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

CS777

Incident date

May 6, 2017

Location

between Al Jizera and Al Shamiyah (Raqqah), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.933065, 39.007732

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

CI725

Incident date

May 19, 2017

Location

near Mosul, Iraq, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “112. May 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

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
    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
  • Jul 7, 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 May 18th-19th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 13 fighting positions, three rocket systems, two heavy machine guns, two medium machine guns, a VBIED, and a mortar system; and damaged seven fighting positions and three ISIS supply routes.”

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

CS942

Incident date

June 8, 2017

Location

near Al Mayadin, Syria, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.01954, 40.451361

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

CS1701

Incident date

December 22, 2017

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.69459, 40.83089

Airwars assessment

On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “December 22, 2017, near Hajin, Syria, via social media 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.” The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars: 37SFU677407. Airwars researchers assessed that the reported event has strong similarities with S1499 – yet cannot discount S1499 due to insufficient information on the location.

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]

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 30, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Coalition position: For December 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle and an ISIS staging area.”

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

CI715a

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35863, 43.10193 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event near Mosul.

Their April 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “It was assessed that during a Coalition strike against an ISIS commander, ISIS headquarters and VBIED operation which destroyed the VBIED operation, two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently walked into the blast radius of the strike.”

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

Airwars previously thought that this report was referencing CI715, however, in July 2019 Coalition officials indicated to Airwars that they were separate incidents.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Mosul Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF297254
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 2018

  • May 16, 2017, near Mosul Iraq, via self-report. It was assessed that during a Coalition strike against an ISIS commander, ISIS headquarters and VBIED operation which destroyed the VBIED operation, two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently walked into the blast radius of the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 15th-16th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, two mortar systems, to medium machine guns, two VBIEDs, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIED facilities, and a supply cache; damaged 13 ISIS supply routes and nine fighting positions; and suppressed three ISIS tactical units and two mortar teams.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1944

Incident date

May 1, 2020

Location

حقل كونيكو النفطي, Koniko Oil Fields, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.341858, 40.319093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed on May 1st, 2020 allegedly by a sniper bullet fired at him by the American troops in Koniko oil field in Deir Ezzor or by YPG/QSD members who guard the oil field as local sources said.

The victim who worked as a teacher in Raqqa city was identified as Yasser Al-Asman. (Yasser Muhammad Al Aslan/Al-Osman as other variations of the name).

SMART Agency reported that the victim “was heading on the main road from the countryside of Deir Ezzor Al-Sharqi to Raqqa, but his car veered off the road towards the [oil] field, by mistake, which drove the American forces to kill him instantly.”

SMART also said that YPG members transported his body to to the Hospital of Jadid Bakar village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, and asked the hospital staff to communicate with his relatives to receive his body.

On a different story of how the civilian was killed, Shaam News reported that he was first shot by the guards of the oil field who belong to YPG/QSD as he took the wrong road, and afterwards a US led-coalition warplane targeted his car and burned it completely.

However, Suriye.u.a.d didn’t specify who was responsible but reported “the death of the civilian Yasser Muhammad Aslan with a sniper bullet from the American base in the Koniko oil field, northeast of Deir Ezzor.”

In the second of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yasser Al Asman ياسر العصمان
Adult male Other sources named the victim (Yasser Muhammad Al Aslan) killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, YPG

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of the Koniko Oil Fields (حقل كونيكو النفطي), in the east of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the oil field are: 35.341858, 40.319093.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of the Koniko Oil Fields (كونيكو النفطي بريف), in the east of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    37SFV198117
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020

  • May 1, 2020, near the Koniko Oil Fields, 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. 3131/CS1944 37SFV198117

YPG Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    YPG
  • YPG position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, YPG

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1975

Incident date

January 17, 2022

Location

الحوايج, Al Hawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.056389, 40.488056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two men were killed in an alleged Coalition and declared Syrian Democratic Forces’ airdrop operation on the village of Al-Hawaij on January 17/18, 2022. One of the men was identified as being a member of ISIS.

Euphrates Post reported that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with helicopter support from the Coalition carried out an airdrop operation in the village of Al-Hawaij that resulted in the death of Amjad Muhammad Al-Ways Al-Ayed “Abu Omar”. The SDF and Coalition targeted his home on the pretext that he possessed “booby-trapped motorcycles”.

Private sources told the Euphrates Post that Amjad Muhammad is a resident of the city of Al-Mayadin and was living in a house near the “Al-Hawi” area on the outskirts of the village, owned by Awad Al-Shatat, a resident of Al-Hawaij village. @DeirEzzorNow referred to Amjad Muhammad as being “displaced” from Al-Mayadin.

A tweet from @Sada_AlSharqieh reported that Amjad Muhammad was an ISIS leader and that he was killed after he clashed with the patrol and refused to surrender. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also identified Amjad as an ISIS leader, the leader of a brigade operating in Deir Ezzor airport, and that weapons and explosive belts were found when searching the home that he hid in.

@DeirEzzorNow tweeted that in addition to Amjad Muhammad, Mohamed Alwes was killed. @DeirEzzor24 that Mohamed Alwes was also from the city of Al-Mayadin. None of the sources refer to Mohamed Alwes as being a militant. However, @SOJTF_LEVANT reported that “no other personnel were injured or taken off site”.

Enab Baladi identified that one person was arrested during the operation but didn’t provide any other details.

The Syrian Democratic Forces issued a statement that “one of the leaders of the terrorist organization ISIS was killed in the Al-Hawaij area, during a shooting operation initiated by the terrorist while our forces and the international coalition carried out a joint airdrop operation to arrest the aforementioned terrorist yesterday evening. The terrorist was involved in planning the attack on Ghweran prison in al-Hasakah, in November of last year, where our forces were able to thwart the plot and arrest a number of terrorists involved in it, including the leader of the cell, “Mohamed Abdel-Awwad,” as well as detonating two car bombs that were a cell belonging to the terrorist organization that had prepared To attack the prison and make holes in the main gate of the prison.”

Euphrates Post provided details that the operation took place at 10pm while @thawraa_syr reported that the raid took place around 2am.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Mohamed Alwes
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hawaij (الحوايج), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.056389, 40.488056. 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
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Democratic Forces
Official source

One of the leaders of the terrorist organization ISIS was killed in Al-Hawaij area during a shooting operation initiated by the terrorist while our forces and the international coalition carried out a joint airdrop operation to arrest the aforementioned terrorist yesterday evening.
The terrorist had participated in planning the attack on Ghweran prison in Al-Hasakah in November last year, where our forces were able to thwart the scheme and arrest a number of terrorists involved in it, including the leader of the cell, Muhammad Abdul-Awwad, as well as detonating two car bombs that the terrorist organization cell had prepared to attack the prison and make holes in the prison. The main gate of the prison.
During a search of the house where the terrorist was hiding, our forces found a quantity of weapons and an explosive belt.
In another security operation, the Special Units of the Syrian Democratic Forces arrested a local leader of the terrorist organization ISIS in the Al-Alwa area in the Shaddadi countryside, south of Hasaka. The terrorist was active in transferring weapons to the organization's cells, attracting new members to its ranks, and planning operations to target military forces and service institutions.
During the operation, weapons, equipment and documents were confiscated from his possession.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI134

Incident date

November 4, 2015

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.31426, 43.75913 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that two civilians were injured during a US airstrike at Huwaijah.

According to the official release, “On Nov. 4, 2015, in Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. The incident occurred when, after weapons were already in flight, the ISIL vehicle unexpectedly pulled off the side of the road near a building where two civilians were standing.”

At the time, local sources had reported a heavy air raid on central Hawijah, with one noting “God save the civilians.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for 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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A local source reporting strikes in the surrounding area

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 35.3240179, 43.77335

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    in Al Huwayjah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE872086
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016

  • On Nov. 4, 2015, in Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. The incident occurred when, after weapons were already in flight, the ISIL vehicle unexpectedly pulled off the side of the road near a building where two civilians were standing.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Al Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]