US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS028

Incident date

November 11, 2014

Location

الشنان, Shanan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.9661197, 40.5534553 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that a civilian male died in a coalition airstrike on the village of al Shanan near Dayr az Zawr. He was later named as Rashed Hamdan Al Abd Al Jassem.

According to the Facebook page of local activist Abu Mohammad Al Dairi, al Jassem was one of 12 casualties from “international coalition raids on one of the oil fields in the eastern countryside a few days ago.

We have an incident listed on November 7th [CS023] in which three male civilians were reported killed in a coalition raid on Al Tanak oil field in Deir Ezzor. There is a chance these two incidents are linked.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of this incident are slightly conflicting: the strike happened either in As Shanan or in the oil fields in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. The coordinates for the midpoint of As Shanan are: 34.9661197, 40.5534553

  • The village of As Shanan, West of the oil fields in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor

    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 Shanan, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU418703
    Military Grid Reference System

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

Four coalition strikes have been confirmed in the area between November 10th-12th 2014: “Three airstrikes northeast of Dayr Az Zawr damaged an ISIL crude oil collection facility. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike struck a small ISIL unit and damaged an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS024

Incident date

November 8, 2014

Location

الخريطة, Khareeta, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.47132, 40.0090642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian men were reported by a number of sources as having been killed in a coalition airstrike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Syrian Martyrs killed
Adult male Syrian Martyrs killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Khareeta (الخريطة), Deir Ezzor, for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 35.47132, 40.0090642

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 Khareeta, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV915257
    Military Grid Reference System

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

The coalition has confirmed ten airstrikes in the vicinity of Dayr az-Zawr between November 7th-10th 2014, noting: “Eight airstrikes southeast of Dayr Az Zawr damaged several structures of an ISIL oil collection facility which was used to trans-load oil for the black market. Two airstrikes east of Dayr Az Zawr damaged an ISIL oil collection point.“

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS021

Incident date

November 7, 2014

Location

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilian men were reported by a single source to have been killed in a coalition strike on the city of Dayr az Zawr. They were named by the VDC.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by VDC, resident of Raqqah killed
Adult male Listed by VDC, resident of Raqqah killed
Adult male Listed by VDC, resident of Raqqah killed
Adult male Listed by VDC, from Eastern Al Dashisha killed
Adult male Listed by VDC, from Eastern Al Dashisha killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Deir Az Zor, Syria
    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

The coalition has confirmed ten airstrikes in the vicinity of Dayr az-Zawr between November 7th-10th 2014, noting: “Eight airstrikes southeast of Dayr Az Zawr damaged several structures of an ISIL oil collection facility which was used to trans-load oil for the black market. Two airstrikes east of Dayr Az Zawr damaged an ISIL oil collection point.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS022

Incident date

November 7, 2014

Location

سعلو, Sillu, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.141173, 40.363297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two non-combatant males were reported killed in a coalition airstrike on the village of Sa’alo.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition has confirmed ten airstrikes in the vicinity of Dayr az-Zawr between November 7th-10th 2014, noting: “Eight airstrikes southeast of Dayr Az Zawr damaged several structures of an ISIL oil collection facility which was used to trans-load oil for the black market. Two airstrikes east of Dayr Az Zawr damaged an ISIL oil collection point.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS023

Incident date

November 7, 2014

Location

near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.12527, 40.42864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In its January 25th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that a civilian casualties allegation near At-Tanak is currently being assessed: “#1 Nov. 7, 2014 near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria via regional human rights organization report.”

Further research by our Syria team indicated that this incident was in fact previously known to Airwars, but had not been linked to this specific location. At the time, a single source, the Violations Documentation Center, claimed that two male civilians, from the same family, were killed during a coalition airstrike on the village of Al Zir.

This source was initially archived as separate incident S021. Further research found more than a dozen of other sources corroborating the death of the two victims, all stating the airstrike took place near al Tanak oil field in al Sha’itat desert. Subsequently, Airwars merged the two separate events into incident S023a on February 22nd, 2018.

On the 10th and 11th of November, a couple of sources reported the death of one civilian male Abd Al Kader Ibrahim Al Saleh. We initially had this as a separate incident that took place on November 10th S025 but further research revealed this as the same incident. Syrian Human Rights committee specified that he died “due to injuries sustained in a coalition airstrike on al Tanak oil fields” a few days earlier.

On the 11th another male civilian Rashed Hamdan Al Abd al Jassem was reported killed in alleged coalition raids on ‘one of the oil fields in the eastern countryside a few days ago’. We have this listed as a separate incident [CS028] but there is a chance these two incidents are linked.

When Deir Ezzor Under Fire reported on the incident, they stated that it happened “an hour ago”, indicating that the airstrike allegedly took place around 11pm local time. Most sources identified the “International Alliance” or the US-led “Arab-International Alliance” as the culprit.

In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that 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 incident occured at 23:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Family members (1)

Adult male killed

Family members (1)

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU681648
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • Nov. 7, 2014, near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria via Syrian Network for Human Rights 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. 1815 37SFU681648

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition has confirmed ten airstrikes in the vicinity of Dayr az-Zawr between November 7th-10th 2014, noting: “Eight airstrikes southeast of Dayr Az Zawr damaged several structures of an ISIL oil collection facility which was used to trans-load oil for the black market. Two airstrikes east of Dayr Az Zawr damaged an ISIL oil collection point.“

Summary

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

CS020

Incident date

November 6, 2014

Location

موقة, Muqah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.499025, 36.639595 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that up to four unnamed children under the age of 10 died in a coalition airstrike on Mouka – described as one girl and two or three boys.

In contrast, the VDC lists three unidentified bodies (two adult males and one female child) noting that they were Martyred due to the regime air forces’ shelling.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children2 men)
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Muqah, Syria
    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

The only coalition airstrikes officially reported for November 5th-7th 2014 took place at Kobane in Aleppo governorate, and at Tal Abyad (Ar Raqqah governorate.) Additional strikes targeted the area around Sarmada to the west of Aleppo.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children2 men)
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS019

Incident date

November 6, 2014

Location

حارم, Harim, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.21003, 36.51826 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six months after US air raids had targeted the Khorasan Group (part of the al-Nusra Front) and the militant group Ahrar al-Sham, the Coalition conceded that two children had “likely” died in the attack – the first public concession of any civilian deaths after 4,000 airstrikes against ISIS over nine months.

The November 5th US-only raid targeted the villages of Harem, Bab Al Hawa, Sarmada, Reef Al-Muhameen and Binsh.

Reports from the night remain confused, with civilian deaths claimed at a number of locations. Reuters carried a statement from Ahrar al-Sham saying that “The air strikes came last night and hit a number of areas in the liberated Idlib countryside,” and that casualties included “women and children and civilians.”

The site of the civilian deaths was Harem, CENTCOM later confirmed. It also accepted that two civilian NGO workers were  injured in the attack. According to the Syrian Revolution Forum blog: “The planes of the Arab/Western coalition launched air strikes on Syrian cities adjacent to the Turkish border. The centre of the town of Harem was targeted with more than six raids causing the death of four children and causing massive destruction to residential and commercial property on Al Sijn street.”

One of the children was identified as a five year old girl,  whose father Ali Saeed Al Haj Qaddour – a fighter with the al-Nusra Front – also died in the attack (both pictured below.) Daniya’s mother and brother Saeed were reported to have been severely wounded. A second unidentified female child victim was shown alongside the body of Daniya in several graphic videos and photographs taken after the US bombing.

VDC additionally reported the deaths of three or four unidentified male children in the Coalition attack – though gave no further details.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the geolocation of the event, accurate to a 100m box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child female daughter of Ali Saeed Al Haj Qaddour, a fighter with Al Nusra Front killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2–6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the two girls killed in the strike, included in the SNHR report.
  • Video purporting to show fires resulting from the Coalition bombing on Sarmada on 5/11/2014. Published by ShaamNetwork S.N.N.
  • Video purporting to show fires resulting from the coalition bombing on Sarmada on 5/11/2014. Published by ShaamNetwork S.N.N.
  • Video purporting to show fire crews attempting to put out the fires resulting from the coalition bombing on Sarmada on 5/11/2014. Published by ShaamNetwork S.N.N.
  • Video purporting to show extensive destruction in civilian homes in Harem.
  • Video purporting to show extensive destruction in Harem following coalition strikes. This video was included in a Syrian Network for Human Rights report.
  • Video showing extensive destruction after the alleged strike.
  • Video footage shows civil defense teams in Al-Atarem area trying to find any victims underneath the rubbles in Harem city.
  • Huge signs of destruction reportedly caused by the international alliance’s shelling against Harem.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    5-year-old Daniya Ali Al-Haj Qaddour (via SNHR)
  • Daniya Ali Al-Haj Qaddour with her father, an Al-Nusra fighter who was also allegedly killed in the strike (via SNHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Unidentified girl allegedly kileld in the strikes (via SNHR)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via SNHR)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via SNHR)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via SNHR)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via SNHR)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 36.212564, 36.519736

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:

  • 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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    Harem, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBA769101
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 21, 2015
  • The preponderance of the evidence in the investigation indicates the airstrikes conducted against facilities used by Khorasan Group in the vicinity of Harim City, Syria, likely led to the deaths of two non-combatant children. From May declassified file: "CCWEBOPS received social media reports that civilians were killed or injured during a strike on a named objective in Syria. // TF nominated the target. SNHR report on CIVCAS. CFACC initially assessed that there was insufficient information to conclude whether the alleged CIVCAS allegations are credible. CFACC was unable to assess whether civilians were co-located with the targeted KG NAIs. After additional information was received, CJTF was tasked with conducing an additional credibility assessment based on the new information. 12/31/2014 JTF assessed this allegation that a child was killed during the strike as potentially credible. Investigation appointed 8 Jan 15 with a suspense of 22 Jan 2015"

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

CENTCOM originally confirmed US strikes in the vicinity, though denied causing any civilian deaths: “U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes last night against five Khorasan Group targets in the vicinity of Sarmada, Syria, using bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely. We are still assessing the outcome of the attack, but have initial indications that it resulted in the intended effects by striking terrorists and destroying or severely damaging several Khorasan Group vehicles and buildings assessed to be meeting and staging areas, IED-making facilities and training facilities. These strikes were undertaken only by U.S. assets.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2–6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS018

Incident date

November 5, 2014

Location

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3333335, 40.1499999 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An internal Coalition report noted that “Open source video indicated that three civilians were killed in a deliberate strike on an oil collection point in DeZ.” Airwars researchers have identified what they believe to be the [graphic] video in question, which was posted to YouTube on November 11th 2014.

The Coalition was unable to verify the claims, though assessed that “No further inquiry required.” As an internal CENTCOM document notes: “Review could not determine that the video came from the strike in DeZ. Although there was a US strike on the oil collection site, the target was validated through the JTCB [Joint targeting Coordination Board?]. Targeting was mitigated – it was a night strike on a specific target where NCV [Non-Combatant Value] was assessed as 0, with mitigated weapons effects.

WSV [weapon system video] cleared target. There was no way to determine authenticity of allegation.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]