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

CI534

Incident date

March 11, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Old city, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34075, 43.126911 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that dozens of civilians were killed or injured during the last two days due to different types of shelling in downtown/central Mosul. It was reported that many of the injured had no access to medical treatment and that people were unable to leave their homes, which were damaged by the bombings.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

The incident report mentions multiple neighbourhoods in old Mosul but does not identify where the casualties occurred. The coordinates for the neighbourhoods are as follows: Sarqhana (السرجخانة) midpoint 36.342500, 43.130556; Farouk (الفاروق) midpoint 36.3431411, 43.1257262; Maydan (المیدان) midpoint: 36.335556, 43.125; Ras al Kor (راس الكور) midpoint: 36.3468977, 43.129921. Airwars’ assessment uses the generic coordinates for Old Mosul.

  • Old Mosul, including Maydan (الميدان)

  • Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 10th-11th: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, an ISIS heavy machine gun team and an ISIS sniper team; destroyed six fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two VBIEDs, two VBIED factories, two mortar systems, a command and control node, a tactical vehicle, a roadblock, a supply cache, and an ISIS-held building; damaged eight supply routes and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed 17 ISIS mortar teams and ten ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI028

Incident date

January 11, 2015

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.7977836, 43.2935143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source claimed that a coalition strike on the town of Qayyarah near Mosul killed and injured “dozens.”

 

The incident occured between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention five houses were targeted in the city Qayyarah before 18:00 local time, no specific neighbourhoods were mentioned. The location for the midpoint of Qayyarah ( القيارة) is: 35.7977836, 43.2935143

  • The city of Qayyarah ( القيارة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 Qayyarah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE458628
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 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

The coalition reported heavy strikes in the vicnity of Mosul for January 10th-11th 2015: “Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL tactical unit, and a large ISIL unit and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle, five ISIL vehicles, and 21 ISIL boats.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI661

Incident date

April 23, 2017

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375659, 42.451536 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single local source reported that dozens of civilians were killed and injured after Coalition airstrikes allegedly hit Tal Afar city, West of Mosul.

According to Yaqein, “dozens of civilians were killed and wounded on Monday in a raid by coalition warplanes in the district of Tal Afar west of the city of Mosul, the province of Nineveh, as part of military operations launched by the aircraft supported by the Popular Populist militia and international coalition aircraft on the outskirts of Nineveh. A news source said in a statement that “F16 aircraft of the joint forces carried out an air strike targeted the district of Tal Afar west of the city of Mosul, Benin. The raid resulted in the death and wounding of dozens of civilians who have not been counted so far,” the source said. The source pointed out that “the operation was based on intelligence cell information coming from Nineveh.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 Tal Afar, Iraq
    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. (1363)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 22nd-23rd 2017, the Coalition reported: “Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS fuel truck.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI690

Incident date

May 5, 2017

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agrarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3507344, 43.0868769 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media sources said – based on a statement issued by the Al Amaq (ISIL) press agency – that Coalition and Iraqi Air Force airstrikes hit several neighbourhoods in West Mosul, killing 24 civilians and injuring 75 others.

A local resident reported that Azzawi Haj Hamid was among the deadly victims in Agrarian Reform neighbourhood. He was allegedly killed in “indiscriminate shelling” on the neighbourhood in West Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Azzawi Haj Hamid
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    75
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Azzawi Haj Hamid, who died in alleged raids on Agrarian Reform neighbourhood in West Mosul (via Alsyed Falah Al Sted, Facebook)
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
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and a sniper team; destroyed nine mortar systems, nine fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, two tactical vehicles, two ISIS-held buildings, an anti-air artillery system, an artillery system, a command and control node, a VBIED, an ISIS bridge, a front-end loader, a weapons cache, a rocket system a VBIED factory; damaged 23 ISIS supply routes, three fighting positions; and suppressed six mortar teams.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    75
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1691 RS2781

Incident date

December 5, 2017

Location

الجردي, Al Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.884892, 40.635273 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 24 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Jarthi town, local media reported – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources, however, attributed the event to Moscow.

According to Al Haal, “Abu Hassan al-Khalifa (a resident of the town) told al-Hal, that the Russian warplanes targeted the two towns of Al Jarthi Al Sharqi [Eastern] and Al Jarthi al Gharbi [Western], with more than 9 raids, killing 17 civilians, mostly women and children, wounding more than 20 others.”

Al Jisr TV, citing local sources, reported that “[Russian] fighters targeted with rockets a residential complex, and then returned to target a car that tried to aid the wounded”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights was alone in blaming the Coalition, putting the number killed at “at least 7 civilians, including 2 children and a woman”.

According to the Euphrates Post, “there were more than 15 martyrs and a number of wounded as a result of military aircraft targeting the town of al-Jarthi al-Sharqi [al Jarthi East]. A van carrying civilians in Al Jarthi al Gharbi [al Jarthi West] was struck last night [Dec 5th]. Most of the victims are from the town of al-Duyer, including the family of Ali al-Shakil al-Hamad. The father, son and grandfather died, in addition to three people from al Jarthi itself.

Step News Agency blamed Russia, initially putting the death toll at 14. It later said that the number killed had risen to 23, of which 13 were from one family. It added that “dozens more” were injured. 

The Syrian Observatory also pointed towards Russia, initially reporting that 14 people died including six children and women, with 10 more wounded, “during Russia’s support of operations by the SDF east of the Euphrates River”. A further report by the Observatory said that the death toll had risen to 24, of which 10 were children and four were women.

The Smart News Agency also said that the strikes were “likely” Russian.

Qasioun appeared to blame the regime, putting the death toll at 20 with another 30 wounded.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Family members (1)

Family members (2)

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 24
  • (10 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Jarthi town, Dec 5th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Jarthi, 5th December 2017. (via Euphrates Post‎)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a building in the village of Al Jarthi al Sharqi (الجردي الشرقي), for which the coordinates are: 34.8687930, 40.6480229. Satellite imagery analysis geolocated the image of a destroyed house posted on social media by Euphrates Post. Before (Dec. 03, 2017) and after (Dec. 26, 2017) images showed visible structural damage. Airwars does not have the rights to publish the images. The exact coordinates for the destroyed building are 34.884892, 40.635273. Further evidence of this can be seen in a separate video posted on Twitter by @Al_sharqnews

  • The location of the destroyed building in the village of Al Jarthi al Sharqi (الجردي الشرقي), shown in the Euphrates Post and the @Al_Sharqnews video. Airwars geolocated these two sources to 34.884892, 40.635273

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Panorama from the video posted by @Al_Sharqnews

    Date taken:
    December 6, 2017

    Imagery:
    https://twitter.com/Al_sharqnews/status/938401362211155973

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al-Jarthi, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU494361498
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Dec. 5, 2017, near al-Jarthi, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 2554/S1488 37SFU494361498

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS fighting position.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 24
  • (10 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI662

Incident date

April 23, 2017

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3502851, 43.1098795 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two sources reported that dozens of civilians from three families died when ‘joint forces aircraft’ (either the Coalition or the Coalition with ISF aircraft) hit Zanjili neighbourhood in West Mosul.

Al Jazeera said that “local sources reported that dozens of members of three families were killed in the bombing of the Zanjili district of Mosul.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ 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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Zinjili, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF308246
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 22nd-23rd 2017, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed six mortar systems, four fighting positions, four rocket-propelled grenade systems, three ISIS vehicles, two front-end loaders, two ISIS watercraft, one weapons cache, and a tunnel; damaged 11 ISIS supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1807

Incident date

October 10, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source alleged that several dozen prisoners being held by Islamic State were killed when their prison was struck by the US-led Coalition or its allies the SDF.

The Facebook site Exiles of the Euphrates claimed the following: “An old and sly policy of Daesh – when you want to lose a village or a town which has a prison in it, you place a big flag or a gun on the prison [roof] so it gets fired on and this way you get rid of all the prisoners without having to worry about transporting them or stopping them from running away. This is what they did in Mosul and in other Iraqis towns and in Raqqa and al Mayadeen. Yesterday they repeated this  same game in Al Soussa, which led to the death of dozens of prisoners which Daesh was holding. We count them with God as martyrs.”

Airwars researchers can presently find no additional sources for this claim.

In the second of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU805225
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Oct. 10, 2018, in Al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3196/CS1807 37SFU805225

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

"On Oct. 10 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 33 strikes consisting of 50 engagements against ISIS targets. Near Abu Kamal, 33 strikes engaged 18 tactical units, and destroyed 15 fighting positions, 11 mortars, two command and control centers, one tech vehicle, and two vehicle-borne IEDs. "

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

[For October 3rd-10th, Dutch F-16s supported ground troops in Syria during nine missions. Weapons were deployed during two missions. The weapons deployment took place in the province of Deir Ezzor, in the vicinity of Abu Kamal. ISIS weapons, a logistics warehouse and ISIS fighters targeted.]

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 10-10-2018 | 12:00 Nederlandse F-16’s ondersteunden tijdens 9 missies grondtroepen in Syrië. Dit gebeurde in het kader van de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS. Tijdens 2 missies werden wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 3 tot 10 oktober 2018. De wapeninzet gebeurde in de provincie Deir al Zour, in de omgeving van Abu Kamal. ISIS-wapenopstellingen, een logistieke opslagplaats en ISIS-strijders waren het doelwit. Irak Nederlandse militairen geven momenteel de ‘bataljonstraining’ aan Koerdische eenheden in de omgeving van Erbil, Irak. Dat geldt ook voor een instructeursopleiding en een training voor het beveiligen van grote gebieden. Samen met Finse militairen wordt een leiderschapstraining voorbereid, die op korte termijn start. In de omgeving van Bagdad ondersteunen Nederlandse trainers het Speciale Operaties Trainings Centrum. Defensie levert ook een chirurgisch team voor het Amerikaanse Role 2-hospitaal. Hier werken de Nederlanders nauw samen met Deense en Britse medici.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For October 10-16th, France report that the three CAESAR guns of Task Force Wagram carried out, from Iraqi territory, 28 firing missions (lighting, smoke, harassment, destruction). Aircraft made 18 sorties and carried out two airstrikes, north of Abu Kamal in Syria. Totals for Iraq and Syria since Sept 19th 2014: 8564 sorties, 1464 strikes, 2256 targets ‘neutralised’.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, se poursuit. La progression est rendue difficile car Daech, qui a organisé sa défense, notamment grâce à de très nombreux engins explosifs improvisés, profite des conditions météo actuelles. Celles-ci réduisent les capacités de frappe aérienne de la coalition. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué en volume. Les TF Wagram, Monsabert et Narvik ont été relevées. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Cette semaine, compte tenu des conditions météo, c’est l’appui sol-sol qui a été privilégié. Les trois canons CAESAR de la TF Wagram ont ainsi réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 28 missions de tir (éclairement, fumigène, harcèlement, destruction – bilan du 10 au 16 octobre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 1975 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 10 au 16 octobre inclus) et conduit deux frappes en appui des FDS au nord d’Abou Kamal en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8564 sorties / 1464 frappes / 2256 objectifs neutralisés. Formation des militaires Irakiens : lutte contre les engins explosifs improvisés (IED) Trois militaires français servent aux côtés de trois Britanniques et d’un Néerlandais au sein d’un laboratoire d’exploitation contre-IED de premier niveau à Besmayah, ville située à une vingtaine de kilomètres à l’est de Bagdad. Leur tâche consiste à analyser les IED découverts par l’armée irakienne. Ils réalisent également des actions de formation au profit des militaires irakiens. Un lieutenant irakien a ainsi été formé aux techniques permettant, après avoir découvert des engins explosifs improvisés, d’en tirer des informations sur les savoir-faire de l’ennemi. Une sensibilisation a été dispensée au personnel de la police fédérale qui est confrontée, au quotidien, à la découverte d’engins explosifs improvisés. L’exploitation des IED découverts par les forces de sécurité irakiennes permet d’obtenir des renseignements utiles pour démanteler les réseaux terroristes comme pour adapter la protection des forces partenaires.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS365

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Location

الهيشةة, Al Hīshah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.35291, 39.01692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 24 civilians were killed in attacks – possibly carried out by both SDF and Coalition – according to local sources.

Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered initially reported 7 victims killed “in the international coalition raids and Kurdish militia artillery.” It later released an updated casualty assessment, counting 23 victims as victims of “a massacre committed by the international coalition.” RBSS identified 16.

Local Coordination Committees in Syria reported a lower total in the village of 9 and attributed their deaths to SDF forces. The Syrian Network also reported shelling, describing the incident as a “massacre.” The Syrian Observatory blamed the Coalition and put the final death toll at 20, including 9 women and 2 chidlren. It noted clashes in the area between the SDF and ISIL.It cited an eyewitness: ““We were sitting in our houses in the village of al-Haisha as we used to hear the sounds of the coalition warplanes flying over the town. After a few minutes the warplanes targeted the village with missiles leading to massive explosions, the inhabitants ran with their children into shelters, some of them just left their houses without knowing where to go when the coalition warplanes targeted them again leading to the death of one whole family.”

Step News Agency confirmed a total of 23 civilians killed, but claimed they were victims of both SDF artillery and Coalition aircraft “during the past three days.” Masar Press placed the final toll at 24 killed.

In a statement issued January 2nd 2017 the Coalition stated: “Nov. 8, 2016, near Al Heisha or Ayn Issa, Syria: Insufficient information provided or available to assess the credibility of the reported civilian casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (3)

Age unknown female Ali Khalaf's wife killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (3)

Age unknown male Family name unknown killed
Age unknown female Family name unknown killed
Age unknown female Family name unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female Wife of Ali Mahmoud killed
Age unknown female Family name unknown killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 24
  • (2–6 children5–9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Abd al Khalaf al Saleh's son (via RBSS)
  • Civilians fleeing after the air strike (via RBSS)
  • Saja Ammar Ayed al Habboud (via RBSS)
  • Saja Ammar Ayed al Habboud (via SNHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the air strike (via RBSS)
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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Heisha or Ayn Issa, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • Insufficient information provided or available to assess the credibility of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 7th-8th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Raqqa but reported “Near Ayn Isa, 15 strikes engaged seven ISIL tactical units, destroyed five fighting positions, three vehicles, two bridges, an artillery system, and damaged three supply routes.”

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 24
  • (2–6 children5–9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (25) [ collapse]