US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CS131

Incident date

September 28, 2015

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.751769, 39.61639 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or more non-combatant males were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike at Ma’adan by a number of sources. All were agreed that one unnamed man was killed and seven people injured.

The Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies and Raqaa is Being Slaughtered listed, Munzer Ali Al A’asskar, as having been killed in the event. However Munzer was listed by Syrian Martyrs as a ‘child’ having been killed on September 26th.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for November 2019 – published January 2nd 2020 – the Coalition said it had assessed the event as ‘non credible’ based on available information, noting: “September 28, 2015, in Ma’adan, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The Coalition provided coordinates showing within 100 metres squared where it had focused its research.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male He is described as a child by Syrian Martyrs but as a 'young man' by The Damascus Centre and RBSS killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2020
  • 9. September 28, 2015, in Ma’adan, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2849/CS131 37SEV557566

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 27th-28th 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike resulted in inconclusive results.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS143

Incident date

November 10, 2015

Location

البوثة, Bootha, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.2237632, 41.1133289 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians from two families were killed in an alleged Coalition dawn strike at the small village of al Bootha – near to the Tishreen oilfield, and close to the scene of fierce clashes between Kurdish ground forces and Daesh.

The Union of Hassakah Youth initially attributed the attack to the Forces for a Democratic Syria – the Kurdish YPG. However it later noted: “It has now become clear that it was carried out by coalition planes. But we join our voices to the voices of all the activists in Hassakah in holding responsible, legally and morally, the Forces for a Democratic Syria which is providing the coalition with targets to bomb. The coalition is also responsible for committing this crime.

Local activist Siraj al Hasskawi said the dead came from two families, which had both fled the violence in nearby Hassakah city.

In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

46 years old male killed
40 years old female Saleh's wife killed
20 years old male Saleh and Wassima's son killed
Adult male Saleh and Wassima's second son killed

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3–2 children2–3 women4 men)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • Mother and son Wassima and Shuja, killed in a reported Coaltion strike November 10th 2015
  • More members of al Malash family. Via Siraj al Hasskawi Facebook page
  • A photo showing the house which the coalition allegedly targeted killing al Malash family members. Via: the Union of Hassakah's youth Facebook page.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFA899108
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020
  • November 10, 2015, in Bootha, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2879/CS143 37SFA899108

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 9th-10th 2015. the Coalition reported that “Near Al Hasakah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3–2 children2–3 women4 men)
  • 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]

Incident Code

CI161

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th (Medical centre), Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3667014, 43.0854607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reuters reported that About 20 people, including at least 12 civilians, were killed on Monday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, in two air strikes that destroyed houses believed to be used by Islamic State militants, six eyewitnesses and a medical source said.” According to the international news agency, “The two strikes happened within a 10-minute gap at about 3 p.m. local time, targeting the houses of a local Islamic State commander and his son in the July 17 district of western Mosul.”

There were reports that 15 ISIL fighters were killed and as many as 50 civilians injured in the attack, which also damaged a local medical centre. Women and children were said to be among the dead and injured.

Iraq News, citing local sources, said “three women and a man from the same family were killed in the bombing, after the collapse of their house, along with the deaths of three other members of the same family, including a child aged ten.”

Among those named killed were Ryan Kavakçi; Abdul Khaliq Ghanem Sabawi, his wife, his aunt and daughter Zainab; and Hossam Hammad and his brothers. NRN also reported that “the sons of Engineer Hazem Al-Sayer, manager of the Irrigation Directorate in Mosul, were killed with their wives and children.”

Local community leader Ethel Nujaifi later criticised the Coalition for bombing Daesh in commercial and residential areas: “Targeting elements of Daash can not justify the bombing of innocent civilians in residential areas.”

In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Khaliq Ghanem Sabawi
Adult male killed
Zainab
Age unknown female Daughter of Abdul Khaliq Ghanem Sabawi killed

The victims were named as:

Ryan Kavakçi
Age unknown male killed
Hossam Hammad
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 20
  • (4 children2 women1–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–50
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Severe damage in Mosul following a reported Coalition strike December 21st which killed 10 or more civilians (via NRN News)
  • Abdul Khaliq Ghanem Sabawi, killed with his wife, daughter and aunt December 21st 2015 (NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A supposed victim of the attack (via NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another supposed victim of the attack (via NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another supposed victim of the attack (via NRN News)
  • The aftermath of the alleged attack (via NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another supposed victim of the attack (via NRN News)
  • A child supposedly injured in the strike (via NRN News)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF282263
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020
  • December 21, 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. 2872/CI161 38SLF282263

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that on December 21st-22nd 2015, “Near Mosul, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, 12 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL bunkers, and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 20
  • (4 children2 women1–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–50
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI201

Incident date

March 15, 2016

Location

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Laksh, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.339738, 43.132406 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said at least four and as many as 13 civilians were killed and 25 injured including children and women after alliance jets struck residential apartments used by displaced people in the Alaymen district of eastern Mosul.

The National Iraqi News Agency reported: “residents said that international coalition aircraft bombed a residential compound belonging to the families of Mosul people which resulted in the deaths of 13 civilians, including three children and five women and wounding three women.

In what may be the same or a separate Mosul incident that day, NRN News and the Islamic State-linked Al A’amaq reported four or five civilian deaths, after aircraft were said to have targeted the Gulf Commercial Bank in the Dara Lakshman area. Five civilians were also said to have been injured, while four Daesh fighters reportedly died.

In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 18
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–30
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • NRN news identifies the sites of two alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mosul which reportedly killed civilians march 15th

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF323232
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • March 15, 2016, in Bab Laksh, 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. 2914/CI201 38SLF323232

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 14th-15th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes [1 French] struck an ISIL training camp and two ISIL improvised explosive device factories and destroyed four ISIL assembly areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 18
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–30
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS202

Incident date

April 11, 2016

Location

حمام صغير, Hamam Sagheir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.65233, 38.13965 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were reported killed and ten injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamam Sagheir village in Aleppo governorate. One of those killed was a child, who died alongside his father.

The Syrian Network placed the death toll at two including a child. Syria Post said up to four died, noting that “an entire family made up of 3-4 people was killed in the area of Al Hamam mountain in Al Shamiya area in the countryside of Manbij in the eastern Aleppo countryside after the international coalition launched a raid on their house which lies opposite the village of Tal Ahmar on the eastern bank of the Euphrates – after Kurdish militia gave Coalition planes the wrong coordinates.”

The Syrian Press Centre claimed the village mosque was also destroyed in five Coalition strikes on the village.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Age unknown male Father of Nour al Deen al Ali killed
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Up to 4 civilians died in alleged Coalition strike April 11th after a home was mistakenly hit (via Syria Post)
  • Translation: #Aleppo: coalition planes carry out five raids on the village of Hamam Sagheer near Manbij which led to the death of two people and more than ten injuries including women.
  • Translation: the martyrdom of the child Nour al Deen al Ali and Abboud al Hamad al Ali in coalition raids on the village of Hamam Sagheer near Manbij. Ten others, including women, were injured.
  • Translation: two martyrs and a number of wounded and the destruction of a mosque following the targeting of warplanes the village of Hamam sagheer in Manbij. The two martyrs are A’bou al Hamad and his son nour Al Deen.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 11th-12th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL mortar system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS238

Incident date

June 22, 2016

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

A British schoolgirl Kadiza Sultana – who had run away with two friends to join ISIL – was killed in a Coalition strike on an ‘ISIL finance centre’ – a local bank.

Sultana reportedly lived in an apartment above the building targeted that day. The US has not admitted civilian deaths related to this strike, only to one on an ‘ISIL headquarters building’ (see above.)

Raqqa is being Slaughtered noted at the time that “air raids at dawn today targeted the Islamic bank opposite al Rashid Park and Bank Bemo in al Thakana which led to the total destruction of Bank Bimo.” Photographs showed the six-story building totally destroyed.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that 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.

The victims were named as:

Child female British national killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • CCTV footage showing (left to right) Kadiza Sultana,16, Shamima Begum,15 and 15-year-old Amira Abase going through security at Gatwick airport. Photograph: Metropolitan Police/PA (via The Guardian)

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
    37SEV008782
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • June 22, 2016, in Raqqah, Syria, 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. 2980/CS238 37SEV008782

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 21st-22nd the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL headquarters, and an ISIL finance center and destroyed two ISIL oil pump jacks.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS261

Incident date

July 13, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed in Manbij, either by Coalition aircraft or more likely, as a result of a Daesh-boobytrapped vehicle.

As Lens Young Manbij reported, “Al Haj Mahmoud Sarmini, his wife and daughter Alaa Sarmini, 4 years old, were killed near al Fatah station. We don’t know whether it was an IS booby trap or air raids that targeted their home on Wednesday.

Others put the age of Mr Sarmini and his wife at 86 and 72, suggesting that Alaa was their grandchild or great grandchild.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Al Haj Mahmoud Sarmini
86 years old male killed
Al Haj Mahmoud Sarmini's wife
72 years old female killed
Alaa Sarmini
4 years years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA047425
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • July 13, 2016, in Manbij, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3009/CS261 37SDA047425

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 12th-13th, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, eight strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI271

Incident date

August 1, 2016

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that Coalition airstrikes had struck neighbourhoods in Qa’im City resulting in 9 civilian deaths – 5 children and 4 women- and 10 injuries. According to Iraq Spring, five homes were hit. ISIL’s media arm later issued a graphic video showing significant destruction at the scene and the bodies of four young children.

However, the Coalition told Airwars that There were no CJTF-OIR strikes in or near Al Qaim between Aug. 1 and Aug. 3.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (5 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

No Coalition strikes were reported at Al Qaim for July 31st-August 1st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (5 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]