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

CS142

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Location

مسطاحة, Mestaha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.300278, 38.123611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three teenage civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike. They are listed as being from Mestaha in Aleppo but it is not clear whether they were killed there.  This incident is currently single source.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

16 years old male killed
17 years old male killed
18 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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

The Coalition confirms carrying out strikes in the vicinity of Ma’ra in Aleppo governorate on October 31st-November 1st: “Near Mar’a, six strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), and wounded two ISIL fighters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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

CI179

Incident date

January 18, 2016

Location

المعارض المنفيس, Mosul, Exhibitions area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.344167, 43.188333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources claimed that 11 civilians were killed and 6 others wounded after Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted cars in the Exhibitions area east of Mosul.

According to the National Iraqi News Agency, residents in the city’s Exhibitions area said the casualties occurred when aircraft fired on vehicles: “The bodies of civilians were handed over to the forensic medicine department, while those injured were taken to hospitals in Mosul.” Al Mustaqbal also noted the event, though their story appears to be based on NINA’s report.

Al Araby said that 10 civilians died in the event while a further 11 were injured, noting that local sources “did not know whether the bombing had inflicted casualties (on Daesh) or not.”

Responding to a request for clarification, the UK MoD told Airwars: “There is no credible indication of potential UK involvement” in the alleged event of January 18th.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying it had not conducted strikes in the near vicinity: “Jan. 18, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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]

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
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported for January 18th-19th 2016 that “Near Mosul, five strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, four ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL cash collection point.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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

CS185

Incident date

February 27, 2016

Location

عين العروس, `Ayn al `Arus, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.6703466, 38.9346886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to reports up to 16 civilians including 10 members of a family died in Ain al A’rouss “following Coalition raids.” One adult male civilian victim – the head of the family – was named by VDC as Faeour al Abo.

According to Shaam News, Daesh targets had been struck in the town: “International coalition aircraft attacked the Al Bazza’i building in the town of Ain Al A’rouss near Tal Abyad, where elements of IS were holed up inside. This led to the destruction of the building and the killing of all those who were inside.

Another source noted: “Baladi News’s reporter confirmed that ten people including women and children were killed in the family of Mr. Fa’our Al I’bbo, when the coalition bombed their home in Ain Al A’rouss. The coalition also bombed three other houses belonging to Ismail Al I’bbo, and Hamad Mahmoud Juma’a al Hawi, which led to the displacement of the villagers to the neighboring villages.”

In a later report the Syrian Network placed the final death toll at 16, who it said died in two separate events. “First incident: Fixed-wing international coalition forces war-planes fired missiles that targeted Ein Al Arous village which resulted in the killing of 11 individuals including two children and five women

Second incident: Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted a residential building in Ein Al Arous village which resulted in the killing of four individuals: Victims’ names:

1- Hamad Jomaa Hamad

2- Ismail Khalil Eneizan

3- Baran Ismail Al Eneizan, child

4- Mrs. Sifein, her surname wasn’t acquired

Raqaa is Being Slaughtered has published a picture [below] of a burning building it said was among the Deash-occupied facilities targeted.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Turfah Ibrahim Al Abbo
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult male killed
Ismail Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult male killed
Mohammad Al Fa’our Al Abbou
Child male killed
Ahmad Ibrahim Al Abbou
Child male killed
Mohammad Ibrahim Al Abbou
Adult male killed
Rim Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult female killed
Aisha Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult female killed
Ro’a Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Zahra Hamad Al Kadrou
Adult female killed
Hamad Jomaa Hamad
Age unknown male killed
Ismail Khalil Eneizan
Age unknown male killed
Baran Ismail Al Eneizan
Child male killed
Sifein
Adult female last name could not be found killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • 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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • One of the buildings reportedly targeted by the Coalition on February 27th in Ayn (via Raqaa is Being Slaughtered)

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.67034, 38.93468

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Ayn al Arus
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA9416358305
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Feb. 27, 2016, near Ayn al Arus, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 2922/CS185 37SDA9416358305

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 26th-27th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Tal Abyad, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • 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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI219

Incident date

April 6, 2016

Location

حاج علي, Haj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.734251, 43.3181477 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed “dozens of civilians” including children and women were killed or injured after Coalition or Iraq government jets targeted Haj Ali village in Qayyarah south of Mosul.

While most social media reports blamed the Iraqi military for the event, others blamed the Coalition or both. Yaqen, for example, said it was a joint ground and air assault: “Intense Coalition and Iraq government airstrikes bombed Haj Ali, a village near Qayyarah south of Mosul, along with government shelling by heavy artillery and rocket attacks. This resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians.”

Some linked the casualties to military impatience at the slow rate of the campaign to liberate Mosul.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • 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 (7) [ 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 reports for April 5th-6th 2016 that “Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.”

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
    30
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI254

Incident date

June 16, 2016

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

It was reported that airstrikes and artillery shelling of neighbourhoods in Fallujah killed at least 10 civilians and injured 15 more. However, it was not clear from the reports who was responsible, as they referred to aggressive shelling government and international.

One report said that the emergency Fallujah General Hospital received thirteen wounded including five children and four women, also received the bodies of ten people including four children and three women. One of the fatalities was named.

In the first of their March 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 the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Via Iraqi Spring Media Centre killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 16
  • (4–7 children3–6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the aftermath of the airstrike in Fallujah (via yaqein news)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of a little girl who was killed following air raids or artillery shelling on several neighbourhoods in al Fallujah (via Omar al Halbousi Mosul)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture an injured man following air raids or artillery shelling on several neighbourhoods in al Fallujah (via Omar al Halbousi Mosul)

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLB871911
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • June 16, 2016, in Fallujah, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2961/CI254 38SLB871911

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 15th-16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Fallujah, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL light machine gun, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), two ISIL rocket propelled grenade systems, and an ISIL recoilless rifle and denied ISIL access to terrain.“

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
    10 – 16
  • (4–7 children3–6 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS254

Incident date

July 9, 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

Heavy reported Coalition strikes on the al Hunaithal neighbourhood of western Manbij led to the additional deaths of five named civilians, according to reports. Al Hall described the location as al Rabita Street.

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Fatima Al Zori,
40 years old female The wife of Abd al Kareem
Abd al Kareem Hunaithal
52 years old male killed
Alaa Abd al Kareem Hunaithal
20 years years old female injured
Nasser Hunaithal
19 years years old male killed
Salah Hunaithal
9 years years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Al A'Amaq issued photos of what it said was the site of 5 civilian deaths from Coalition strikes in Manbij
  • Translation: #Manbij warplanes raid al Hunaithal neighbourhood west of the city and there are civilian casualties (via manbejnews)
  • Translation: #coalition commits another massacre killing 5 civilian martyrs at least including a child as a result of targeting al Rabita street in Manbij.
  • Translation: #urgentcfive civilians including some from the same family killed a result of the international coalition raids on Al rabita streeet in the centre of Manbij.

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.51003, 37.94878  

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA0652842901
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • July 9, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3003/CS254 37SDA0652842901

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 8th-9th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL-used bridge…. Near Manbij, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL-used bridge.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS282

Incident date

July 25, 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

An unspecified number of civilians was reported killed and injured during alleged Coalition airstrikes in support of heavy ground fighting in Manbij.

According to blogger Hathifa al Yaman al Majd “Warplanes last night targeted Al Jilawi neighbourhood behind al Hawatma neighbourhood, on Jarablos road. Missiles hit civilian houses and destroyed seven houses in the area, resulting in many deaths and injuries among civilians. We don’t know the names of the targeted houses yet nor the names of the civilians as it’s very difficult to reach the area.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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

For July 25th-26th the Coalition stated: “Near Manbij, seven strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL house borne improvised explosive device.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS301

Incident date

August 25, 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

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of a young civilian male following an alleged Coalition strike on an ISIL prison. The group noted on August 28th: “Martyrdom of Khalil Al-Gharieb, detained by the organisation Daesh due to an international Coalition warplane raid several days before on the organization’s prison in the city of Raqqa.”

In an investigation published in October 2016, the Syrian Network reported: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired missiles that targeted a center for ISIS in Al Raqqa city, which is held by the group. The bombardment resulted in the killing of Mr. Khalil Gharbi Al Thaher who had been arrested by ISIS since June 2016. We believe that this incident doesn’t constitute a breach to the international humanitarian law because the target was a military center for ISIS. We included it in the report as one of the incidents that resulted in casualties even though it was within the domain that the international humanitarian law allows for.”

Given reported British incidents 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.

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:

Age unknown male Detained by the organisation Daesh killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Khalil Al-Gharieb, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on an ISIL prison at Raqqa lte August 2016 (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

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
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Aug. 25, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 3034/CS301 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

A number of Coalition strikes are reported near Raqqa from August 24th 2016 onwards. However these were reported as being targeted at oil facilities.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Thursday 25 August – Tornados struck a Daesh group in eastern Syria, while Typhoons bombed a terrorist-held building in western Iraq…Typhoons, supported as is normal by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, patrolled the Euphrates valley west of Ramadi on Thursday 25 August, where they used a Paveway IV to attack a Daesh-held building on the northern river-bank. Over Syria, a pair of Tornados used two Brimstone missiles to engage a number of terrorists spotted occupying positions under trees in farmland in the east of the country.’

Summary

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