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

CS298

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2368, 37.97617 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, CENTCOM later confirmed the death of a civilian in an attack on Manbij.

Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “during a strike against an ISIL artillery firing position, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon”.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.5269242, 37.9559288

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 deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA080107
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • August 20, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL artillery firing position, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 20th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, nine strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a vehicle, an artillery system, a supply cache, and a rocket launcher.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI723

Incident date

May 19, 2017

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.347023, 43.125572 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Mosul.

Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The given location placed the event in the Old City.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3179624070
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • May 19, 2017, near Mosul, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after the munition was released.

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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS407

Incident date

December 7, 2016

Location

المشيرفة, Al Msheirfa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.41242, 39.11600 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two families consisting of at least 11 people were killed at al Msheirfa in a Coalition airstrike, according to various sources.

According to All 4 Syria, “18 civilians were killed in Al Msheirfa according to the initial death toll due to coalition warplane shelling. The warplanes targeted the house of Rajab Al-Ali Al-Hilal Al-Taweel and killed all of his family. Ahmad Al-Rajab Al-Askan was also killed with all his family too.” Qasioun also placed the death toll at 18, while Baladi News said ‘dozens’ were injured.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also reported that “Coalition planes launched this morning several raids on the village of al Msheirfa – al Aksan neighbourhood – targeting several homes of which the following homes have been identified: the home of Ahmad al Rajab al A’skan and two other neighbouring homes which led to the total destruction of the houses and the deaths of 18 martyrs including children and a number of wounded.” It also named the family of Ali al Hassan al Hilal as killed – though this may be the same as the al Taweel family. The Syrian Network reported 11 deaths though said the toll was likely to rise.

ISIL’s media wing placed the death toll slightly higher: “20 killed in an American air raid targeting with 4 missiles civilian homes in the village.”

In its February 2017 casualty report, the Coalition noted: “Dec. 7, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: During a strike on a compound occupied by ISIL fighters, it is assessed that seven civilians in the buildings were unintentionally killed.” Airwars had assumed that this referred to this event in the absence of a precise location. In July 2019, the Coalition enabled us to clarify this and it was found that this report of a credible incident does not refer to CS407. The credible incident is now recorded as CS407a.

In August 2017 the Coalition had assessed these civilian harm allegations to be non-credible, noting: “Dec. 6, 2106, near Al Msheirfa, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rajab Al-Ali Al-Hilal Al-Taweel
Age unknown male Killed with all his family members killed
Ahmad Al-Rajab Al-Askan
Age unknown male Killed with all his family members killed
Ali al Hassan al Hilal
Age unknown male Killed with all his family members though it may be the same family of Rajab Al-Ali Al-Hilal Al-Taweel killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 20
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Coalition warplanes shelling killed 18 and wounded others.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.412407, 39.1162634

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
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37S EA 104 297
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • Dec. 6, 2106, near Al Msheirfa, Syria, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 6th-7th 2016, the Coalition publicly reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two storage sheds, a vehicle, and a decoy tank.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 20
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI379

Incident date

December 29, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.368483, 43.184281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that up to 41 civilians died and a further 143 were injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes on eastern Mosul neighbourhoods in support of a renewed push to capture the city from ISIL.

Iraqi Spring placed the death toll at 41, while MNN said at least 30 died.

In its February 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted two events for December 29th – one of which had been dismissed, the other still under investigation. An official confirmed to Airwars on February 16th 2017 that this event had been assessed as not credible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 41
  • Civilians reported injured
    143
  • 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 (6) [ 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
Official source

For December 28th-29th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed seven front-end loaders, four command and control nodes, two land bridges, a VBIED factory, a vehicle, and a steam roller; and damaged 24 supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 41
  • Civilians reported injured
    143
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI403

Incident date

January 8, 2017

Location

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Al-Hadba, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3951712, 43.1503487 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes that targeted an ISIL member in a civilian vehicle, in the Hadbah neihbourhood in the northeast of Mosul.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF347297
    Military Grid Reference System

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

For January 7th-8th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed five mortars, two supply caches, four fighting positions, a command and control node, a weapons cache, and a VBIED factory; suppressed three mortar teams; damaged 14 supply routes; and disabled a bridge.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI425

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, al-Jadid, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3323266, 43.1050515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “In the afternoon of 14 January, airstrikes reportedly targeted the house of an ISIL local leader in the Mosul al Jadida neighbourhood of western Mosul. The attack resulted in the collapse of the targeted house and of an adjacent house, allegedly killing 19 civilians, including seven women and four children, and wounding 11 others, including three women and a child.”

Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilians killed or injured relating to this incident.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (4 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Airwars assessment uses the generic coordinates for al Jadida/New Mosul (الموصل الجديدة), which are 36.3323266, 43.1050515. For reasons unknown, the Military Grid Reference coordinates published by the Coalition and accurate to one metre are outside of the boundary of al Jadida.

  • Al Jadida, also known as New Mosul (الموصل الجديدة) and the MGRS coordinate published with the US-led Coalition's assessment.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3343518367
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient information available to determine if civilians were present or harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 13th-14th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed four fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, two watercraft, an ISIL headquarters building, a VBIED; and damaged eight supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (4 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI443

Incident date

January 29, 2017

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agragarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3507344, 43.0868769 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that seven civilians were killed and 19 others injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted a flour mill in the Agrarian Reform district at the right side of Mosul.

Press sources had also reported that “the bombing caused considerable material damage to a number of civilian houses in the area (..)”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    19
  • 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 (6) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Isilah Zeraei neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF283245
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 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

For January 28th-29th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, two strikes destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery system, a fighting position, and two barges; suppressed two mortar teams; and damaged three supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    19
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS485

Incident date

February 11, 2017

Location

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Bouwaitiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.93771, 39.12475 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported the deaths of seven civilians following US-led Coalition raids on a number of villages surrounding Raqqa.

According to Smart News “a medical source, confirmed the arrival of seven dead civilians to the hospital and 14 wounded, including women and children in a critical condition, due to targeting by coalition aircraft the villages of “Hamra Bouwaitiya, Al A’nnadiya and Al Raqqa al Samra in the eastern Raqqa countryside.”

No additional details or sources are presently known.

The incident occured between 12:00 am and 10:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • 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

Smart News mentions the villages of Al A’nnadiya (العنادیة), Hamra Bouwaitiya (حمرة بویتیة) and Al Raqqa al Samra (الرقة السمرة), all in “Eastern Raqqa countryside”. The coordinates for Al A’nnadiya (العنادیة) are: 35.968333, 39.094167. The coordinates for Hamra Bouwaitiya (حمرة بویتیة) are: 35.933056, 39.128611. The coordinates for Al Raqqa al Samra (الرقة السمرة) are: 35.9327067, 39.0910721.

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 Hamra Bouwaitiy, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 10th-11th the Coalition stated: “Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged four ISIL tactical unit; destroyed three tactical vehicles, three fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIL headquarters, a tunnel system, and a weapons storage facility.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]