US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

CI477

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al-Jadid / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.33164, 43.10481 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local and press sources said that four civilians were killed and twelve to sixteen others were injured, mostly children and women, when Coalition airstrikes targeted a residential building in the west of Mosul.

While Iraqi Spring spoke of “Coalition” airstrikes, the other sources blamed the US more specifically.

In two later posts, Iraqi Spring shared photos showing the huge destruction of buildings and several dead and wounded. It apologized for not including “for not showing all photos as they are shocking.” It spoke of US government aircraft.

The US-led alliance accepted responsibility for five deaths in the event in September 2018. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on
ISIS fighting positions, VBIED facilities and an explosive factory, five 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
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–16
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Several images of the alleged incident

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images of the victims

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3323266, 43.1050515

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
    5
  • Stated location
    near Mosul al-Jadidah (New Mosul), Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF299224
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • February 23, 2017, near Mosul al-Jadidah (New Mosul), Iraq, via Airwars report. During a strike on ISIS fighting positions, VBIED facilities and an explosive factory, five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 22nd – 23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three mortar systems, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIED factories, a supply cache, a fighting position, a front-end loader, an excavator, a dump truck, a generator trailer, a weapons cache and a vehicle; damaged 15 supply routes and three tunnels; and suppressed 17 mortar teams and an artillery team.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–16
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1663

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Location

باغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.41036, 40.96066 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or more civilians died in an airstrike on al Baghouz, according to local media. While most sources pointed towards the Coalition, one said that it was unclear whether Russia had been responsible. The US-led alliance later admitted killing five civilians in the event.

According to Al Hal, “Coalition forces also raided al-Bagouz village in the same countryside, killing four civilians and injuring more than 20 others, mostly women and children”.

Euphrates Post also blamed the Coalition, reporting that “there were four deaths and a number of wounded, with a whole family are still under the rubble, following a terrible massacre as a result of air strikes believed to be by the International coalition”. The source named victims.

It was reported that “a number of charred bodies and a whole family who are still under the rubble at the home of Eid al-Daham.”

Al Bukamal is Being Slaughtered reported a bombing on “the house of Riad Mohammed al-Daham al-Rahbi.” It proceeded to say: “We received news that they had in their house a guest Saleh Obeid al Khalaf al Marsoumi and he died under the rubble with the family.”

However, according to Al Bukamal news, it was “unknown whether the bombing was by Russia or the Coalition.”

It should also be noted that on November 3rd and 4th, locals reported that they had come under attack from “Iraqi shelling.”

In its November 2018 casualty report the Coalition admitted responsibility for five deaths, noting that ” Coalition aircraft conducted multiple airstrikes targeting identified ISIS personnel and equipment. Unfortunately, during one of the strikes, five 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.

The victims were named as:

Sulaiman Saleh al Obeid al Khalaf
Adult male killed
The child Hassan Ali al-Aboud
Child male killed
Ali Saleh al-Obeid
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Suleiman Al - Saleh Al - Obeid, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghous, November 2nd 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 34.4111111, 40.9611111

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
    5
  • Stated location
    near Al-Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU802094
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 29, 2018

  • On Nov. 2, 2017, near Al-Baghouz, Syria, via Airwars report Coalition aircraft conducted multiple airstrikes targeting identified ISIS personnel and equipment. Unfortunately, during one of the strikes, five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 2nd-3rd: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS line of communication. Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS line of communication, a VBIED factory and an ISIS headquarters.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI235

Incident date

April 30, 2016

Location

الموصل, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35397, 43.09201 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 CENTCOM later confirmed the deaths of five civilians in a US strike in Mosul.

Their November 2016 report noted: “during a strike against ISIL military leadership, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest 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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF288249
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • April 30, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, against ISIL military leadership, it is assessed that five civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

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

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI487

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Location

وادي حجر, Mosul, Wadi Hajar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3241, 43.127258 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed the deaths of five civilians in an event in Mosul while survivors’ accounts add that at least three others were severely injured in the airstrikes.

Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

An investigation by the New York Times uncovered more details that “following orders from ISIS to evacuate their West Mosul neighborhood, two brothers, Majid Mahmoud Ahmed and Firas Mahmoud Ahmed, were driving with their families in two cars across town. At the same time, coalition forces were monitoring surveillance video of the area, looking to strike what intelligence had indicated was an up-armored vehicle carrying a car bomb. An official mistakenly identified the brothers’ cars as those carrying car bombs, and the strike was authorized. “I remember there was a big explosion, and I fainted,” said Abdul Hakeem Abdullah Hamash al-Aqeedi, pictured above. The cars were passing his house when the weapon hit. He lost an eye and had a plate put into his left leg. His son, Mustafa Hakeem Abdullah, had his left leg amputated from the thigh down. His nephew, who had been a nursing-school student, lost four toes on his left foot and one on his right foot and still has shrapnel in his leg. The brothers and their family members in the cars were all killed.”

The coordinates provided to Airwars – 36.324100, 43.127258 placed this event at Wadi Hajar neighbourhood in Mosul. There were two additional claimed events in Mosul that day – including an event at nearby Rifai which killed five civilians – although based on this location being 4.6 km distant, this does appear to be a separate incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Majid Mahmoud Ahmed
male killed
Firas Mahmoud Ahmed
male killed

Family members (3)

Abdul Hakeem Abdullah Hamash al-Aqeedi
Adult male injured
Mustafa Hakeem Abdullah
male injured
Nephew of Abdul
male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Hakeem Abdullah Hamash al-Aqeedi, who lost an eye and had a plate put into his left leg after strikes on Mosul on February 25, 2017. (Image by the New York Times)

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
    5
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3189821524
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017

  • Feb. 25, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 24th-25th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS sniper unit; destroyed nine fighting positions, eight mortar systems, five ISIS-held buildings, four command and control nodes, three VBIED facilities, three tactical vehicles, two vehicles, two artillery systems, two anti-air artillery systems, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a UAV storage facility, a front-end loader, a VBIED staging area and a supply cache; damaged 12 supply routes and four ISIS-held buildings; and suppressed 22 mortars and an artillery system.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1136

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Location

الحصين, Hossain, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.96195, 39.76632 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of five or six, including three or four children, were killed following Coalition airstrikes on Al Hossain in Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. The event was later reported to be likely either a French or Belgian airstrike – though the United States subsequently accepted blame.

The Syrian Network initially put the death toll at six while claiming the event happened a day earlier: “Six civilians from the same family including 4 children and a woman, IDPs from Deir Ez-Zour, killed in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on al Hussain village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs, June 30, 2017.”

Thirteen sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible, whereas the remainder did not apportion blame.

In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a Daesh command structure. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strike locations.” The Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this event accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The following month, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon excluded this event and thirteen others for 2017 and 2018, with two senior officials with close knowledge of the report confirming to Airwars that all non-US actions had been left out.

In March 2020, Airwars, Liberation and De Morgen published a joint investigation revealing that Belgium and France were refusing to accept responsibility for civilian harm in several events, most likely including this incident – despite all other allies ruling themselves out.

Asked to say whether its aircraft were responsible for officially declared civilian harm in up to nine incidents, the Belgian Ministry of Defence told Airwars by email: “For the year 2017, BAF [Belgian Armed Forces] was certainly not involved in all events. With regard to the other data given, BAF was no longer present in theatre. BAF completed its role at the end of 2017. Our conclusion is that all ROEs [rules of engagement] were respected as confirmed by our federal court.”

After confirming receipt from Airwars in June 2019 of details of possible French civilian casualty events, the defence ministry then ceased communication – refusing to answer all subsequent emails.

In May 2020, in its third annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon now appeared to be confirming that its forces had carried out this action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Ahmed Hussein al Hamad
Adult male killed
Bara’a Saleh Jadaan
Adult female killed
Hadil Ahmed Hussein al Hamad
Child male killed
Amina Ahmed Hussein al Hamad
Child female killed
Raweya Ahmed Hussein al Hamad
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3–4 children1 woman1 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Rawia and Hadeel Al-Hamd in Al-Husain, killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Hossain, 1st July 2017. (via SN4HR)
  • 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 village at 35.961944, 39.767222

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
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Hossain, Dier ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV691800
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019

  • July 1, 2017, near Hossain, Dier ez Zor, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a Daesh command structure. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strike locations.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 30th-July 1st, the Coalition reported: ” Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed six ISIS oil tanks, three well heads and two oil trucks.” It additionally reported that “On June 30, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four ISIS-held buildings, two command and control nodes and three oil stills.”

For July 1st-2nd: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed 20 ISIS oil storage barrels and six oil tankers.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3–4 children1 woman1 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI826

Incident date

August 10, 2017

Location

تل عفر, Tal Afar, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3866, 42.47141 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 five civilians in an event near Tal Afar, Iraq.

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

The Coalition’s report only mentions the vicinity of the town of Tal Afar (تل عفر), for which the coordinates are: 36.375659, 42.451536. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The Coalition later released the MGRS for this incident, placing it at 36.3866, 42.47141

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
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Tal Afar, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF732298
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • Aug. 10, 2017 near Tal Afar, Iraq via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 9th-10th, the Coalition reported: “Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building and a vehicle” and “Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1708

Incident date

January 9, 2018

Location

North east of Mayadeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.09345, 40.74542 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 announced on March 28th 2018 that it had killed five civilians in an event “near Abu Kamal, Syria”.

According to the official release, ” During a Coalition strike which killed an ISIS leader, approximately 10 ISIS terrorists and destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device within vicinity of Coalition partner forces it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Airwars researchers were unable to identify any local claims of civilian harm for that date. However the site Vedeng did note heavy clashes: “Meanwhile, there are at the moment violent battles between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the International Coalition forces on the one hand, and members of Daesh on the other hand inside Soor in eastern Deir Ezzor, where the [SDF] fighters made significant progress inside the town in addition to the destruction of an explosive vehicle for the organization.

In a related context, SDF forces were able to control the town of Granig fully after clashes with elements of the Islamic State, coinciding with raids by international coalition aircraft targeting the town and the vicinity of Hajin city in Abu Kamal.”

The military grid reference provided to Airwars by the US-led Coalition, accurate to within a 100 metre box, suggested a location approximately 20km north east of Mayadeen.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ 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
    5
  • Stated location
    Near Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU591848
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 27, 2018

  • Jan. 9, 2018 near Abu Kamal, Syria via self-report. During a Coalition strike which killed an ISIS leader, approximately 10 ISIS terrorists and destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device within vicinity of Coalition partner forces it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, 26 strikes engaged 25 ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS vehicles, a fighting position and a logistics center.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1687 RS2771

Incident date

November 30, 2017

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.91443, 40.5851 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians died, and 14 were wounded in an airstrike on Daranj, local media said, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia.

In January 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing at Coalition partner forces. Regrettably, while the ISIS mortar team was destroyed, one of the munitions struck near a residential area injuring 14 civilians and five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Al Sharq News reported the death of five civilians in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Daranj. The victims were identified by name.

Syria News Desk noted clashes in the area, reporting that SDF militias announced their control over the town of Daranj in the eastern suburb of Deir ez Zawr after heavy fighting with Daesh.

Asharq Al Souri network, Step News Agency Al Jisr TV all blamed the Coalition.

However, according to Al Haal, this was the work of Russia. It said that four civilians including one woman died and that 14 others – mostly women and children – were wounded.

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

The incident was first reported on November 30, 2017 at 9:30 am by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hussein Obaid Al Issa
Adult male via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Yusuf Hussein Obaid Al Issa
Child male via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed

The victims were named as:

Bashar Al Saher
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Ahmed Mohammed Al Obeid Al Issa
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Maher Fawaz Al Rafie
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows the moment of the airstrike by alleged coalition on Daranj, Deir Ez-Zor on November 30, 2017 (via Salamah AL hussein tweet)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Daranj (درنج), for which the coordinates are: 34.918333, 40.581389 Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 34.57888, 40.93441

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
    5
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    14
  • Stated location
    near Darnaj, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU448647
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 31, 2019

  • Nov. 30, 2017 near Darnaj, Syria via self-report. Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing at Coalition partner forces. Regrettably, while the ISIS mortar team was destroyed, one of the munitions struck near a residential area injuring 14 civilians and five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a tactical vehicle, two ISIS watercraft, a heavy weapon, five ISIS vehicles and four supply routes.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]