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

CS1892a

Incident date

January 25, 2019

Location

الباغوز, near al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.45445, 40.96604 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the Coalition conceded the injuring of a civilian in a strike near Baghouz.

According to the report, “January 25, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh tunnel entrance. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded as a result of a strike.
2663 37SFU806143”.

Asked by Airwars whether this might be a match for an al Baghouz allegation already listed for this date (CS1891) Coalition officials stated that “This does not appear to be the same incident.”

We have therefore created a new entry for this previously untracked event.

In May 2020 in its annual report to Congress, the Pentagon noted this to be a US civilian harm event – giving the location as Baghouz Fawqani.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table of US-only civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria for 2019, declared by the Pentagon to Congress in May 2020.

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
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Baghouz/ Baghouz Fawqani, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU806143
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • January 25, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh tunnel entrance. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded as a result of a strike.2663 37SFU806143

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Incident Code

CS1963

Incident date

September 26, 2021

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.096944, 40.456111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three men were killed and civilians were injured in a Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces operation in the city of Al Shahil on September 26, 2021. Sources were conflicted as to whether those killed were civilians or members or ISIS, with one source reporting on civilian injuries.

According to Euphrates Post, Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition forces carried out a ground raid of a house in the city of Al Shahil. The operation lasted for two hours and resulted in the death of three unidentified people who were killed on the outskirts of the Shabakah neighborhood. The three people killed allegedly “resisted the patrol with machine guns”, North Press Agency reported.

Euphrates Eye identified those killed as being “suspected of affiliation with ISIS” but added that other civilians were injured in the operation. Deir Ezzor 24 added that the three person who were believed to be members of ISIS were killed during the confrontation and were known to be internally displaced persons from Suweidan Jazeera town.

Sputnik News and Juhayna News were the only sources to refer to those killed as “civilians” and Sputnik also reported that “the American occupation forces and the gunmen loyal to them also arrested a number of Arab tribesmen in the town and took them to an unknown destination without knowing the reasons for the arrest.”

Following the operation, the Coalition spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto tweeted that “.@Coalition successfully conducted another raid in the vicinity of Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria today resulting in the death of 3 Daesh terrorists, & the detention of 2 associates.” The “3 Daesh terrorists” seems to refer to this incident.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the location of the operation as being near a checkpoint for the “Special Forces” in Shabakah neighborhood.

Zaman Al Wasl pointed out that this was an air landing operation in which warplanes and helicopters participated and all of the sources attributed the operation to the Syrian Democratic Forces and/or the Coalition.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of men killed in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition raid carried out in the city of Al Shahil on September 26, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of men killed in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition raid carried out in the city of Al Shahil on September 26, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of men killed in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition raid carried out in the city of Al Shahil on September 26, 2021. (Image posted by Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Shabaka (الشحيل), allegedly in the centre of the village of Al Shuhail (الشبكة), for which, due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Shuhail are: 35.096944, 40.456111.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

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

.@Coalition successfully conducted another raid in the vicinity of Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria today resulting in the death of 3 Daesh terrorists, & the detention of 2 associates. We will continue to hunt them down, prevent acts of violence & derail their efforts to regroup.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • (0–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1996

Incident date

August 4, 2023

Location

مطب البوراشد, , Matab Al Bourashed, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the 4th of August 2023, International Coalition forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) allegedly conducted an airdrop operation, which involved a ground action and helicopters, at dawn in the town of Matab Al Burashid, in Deir Ezzor, shooting and killing a civilian named Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed and injuring his brother.

Multiple media including RBSS, Euphrates, SOHEB, Roaaststudies published similar accounts of the incident, corroborating each other’s details. Naher Media News’ correspondent reported that the International Coalition was targeting a “displaced person” and alleged ISIS member from Deir Ezzor alias Abu Khattab. The ISIS member took refuge in Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed’s house and then fled without being captured. The International Coalition raided the house and shot Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed, and then prevented anyone from approaching the house until they had left, leaving the body of Ali in the house. Local sources claimed that the victim Ali brought Abu Khattab to the village and “settled him the house next to his house” which also belonged to Ali’s family. Baladi news, Syrian Observatory of Human Rights and Adel HR verified this account. No other information was provided about Ali.

Oِn Facebook, several people expressed their sadness over the passing of Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed. Abulwahab Al Ali , Ali’s uncle, announced that his nephew “the martyr Professor Ali Abdul Hamid Al-Areed” died “at dawn on Friday 4/8/2023” and added that “the condolences were at his father’s house in the village of Matab Al-Bourashid”. Murtada Ali also offered  his condolences to the Al-Barashid clan for the death of the victim. ِJabouri published on Facebook a picture of Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed outside, in front of a house, alongside a young girl.

Al-Khabour, @SOHEB2019 and Al Raqqa News Agency reported that in addition to the young man killed, his younger brother was wounded and was transferred to a medical point for treatment.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed علي عبدالحميد العريد
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of Ali Abdul Hameed Al-Areed, killed by International Coalition forces in Deir Ezzor on August 4, 2023. (Image posted by @SOHEB2019)
  • Picture of Ali Abdul Hamid Al-Areed alongside a young girl. Source: ِJabouri (Facebook)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS274

Incident date

July 19, 2016

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.197971, 37.1656697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A report on August 5th 2016 by local blogger Hathifa al Yaman Abu al Majd claimed that approximately 15 civilians had died in a Coalition strike two weeks earlier, with their bodies still buried under rubble.

“American Alliance planes – around 15 days ago – committed a massacre against three families opposite al Fatah mosque near the Net Facebook shop. The number of martyrs is estimated at 15 martyrs, who are still until this moment under the rubble. They are the family of Hamoudi Abu Said and his neighbours. They were targeted at night with several rockets by the planes. The homes are traditional Arab homes on the Aleppo road near the Disho building, al Fatah mosque and Facebook Net shop. And the information we received is scarce because of the lack of communication. Please circular because the families are still under the rubble, and we need a bulldozer to remove the rubble and exhume the bodies.”

One of the comments below the blog post adds the family names of Abu Omar, Mr. Othman and Abu Osama. A comment on the Manbij Mother of All the World report also notes claims “this is true and the family are our relatives.” However, another man calling himself Mahmoud Emawsa claims: ‘My house is near Al Fatah mosque and nothing is going on. Verify the news before you publish.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (23) [ 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 Aleppo, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 1, 2016

  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 18th-19th 2016, the Coalition noted the following: “Near Manbij, 18 strikes struck 15 separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 13 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL mortar system, seven ISIL vehicles, two ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, an ISIL staging area, and an ISIL tactical vehicle. Near Mar’a, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS560

Incident date

March 8, 2017

Location

near Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

In an event previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition said that no civilians were harmed near Raqqa on March 9th.

In its July 2017 casualty report the Coalition stated: “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 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
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

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
Official source

For March 7th-8th the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three fighting positions, two tunnels, a vehicle repair facility, and a tactical vehicle.”
For March 8th-9th, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three weapons caches, two mortar systems, an artillery system, an ISIS training center, a vehicle, a VBIED, and a fighting position.”

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

Incident Code

CI539

Incident date

March 13, 2017

Location

Mosul, Mosul al-Jadid / New Mosul, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3323266, 43.1050515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on November 30th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm claims “near al Jadida, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “March 13, 2017, near al Jadida, Iraq: 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.”

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]

Geolocation notes

No coordinates were provided by the Coalition when they published their investigation into the civilian event, however, Al Jadida was mentioned. The coordinates for Al Jadida (الموصل الجديدة) neighbourhood in Mosul are: 36.3323266 43.1050515

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 Al Jadida, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • March 13, 2017, near Al Jadida, Iraq via international organization report. 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 12th-13th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units, an ISIS staging area and an ISIS sniper team; destroyed 16 fighting positions, five VBIEDs, four mortar systems, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two supply caches, two VBIED factories, and a vehicle; damaged 22 supply routes; and suppressed 14 ISIS mortar teams, two ISIS tactical units, and an ISIS sniper team.”

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

CS696

Incident date

April 15, 2017

Location

البوكمال, near Abu Kamal, Syria, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.

Incident Code

CS714

Incident date

April 21, 2017

Location

near Tabqah, Syria, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.