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

CI297

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Location

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.157604, 43.257238 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the second day of the offensive to recapture Mosul, Coalition strikes reportedly damaged a medical center in the south of the city leaving several dead, including at least three children.

Al Rafidain Network for Human Rights reported that “American” bombings targeted a health center in Hamam al-Alil, south of Mosul. Ahmed Mashal posted that an “American bombing raid” hit the center, leaving a number of “civilian casualties, including children.”

A graphic video posted on social media, appearing to originate from an ISIL-controlled outlet, showed at least three children dead wrapped in blankets. What appear to be portions of the medical center are reduced to rubble.

Given reported British actions in the area that day, Airwars flagged the incident to the UK’s MoD which said ” we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the event. However given that RAF strikes were reported south east of Mosul, Airwars has requested further clarification.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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

For October 17th-18th the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and two staging areas; destroyed 10 mortar systems, five artillery systems, four ISIL-held buildings, four fighting positions, four vehicles, two supply caches, two repeater tower generators, a VBIED facility, and a VBIED; and suppressed four tactical units and three rocket positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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

CI317

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.368483, 43.184281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, three members of a family, as well as a father and son, were killed by mortar fire in eastern Mosul.

Mosul Eye reported that mortars fell on apartment buildings, and killed a family of 3.

Mosul Kadema named the two victims and published their pictures.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Waleed Tamer
Age unknown male killed
Abus Rahma
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image of Waleed Thamer, killed after mortars fell on Mosul (Via @mosul.kadema)
  • An image of Abus Rahma, killed after mortars fell on Mosul (Via @mosul.kadema)
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
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 1st-2nd, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed four vehicles, a mortar system, and a fighting position; damaged two fighting positions; and suppressed three tactical units, two heavy machine guns, and a mortar system.”

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
    5
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI334

Incident date

November 13, 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

A coalition airstrike allegedly killed three civilians in Seada village in western Anbar, According to multiple sources.

Several local outlets reported the deaths of three civilians from Coalition bombings. Al Qiam news named two victims as.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hamid Badawi Mahlawi
Adult male Via ALQAIM ALHADATH1 killed
Zidane Wadi Marsoumi
Adult male Via ALQAIM ALHADATH1 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture of the three civilians who were killed in an alleged coalition in Seada village in western Anbar (via Samarra Tv)

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

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 of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 13th-14th, the Coalition reported “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a bunker.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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

CI348

Incident date

November 24, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.349611, 43.2167441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were claims by local sources that as many as 70 civilian casualties occurred in Mosul as a result of Coalition strikes, ISIL bombardment or Iraq Army actions.

Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that 70 civilians were killed or wounded by “either” the Coalition or Iraqi government artillery.

Other reports put the toll lower, including one released by Al Taghier Channel, which put the toll at 36 killed and wounded. Additional outlets reported that ISIL had committed massacres in areas of Mosul recaptured by government forces.

In a January 2nd 2017 statement which may refer to this or the following event, the Coalition noted: Nov. 24, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike. A senior official later informed Airwars that the alleged incident had come to light as a result of internal reporting.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    35–65
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image shows a victim killed after the bombing of the city of Mosul (via Zakaria al-Kudri)
  • an image shows Iraqi forces standing next to a dead body following a shelling on Mosul (Via naynawa alghad.tv)
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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF4000224228
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 23rd-24th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and a sniper position; destroyed six mortar systems, three vehicles, two heavy machine guns, two VBIEDs, and two command and control nodes; damaged four supply routes and two bridges; and suppressed a tactical unit and a mortar system.” For November 24th-25th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed three ISIL-held buildings, two mortar systems, two vehicles, a VBIED, an artillery system, and a weapons cache; damaged a supply route; and suppressed a mortar system.”

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
    6
  • Civilians reported injured
    35–65
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI365

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.375659, 42.451536 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Yaqein reported that more than 40 civilians, including civilians, were killed in Iraqi government bombing. Citing a source, they said that there were 42 victims.

Al Hadath, citing the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, also cited government airstrikes in Tel Abtah, but said that they killed 42 terrorists, and destroyed three cars, one carrying members of ISIL. A Facebook account – Forth Theory – also cited more than 40 civilian deaths.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials said the event was presently assessed as Not credible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ 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 Tal Afar, Iraq
    Nearest population center

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 of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 7th-8th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Tal Afar. For December 8th-9th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Tal Afar.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI382

Incident date

December 30, 2016

Location

وادي حجر, Mosul, Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in Wadi Hajar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.325762, 43.125991 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven civilians were reported killed and up to 80 injured when Coalition aircraft allegedly struck the vicinity of the Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in the Wadi Hajar area of Mosul.

Islamic State later issued a propaganda video which included eyewitness reports. One noted: After we heard the bombing of Khalid Bin Al Waleed we came to rescue the people and injuries but they [were] bombing us for the second time.

Several outlets, including Arabic News, Prevision and Wesal TV reported 11 dead and 80 wounded, and Yaqein blamed the Coalition for attacks on that day in the vicinity of Mosul.

An adult man was named by Niniva Al Hadbah Mother of Two Springs Facebook as one of the victims. Additionally, a man was killed and reported by family members at nearby Quds neighbourhood.

In its February 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition said the incident was under assessment. On March 4th it stated: Dec. 30, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in the strikes conducted in this area on that day.

However, Airwars still assesses this to be a likely incident based on available ground reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Muhammad Najm
Adult male Via Niniva Al Hadbah Mother of Two Springs killed
Talal Khaled Abdulwahab
Age unknown male Via family member killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    80
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Ibrahim Muhammad Najm, killed following a coalition airstrike on Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in the Wadi Hajar area of Mosul (via 'Niniva AlHadbah mother of two springs' Facebook page)
  • A screenshot from video shows the destruction following an alleged coalition airstrike on Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in the Wadi Hajar area of Mosul (via Hey Wadi Hajar Mosul)
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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in the strikes conducted in this area on that day.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 29th-30th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed 11 ISIL-held buildings, five supply caches, three tactical vehicles, two mortar systems, two fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a tunnel, an observation post, a research lab, a command and control node, an up-armored VBIED, two barges, and two artillery pieces; suppressed five mortar teams; and damaged 20 supply routes and two repeater towers.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    80
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI406

Incident date

January 8, 2017

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

Local sources said that civilians, including women and children, were killed or injured due to Coalition airstrikes on Rashad and Riad regions Sunday evening in Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk.

Only once source, News of Iraq, claimed there were civilian casualties.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hawija, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE8848409665
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 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 7th-8th the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in Hawija.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS509

Incident date

February 19, 2017

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

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition stated in April that its aircraft had not been involved in a civilian casualty event alleged by an NGO.

According to the report: “Feb. 19, 2018, near Manbij, Syria, via NGO report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 1, 2017

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 18th-19th, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Bab, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position and a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]