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

CS014

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An airstrike on a gas station near the Konoco gas refinery reportedly killed between three and four civilians.

A subsequent investigation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights later noted: “Around 7:00pm the international alliance warplanes targeted a gas station and an oil well in Deir Ezzor countryside which is located near Khasham town. the oil well is for Konico gas plant and it is three KM away from it. the shelling caused fires in a number of tanks. The airstrike killed three civilians who used to work in the oil trading field. Usually, many people come to this well to buy petrol and oil. Also we documented 11 injured including critical cases in addition to six who are still missing. Furthermore some ISIS military vehicles were damaged.”

Three killed civilians were later named by the VDC.

According to SN4HR and VDC, a fourth non-combatant, from Al-Jurathi town, was killed in a related coalition airstrike nearby.

Prompted by the US State Department six months later, CENTCOM re-examined claims of civilians killed at Khesham. Weapon system video from the time was reviewed and air crews interviewed.

Investigators finally concluded that there was “Insufficient evidence to determine CIVCAS.” Yet at the same time, they admitted to “limited video analysis” and “ntermittent visual contact with the ground.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Ash-Shaher
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adnan Al-Abd Al-Eid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Ahmad Ali Al-Afien
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Hamza Hamoud Al-Ghazi
Adult male Listed by VDC, from Al-Jurathi town killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ 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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Khasham, Deir ez Zor Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Insufficient evidence to determine CIVCAS. CFACC reviewed WSV. INTEL determined that the location was under strict ISIL control. The target was validated through the JTCB. Crews reported they did not observe any personnel on their targeting pod prior to weapon release. Given the limited video analysis available the CFACC assesses there is insufficient information to make a characterisation. Intermittent visual contact with the ground showed no personnel present in the target area. // CAOC conducted a deliberate strike on 16 Oct 14 on the Barghooth Crude Oil Collection Point

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI011

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Location

البوعجيل, Bojeel, Salah al-Din, Iraq

Geolocation

34.577822, 43.724728 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reports claimed that Coalition strike hit a mosque during Friday prayers in the town of Al Bojeel, to the east of Tikrit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel village, East of Tikrit. The coordinates for (البوعجيل) Al Bojeel are: 34.577822, 43.724728

  • Al Bojeel ( البوعجيل )

    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 Abu Ujail, Tikrit, 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

No publicly reported Coalition strike appeared to match the event. However for October 17th-18th 2014 it was reported that “five airstrikes occurred south and west of Bayji and struck two ISIL units, destroyed one ISIL armed vehicle, an ISIL heavy weapon, an ISIL machine gun position, an ISIL building and three ISIL guard shacks and damaged one ISIL guard shack.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS013

Incident date

October 16, 2014

Location

كبيبة, Kabiba, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1244954, 41.0433769 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major night time coalition air raid targeting oil facilities used by Islamic State, five civilians including a 7- or 10-year old boy were reported killed. The dead were later named by various sources.

In a detailed report on the event, SN4HR later noted: “Those civilians are from Kabiba town and they work on selling oil to the traders, owners of the primitive oil refineries and power planes. SN4HR documented the killing of five civilians, including a child that was with his father at the site, in addition to six injured who all were oil traders and tanker drivers. Also the shelling caused fires in many vehicles and cars. Investigations showed that there were ISIS fighters and military vehicles [present] at the time of the attack.”

Six months after the event CENTCOM opened an investigation into the incident at the prompting of the US State Department – which had forwarded a copy of the SN4HR report. A review of full motion video and post strike images was deemed “inconclusive,” with investigators noting that “Information has been preserved if we receive anything further.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Raed Mohammed Eid
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Saleh Al-Ahmad Al-Nasser
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mahidi As-Saleh Mohammad Al-Khalil
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Allawi Al-Hams
Age unknown male killed
Laith Al Khalif al Mashieh
Child male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photo which appeared with the news piece about the incident on the Free Syrian Army's website which is no longer available. Airwars couldn't verify whether the photo was in Kabiba or from a previous shelling elsewhere.

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
    Al Hasakeh, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • SNHR. The FMV and post-strike images are iNoNlusive.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS012

Incident date

October 15, 2014

Location

كۆبانی, Kobanî, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.8883919, 38.3528042 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Kobanî official reported that a civilian – an 87 year old woman – and six Kurdish fighters from the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) died in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in the besieged city.It was also reported that two hospitals in the town had been destroyed.

According to Sky News Arabia, Kurdish sources said that the bombing occurred near Al-tall Street in the city. It represented the first known alleged Coalition ‘friendly fire’ incident in Syria.

CENTCOM disputed the claims, noting internally that Kurdish YPG sources instead insisted the elderly woman “was executed by ISIL forces.” The declassified report also concluded that no hospitals had been targeted by the Coalition, although it was conceded that “The closest target struck was approximately 100m away.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Original caption: "the coalition has intensified its raids on Kobane and its surroundings." (via Sky News Arabia)

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
    Kobani, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Open sources reported that an 87 year old woman was killed during a dvnamic stirke IVO Kobanl, and that two main hospitals were destroyed by us bombing. Neither allegation credible. No CIVCAS determined. SiNe 29 Sep 14, no women or children have been observed by TF IVO Kobani. No reporting or intel supports the death of the 87 year old civilian from US airstrikes. Information provided by the YPG in the ground indicates that the woman alleged killed was executed by ISIL forces, and that the reported source of the report was not in Kobani at the time of the report. IRT the hospital, TF ID’d 3 hospitals IVO Kobani. None have been targeted. The closest target struck was approximately 100m away

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI009

Incident date

October 8, 2014

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.437441, 43.286666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An internal CENTCOM review identified potential civilian casualties from a Coalition airstrike on an ‘ISIL checkpoint’ west of Ramadi, which appears to have been carried out by Australian aircraft.

According to the internal CENTCOM document, “On reviewing WSV [weapon system video] from AUS F18F” – an Australian Super Hornet – “it was apparent that a truck entered the target area between weapon release and impact.”

Although an initial investigation was begun, this ended after a review of full motion video of the incident.

Airwars researchers could find no public claims of civilians killed near Ramadi on this date. However it was reported that a Coalition strike west of Ramadi that day killed ISIL commander Shaker Mohammed Musleh and five of his aides.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ 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:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    20 nm W of Ramadi, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • On reviewing WSV from AUS F18F following a strike on an ISIL checkpoint to the West of Ramadi GBU 12 10 ms delay it was apparent that a truck entered the target area between weapon release and impact. ??? as covering the strike. No further inquiry required due to a review of FMV.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI008

Incident date

October 8, 2014

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

According to an unidentified international news agency cited in Foreign Policy, there were unconfirmed reports of possible civilian casualties at Mosul after coalition aircraft heavily targeted the city – though the agency was unable to verify further given the security situation: “We were never able to confirm it.”

Perhaps linked to the above, CENTCOM noted internally that it had received reports from an unnamed journalist on October 17th that “there may have been CIVCAS on a strike conducted on several vehicles in Mosul.”

Investigators concluded that the allegation might be linked to a confirmed strike by an unspecified Coalition Task Force that day. However, based on operational reports and “no reports of alleged CIVCAS arising from this strike” it was subsequently decided that “No further inquiry required.”

According to a reporter for Rudaw still in the city (who made no mention of civilian casualties) the coalition airstrikes began at 8pm local time: “The bombing targeted the strongholds of the organization Daesh, one of them the police culture center in Alnarkal neighborhood east of the city of Mosul, while missiles also targeted a gathering of militants near University Bridge Tunnel in the cultural district of the town.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ 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:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • A reporter alleged there may have been CIVCAS on a strike conducted on several vehicles in Mosul, IZ on a list of 7 alleged CIVCAS allegations he was tracking. The allegation corresponds with a strike conducted by TF on 8 Oct 2014. No operational reports were received about alleged CIVCAS from this strike. > No further inquiry required.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS010

Incident date

October 7, 2014

Location

حمام, Hamam, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.885556, 38.773056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of sources named Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho.as a victim of a coalition strike on a village near Raqqah.

Some of the sources mention another male [listed by Airwars as CS011] but it’s not clear if the incidents are linked.

One of the sources claimed that both males were in fact ISIS members – though all others insisted that they were civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho
Adult male Named by Syrian Martyrs killed

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Tweet names the two male victims killed in this incident saying they are 'daesh members', 07/10/2014
  • Tweet by Raqqa Media Office naming the two victims. 07/10/2014

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Hamam village ( حمام ) in Raqqah province: 35.885556, 38.773056 We noted that there is another village with a similar name: Hammam Turkuman ( حمام تركمان ). This village north of Raqqa: 36.529167, 39.076389 It is possible the reports could refer to Hammam Turkuman ( حمام تركمان )

  • Hamam village (حمام)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Hammam Turkuman ( حمام تركمان)

    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 Hamam, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV795712
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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 confirmed activity in the area for October 7th-8th 2014, noting that “Two airstrikes northwest of Ar Raqqah successfully struck an active ISIL training camp and associated ISIL fighters.” However it has denied any non-combatant casualties.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS011

Incident date

October 7, 2014

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.59539, 39.128559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of sources reported that a named civilian male as being killed in a coalition strike on Slouk near Ar Raqqah. The sources mention another male [CS010] but it’s not clear if the incidents are linked. One of the sources claims both males were ISIL members but the rest of the sources say they were civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salama Mohammad Al Thiab
Adult male Listed by Syrian Martyrs killed

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Tweet claiming that Salama Mohammad al Thiab and Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho [incident CS010] are daesh members from al Hamam. The tweet reports their death in air raids. 7th October 2014
  • Raqqa Media Office reports the death of Salama Mohammad al Thiab and Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho [incident CS010] 7th October 2014.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Civcas reported from coalition airstrike in Slouk, Raqqa province. No further information on time or location. The coordinates for ( سلوك ) Slouk are: 36.59539, 39.128559

  • ( سلوك ) Suluk

    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 Suluk, 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
Official source

The coalition has confirmed activity in the area for October 7th-8th 2014, noting that “Two airstrikes northwest of Ar Raqqah successfully struck an active ISIL training camp and associated ISIL fighters.” However it has denied any non-combatant casualties.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]