occurred in nearby (السوسة) Al Soussa on the same day. However, without further information, Airwars cannot determine a positive match.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

  • Military Grid Reference (100 x 100 m) given by the US-led Coalition

    Date taken:
    June 21, 2011

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected 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
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU795166
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 30, 2018
  • June 13, 2018, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh supply route, one civilian was unintentionally injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On June 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of seven engagements against Daesh targets.
Near Abu Kamal, four strikes destroyed two Daesh vehicles, one Daesh supply route and damaged one Daesh vehicle.
Near Al Shadaddi, three strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, and destroyed one Daesh tactical vehicle, one Daesh line of communication and one Daesh headquarters.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Weekly overview of Defense operations News item 13-06-2018 | 12:00 In the fight against terrorist organization ISIS, Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during 11 missions. This happened over the provinces of Deir Ezzor and Al Hasakah in eastern Syria. No weapons were deployed on any of the missions.

Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 13-06-2018 | 12:00 In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 11 missies. Dat gebeurde boven de provincies Deir al Zour en Al Hasakah in Oost-Syrië. Bij geen van de missies zijn wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 6 juni tot en met 12 juni 2018. Analisten van het 306 Squadron (in oprichting) analyseerden deze week voor het eerst live beelden uit het Midden-Oosten. Op Vliegbasis Leeuwarden werden beelden van een operationele vlucht met een onbemand vliegtuig verwerkt. Van de verzamelde informatie maakt de eenheid inlichtingenrapporten. Militaire instructeurs in Irak leren Koerdische strijders gebieden te beveiligen. Daarbij staan onder meer wapenhandelingen, medische verzorging, leiderschapstrainingen, oorlogsrecht en civiel-militaire samenwerking op het programma. De door de coalitie opgeleide instructeurs verzorgen een deel van de opleiding. Een Nederlands chirurgisch team opereert in een Amerikaans role 2-hospitaal in westelijk Irak. Het team werkt nauw samen met Noorse medici.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1937

Incident date

November 22, 2019

Location

حي اللطوة, Latwa neighbourhood, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor , Syria

Geolocation

35.0162094, 40.5101418 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was killed and one woman and five children from the same family injured after an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted their home in Al Latwa neighbourhood of the town of Dhiban, Deir Ezzor governorate, on November 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. Two members of the SDF were also reported killed and another five wounded.

Euphrates Post reported that the house of civilian Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi was hit by the alleged International Coalition airstrike, which killed him and injured his wife. The Euphrates correspondent added that two SDF soldiers were also killed in the incident.

According to Halab Today, “The SDF arrested at least 20 people in the town, including civilians and former ISIS operatives, during a series of raids in the town’s al-Latwa neighbourhood.” The source added that Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi “had tried to prevent SDF members from raiding his house, which led to his death”.

Jesr Press also said that “there was a verbal altercation with members of the patrol which developed into a  shooting. Khalid opened a bomb and threw it on the elements [of the SDF], injuring five of them”.

Xeber24 said: “Activists added that the landing operation, which took place on Friday morning (November 22nd), involved three US Apache helicopters, a war fighter and two reconnaissance planes, during which clashes took place between the gunmen in Al-Lattwa neighborhood in Theban town and SDF fighters.”

Jesr Press added that the victim was killed the day after his wedding: “Khaled Mahmoud al-Hussein, a native of Theban, was working in Qatar before the Syrian revolution. He returned to his home town two months ago to get married, and then intended to return to Qatar to continue his work. He celebrated his wedding on Thursday. he was killed today [Nov 22nd0 although he did not participate in any armed activity.”

Additionally, Step said that  Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi’s “wife and five of his children were wounded” in the operation.

AA reported: “A coalition statement said on Saturday that ground and air operations continued in Deir ez-Zor on Friday, including airdrops, which resulted in the neutralization of many ISIS elements and the injury of others (without giving a specific number).

“The statement said that ‘special forces from several countries in the coalition participated in the clearance of ISIS positions’ in the province, and the arrest of many of its fighters, as well as the confiscation of ‘a significant amount’ of light weapons, hand explosives and ammunition”.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Adult female first name unknown injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured
Child of Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Hussein
Child injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–6
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the house of Khalid Al Hamoud Al Hammadi in Al Latwa neighbourhood of Dhiban town, Deir Ezzor, on November 22nd, 2019 (via Euphrates Post on Facebook).
  • Khaled Al Hamoud al-Hammadi Husse (via Jesr Press)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike within the Latwa neighbourhood (حي اللطوة) in the village of Diban (ذيبان) for which the generic coordinates are: 35.0162094, 40.5101418. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU388738
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Nov. 22, 2019, in Diban, Syria via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2888 37SFU388738

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–6
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (19) [ collapse]