US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CS090

Incident date

July 5, 2015

Location

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.033926, 41.0987592 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in a Coalition strike at Hassakah which allegedly hit the Tal Al Jayer Medical Centre.

It was also reported that “a number of women and children” were injured in the attack.

However in July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “July 5, 2015, near Al Hasakah, Syria, via Airwars report: 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.”

Given credible reports at the time Airwars continues to assess this event as likely – though is seeking additional clarification from the Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (7) [ 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 Hasakah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 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

The Coalition reported a number of strikes for July 4th-5th 2015: “Near Al Hasakah, five airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units, destroying three ISIL vehicles, and four ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS087

Incident date

July 4, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The day of July 4th saw multiple allegations of civilian casualties reported in Raqqa. In one of them, an internally displaced family of seven living under a bridge was said to have been crushed to death following a Coalition airstrike.

Buzzfeed cited a surviving close relative in Turkey, who declined to be named publicly but said that “his father and mother were killed along with his two brothers, his sister, and her two children. ‘They have no respect for human rights and international laws that call for protecting civilians,’ he said of the U.S.”

In a study published in October 2016, it was reported: “A Syrian human rights lawyer told Amnesty International that many civilians spent time under bridges in the al-Raqqa area, since they provide, on the one hand, some shelter and, on the other, a place to relax, given limited alternatives in IS-controlled areas. A local activist told Amnesty International that, according to several eyewitnesses, the bombing of al-Farwasiya bridge, north-west of al-Raqqa city, caused several deaths and injuries among civilians only, as well as damage to homes near the bridge. He said that the targeting of the bridges which connected the city with the agricultural areas outside it was a “humanitarian disaster” for farmers and others impacted by the inability to transport their goods.“

The human rights group added: “The assessment of anticipated harm should include the effect that such destruction would have on the ability of the civilian population to access supplies necessary for their survival. The reliance of the civilian population on bridges for obtaining access to food and other essential supplies means that their destruction may have been disproportionate. Further, while the evidence is limited, the apparent civilian deaths and damage to homes as a result of the strike on al-Farwasiya bridge raise questions as to whether adequate precautions were taken in planning and executing this attack.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Coalition airstrikes on the town of Ar Raqaa, Syria on July 4 2015 (via US Department of Defense)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • during a strike against an ISIL High Value Individual, a car and a motorcycle entered the target area after the weapon was released. It is assessed three unidentified civilians were likely killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition has confirmed carrying out eighteen airstrikes in the vicinity on July 4th-5th 2015: “Near Ar Raqqah, 18 airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL vehicles and 16 ISIL bridges.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS088

Incident date

July 4, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9662, 38.97006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the second confirmed civilian fatality incident of the day in Raqaa, the Coalition later declared that “during strikes against 16 ISIL bridges, it was assessed one civilian in a truck with a trailer was likely killed.” US aircraft were responsible for the death, CENTCOM admitted some six months later.

Reporting remains confused for the city that day – a result of dozens of bombings by Coalition aircraft. As Raqqa is Being Slaughtered noted at the time, the air raids were “accompanied by the sound of ambulances going all over the city and a state of panic and fear among the civilian population.” There is no specific reference to a civilian killed with a truck and trailer – suggesting that this fatality was discovered as a result of US post-strike assessments.

In July 2019, the alliance provided Airwars with coordinates for this event to within a 100m box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • July 04, 2015, Coalition Airstrikes video on Daesh-controlled structures near SRaqqah [via: US Department of Defense]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had 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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV973802
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 22, 2016
  • On July 4, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during strikes against 16 ISIL bridges, it was assessed one civilian in a truck with a trailer was likely killed.

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS089

Incident date

July 4, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Car opposite Al Hameeda School, Al Jumaili, Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9557396, 39.0015453 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In some of the heaviest coalition bombing reported for Syria to that time, US aircraft struck multiple Daesh targets in the strategic city of Raqaa – the beginning of a lengthy air campaign in which numerous civilians are now confirmed to have died.

Between 7 and 8 civilians were reported as being among the 23 dead in this first incident which occurred at around 4pm. CENTCOM conceded six months later that it had ‘likely’ killed three unnamed civilians in the incident.

“The significant airstrikes tonight were executed to deny Daesh the ability to move military capabilities throughout Syria and into Iraq,” US Lt Colonel Thomas Gilleran had told reporters at the time. “This was one of the largest deliberate engagements we have conducted to date in Syria, and it will have debilitating effects on Daesh’s ability to move from ar-Raqqah.”

However the Syrian Observatory reported that seven civilians died in one attack “by a drone” near Al Hameeda school, including a man and his son Fouad. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) eventually placed the non-combatant death toll at eight, describing the slain boy as 10 years old. A 15 year old boy named as Mohammad Hammad Al A’akassi later died of his injuries.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently described the target of the Coalition strike as a vehicle, and said that the civilians killed had died as a result of shrapnel injuries.

Buzzfeed also spoke with two eyewitnesses to the event, with one noting: “They hit the target. But the people around the target were affected. I saw the kid laying on the sidewalk, and I felt I couldn’t walk.” According to the news site, ISIL militants carried away the remains of at least two of their comrades, leaving the dead civilians on the street.

On January 15th 2016, CENTCOM conceded that civilians had likely died in this attack on a High Value Target: “On July 4, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL High Value Individual, a car and a motorcycle entered the target area after the weapon was released. It is assessed three unidentified civilians were likely killed.“

In July 2019, the Coalition provided coordinates for the confirmed event to within 100 metres. Airwars geolocators had already previously identified the site of the attack.

The incident occured at approximately 4:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
10 years old male killed
50 years old killed
Faisal Na’ila
Age unknown male killed
Raed Na’ila
11 years old male killed
Mohammad Hammad Al A’akassi
15 years old male killed
Age unknown male killed in al Houmrat area of Raqqa killed
Adult male listed as a civilian by DCHRS but as an ISIS militant in VDC killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (3 children4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Doctors operate on a civilian reportedly injured in a US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Charred body of victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An elderly civilian male, reportedly a victim of a US airstrike on Raqaa, Syria July 4 2015 (still from Al A'maq video]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young surivor of a US airstrike which killed seven civilians receives medical attention, July 4 2015 (still from Al A'maq video)
  • Injured victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • Car on the scene of the alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • Injured victim of alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (still from Al'Amaq video]
  • Mohammed al Sheikh, killed in a reported coalition airstrike on Raqaa July 4 2015 [Via: RBSS on 6th July 2015]
  • The street, scene of the alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (Via: Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently]
  • The alleged US air raid on Raqaa July 4th (Via: Raqqa is (Via: Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently]

Geolocation notes

The MGRS that the Coalition provided at 100m accuracy placed this incident at 35.95538, 39.00222

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
    3
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV002790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 15, 2016
  • On July 4, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL High Value Individual, a car and a motorcycle entered the target area after the weapon was released. It is assessed three unidentified civilians were likely killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition has confirmed carrying out eighteen airstrikes in the vicinity on July 4th-5th 2015: “Near Ar Raqqah, 18 airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL vehicles and 16 ISIL bridges.“

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (3 children4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI081

Incident date

July 1, 2015

Location

الحويجة, Safra, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.1978122, 43.7934043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged strike by Coalition aircraft reportedly killed 18 civilians and injured a further 10, according to a single source.

Al Gharbiya claimed that a number of villages south west of Hawija were hit. “About 30 civilians were killed and wounded on Wednesday in a bombardment by an international warplane in several areas of the Hawija district, southwest of Kirkuk. A source familiar with the case, quoting eyewitnesses, said that “the aircraft of the International Coalition bombed today, areas in the villages of Kbeiba and Safra and Al-Rashad district of the province of Hawija south-west of Kirkuk.” The source added that “the retaliatory bombardment killed some 18 citizens and wounded ten others, some of them badly.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “July 1, 2015, in Safra, Iraq, 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. 2783/CI081 38SLD902956”.

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a number of villages southwest of Hawija, amongst which the village of Kbeiba (كبيبة) and Safra (الصفرة). Reports also mention the Al Rashad district (ناحية الرشاد). The generic coordinates for the village of Safra (الصفرة) are: 35.1978122, 43.7934043. However, sources don’t mention in which location civilian casualties occurred.

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
    in Safra, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLD902956
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • July 1, 2015, in Safra, Iraq, 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. 2783/CI081 38SLD902956

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Strikes were confirmed in the vicinity for July 1st-2nd 2015: “Near Al Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL building.”

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI080

Incident date

July 1, 2015

Location

تل الرمان, Mosul, Tel Ruman, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3154191, 43.088851 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were claims that up to 22 civilians were killed and 16 injured in Coalition airstrikes to the west of Mosul. Women and children were reported to be among the casualties.

In a January 2016 report, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq noted: “According to a source, on 1 July, 17 civilians, including four children and six women, were reportedly killed in an airstrike conducted in the al-Rifaie area of western Mosul, Ninewa. 11 other civilians were reportedly wounded. UNAMI/OHCHR was unable to verify the status of all the casualties nor who was responsible for the airstrike.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “July 1, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, 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. 2782/CI080 38SLF284206”.

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed. However, in light of the UN placing this event in the Rifai area of Mosul, the Coalition has re-opened this event for review.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition again 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.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 22
  • (4 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–16
  • 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, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention two different neighbourhoods in the city of Mosul: the National Iraqi News Agency reports the strike to have targeted the neighbourhood of Tel Ruman (تل الرمان), for which the coordinates are: 36.3154191, 43.088851. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq mentioned the neighbourhood of Rifai (الرفاعي), for which the coordinates are: 36.354417, 43.098020.

  • The neighbourhoods of Tel Ruman (تل الرمان) and Rifai (الرفاعي) in the west of city of Mosul

    Imagery:
    © 2019 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
    in Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF293249
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • July 1, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, 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. 2782/CI080 38SLF284206

  • July 1, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, 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. 2782/CI080 38SLF293249

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Two strikes were reported in the vicinity for June 30th-July 1st 2015: “Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL building.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 22
  • (4 children6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–16
  • 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, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS086

Incident date

June 30, 2015

Location

سلوك, 20 km from Suluk, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.4344487, 39.107806 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian car was reported hit in a coalition airstrike 20km to the south of Suluk, killing those inside. The attack was described as occurring near Umm al Brameel, to the south east of Tal Abyad. Among the dead was a child named as Mohmmad Ali Ahmad Al Assaf.

 

The incident was first reported on June 30, 2015 at 8:54 pm by Abu Ibrahim Raqqawi.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • tweet by RBSS activist reporting that a coalition plane targeted a car 20km south of Suluk killing among others the child Mohammad Ali Ahmad Al Assaf. 30th June 2015
  • Image of one of the victims, Mohammad Ali al Assaf. [Via: Abu Ibrahim Raqqawi, an RBSS activist]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a civilian car being hit by an alleged Coalition strike 20 km South of Suluk (سلوك). The coordinates for the town of Suluk (سلوك) are: 36.59539, 39.128559. Airwars has identified two possible strike locations: 20 km along the SW road from Suluk (36.4344487, 39.107806) and 20 km along the SE road from Suluk (36.4364581, 39.2415118)

  • Two possible locations for the strike, 20 km South of Suluk (سلوك)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Wikimapia

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 Slouk, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA096321
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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 confirmed a single airstrike in the vicinity for June 30th-July 1st 2015, noting that “Near Tal Abyad, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • 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

CI079

Incident date

June 29, 2015

Location

حديثة, Haditha, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.22691, 42.14598 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown case, CENTCOM reported on January 15th 2015 that US aircraft injured or possbily killed two or more civilians after an attack on an ISIL tactical unit and vehicles:

According to the statement: “On June 29, 2015, near Haditha, Iraq, during strikes against one ISIL tactical unit and two ISIL vehicles, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. After the U.S. aircraft engaged the target and two seconds prior to impact, a car slowed in front of the ISIL vehicles while a motorcycle simultaneously passed by. The target vehicle was destroyed in the strike but there was insufficient evidence to determine the level of injuries to the civilians operating the passing car and motorcycle.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for the event to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 city at 34.1460894, 42.3802758.

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 injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Haditha, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKC371910
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 15, 2016
  • On June 29, 2015, near Haditha, Iraq, during strikes against one ISIL tactical unit and two ISIL vehicles, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. After the U.S. aircraft engaged the target and two seconds prior to impact, a car slowed in front of the ISIL vehicles while a motorcycle simultaneously passed by. The target vehicle was destroyed in the strike but there was insufficient evidence to determine the level of injuries to the civilians operating the passing car and motorcycle.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

In its original published report for June 29th-30th 2015, the Coalition noted only that “Near Haditha, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]