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

CS1644

Incident date

April 19, 2018

Location

حارة البدو, Al Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961778, 39.006083 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that two civilians were killed as a result of SDF shelling on the town of Al Soussa at night.

A number of sources identified the two casualties who, according to a tweet by Deir Ezzor 24, were hit by “missile shelling” from SDF forces stationed at “the Omar oil field”. A tweet by Deir Ezzor Now specified that the woman was the wife of Mohammed Khashan Al Naiem’s brother.

All sources identify the SDF as the culprit. However, some sources make mention of SDF “artillery” and “shelling”. At present, it is unclear whether or not SDF has access to artillery, indicating a possible Coalition action. Other reports from the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Baladi specified that the SDF fired projectiles via a missile launcher on Al Soussa. Deir Ezzor Now instead reported that the damage was the result of “rocket-propelled grenades”.

In the first 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 no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time. This event was previously erroneously dated to October 2017.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger
Age unknown male killed
Alia Mohammed Hilal
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU797230
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • Apr. 19, 2018, in Al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3161/CS1644 37SFU797230

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 19th, the Coalition reported that “On April 19 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against Daesh targets.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1746

Incident date

April 19, 2018

Location

سوسة, Al Soussa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that two civilians were killed as a result of ‘SDF shelling’ on the town of Al Soussa at night.

A number of sources identified the two casualties as Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger and Alia Mohammed Hilal who, according to a tweet by Deir Ezzor 24, were hit by “missile shelling” from SDF forces stationed at “the Omar oil field”. A tweet by Deir Ezzor Now specified that the woman was the wife of Mohammed Khashan Al Naiem’s brother.

All sources identify the SDF as the culprit. However, some sources make mention of SDF “artillery” and “shelling”. The SDF had no access to artillery, indicating a possible Coalition action.

Other reports from the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Baladi specified that the SDF fired projectiles via a missile launcher on Al Soussa. Deir Ezzor Now instead reported that the damage was the result of “rocket-propelled grenades”.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger
Adult male killed
Alia Mohammed Hilal
Adult female Wife of Mohammed Khashan Al Naiem’s brother killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'The killing of both: _ Mohammed Khashan Al Najem Al Dagger _ Alya Mohammed Alhilal, wife of Hassan Khashan Al Najem After the rocket attack that targeted the town of # Sousse last night, the source of which was the oil field controlled by the coalition forces and SDF forces.'

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Soussa (سوسة), of which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 34.528889, 40.9675

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 19th, the Coalition reported that “On April 19 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against Daesh targets.
Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed five Daesh-held buildings.”

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For April 18th-24th the Netherlands reports that its F-16s flew 9 missions to support ground troops, including in the Iraqi province of Al Hasakeh. Weapons were deployed during one mission when F-16s attacked ISIS fighters in support of ground troops in the area of Abu Kamal in Deir Ezzor, Syria.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 25-04-2018 | 12:00 De Explosieven Opruimingsdienst Defensie (EOD) maakte meer dan 60 explosieven onschadelijk. Veel meldingen waren afkomstig van boeren die hun akkers omploegden en daarbij op oude explosieven stuitten. Ook maakte de EOD handgranaten in Nieuwegein onschadelijk. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 18 tot en met 24 april 2018. EOD-militairen bereiden het springen van gevonden munitie voor (april 2014). Met hulp van de explosievenopruimingsdienst maakte duikvaartuig Hydra een zeemijn (MK17) en een bom onschadelijk voor de Zeeuwse kust. De maritieme tak van de EOD rukte 9 keer uit in Noord-Nederland. Midden-Oosten Nederlandse F-16’s vielen ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen ISIS-strijders aan. Dat gebeurde in de omgeving van Abu Kamal in de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië. De jachtvliegtuigen ondersteunden grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies, waaronder in de provincie Al Hasakeh in Irak. In 1 geval werden wapens ingezet. Nederlandse instructeurs gaven cursussen aan militairen in Irak. Zij leren onder meer grote gebieden te beveiligen en krijgen bataljonsstaf- en infanterietrainingen. De trainingen zijn bijna afgerond. Aansluitend ontvangen de cursisten hun certificaat. De instructeurs verzorgen de opleidingen met collega’s van partnerlanden. Een Nederlands chirurgisch team opereert in een Amerikaans role 2-hospitaal in westelijk Irak. Het team werkt nauw samen met Britse medici.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1745

Incident date

April 17, 2018

Location

Al Sarajiya village near Abu Hamda, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

35.993563, 40.994453 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported on the deaths of up to eleven civilians as a result of strikes carried out by Coalition helicopters in an area east of the city of Al Shadadi.

According to Euphrates Post “a massacre” took place after a bombardment on a prison in the town of Abu Hamda. The report put the initial civilian death toll at eleven. The media outlet also stated that US helicopters carried out “landing attempts” – as did most other sources. All reports blamed the Coalition for the casualties.

An Al Khabout correspondent quoted sources from inside the villages, who confirmed that an “Apache aircraft” used “heavy machine guns” to target an ISIS HQ which resulted in “martyrs and wounded among the villagers”. The same sources stated that Coalition forces arrested four people who were allegedly taken to the US base in the city of Shaddadi.

The report of Coalition bombardments on a prison was reiterated by Zamanalwasl and Al Jisr TV. However, both media outlets stated that 8 civilians were killed and a number of others injured in the village of al Sarajiya, east of Abu Hamda.

The lowest fatal tally, 3, was reported by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

The incident was first reported on April 17, 2018 at 3:00 pm by .

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Abu Hamda (أبو حامضة), Hasakah governorate, for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 35.993563, 40.994453 (or according to the Military Grid Reference System: 37S FV 78). 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al-Sarajiya Village, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018

  • April 17, 2018, near Al-Sarajiya Village, Syria, via Airwars. 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

For April 17th, the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in the Hasakah governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1744

Incident date

April 14, 2018

Location

العاليات, Al A’liat village, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.539811, 40.957417 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to two sources, three civilians were killed in an airstrike on the village of Al-A’liat in the Soussa district of Deir Ezzor governorate on April 14th.

Smart News and Fresh Online reported that an ISIS HQ in the village of Al A’liat near al Soussa was targeted by the Coalition. A local source told Smart News that the three civilians had been present at the facility, as they had been detained by ISIS on charges of drug abuse, statements against sharia law and pornography that was found on their phones.

According to both Smart News and Fresh Online, three ISIS members were allegedly also killed in the bombardment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al A’liat (العاليات), for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 34.539811, 40.957417. The alleged Coalition strike targeted an ISIS prison, the exact location of which is unknown

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-Aliat village, al-Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018

  • April 14, 2018, near Tal-Aliat village, al-Soussa, Syria, via Airwars. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 14th, the Coalition reported that “On April 14 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed three Daesh IED’s."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1743

Incident date

April 13, 2018

Location

Him Shanshar military installation, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.681389, 36.466111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were credibly reported injured as a result of British strikes on a military compound West of the city of Homs “in the early hours of Saturday”.

The United States, France and the US declared that they had participated in the strikes in Damascus and Homs. In its own regular strike reports the Coalition made no mention of either action – suggesting that they may have been unilateral attacks.

A second location (34.695000, 36.536944) was also suggested by Airwars geolocators after studying published imagery relating to the event.

A tweet by @Syriahr and a report by Dostor News, quoting the state-run news agency SANA, reported that “rockets targeted army warehouses” which were either deflected or missed their target. The subsequent explosion of one missile allegedly “led to the injury of three people”.

In an Assad government statement, clipped by BBC Arabic, the defense ministry spokesperson also makes mention of the three civilians wounded in the Homs strike.

Sky News shared aerial footage of the “Shinshar chemical weapon facility” before and after it was targeted by the airstrike. Euphrates Post shared similar footage, and stated that the military compound was “completely destroyed”.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Aerial footage of the "Shinshar chemical weapons facility" pictured after the strike (via Sky News)
  • Euphrates Post published a number of high quality satellite images of the strike locations.
  • Euphrates Post published a number of high quality satellite images of the strike locations.
  • Euphrates Post published a number of high quality satellite images of the strike locations.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Him Shanshar military installation: at (1) 34.695000, 36.536944 and (2) 34.681389, 36.466111. The Euphrates Post and Sky News published satellite imagery of the destruction, see above

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 Homs, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018

  • April 13, 2018, near Homs, Syria, via Airwars. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 13th, General Joseph F. Dunford stated during a press conference that “At 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, French, British and U.S. forces struck targets in Syria in support of President Trump’s objective to deter the future use of chemical weapons. Our forces were integrated throughout the planning and execution of the operation. […] The second target was a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs. We assessed that this was the primary location of Syrian sarin and precursor production equipment.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1742

Incident date

April 13, 2018

Location

Damascus, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, four civilians were killed in US-led bombardments on Al Barzah Scientific Research Facility in Damascus.

The strikes – confirmed as carried out by US, British and French aircraft – were not mentioned in the Coalition strike report for the week, indicating that these may have been unilateral actions.

Al Sura tweeted photos that were said to show the destruction of the research centre after “#US, #UK and #French cruise missile strikes.” The tweet went on to say that nearby residential buildings were hit, leading to the death of 4 civilians.

The state-run news agency SANA stated that although “only a few rockets succeeded in reaching their targets”, that the bombardment still caused “great damage to the structure and facilities of the Institute.” Nevertheless SANA made no mention of civilian harm.

Airwars researchers did not identify any other public reporting of civilian casualties relating to the strikes in the Al Barzah neighborhood. A spokesperson of the Syrian defense ministry publicly stated that “only buildings were damaged.”

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Apr. 13, 2018, near Damascus, Syria, via Airwars report. 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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Al Sura was the only source claiming civilian harm in this event.
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • Official Syrian media carried multiple images of the destroyed al Barzah facility - though made no mention of civilian harm (via SANA News)
  • An aerial photo of the damaged site published by Sky News, with no attribution.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known 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 Damascus, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018

  • Apr. 13, 2018, near Damascus, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 13th, General Joseph F. Dunford stated during a press conference that “At 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, French, British and U.S. forces struck targets in Syria in support of President Trump’s objective to deter the future use of chemical weapons. Our forces were integrated throughout the planning and execution of the operation. The first target was a scientific research center located in the greater Damascus area. This military facility was a Syrian center for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological warfare technology.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1741

Incident date

April 9, 2018

Location

تل الجاير, Tal al Jayer area, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.0393483, 41.1261177 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of a male civilian as a result of an alleged Coalition military action in the vicinity of Tal al Jayer, east of the city of Shaddadi in the southern countryside of Hasakah governorate.

An Al-Khabour correspondent stated that helicopters engaged in a “landing operation” near the Al Sheikh fuel station, allegedly targeting Iraqis and arresting three families, including women and children. According to the report, one civilian was killed in accompanying clashes between Coalition forces and so-called Islamic State. The correspondent reported that the victim, who was identified as Alaa al Barzan, who just “happened to be there”.

The death of the civilian was also reported by Syria News Station, a pro-regime outlet, which also made mention of a number of injured civilians. SNS stated that its sources “confirmed that the clashes resulted in the martyrdom of a civilian and injuring others from the Barzan family” after the “evacuation plan” of US helicopters at 11pm.

Damascus News Network reported that the event took place without any airstrikes. Local sources told the network that indeed three US helicopters had landed near the fuel station to transfer three ISIS families of Iraqi nationality. However, although US jets were said to to accompany the operation, they flew over the region “without any targeting”. That description did not however rule out small arms fire on the ground.

The incident occured at 23:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Alaa al Barzan
Age unknown male killed
Unknown Barzan relative
Age unknown injured
Unknown Barzan relative
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a “helicopter landing operation” by the Coalition in the vicinity of the village of Tal Jayer, East of Al Shadadi in the Hasakah countryside, at the petrol station Sheikh. One civilian was reported killed in accompanying clashes between Coalition forces and the so-called Islamic State. The exact coordinates of the petrol station are: 36.0393483, 41.1261177

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 Tel al-Jayer, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 25, 2018

  • April 9, 2018, near Tel al-Jayer, Syria, via Airwars. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 9th, the Coalition reported that “On April 9 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against Daesh targets. Near Dashisha, two strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed two Daesh vehicles and one Daesh logistics hub. Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged one Daesh tactical unit and destroyed one Daesh logistics hub."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI876

Incident date

April 2, 2018

Location

Al Qanus Island, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.68073, 43.28055 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event not tracked by Airwars at the time, in July 2018 the Coalition self-reported that it had accidentally killed one civilian and injured a second in an action near Qayarrah.

According to the report, “April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

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

Airwars researchers could find no public records of reported civilian harm in the area that day. They were however able to identify an ISIS propaganda video, which referenced “a martyrdom operation on a gathering of Iraqi forces near the village of Imam south of the city of Qayyarah.” The video itself has since been deleted.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.68073, 43.28055

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
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE444499
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 2nd, the Coalition reported that “On April 2 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets. Near Bayji, one strike engaged a Daesh tactical unit. One strike was conducted near Qayyarah.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]