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

CS155

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94907, 39.00222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike against a high value target in Raqqah.

According to the official release, “On Dec. 10, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during strikes against Siful Sujan, an ISIL external operations planner, it was assessed that one civilian was killed.”

Our researchers have been unable to identify any additional reports relating to this incident.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV002783
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016

  • On Dec. 10, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during strikes against Siful Sujan, an ISIL external operations planner, it was assessed that one civilian was killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and wounded ISIL fighters.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI649

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.339018, 43.119814 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 later confirmed the death of a civilian in a strike in the Old Mosul area.

Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given places it in the Old City.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3126223192
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • April 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 17th-18th the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; these destroyed five fighting positions, three VBIEDs, one mortar system, and one front-end loader; damaged three fighting positions and two supply routes; and suppressed one ISIS tactical unit, one mortar team and one artillery system.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI806

Incident date

July 10, 2017

Location

Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.347549, 43.133281 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 lated confirmed the death of a civilian in the Nabi Jaris neighbourhood, Mosul.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS headquarters structure and explosives storage facility, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.”

Coordinates supplied by Coalition officials to Airwars, placed the event in a house on the river Tigris, in the residential Nabi Jaris neighbourhood, Old City of Mosul. The location is near the Tal Qali’at hill.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3248924115
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2018

  • July 10, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS headquarters structure and explosives storage facility, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 10th the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed eight fighting positions, two mortar systems, an IED, and an ISIS communications tower"

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1715

Incident date

January 18, 2018

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.72367, 40.81515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown incident, the Coalition reported in May 2018 that it had killed one civilian in Hajin.

According to the monthly civilian casualty report: “January 18, 2018, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-held building a scooter entered the impact area moments before the impact. One civilian was unintentionally killed.”

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

Airwars additionally monitored local claims of civilian harm in Hajin on the 13th and 24th of January. However no additional public sources could be identified linked to this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 village at 34.6897222, 40.83.

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU662439
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

  • January 18, 2018, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-held building a scooter entered the impact area moments before the impact. One civilian was unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 18th 2018 the Coalition publicly reported at the time that “On Jan. 18 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets. Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed an indirect fire weapon, a fighting position and an ISIS line of communication.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS430

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.91029, 38.94902 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition drone strike on Kasret al Sheikh Kom’a.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, the attack “targeted a car belonging to a leader in Daesh whose name is Hussein Abu Zeid. He was on crutches.” Shaam News said five civilians died in the attack. According to the Syrian Network “an international coalition forces drone fired missiles at Kasrat al Sheikh village located in the southern suburbs of al Raqqa governorate and is under the control of ISIS which resulted in the killing of five civilians at once including one female child and one woman.”

In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on Daesh terrorists in a vehicle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and another unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Al Khalaf
70 years years old female killed
Madeleine al Mustapha
11 years years old female killed
Abd al Rahman al Hussein Al Said
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.905278, 38.963889

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Kasrat Sheikh Al Juma’a, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV954740
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 25, 2019

  • Jan. 7, 2017, near Kasrat Sheikh Al Juma’a, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on Daesh terrorists in a vehicle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and another unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 6th-7th the Coalition publicly reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, 12 strikes [1 British?] engaged eight ISIL tactical units; destroyed 14 oil refinement tanks, seven fighting positions, a VBIED facility, a VBIED, an ISIL-held building, an artillery system, and a bunker system; and damaged two supply routes. Near Ayn Isa, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position and an artillery system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI422

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Location

Mosul, Rashadiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.406245, 43.102194 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition reported on March 4th that: “Jan. 14, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a counter-fire strike on an ISIS mortar team it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after weapon was fired.”

Officials later informed Airwars that the incident took place at grid coordinates 38SLF2982730681. Our geolocators have placed this at the Rashadiyah neighbourhood, northern Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known 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:

  • 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.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2982730681
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017

  • Jan. 14, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a counter-fire strike on an ISIS mortar team it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after weapon was fired.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 13th-14th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed four fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, two watercraft, an ISIL headquarters building, a VBIED; and damaged eight supply routes.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1871b

Incident date

December 12, 2018

Location

Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.52933, 40.96344 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike near Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to have been a US action.

According to the OIR report, “December 12, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this event to within 100 metres. The coordinates placed the event in the centre of al Soussa town.

In its annual civilian harm report to Congress published on May 6th 2020, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table from DoD's annual civilian harm report to Congress, May 2020, listing additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria conceded for 2018.

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
    None
  • Stated location
    Near Al Shafah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU802226
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 15, 2019

  • December 12, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Dec. 12 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 26 strikes consisting of 52 engagements against ISIS targets.

Near Hajin, 25 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 18 fighting positions, four staging areas, five supply routes, three petroleum oil and lubricant facilities, two financial nodes, one improvised explosive device facility and damaged three fighting positions.
Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed one fighting position.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Wednesday 12 December – a Reaper hit four terrorist targets in Hajin, including a truck being loaded with weapons, whilst Tornados destroyed a Daesh operating base within the town…Reaper support to the SDF continued into Wednesday 12 December. Several terrorists were spotted in a treeline, and successfully targeted with a GBU-12. The Reaper’s crew then observed extremists loading a truck with weapons and ammunition; they and the vehicle were struck with a Hellfire missile. Two more Hellfire attacks were carried out during the patrol, one hitting a group of terrorists firing at the SDF, the other striking a number of terrorists as they held a meeting behind the front line. Tornados were also active over Hajin, as the SDF advanced ever further into the town, and they carried out a successful attack with three Paveway IVs against a Daesh operating base.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

In de strijd tegen ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 8 werden wapens ingezet. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 12 t/m 18 december. De toestellen kwamen in actie boven de Syrische provincie Deir al Zour bij Abu Kamal. Hierbij zijn voertuigen, logistieke opslagplaatsen en strijders van ISIS aangevallen. Het F-16-detachement vliegt voor de anti-ISIS-coalitie nog tot en met 31 december. Daarna loopt het mandaat voor Nederlandse deelname af.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Incident Code

CI233

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

الشرقاط, Al Shirqat, Salaheldin, Iraq

Geolocation

35.49249, 43.23055 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

US aircraft attacked an ISIS checkpoint in the town of Sharqat. According to a CENTCOM release issued three months later, “it is [now] assessed that one civilian was killed when a motorcycle unexpectedly appeared in the target area after the US aircraft had already released its weapon.”

That attack on a checkpoint near the Jumeila bridge was reported at the time – though there was no mention of civilian casualties. Iraq Eye also mentioned seven airstrikes on Sharqat that day, though did not mention civilian casualties.

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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 35.5045616, 43.2404709

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    in Sharqat, Iraq, near Qayyarah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE395291
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 28, 2016

  • On April 26, 2016, in Sharqat, Iraq, near Qayyarah, during a strike on an ISIL checkpoint, it is assessed that one civilian was killed when a motorcycle unexpectedly appeared in the target area after the U.S. aircraft had already released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

There was no public reporting of a Coalition strike on a checkpoint in the area between April 25th-27th 2016.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]