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

CS1141

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

الصور, Al Soor, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.5081949, 40.6549072 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one family and as many as 50 civilians were reportedly killed, said to be family members of ISIL fighters, following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Soor to the north east of Deir Ezzor.

The airstrikes were said to be in the telephone exchange area of the city, a number of local sources reported.

According to Baladi News, “media sources said that about 50 members of the families of Islamic State were killed Sunday, an air strike of the coalition aircraft International, targeted a house near the telephone exchange area in Soor north of the city of Deir al-Zour, while other sources said that The dead are members of one family of a member of the organization.”

All four sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

In a civilian casualty assessment released July 13th 2021, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 50
  • 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 (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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV500306
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 13, 2021

  • Jul. 2, 2017, in al Soor, Syria, via Airwars report. 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. 1829/CS1141 37SFV500306

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 1st-2nd, the Coalition reported: Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed 20 ISIS oil storage barrels and six oil tankers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 50
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1403

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Location

البدو, Badou neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961778, 39.006083 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major casualty event, between 18 and 50 civilians reportedly died and up to 56 more were wounded – many of them women and children – as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa’s Bedo neighbourhood, local media reported.

According to Baladi, “20 civilians, including women and children, were killed and dozens of people were injured as a result of the bombing of the Al-Badu neighborhood by the international coalition forces in the center of Al-Rigga city.”

The majority of sources put the death count at 18. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published graphic images of child victims from the event. It put the death toll at around 20 – as did Sound and Picture, @ShahbaPress and @aghiad_alkhede.

Syrian Press Center said that as many as 40 died and that a residential building had been completely destroyed by the strikes.

Ahmad Shbli put the death toll still higher at 50, while other sources, including Hasaka Rasd, said that as many as 56 civilians were wounded.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “documented the death of 42 civilians, including 19 children below the age 18 and 12 women above the age of 19” following alleged Coalition airstrikes “in Al-Sakhani and Al-Badw alleys and Al-Hadiqa Al-Baydaa’ area”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Retaj Ahmed Abdul-Sultan
Child female killed
Islam Ahmed Abdul-Sultan
Child female killed
Hadeel Ahmed Abdul-Sultan
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (3–19 children1–12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–56
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition raid raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, August 21st 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of civilians who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children who were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Bedo, Raqqa, 21st August 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic video showing the bodies of children killed in Bedo during an alleged Coalition airstrike, 21st August 2017. (via Ahmad Shbli)
  • Children who were killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 21st August 2017. (via Sound and Picture)
  • Children who were killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 21st August 2017. (via Sound and Picture)
  • A child who was killed in the alleged Coalition airstrike on Bedo, 21st August 2017. (via Sound and Picture)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Badou neighbourhood (حارة) of Raqqah, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.961778, 39.006083.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 August 21st-22nd: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, a vehicle, a logistics node and ISIS communications infrastructure.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, 24 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 33 fighting positions, a logistics node, a mortar system, and an anti-air artillery system.” And that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed five ISIS fighting positions.” Also that “On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions. (@EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 50
  • (3–19 children1–12 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–56
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS130

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Location

السلخة, Jala'a (Al-Salakha), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.371708, 40.490609 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

France’s first air strike in Syria was alleged to have killed at least 30 child soldiers of Islamic State, according to reports.

The attack – which France later declared was a five-hour raid by multiple aircraft on a ‘Daesh training camp’ – targeted among other sites a palm grove at Al Shalkha, near the town of Jala’a.

Al Mayadeen cited a ‘senior source’ who alleged that five French Rafale aircraft “targeted a camp of so-called ‘Cubs of the Caliphate’ aged between 14 and 18 years, killing fifty of them.” The source added that the deaths “have raised the ire and wrath of local people towards Daesh. for forcing their children to attend training camps.”

According to the Syrian Observatory, not all of those killed were child soldiers with the dead also including “Arab fighters from North Africa and Syrian, and Iraqi fighters.” ISIL had been recruiting child soldiers in the areas it occupied since the start of 2015 reported SOHR: “They are ‘adults and are responsible for their decisions’, as the organization puts it.”

Asked to clarify the status of child soldiers according to the laws of war, Dapo Akande, Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, told Airwars: “With regard to child soldiers, the fact that they are children will not change the law regarding whether they can be targeted. If they are members of an organized armed group or taking direct part in hostilities they can be targeted – even if they are doing this against the wishes of their families (or even against their own wishes).”

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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (12–30 children)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.65028, 40.84028

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Jala’a, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU6865035802
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Sept. 27, 2015, near Jala’a, 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. 2848/CS130 37SFU6865035802

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

France has confirmed carrying out a complex air raid near Dayr az Zawr on September 27th 2015: “Le 27 septembre 2015, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont mené un raid aérien contre un camp d’entraînement de Daech situé dans la vallée de l’Euphrate, au Sud de Deir Ez Zor. Il s’agit d’une frappe délibérée sur un objectif reconnu préalablement. Nos renseignements recoupés avec ceux de la coalition ont clairement établi que ce camp est occupé et actif.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (12–30 children)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1396

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

دوار النعيم, Naim roundabout, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95447, 39.009392 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major civilian casualty event, between 23 and 50 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in the Bedo neighborhood of Raqqa, local media reported.

However, in May 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed the civilian harm allegations as non-credible, noting “after a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

In the main, sources estimate the death toll at “more than 40”. However, a Tweet by @Q_Alenezy suggested that there could be “more than 50” dead, as people were still trapped under rubble.

The incident was described by some sources, including Step News Agency, as “one of the largest massacres since the start of the battle”. Nearly all sources tracked held the US-led Coalition responsible for the airstrikes and the subsequent loss of civilian life.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at 23. However, most other sources said that up to 40 civilians had died – mostly women and children. Sound and Picture said that 42 had been killed.

Activists that spoke to Smart News said “the bombing targeted a residential building in the Bedu neighbourhood, near Na’im roundabout, which the organization used as a platform for executions, and that bodies were still under the rubble”. The death toll, sources said, is likely to rise due to the people still trapped under the destroyed buildings.

Local residents were able to save three people who were next to the building, according to a correspondent cited in Sound and Picture.

The Euphrates Post published a series of photographs of the homes destroyed; the houses of Musa al Mashhadani, Khalil al-Mahbash and Fadel Moussa and Darda.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Met’eb Al-Hammoud,
30 years years old male injured
Ziad Fawaz Hindawi
26 years years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Bedo neighbourhood, Aug 20th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple locations around the Al Naim roundabout (دوار النعيم), for which the coordinates are: 35.95447, 39.009392. The video posted by Euphrates Post shows damage to buildings at the following coordinates: 35.957969, 39.007720.

  • Damage to a building in the Badou neighbourhood (left: August 19, 2017; right: August 25, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Badou (البدو)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Stated location
    near al-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV006792
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019

  • Aug. 20, 2017, near al-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 36 strikes engaged 22 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 29 fighting positions and seven command and control nodes.” That “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an IED, and a command and control node.” And that “On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1405

Incident date

August 22, 2017

Location

الملاهي, near Malahi (amusement park), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.958095, 39.006309 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major civilian casualty event in which 40 to 50 or more people reportedly died, and between 60 and 100 people injured, followed US-led Coalition airstrikes in conjunction with artillery shelling, alleged local sources.

The offensive targeted the Malahi (Amusement Park) district of Raqqa City and obliterated a four-storey residential building, where more than 40 civilians were said to be inside. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, amongst others, said that seven entire families were victims of the attack. Sources described a “crusade of coalition aircraft and artillery #SDF”. Airwars understands that only the Coalition have access to artillery in Raqqa.

Subsequent reports labelled the incident a “horrific massacre” in which “mostly women and children” were killed. Both Smart and Micro News did not mention the US-led Coalition explicitly, but referred to “warplanes” and “artillery” that targeted residential buildings in a collaborative operation. All other sources cited the US-led Coalition directly.

In their first assessment of this event in October 2017, the Coalition deemed this event non-credible, reporting that “The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.” In their second assessment in March 2022, the Coalition kept this even classified as non-credible, with the reasoning 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    60–100
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa's Malahi neighbourhood, August 22nd 2017. (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a four-storey residential building next to the Amusement Park (حديقة الملاهي) in the city of Raqqah. Airwars geolocated the image shared by RBSS of this building to these exact coordinates: 35.958095, 39.006309. Damage to this building can be seen on satellite imagery between August 21 and 25, 2017.  Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 35.95808, 39.00630

  • Damage seen on satellite imagery to the building in the image shared by RBSS (left: August 19, 2017; right: August 25, 2017)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location, Other
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0056879299
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Oct 27, 2017

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

  • Aug. 22, 2017, near Raqqah, 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. 2771/CS1405 37SEV0056879299

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 22nd – 23rd the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 26 fighting positions, an ISIS headquarters, a command and control node, and ISIS engineering equipment.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 22, near Raqqah, Syria, 27 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 27 fighting positions, three IEDs, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and ISIS engineering equipment.” And that “On Aug. 22, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters.” It also later noted that “On Aug. 22, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 16-22, France report 5 strikes in Iraq and 2 in Syria. Task Force Wagram conducted 60 artillery missions. (@EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    60–100
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI068

Incident date

May 21, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, near Bahauddin mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.360033, 43.098733 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Summary: A devastating airstrike on the Mosul neighbourhood of Rifai reportedly killed numerous non-combatants and injured up to 150 people. Among those killed in the event was Ayman al Hayali (who ran a clothing shop) and his family, including his wife and young son.

Other sources claimed that 5 women and at least 3 children were among the dead, including a girl named Habiba aged four.

According to most media, the deaths and injuries occurred after a house used by Islamic State to store ammunition was hit by the coalition, leading to major secondary explosions in the vicinity of the Bahauddin mosque.

Mosul TV cited a local eyewitness as saying that “seven houses and five shops were completely destroyed” in the attack, and that scuffles broke out between survivors and militants over ISIL’s policy of storing munitions in a civilian neighbourhood. Local people also urged the coalition to be far more careful in its targeting.

In a later report issued January 2016 the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) noted: “On 22-23 May, UNAMI/OHCHR received a report that airstrikes hit al-Najjar, al-Rifai and Sahaa areas in western Mosul in Ninewa, allegedly killing 30 civilians and wounding 62 others, including women and children. UNAMI/OHCHR was not able to verify this report.”

 

The incident occured around dusk.

The victims were named as:

Ayman al Hayali
Adult male killed
Habiba
4 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (2–3 children1–5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–150
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Habiba, a 4 year old 'killed in a coalition strike' at Mosul, May 21 2015 (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • Images of the aftermath of the alleged incident
  • Ayman al Hayali (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • A person allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • A person allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • A person allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • A person allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • A child named Rifai allegedly killed in the strike (via Mosul Ateka)
  • A child allegedly injured in the attack (via Hunaal Hadbaa)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the after aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the after aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the after aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Rudaw)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Rifai neighborhood (حي جلاقة) and that civilians were harmed in proximity to “Bahauddin mosque”, in the adjacent ar-Rabi/al-Najjar (حي النجار) neighbourhood. The location for the affected area (75 m radius from point) based on geolocation of images: 36.360033, 43.098733

  • Overview of landmarks geolocated from photographs.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Bing

  • Najjar (النجار) and Rifai (جلاقة) neighbourhoods in Mosul and the Bahauddin mosque (بهاء الدين)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    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 26, 2018

  • 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

The coalition has described destroying “an ISIL cache” in the vicinity of Mosul on May 21st 2015: “Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL tunnel systems, an ISIL motorcycle, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL cache.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 50
  • (2–3 children1–5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–150
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1312

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Location

حارة البوسرايا, Al Bousraya area, Mo'ataz street, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95483, 39.01382 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major casualty incident, between 10 and 50 civilians died, including entire families, and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the Al Bousraya area of Raqqa, according to local sources. Since further research was conducted by Amnesty it appears only 16 civilians were living in the building which was struck.

Reports said that the strike hit a civilian home/building which contained 50 civilians. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, nearly all 50 people were killed, including two children. The source said that IS had gathered the civilians inside the building.

Rt.ararabic put the death toll at nine. However the majority of sources placed it much higher. Al Raqqa Truth said 15 died and dozens more were wounded, while Sharqiya voice and Zamanalwasl put the figure at 20, blaming the Coalition.

According to Sound and Picture, “initial reports indicated the death and wounding of approximately 50 civilians”, including entire families. It said most of the victims were women and children.

Muheet added that “according to data from social media sites, the shelling focused on one of the neighbourhood’s houses, which housed more than 50 people, including children and women from one family”.

@freedom_Raqqa1, also attributing the event to the Coalition, put the death toll at 50 non-combatants, though this appears to have merged death and injury numbers.

In field research done by Amnesty, it appears that “A Coalition airstrike destroyed a four-storey building at 3 am, killing 10 of the 16 residents in their sleep. Two of the victims, Hammada and Sabah Hamzawi, had lost their 13-year-old daughter in an artillery strike on their home a month earlier.”

An airstrike hit Shaban al Assad Building on the night of 1st August at 3am in the morning. The building was according to Amnesty a four storey building, with shops on the ground floor. The building was empty, apart from 16 people. Ten were killed and six survived. IS had a medical point 50m in front of building that was hit.

An engineer that Amnesty researchers met whilst in Raqqa said that IS used to land a toy drone on the roof of the store.

A relative of the victims, Amer Hamzawi, told Amnesty in a testimony that “My uncle and aunt were still mourning the loss of their daughter and then they suffered the same unjust fate”.

Ammar Al-Abidi, a survivor of the strike told researchers “I spent six hours under the rubble waiting to be rescued. I don’t wish this even on my worst enemy.”

According to Ammar, six others survied. Amar, his three sisters, Faisal al Ajaj and the house owner’s brother, Abdalla al Assad.

IS had – according to the survivor – expelled the Hamzawis from their home elsewhere in the city and forced them to live in the building that suffered the airstrike, along with the other occupants killed in the strike.

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 incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Hammada Mohammed Said Hamzawi
52 years old male interviewees father killed
Sabah al Mohammed
44 years old female interviewees mother killed
Aseel Hamzawi
5 years old female interviewees sister killed
Fatima al-Sheikh
75-80 years old female grandmother, father’s mother killed

Family members (2)

“Ibrahim al-Kaba” (Abu Muhannad)
Adult male killed
Wife of “Ibrahim al-Kaba” (Abu Muhannad)
Adult female killed

Family members (4)

Faisal al A’jaji
Age unknown male Ahmad al Shibli named the following who he said were recovered from the rubble some days later killed
Ahmad al A’jaji
Age unknown male Ahmad al Shibli named the following who he said were recovered from the rubble some days later killed
Manar al A’jaji
Age unknown female Ahmad al Shibli named the following who he said were recovered from the rubble some days later killed
Manal al A’jaji
Age unknown female Ahmad al Shibli named the following who he said were recovered from the rubble some days later killed

Family members (3)

Ahmad al Aajaj
60s years old male father of the family, widower killed
Manar
25-30 years old female daughter killed
Minar
25-30 years old female daughter killed

Family members (2)

Mohamed al Kobuaa
60-70 years old male killed
Thuraya
60-70 years old female wife of Mohamed killed

The victims were named as:

Amira al Abdulla al Abid
39 years old female econd interviewee and survivor’s mother killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 50
  • (2 children2–6 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Hamada Al-Saeed Al-Hamzawi, killed with three members of his family in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian home in Raqqa's Al-Busraiya neighbourhood, August 1st 2017. (via @AbuMuaazalraqqa)
  • Ibrahim Al-Kaba Abu Muhannad, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 1st August 2017, Ar Raqqah: Al Bousraya, Mo'ataz street. (via Ahmad al Shibli)
  • Ibrahim Al-Kaba Abu Muhannad, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 1st August 2017, Ar Raqqah: Al Bousraya, Mo'ataz street. (via Mohammad othman)
  • Fatima Hammada Mohammed Hamzawi (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al-Bousraya (البوسرايا), for which the coordinates are: 35.9475952, 39.0150905. Other reports mention Mo’ataz street as a possible location, for which the coordinates are: 35.948333, 39.016389. Field research conducted by Amnesty International in November 2017 points out that the exact location of the strike is at these coordinates: 35.95483, 39.01382. The incident was first reported at 7:56 pm local time by Sound and Picture (صوت و صورة) in a Facebook post. Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 35.95483, 39.01382

  • The building that was destroyed just before the strike on June 2, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • The building that was destroyed after the strike on July 6, 2017

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0124678938
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • May 31, 2018

  • 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.

  • Aug. 1, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International 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. 2709/CS1312 37SEV0124678938

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 1st-2nd: “Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two ISIS headquarters, an IED, an ammunition cache, and a fuel supply point.” It additionally added that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, two ammunition caches, and a VBIED factory; and damaged a fighting position.” And that “On Aug. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 17 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units, destroyed two staging areas and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged a VBIED factory.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 50
  • (2 children2–6 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI554

Incident date

March 18, 2017

Location

السرجخانة, Mosul, Third street behind Fathi al Ali mosque., Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.328265, 43.093492 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least thirteen civilians were reported killed and 17 injured in air and artillery strikes on a number of West Mosul neighbourhoods.

Iraqi Spring Media Centre said reported the “Killing of 13 civilians, mostly women and children, and 17 wounded as a result of air and artillery bombardments of several districts of the right side of Mosul on Saturday.”

In what may have been a related event, Yaqein said that 29 civilians died at Jawasaq when it was bombarded by Iraqi forces.

Al Jazeera reported that “15 people from the same family were killed when a rocket hit their house in Serjkhana area, which is located in the old centre of Mosul, the western side of Mosul, on Saturday afternoon. The sources added that the rocket led to the destruction of the entire house and killing everyone who was in it, mostly women and children, as well as events of major damage to the neighbouring houses in which many families were located.” This may also be a separate incident.

The New Mosul People Facebook page received an appeal from local residents (see below), saying: “Families were bombed by a plane an hour ago and about 50 persons were killed. My family and kids shouting under the rubble, in the third street behind Fathi Al Ali mosque [in Aserjkhanh neigbourhood], a neighbour of barber Mahmood Abu Arkan, we ask to save them from under the rubble, Mohammed Ganim Aub Al Muhazam and Jassim Ameen Aub Al Mahzam families.” It did not say who carried out the raids.

The incident occured at approximately 3:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–24
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Appeal by local residents in the old part of Mosul, asking to save the families Mohammed Ganim Aub Al Muhazam and Jassim Ameen Aub Al Mahzam from the rubble and reporting about 50 people killed (via New Mosul Facebook)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the third street behind Fathi Al Ali mosque (جامع فتحي العلي), in Aserjkhanh neighbourhood. The coordinates for the mosque are: 36.328265, 43.093492. The strike likely within a 500 meters radius from the mosque. Visible damage to residential houses, three streets away from the mosque to the North and South is visible in satellite imagery: 36.327386, 43.094257; 36.329476, 43.093497; 36.329812, 43.094071. Airwars was able to access satellite images taken on March 8 and March 25, bridging a 17-day window. For this reason, we are unable to determine which these three locations, if any of them, is where the March 18 report incident occurred.

  • Date taken:
    December 29, 2004

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF322235
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 17th-18th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed 56 ISIS vehicles, 25 fighting positions, five rocket-propelled grenade systems, two medium machine guns, two mortar systems, and an ISIS VBIED; and suppressed 20 ISIS mortar teams and four ISIS tactical units.”

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
    13 – 50
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–24
  • 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]