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

CI637

Incident date

April 13, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources reported that Coalition airstrikes as well as raids carried out by Iraqi government forces led to the deaths of dozens of civilians, and left up to 181 people injured. The airstrikes hit several neighbourhoods in West Mosul on April 13th and 14th.

Entably Mumen (Facebook page) reported that Abu Yusuf was among the victims.

Also see CI636.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abu Yusuf
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 37
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    79–181
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Notice of death placed by Abu Yusuf's family on social media following his death on April 13th-14th 2017
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
Official source

For April 12th-13th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, five vehicles, two VBIEDs, two VBIED factories, a medium machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a mortar system; and damaged 15 ISIS supply routes, and a fighting position; in addition, suppressed 10 mortar systems, six fighting positions, two artillery systems and a rocket system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22 – 37
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    79–181
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI701

Incident date

May 9, 2017

Location

عنة والقائم, Al Qaim and Anah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.36857, 41.98194 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 27 civilians were reportedly killed and dozens wounded by airstrikes in Anbar province, according to local sources.

Iraqi Spring Media Center said that 27 civilians were killed and 50 wounded in strikes on the towns of Anah and Al Qaim, in western Anbar. Yaqein put the death toll at 38 – “mostly civilians” – and said that 50 were wounded in strikes. Iraq News Center also reported 38 deaths, but said that 11 were members of ISIL – leaving a total of 27 civilians among those who perished.

None of these reports stipulated who was responsible. Al Jazeera however cited government sources which claimed a series of strikes in western Anbar. It suggested that up to 100 ISIL fighters and 25 civilians died.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 37
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (4) [ 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 Al Qa’im, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU8312607751
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 8th-9th: “Near Rutbah, two strikes destroyed a bunker and a VBIED facility.”

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
    27 – 37
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS237 RS926

Incident date

June 21, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94727, 39.00887 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 38 civilians including six children and three women were killed and up to 150 injured in airstrikes on Raqqa, according to multiple sources.

While most alleged that Russia carried out the attack, the United States later admitted responsibility – though admitted only three civilians deaths: “June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike targeting an ISIL headquarters building, it is assessed that three individuals were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.”

This was revised on April 30th 2017 with the Coalition noting that “June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria: Number 12 and 13 on Nov. 9, 2016, U.S. Central Command press release were both based on the same report. The actual assessment was that on June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, during a strike on an ISIS headquarters four civilians were unintentionally killed.”

An initial report by Shaam News blamed Russia, but it then changed its position: “Coalition planes launched raids on al Dalla roundabout and the area of the electricity company in Raqqa which led to civilians deaths and wounded.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named 27 or more victims.

However, according to the total number of identified victims across other sources, the death toll reached no less than 38, including at least six children and several women.

Syrian Press Center – who blamed Russia – said that the following locations were targeted:

“one raid near al Rahman laundry

one raid near the electricity HQ

one raid near Shukri Bozan gas station.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abd al Sattar Rashid al Zoro
10 years old killed
Mohammad Rashid al Zoro
15 years old male injured

Family members (2)

Ibrahim Matar al Wakka
male killed
Musha’al Ibrahim al Wakka
Child injured

Family members (6)

Saleh al Jamal Al Nayef
Age unknown killed
The wife of Jamal Al Nayef
female killed
Child of Jamal Al Nayef
Child killed
Abdallah Jamal al Nayef
Adult male killed
The wife Abdallah Jamal al Nayef
Adult female killed
Child of Abdallah Jamal al Nayef
Age unknown killed

Family members (6)

Yasser al Satouf
Age unknown male killed
Khaled al Satouf
Age unknown male killed
Fadi al Satouf
Age unknown killed
Wafaa al Satouf
Age unknown killed
Fadia al Satouf
Age unknown killed
Wafaa al Satouf
Child killed

Family members (3)

Dr. Mohammad Ali al Heito
Adult male killed
Wife of Dr. Mohammad Ali al Heitoand
Adult female killed
Son of Dr. Mohammad Ali al Heito
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Al Sheikh Khalil Al Yaseen
Age unknown male killed
Ammar Abdullah Al Hasan
Age unknown killed
Mouhammad al-Ahmad
Age unknown male killed
Mouhannad Abu Heif
Age unknown male killed
Tawfeeq Al A’nizan
Age unknown male killed
Jamal Al Batran
Age unknown killed
Mohammad al Sheikh Khalil al Yasin
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Al Ahmad al A’zzami
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Juma’a al A’far
Age unknown male killed
Ammar Abdallah Al Hassan al Satouf
Age unknown killed
Jomaa al A’bo Al Fannash
Age unknown male killed
Daughter of Jomaa al A’bo Al Fannash
Age unknown female killed
Khalif Al Ibbo al Fanash
Age unknown killed
Na’el al Fayyad
Age unknown killed
Khashab al Khashab
Age unknown killed
Tahseen al Hamoud
Age unknown killed
Jamila Hussein al Jazra
Age unknown killed
Hani al Hafez
Age unknown killed
Hussein Issa al Noaimi
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 38
  • (6–7 children4 women11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    150
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (46) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • A photo of the young man Muhannad Ismail Abu Haif killed following alleged Russian raids on the city. (via RBSS)
  • Riyad Khudar al Said (via RBSS)
  • Mohammad Al Ahmad al A’zzami (via RBSS).
  • Ammar al Sattouf (via RBSS)
  • Jma’a al Ibbo al Fanash (via RBSS)
  • Khalif Al Ibbo al Fanash (via RBSS)
  • Na’el al Fayyad (via RBSS)
  • Khashab al Khashab (via RBSS)
  • Ibrahim Matar al Wakka, was killed with his two children in the air strike (via RBSS)
  • Musha’al Ibrahim al Wakka’ was killed and his brother Hafez Ibrahim al Waka’a was injured seriously leading the his feet being amputated (via RBSS)
  • Hani al Hafez (via RBSS)
  • Jamal Saleh al Batran (via RBSS)
  • Video showing regime shelling of Ar Raqqah (Youtube via RT Report)
  • Material destruction in Ar Raqqah (via RBSS)
  • Material destruction in Ar Raqqah (via RBSS)
  • Material destruction in Ar Raqqah (via RBSS)
  • Material destruction in Ar Raqqah (via RBSS)
  • Material destruction in Ar Raqqah (via RBSS)
  • Hani al Hafez died following alleged Russian action near the electricity station in Ar Raqqah (via RBSS)
  • Abdallah Fayyad al Saleh al Hussein, a victim of alleged Russian action on Ar Raqqah (via RBSS)
  • Jamal Saleh al Batran died following alleged attacks by Russian aviation (via RBSS)
  • Hussein Issa al Noaimi died in alleged Russia aerial bombardment on Ar Raqqah (via RBSS)
  • "the shelling also resulted in the destruction of five houses completely, in addition to three other combustion, as well as physical damage to seven shops and damage to its contents almost entirely" (via Syrian News Desk)
  • The aftermath of aerial bombardment on Ar Raqqah (via Erem)
  • Names of sixteen of alleged deceased (via @syria1@news1)
  • Smoke from alleged Russian attacks on Ar Raqqah (via @shaamnews)

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
    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
    4
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008781
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • during a strike targeting an ISIL headquarters building, it is assessed that three individuals were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

  • “June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria: Number 12 and 13 on the Nov. 9, 2016, U.S. Central Command press release were both based on the same report. The actual assessment was that on June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, during a strike on an ISIS headquarters four civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “ Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes struck an ISIL-used bridge and destroyed five ISIL oil pump jacks.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 38
  • (6–7 children4 women11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    150
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (46) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1888

Incident date

January 18, 2019

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what was described as a “massacre”, local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the town of Al-Baghouz Tahtani east of Deir Al-Zour, killing between 6 and 39 civilians including women and children.

Most sources reported that the civilians were struck while fleeing areas under ISIS control. However one local source, who did not mention the belligerent, claimed that the civilians were killed in an attack on areas under the control of so-called ISIS.

Separately and according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Coalition airstrikes were visible between 13.30 and 14.00. SOHR added that a total of 16 people were killed of whom six were civilians and included women and children, in addition to 10 members of the so called Islamic State.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) initially placed the death toll at 15 civilians, claiming that among the victims were six children and an additional three women. However, it later added that the death toll had risen to 28 civilians including ten children and eight women.

Sound and Picture put the death toll at a much higher 39, including 22 children.

A number of families were struck according to reports, which resulted in the alleged killing of several members of the same families. Among others, eight civilians including five children from the same family were alleged killed.

The entire Al-Anis family was alleged killed as well, except one child who was injured and is depicted in the photo below. @deirezzor24 tweeted a video in which the child asks for his family and his brothers and sisters. He says that he is okay and wants to see them.

The incident occured between 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Ahmed Al-Jassim Al-Mu’i
Adult male From the city of Qouriya killed
Wife of Ahmed Al-Jassim Al-Mu’i
Adult female killed
Daughter 1 of Ahmed Al-Jassim Al-Mu’i
Child female killed
Son of Ahmed Al-Jassim Al-Mu’i
Child male killed
Daughter 1 of Ahmed Al-Jassim Al-Mu’i
Child female killed

Family members (13)

Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Adult male From the city of Qouriya killed
Wife of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Adult female killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed
Unnamed child of Omar Al-Ahmed Al-Mu’i
Child killed

Family members (4)

Yousef Al-Jassem Al-Mu’i
Adult male From the city of Qouriya killed
Wife of Yousef Al-Jassem Al-Mu’i
Adult female killed
Son of Yousef Al-Jassem Al-Mu’i
Child male killed
Sister in law of Yousef Al-Jassem Al-Mu’i
killed

Family members (1)

Wife of Munir Al-Jasim Al-Mu’i
Adult female From the city of Qouriya killed

Family members (4)

Wife of Ahmed Hussein Abu Bakr
Adult female From the city of Qouriya killed
Unnamed child of Ahmed Hussein
Child killed
Unnamed child of Ahmed Hussein
Child killed
Unnamed child of Ahmed Hussein
Child killed

Family members (2)

Al-Anis family
All family members alleged killed, except one child. From the city of Qouriya. killed
Omar Anis al-Rumaih
Child male injured

Family members (3)

Asmaa’ Al-Mu’i
From the city of Qouriya killed
Abd Al-Ghani Al-Mu’i
killed
Faysal Al-Mu’i
Age unknown injured

Family members

Family members (8)

Al - Haj Hassan Khalil Al - Azzawi
Adult male From the city of Al Ashara killed
Son of Al - Haj Hassan Khalil Al - Azzawi
Child male killed
Son of Al - Haj Hassan Khalil Al - Azzawi
Child male killed
Unnamed daughter of Al - Haj Hassan Khalil Al - Azzawi
Child female killed
Unnamed daughter of Al - Haj Hassan Khalil Al - Azzawi
Child female killed
Unnamed daughter of Al - Haj Hassan Khalil Al - Azzawi
Child female killed
Unnamed daughter of Al - Haj Hassan Khalil Al - Azzawi
Child female killed
Unnamed daughter of Al - Haj Hassan Khalil Al - Azzawi
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 39
  • (6–22 children4–8 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected targets
    ISIS, Other

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Al-Haji Hassan Khalil, one of the victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike (via Al Ashara my city Facebook page)
  • Hussein al Khalil al Azzawi, alleged killed in a Coalition airstrike (via SN4HR).
  • "Omar Anis al-Rumaih" the only survivor after an alleged Coalition airstrike killed the rest of his family.
  • Omar Anis al-Rumaih, the only survivor after his family was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, asks to see his family and wants to let them know he is okay.

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

Between Jan. 13 - 26, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 645 strikes consisting of 1,360 engagements in Syria, and conducted nine strikes consisting of 12 engagements in Iraq.

In Syria, 645 strikes engaged 394 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 244 fighting positions, 172 supply routes, 85 staging areas, 21 vehicles, 17 buildings, 15 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 14 mortar launching sites, 13 manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive devices, 12 command and control nodes, nine tunnels, eight weapons catches, seven pieces of engineering equipment, five launching sites for unmanned aircraft systems, two weapons storage facilities, two mortar tubes, two improvised explosive devices, one unmanned aircraft system, one machine gun, one logistic node and one check point.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For January 16th - 22nd, France report and 9 strikes in the Hajin region of Syria. Task Force Wagram carried out, from the Iraqi territory, 28 firing missions.

Point de situation des opérations Armée française - Opérations militaires·Thursday, 24 January 2019 CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE A l’occasion de ses vœux, le président de la République a évoqué la situation au Levant, rappelant que Daesh est désormais privé de territoire en Irak, et sur le point de l’être en Syrie. Il a par ailleurs souligné les efforts des forces armées françaises, matérialisés d’une part par les campagnes aériennes et l’appui de l’artillerie, et d’autre part par la formation dispensée aux forces armées irakiennes Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie La progression des forces démocratiques syriennes dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, dont l’offensive est appuyée par une couverture aérienne et l’appui de l’artillerie de la Task Force Wagram, se poursuit et se rapproche de la frontière séparant l’Irak et la Syrie. Poursuite des actions en Irak En Irak, la situation sécuritaire est stable. Les forces de sécurité irakiennes ont maintenu un rythme opérationnel de contrôle de zones élevé, notamment à proximité de la frontière irako-syrienne. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate Les artilleurs de la Task Force (TF) Wagram appuient, depuis l’Irak, les forces démocratiques syriennes engagées contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. La TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 28 missions de tir (02 éclairements, 26 appui – bilan du 16 au 22 janvier inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, en octobre 2016, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2476 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 22 sorties aériennes (bilan du 16 au 22 janvier inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit 9 frappes dans la région d’Hajine. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne, en charge de la sécurisation de l’ouest du grand Bagdad. Elle conseille également ponctuellement les brigades qui lui sont subordonnées. Récemment, les équipes EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), spécialisées dans la neutralisation d’engins explosifs de tous types, ont conseillé des cadres irakiens dans la préparation et la mise en œuvre d’explosifs. Elles les ont accompagnés au cours d’une mission de destruction de plusieurs tonnes de munitions découvertes, dont des engins explosifs improvisés posés par Daech d’une part, et des munitions périmées d’autre part. Ces formations spécifiques font partie des missions de la TF Monsabert qui participe directement à l’amélioration de la capacité opérationnelle de l’armée irakienne. La TF Narvik, poursuit sa mission de formation et de conseil de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Dans ce cadre, pour la toute première fois, un stage de Combat Corps à Corps de haute intensité (C4) est actuellement délivré à l’Académie des forces spéciales irakiennes, à la demande du commandement irakien. Celui-ci, tirant les leçons de la campagne contre Daech, veut doter ses troupes des meilleures techniques en matière de combat rapproché.  L’objectif est de former des cadres irakiens, mais aussi de transmettre des savoir-faire pédagogiques qui permettront aux futurs moniteurs d’instruire leurs hommes.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 39
  • (6–22 children4–8 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected targets
    ISIS, Other

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI245

Incident date

June 1, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

10 to 40 civilians were reported killed, and 13 to 36 injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes in west Mosul.

Mosul Eye offered a detailed description of affected neighbourhoods, claiming that airstrikes had hit: “– A home in the Muhammadiyah area near the kindergarten which also damaged neighbours’ houses around it and led to the fall of martyrs and wounded

– A house in the Municipalities district

– A house in the Engineers neighbourhood which was sheltering foreigners

– Inside a [further] house in the Engineers neighbourhood

– A residence in the Agricultural district

NRN News reported that Coalition planes bombed a house used by Daesh, killing four members of the organisation, 12 civilians and wounding five others.

They said the aircraft “also bombed the headquarters of the organisation behind the spring Daash hospital“, killing 20 members of Daesh, 15 civilians and wounding eight others.

NRN’s correspondent went on to say that Colation aircraft also targeted another house used by Daesh “behind a restaurant in the neighbourhood of engineers“, killing “seven members of the organisation, including foreigners, in addition to injuring six others“.

The report concluded by saying that there was “serious damage to neighbouring houses, leading to the fall of more than 13 civilians, including women and children.“

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 after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 40
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–36
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows massive destruction in several buildings following alleged coalition airstrikes in neighbourhoods at the left side of Mosul - the strike led to the death of at least ten civilians and 13 to 36 injured on June 1st, 2016 (via NRN)
  • An image shows aid team rushing to the incident location to help the casualties following alleged coalition airstrikes in neighbourhoods at the left side of Mosul (via NRN)

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF332263
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • June 1, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 662/CI245 38SLF332263

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for June 1st-2nd 2016 that “Near Mosul, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL assembly area and suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun position.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 40
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–36
  • 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

CS1531

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Location

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

Between 21 and 40 civilians, the majority women and children, were reported killed in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah city.

Initially the citizen journalist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), reported 40 civilians were killed following alleged US-led Coalition. According to RBSS, the strikes hit an apartment building and all of “the bodies are still under the rubble”. RBSS described the aircraft responsible as a “B52 plane”. The media wing of ISIS also claimed that the same number of civilians died.

A subsequent report from the Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged “at least 21” died following US-led Coalition raids on Al Badou neighbourhood. Smart then reported 40 dead and “dozens” injured, after Coalition planes reportedly conducted airstrikes on an apartment building in the area.

Qasioun said the death toll was 30, whilst RFS reported 40 – mostly women and children. All sources said the US-led Coalition was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 40
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the airstrikes or artillery targeted an apartment building in the neighbourhood of Badou (البدو) in the city of Raqqa. The coordinates for the neighbourhood of Badou (البدو) are: 35.961778, 39.006083.

  • The neighbourhood of Al Badou (البد) in the city of Raqqa

    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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Badou, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 25th-26th: “Near Raqqah, 26 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed 17 fighting positions, two ISIS headquarters and two vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 40
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI692

Incident date

May 5, 2017

Location

Mosul, Al Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.323338, 43.112861 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Heavy shelling of Hermat in West Mosul led to the deaths of five families, according to locals living in the street who were interviewd by Amnesty International.

The following unpublished field report was shared with Airwars: “The bombing was random. There were airstrikes, helicopter strikes, artillery and rockets. There were 100s of strikes each day. (During the four or five days of shelling) we didn’t sleep at all.

I know of a house with five families inside that collapsed when hit by a bomb. It was just a one storey building. That happened on Friday (5 May). I don’t know what time of day it was as we were all hiding from the bombs ourselves at the time. We heard about it from our neighbour. Those five families had been hiding, just as we were doing.

They (the five families) were my neighbours. I knew them all. There were five brothers with their wives and children; their entire families. There were maybe 15 children in the house. The brother that I knew best was called Amr. The mother of the five brothers and grandmother of all the children was there as well. He name was Najood. They all died.

I wasn’t there at the time but I know the layout of the neighbour as my house is in the same neighbourhood and these people were my neighbours. There were four ISIS “barracks” near the house that was bombed. The barracks were just homes that ISIS had taken over from local people. The closest ISIS barracks was around 200 metres southwest of the house. There was another around 300 metres to the east.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Amr
Child male killed
Najood
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 40
  • (15 children1 woman)
  • 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

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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    farm 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
Official source

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.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 40
  • (15 children1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI415

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al Jadida / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.316076, 43.099112 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that the international Coalition and/or US aircraft had carried out airstrikes in New Mosul neighborhood, West Mosul, leaving up to 30 civilians dead and 14 others wounded. The Coalition later confirmed killing eight civilians in Mosul that day.

Iraq News Center said that bombing by “international Coalition aircraft” had led to the death and wounding of civilians, including women and children. Raedlay spoke of a “US raid” and reported the same number of dead and injured.

Amsi News said that “so-called international coalition raids into residential neighborhoods in the area of New Mosul… caused the death of 21 civilians on the spot, and injuring 14 others, as well as great destruction of property and homes.”

Prevision posted a video of the aftermath in which a witness reported a total number of 30 bodies: “It’s a residential compound including four houses. Each one includes two floors which were completely destroyed by Coalition crusade airstrikes…we got out 14 bodies as yet, and there are 9 bodies still under rubble, and there are 4 women bodies and three children bodies in the house behind this compound…mostly kids and women.”

Alquds and Alwaght quoted Reuters saying that that the raids targeted the house of a senior ISIL leader, Abdul Qadir, who was not at home at the time of the bombing. However, several of his family members were reportedly killed. Alwaght spoke of “tens of civilians” massacred and blamed the Coalition.

An Amnesty International field investigation reported the following: “On 13 January at around 8.15am, explosions destroyed nine dwellings in al-Shuhada neighbourhood. “Kamel” and “Hashem”, two 26-year-old men from the area, described what they believe was a helicopter strike, which destroyed Kamel’s uncle’s house. They said the helicopter fired three times, with each rocket it launched destroying three single-room dwellings. Nine dwellings were destroyed in total.

“Hashem” described the attack as follows: “I was close by at my mother’s house. We were eating breakfast. At 8.15am and without warning the first rocket struck the homes, followed by two others. Each came from a different direction. It was all over in five or 10 minutes. After the last rocket landed we ran down to the scene. We were scared but we’re Arabs and if there are dead people we must go down to them. We dug the bodies out. We pulled them out of the rubble. They were torn apart. Heads and arms had been severed. The target was a well-known IS commander called Harbi Abdel Gadir. He was killed, along with almost everyone else in the homes: more than 40 people. All the women and children were killed. There were only three survivors, Mohamed, Asher and Salman. They were taken to an IS-run hospital.

According to the witnesses, this strike killed one IS target at a cost of 40 civilian lives. Based upon the information available, this attack should be investigated as a possible disproportionate attack.”

 

The incident occured at 08:15:00 local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 40
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–21
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of some of the victims

Geolocation notes

The Amnesty report of the incident mentions the neighbourhood of Shuhada, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.316076, 43.099112. Other reports mention New Mosul, or the West of Mosul, which is where the Shuhada neighbourhood is located. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 11th-12th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, three ISIL-held buildings, two heavy machine guns, two mortar systems, a command and control node, a VBIED factory, a VBIED, an ISIL UAV, a supply cache, and an artillery system; and damaged 24 supply routes and an ISIL-held building.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 40
  • (3 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–21
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]