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

CI129

Incident date

October 19, 2015

Location

تل كيف‎, Tel Kepe (Tel Kayf), Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.4908349, 43.1204796 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq reported that seven people died when a minbus was struck in an airstrike near Mosul.

According to UNAMI, “At 10h30 a.m. on 20 October, seven civilians were killed – including three women and two children – and one was seriously wounded when the minibus in which they were travelling was hit by an airstrike. The victims were all members of one family and were travelling from al-Qawsiyat village in Wana sub-district, Tal Kaif district, to Mosul.“

Local media reported the incident at the time as taking place on October 19th. Most blamed the deaths on the Coalition.

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (2 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF316400
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 19, 2015, in Tel Kepe, 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. 2845/CI129 38SLF316400

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reported the following airstrike in Nineveh province for October 19th-20th: “Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.“

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (2 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI152

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike on the Thubat district of Fallujah reportedly killed a young girl named as Ayesha Wadhah, and also wounded two other children named as Tabarek Wadhah (who lost a hand) and her brother Osama Wadhah.

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 (2)

Tabarek Wadhah
Child female Lost a hand injured
Osama Wadhah
Child male Brother of Tabarek Wadhah injured

The victims were named as:

Ayesha Wadhah
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Images of the alleged strikes

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
    38SLB872911
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • December 7, 2015, in Fallujah, 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. 2869/CI152 38SLB872911

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 6th-7th 2015 and for December 7th-8th the Coalition publicly declared no strikes at Fallujah.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI176

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On October 27th 2017 the Coalition published an assessment of a civilian casualty event dated January 12th 2016, naming Airwars as the source of reporting. The Coalition’s report stated: “1. Jan. 12, 2016, near Al Qa’im, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information, it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.” However, Airwars had not reported any strikes in Iraq that date.

After contacting the Coalition, Airwars was told in an email that the assessment had in fact been published with the wrong year. The Coalition’s assessment refers to the alleged strike in Al Qaim in January 12th 2017.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ 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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tel Kepe, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 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

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY EVENT

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS182

Incident date

February 23, 2016

Location

Bahssa, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.081812, 40.7012987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian males named as Ahmad Salem Al A’tiya and Issa Turky Al Sulayman died in an alleged Coalition strike on a car in the village of Al Bahsa, west of al Shadadi.

Al Jazeera also noted the event: “In Hassakah northeast Syria, activists reported the fall of two dead and several wounded in air raids on the village of Al Bahssa west of Shadadi in raids by the international coalition, where there are battles between IS and democratic forces of Syria, led by Kurdish People’s Protection Units.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Salem Al A’tiya
Age unknown male killed
Issa Turky Al Sulayman
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: #Al Hassaka coalition planes target a civilian car in the village of al Bahssa north west of al Shadadi while they were trying to leave the city and they are Ahmad Salem Al A’tiya and Issa Turki. (via @dola3001)

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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 February 22nd-23rd 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Al Hasakah, five strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL buildings and suppressed two ISIL sniper positions and two ISIL fighting positions and damaged an ISIL building.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI216

Incident date

April 5, 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

In the third reported civilian casualty event of the day, seven civilians from the same family including children and women were reported killed after Coalition jets allegedly targeted an ISIL-occupied house but missed, instead striking the next door house.

The attack reportedly took place in the Engineers neighbourhood of west Mosul, and the Daesh militants targeted were said to be Chinese in origin.

Ara News cited local journalist Raafat Alzerara: “The missile landed on the house next door, killing a whole family of seven people… the shelling did not cause any damage to the Chinese ISIL fighters who survived the incident and evacuated the immediate area for fear of being targeted again.”

Responding to a request for clarification about possible RAF involvement given declared strikes at Mosul that day, the UK MoD told Airwars: “There is no credible indication of potential UK involvement” in the alleged events of April 5th.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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

The Coalition reports that for April 5th-6th 2016: “Near Mosul, seven strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units, an ISIL financial storage center, and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed two ISIL supply caches, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL command and control node, and three ISIL assembly areas.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS210

Incident date

May 7, 2016

Location

احتيملات, Ahtemlat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.56556, 37.25067 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians including up to 5 children died in a reported night time Coalition strike at Ahtemlat in Aleppo governorate. Graphic images showed the bodies of at least two infants being recovered.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “SOHR activists were informed that no less than 4 IS including a commander were killed by aerial bombardment by the U.S led coalition warplanes during the last 24 hours around the strategic town of Dabiq, the aerial bombardment also killed 6 civilians including children. No less than 12 IS were killed by aerial bombardment targeted Dalha and Hor areas in the northern countryside near the Turkish borders.”

In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “May 7, 2016, near Ahtemlat, 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 the well documented nature of this event – and the existence of a video showing casualties – Airwars continues to assess this event as likely.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Al A’maq agency (ISIS propaganda): 1 person and 5 children killed following US strikes on the village of Ahteimlat in the northern Aleppo countryside (via Ibrahim al masry)
  • Translation: The result of US raids on the town of Ahteimlat in the northern Aleppo countryside: one person killed and 5 others injured, all muslims, by US raids on Ahteimlat in the northern Aleppo countryside (via AlWalaa’ and al Bara’a)
  • Translation: 5 children and one woman killed and livestock destroyed following coalition bombing of the town of Ahteimlat (via Syria-Rebels).
  • Translation: 5 civilians killed including children in coalition bombing on the village of Ahteimlat which is under Daesh control.
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 Ahtemlat, 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
Official source

The Coalition reports for May 6th-7th 2016 that “Near Mar’a [Aleppo governorate], three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL command and control node, and ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI250

Incident date

June 13, 2016

Location

الشرقاط, Al Shirqat, Salaheldin, Iraq

Geolocation

35.5045616, 43.2404709 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed a whole family was killed after Coalition warplanes allegedly destroyed their house in the Sharqat region.

News of Iraq reported that the Coalition allegedly bombed civilian homes in Sharqat, resulting in the destruction of a house and the deaths all of the family members inside it.

A video posted by Daesh propagandists Al A’Amaq showed destruction in Sharqat, and also blamed the Coalition.

Al Rafidain named the seven victims from the same families

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Hamid Shuraidah
Adult male via Alrafidain killed
Wife of Hamid Shuraidah
Adult female via Alrafidain killed
Son of Hamid Shuraidah
Child male via Alrafidain killed
Daughter of Hamid Shuraidah
Child female via Alrafidain killed
Sister 1 of Daughter of Hamid Shuraidah
female via Alrafidain killed
Sister 2 of Daughter of Hamid Shuraidah
female via Alrafidain killed
Sister 3 of Daughter of Hamid Shuraidah
female via Alrafidain killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 13
  • (2 children4 women1 man)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • A video posted by Amaq media following an alleged coalition strike in Al Shirqat area where the rescue team is looking for casualties in the damaged building (Via Mosul Mina al-Waqa)

Geolocation notes (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

The Coalition did not directly report any strikes at Sharkat for June 13th-14th 2016. However it did report strikes further north of the town: “Near Qayyarah, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL assembly area, and two ISIL mortar systems and suppressed a separate ISIL tactical unit and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 13
  • (2 children4 women1 man)
  • 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

CI263

Incident date

July 7, 2016

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source claimed that Coalition strikes in the vicinity of Hawijah killed five non-combatants and injured an additional 12 people. A number of homes were reportedly damaged in the incident.

No additional information is presently known.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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
Official source

For July 6th-7th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIL bunker and an ISIL tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]