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

CS1956

Incident date

February 25, 2021

Location

حارم, Harem, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.213082, 36.519177 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Some local sources which reported the sounds of an explosion from an alleged US-led coalition drone strike in Harem, Idlib said that three ‘people’ were injured as a result of that on February 25th, 2021.

While most sources didn’t specify identities of those injured, @AlnahdaNews_24 said they were militants. “An unknown drone struck a point in the town of Harem in the northern countryside of Idlib, wounding three militants.”

Shaam Network and @NagiNajjar reported that three ‘people’ were wounded when a drone struck them in Harem, Idlib on Feb 25th.

Though Shaam Network didn’t blame any belligerent, @NagiNajjar attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition saying: “News of the cause of the explosion in the city of Harem is the targeting of a person by the international coalition, but his identity is not known yet.”

@AmmarAlzeer tweeted that “The International Coalition aviation launches several air strikes near the Harem area in the northern countryside of Idlib.”

However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the cause of the explosion is not known. They said that the explosion coincided with the presence of Coalition drone in the air, but it is unclear whether it is a Coalition strike or the detonation of a mine cave during the search for antiquities in the area.

Also Aram reported both stories. It said that an area of the military factions in Harem was hit by an explosion, either by a US-led coalition bombing, or by the explosion of mines during a search for antiquities in the area. “A video recording of the targeted site, showed that the target area was mountainous and contained rocks, and the bombing led to digging a hole in the place. The spokesman indicated in the recording that they did not know what the exact target was (a missile – a raid – an explosion) and explained that it did not lead to any damage.”

Local activists told Aram network that the explosion caused three casualties, which were transported to Harem Hospital, and most likely the result of an airstrike carried out by an International Coalition warplane on a point of the “Guardians of Religion Organization” faction in the Kfarmou region of Harem district.

They indicated that the aircraft belonging to the international coalition flew over the sky of the city of Idlib, the city of Salqin, and the city of Harem, on the border with Turkey, after the aforementioned targeting. Meanwhile, “Idlib Governorate Radio” denied on its Facebook page the news of the coalition raid in the vicinity of Harem, explaining that the explosion was caused by landmines that were detonated to search for antiquities by unknown persons.

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 assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The surrounding of Harem.
  • Caption translation: An unknown explosion in Harem in the Idlib countryside is believed to have been caused by an airstrike carried out by the International Coalition.
  • Image of a cave that some local sources said was detonated in Harem on February 25th in search of some antiquities. (image via Aramme).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Harem (حارم), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.213082, 36.519177. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    37SBA769104
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 13, 2021

  • Feb. 25, 2021, near Harem, 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. 3294/CS1956 37SBA769104

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1989

Incident date

December 20, 2022

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371593, 37.514511 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians, including a woman and a child, were reportedly injured in declared British drone strikes on the city of al-Bab on December 20, 2022. An alleged member of ISIS was also injured in the operation.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a Yemeni person was severely injured by a drone likely belonging to the Coalition in al-Bab. Local sources were conflicted as to whether the injured man was taken to a hospital in al-Bab or in Turkey, as well as whether or not he died from his injuries.

A local source also told SOHR that the injured person is an ISIS commander and lives with his family, but was alone at the time of the attack. Two civilians that were near the strike site were also injured. Syria TV correspondent said that he talked to the neighbors in the building, who reported that there were light injuries among several women and a child. Baladi News, which originally attributed the incident to the Syrian regime, identified “various injuries to three civilians” in al-Bab while Furat-sy reported on the “injuring of several civilians, some of whom seriously”.

Euphrates Post identified the injured Yemeni as “Abu Yasser al-Yemeni, one of the leaders of the “Islamic State” organization” and added that the civil police were keeping him in al-Bab hospital. Naher Media gave details that Abu Yasser was known for his work as a general responsible for booby-trapping and that he witnessed all the battles of al-Baghouz.

@SyriaCivilDefe reported that Civil Defense volunteers responded to the scene to ensure that there were no victims under the rubble. Afrin Post added that the house that was struck was completely destroyed.

SOHR identified the location as being a home on Khalo street in the al-Bab city center and North Press Agency described the location as being near al-Bab city market. Furat News specified that the strike occurred near the Great Mosque, between “Al-Nofteh Street and Al-Waki Street”.

Shaam News reported that the missile that was found among the rubble was an AGM-114 Hellfire missile, which is “a US-made missile used by the International Coalition”. Naher Media cited images of the site as showing that the American missile used was an AGM-179, a missile weighing 52 kg that can be launched by Apache helicopters as well as MQ-9 Reaper drones. @IdlibCallingSy specifically referred to the source of the missiles as being a MQ-9 Reaper armed drone.

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (the Coalition) has not released a statement about this incident. The UK government released a statement that on December 20th, “a Reaper struck a Daesh target in northern Syria. On Tuesday 20 December, a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft kept close observation on a building near Al Bab in northern Syria where at least one active Daesh terrorist was known to be present.  Great care was taken to ensure that any potential risks to civilians were understood and minimised before the Reaper’s crew fired a salvo of two Hellfire missiles which both struck the target accurately.”

In an Oral Parliamentary Question, the Secretary of State of Defense stated that “In late December, an RAF Reaper remotely piloted aircraft conducted a strike against a leading Daesh member in al-Bab, northern Syria. The individual’s activity was related to chemical and biological weapons. The Reaper’s crew minimised potential risk to civilians before firing two Hellfire missiles, both of which struck the target accurately. These actions are vital to degrading such terrorist threats, protecting British citizens and supporting our international partners.” However, the Ministry of Defense has not released any statements regarding the civilian casualty claims.

Local sources pointed out that this was the first operation of its kind carried out by the Coalition in a residential area within the Euphrates Shield area.

The incident occured at 13:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
    UK Military
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • Hellfire missile used in an alleged Coalition (British) drone strike in al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image post from Shaam News)
  • Part of our teams' response to the missile attack carried out by an unidentified drone, targeting a house in the city of Al-Bab, east of Aleppo, today, Tuesday, December 20.
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers searched the site of Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • #Aleppo eastern countryside: He holds the Yemeni nationality. Abu Yasser al-Yemeni, one of the leaders of the "Islamic State" organization, was injured in a drone strike that targeted a house east of the city of al-Bab, while the civil police are keeping him in al-Bab Hospital. (Image posted by Euphrates Post via Facebook)
  • #SyriaTV correspondent Hammam Al-Zain explains the details of the raid carried out by the International Coalition on the city of Al-Bab, east of #Aleppo
  • Destruction caused by Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by Afrin Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abu Yasser al-Yemeni, allegedly one of the leaders of the "Islamic State" organization who was injured by Coalition strikes in al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @almohrarmedia2)
  • Destruction caused by Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @vdcnsyria)
  • Destruction caused by Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @vdcnsyria)
  • Destruction caused by Coalition (British) airstrikes on al-Bab on December 20, 2022. (Image posted by @vdcnsyria)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب). According to research conducted by @obretix, the exact coordinates for this strike are: 36.371593, 37.514511. Cross referencing source material, we can confirm the accuracy of this location.

UK Military Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    UK Military
  • UK Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

UK Military
Official source

Summary
Tuesday 20 December – a Reaper struck a Daesh target in northern Syria.
Detail
Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to conduct armed reconnaissance patrols against elements of the Daesh terrorist network in Syria, as well as supporting, as required, the Iraqi authorities’ efforts to keep Daesh out of their country. On Tuesday 20 December, a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft kept close observation on a building near Al Bab in northern Syria where at least one active Daesh terrorist was known to be present. Great care was taken to ensure that any potential risks to civilians were understood and minimised before the Reaper’s crew fired a salvo of two Hellfire missiles which both struck the target accurately.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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
    UK Military
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI190

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Location

الرحمانية, Ar Rayhaniyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.39202, 42.88929 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, CENTCOM issued a statement on July 28th 2016 saying that it had injured a civilian during an airstrike on Ar Rayhaniyah:

The official release noted that “On February 16, 2016, in Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that one person was injured along the side of the road.”

The report suggests that the US’s post strike assessments had identified the casualty. No additional details are presently known.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.384986, 42.888942

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF107295
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 28, 2016

  • On February 16, 2016, in Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that one person was injured along the side of the road.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 15th-16th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL bunker.
And for February 16th-17th, it had reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL supply cache and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI333

Incident date

November 11, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airwars’ Iraq researcher met three young victims of violence in eastern Mosul at an evacuation centre.

The three children were all boys aged between 10-11 years. Two were brothers who had been injured by an unidentified explosion outside their home in eastern Mosul on November 14th. The third said he had been injured by an airstrike in Zahrar neighborhood on November 11th.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English
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 10th-11th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged six ISIL tactical units and a staging area; destroyed six mortar systems, three vehicles, two weapons caches, an artillery system; and damaged a mortar system.” For November 11th-12th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed five mortar systems, four vehicles, two tunnel entrances, two heavy machine guns, a VBIED, a weapons cache, and a fighting position.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English

Incident Code

CS502

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Location

Al Tabqah, Qaryah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.834648, 38.54684

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near al Tabqah, Syria”. According to the Coalition report, “6. Feb. 17, 2017, near Al Tabqah, Syria, via social media report: 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.”

The Coalition provided military coordinates: 37SDV 59072 65703. This location roughly correspondent to the area between the Omar Bin al Khattab mosque and al Nawiya mosque and just behind the vegetable market in the north and slightly east of al Tabaqa.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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 Al Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV5907265703
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 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
Official source

For February 16th-17th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, 17 strikes engaged two ISIS staging areas and an ISIS tactical unit; and destroyed four tunnels, three fighting positions, three ISIS-held buildings, two weapons storage areas, two ISIS headquarters, a VBIED storage facility, a fuel station and a bridge.” For February 17th-18th, they reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 70 oil barrels, three oil storage tanks, three fighting positions, two oil refinement stills and a weapons storage area; and damaged a bridge.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI552

Incident date

March 17, 2017

Location

Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “March 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: 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. ”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as the Zanjili neighbourhood in Mosul.

The strike was assessed as non credible based on the claim that “no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” However, the Coalition reported multiple strikes in Mosul that day.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLV3027325023
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 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 March 16th-17th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed 11 fighting positions, seven vehicles, a recoilless rifle, a heavy machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an explosives factory, a supply cache, and an ISIS-held building; damaged 14 supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed 13 ISIS mortar teams.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI720

Incident date

May 18, 2017

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that it did not carry out strikes in an area where civilian casualties were alleged by an unnamed NGO. This allegation was previously unknown to Airwars.

According to the report, “May 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that 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
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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 on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 17th-18th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, four medium machine guns, four mortar systems, four VBIEDs, four rocket systems, three vehicles, three rocket-propelled grenade systems, two ISIS-held buildings, two heavy machine guns, two ISIS staging areas, a supply cache, an anti-air artillery system, an ISIS fuel truck, a VBIED facility, and a fighting position; damaged 16 supply routes and four rocket systems; and suppressed two mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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

CS1068

Incident date

June 23, 2017

Location

الطواطحة, Tawatha, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.696987, 40.793104 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reportedly wounded after a water tanker in Al Tawatha village near Abu Kamal in the east of Deir Ezzor was allegedly struck by a Coalition airstrike.

The man was said to be injured in the leg due to shrapnel exploding off the tanker.

According to Baladi News, “Coalition aircraft targeted a pipeline to transport oil near the Grand Mosque in the village of Al-Tawataha and destroyed parts of the mosque.” It made no mention of civilian casualties.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who also pointed towards the Coalition, said that there was “information on casualties from the bombing” – though it didn’t offer further details.

According to Sharqiya, there was a “bombing of a mosque and a school in the al-Bukhammal, followed by heavy gunfire in the area.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture showing the remains of a water tank, allegedly targeted by Coalition strikes in the village of Al-Tawatah, Abu Kamal (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tawatha (الطواطحة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.696987, 40.793104. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Al Tawatha, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed six ISIS oil stills.”

For June 23rd-24th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed a front-end loader.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (4) [ collapse]