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

CS341

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Location

المعماري, al Ma'amari, al-Hasakah, Syria

Airwars assessment

A number of civilians were wounded by Coalition raids that struck a house, according to two local sources.

Euphrates Post reported that a house belonging to a civilian in al Ma’amari village was targeted by Coalition planes, leading to the “injury of 15 people.” Al Natek reported 10 wounded, and later named the house owner as “Mohammad Jassem al Huwait.” However this was disputed by a commentator, who noted “No brother the house is that of Ismail Ali al Huwait… he is my cousin and he had guests at his house Hajj Ahmad al Turki and Abboud and Jumma al Turki and thank God they are all well.”

Hassakah Youth Union also reported wounded civilians – but no deaths – “following raids by the international coalition.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (4) [ 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 Al Ma'amari, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 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 October 16th-17th the Coalition reported no strikes in the vicinity. For October 17th-18th the Coalition reported “Near Al Shadaddi, eight strikes engaged eight ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and two vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS622

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition strike on Al Mayadin, according to local sources.

Euphrates Post reported that “international Coalition raids targeted the refineries in the desert of the city [Al Mayadeen] injuring several civilians.” Alamawi also blamed the Coalition, while Omran_mo reported that Coalition jets destroyed a number of IS cars in the area.

In September 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible. Their monhtly civilian casualty report noted, “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 local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (4) [ 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
    Other
  • Stated location
    in Al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU324762
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 26, 2019

  • March 25, 2017, in Al Mayadin, Syria, via Airwars 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 25th-26th the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed two pump jacks and an oil rig; and damaged a pump jack.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI675

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Location

near Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on December 28th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “80. April 28, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq via social media report. The report contains insufficient information of 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
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility. (451)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 27th-28th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight front-end loaders, two recoilless rifles, a vehicle, a mortar system, an excavator, and an anti-air artillery system; damaged a VBIED facility and suppressed two mortar teams.”

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

CS1095

Incident date

June 26, 2017

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Following an earlier bombing of an ISIL prison in Al Mayadin which allegedly killed upwards of 40 people, Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted a nearby site after bodies of the deceased were laid out for families to identify them.

No further civilian casualties were reported, however sources said that the ultimate death toll from both incidents is likely to rise with a number of people still buried under the rubble.

All four sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (4) [ 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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no civilian casualties were caused in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dawr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, a tactical vehicle, two bunkers, two pump jacks, a front-end loader, an IED factory, an ISIS financial facility, and an ISIS headquarters.” It additionally reported that “On June 26, near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS factory.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI791

Incident date

June 29, 2017

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City (Sultan Nuts Factory), Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34075, 43.126911 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single local source, the Nineveh Media center, said that multiple families were still under the rubble after air strikes had hit the Sultan Nuts factory in Old Mosul. The Center called upon everyone who read the post, to help save these families. Reportedly, elderly people were also among the victims.

It is presently unclear how many civilians were affected, or how many were injured or had died as a result of the bombardment. A senior Coalition official informed Airwars on July 5th that “It is primarily Coalition aircraft conducting AIR strikes in Mosul. It has been a number of weeks since the Iraqis flew there.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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 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
  • Feb 22, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 28th-29th the Coaltion publicly reported: “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 13 fighting positions, two weapons caches, a mortar system; and suppressed three fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On June 28, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed four fighting positions, three medium machine guns, a supply cache, a mortar system, a staging area, and a heavy machine gun; damaged two fighting positions and two ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1539

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016624, 40.4645133 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “warplanes” carried out a raids “focused on the Al-Rayaheen kindergarten near the mosque Othman bin Affan and near the headquarters of the Hesba of the organization [IS]. Many were wounded.”

No additional details are presently known.

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the airstrike targeted the Al Rayaheen (الریاحین) kindergarten in the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین). The kindergarten is reportedly near the Othman Bin Affan mosque (عثمان بن عفان), in the Al Makasin neighbourhood. The exact location of this mosque is unknown, but the coordinates for the Al Makasin neighbourhood are: 35.016624, 40.4645133. There are two mosques in this area: 35.015607, 40.460565; and 35.015350, 40.466698. Also mentioned are the IS Hesba headquarters, of which the location is unknown.

  • Locations of two mosques in the Al Makasin neighbourhood in the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

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

For September 27th – 28th the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed four ISIS supply routes and an ISIS headquarters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1751

Incident date

May 14, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.43221, 40.99226 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, several civilians were wounded as a result of Iraqi and Coalition air or artillery strikes on the village of Al Baghouz on May 15th.

Multiple sources stated that the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF), supported by the International Coalition and in coordination with Iraqi forces, took control of the town of Al Baghouz on the Syrian-Iraqi border.

Al Haal quoted Faisal Sayed, an Abu Kamal resident, as saying that “Iraqi and international coalition planes targeted IS positions”. In an earlier statement to Al Haal, the source confirmed that the bombing led to “several civilians wounded” but did not identify whether this was a result of Coalition or Iraqi air or artillery strikes. Marsad al Hassaka published an almost exact copy of the report.

Some sources, such as a tweet by @DeirEzzoreNow, mentioned that the Coalition targeted locations within the town of al Baghouz and its environs. However, Airwars researchers did not identify any other public reporting mentioning civilian harm.

A report by Zaman al Wasl also noted that the SDF People’s Protection Unit had said in a statement that it had taken control of the village.

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'International coalition targets locations within the town of # Albagouz and its outskirts.'

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Baghouz (الباغوز), for which the coordinates are: 34.43221, 40.99226

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-Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 25, 2018

  • May 14, 2018, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via Airwars. 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 May 14th, the Coalition reported that: “Near Abu Kamal, eight strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed one Daesh fighting position, one Daesh logistics office, one Daesh headquarters building, and one Daesh command and control center."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For May 9th -15th, France reports that Task Force Wagram conducted 27 shooting missions in the Euphrates Valley. There were 16 air sorties in support of the local forces engaged on the ground. A planned strike was carried out in the area of Abu Kamal destroying an ISIS logistics building.

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, cette semaine a été marquée par la poursuite de l’offensive contre les dernières emprises territoriales de Daech en Syrie et par le bon déroulement des élections parlementaires en Irak. Offensive contre les dernières poches daechies en Syrie En Syrie, l’offensive menée contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate suit son cours. Menée par les forces démocratiques syriennes, elle est appuyée par la Coalition et coordonnée avec les forces de sécurité irakiennes positionnées en interdiction de leur côté de la frontière. Depuis le 1er mai et le lancement de l’offensive, plus de 30 km2 de terrain ont été repris à Daech. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les forces de sécurité irakiennes ont été principalement engagées dans la sécurisation des élections parlementaires qui se sont déroulées sans incident majeur. La France a participé à aider les Irakiens, en particulier avec un stage d’apprentissage à l’utilisation de drones qui ont permis la surveillance des abords de certains points de vote. En parallèle, les opérations des forces de sécurité irakiennes se sont poursuivies, en particulier dans les secteurs de Tal Afar et Mossoul. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes Les instructeurs de la Task Force Narvik ont débuté depuis le 29 avril l’enseignement d’un nouveau module intitulé « Intelligence Collecting Course » au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Ce stage a pour but de former des petites unités autonomes capables de s’infiltrer, de se dissimuler, de collecter, d’analyser et de faire remonter des informations afin de fournir du renseignement tactique et appuyer le commandement. Cette nouvelle formation dure un mois, deux semaines de cours théoriques suivies par deux semaines de pratique. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. La Task Force Wagram est toujours engagée en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, elle a réalisé 27 missions de tir (bilan du 09 au 15 mai). Depuis le début de son engagement, la TF Wagram a réalisé 1709 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations. L’activité des forces aériennes françaises engagées dans l’opération Chammal se poursuit en appui des forces engagées au sol. Sur la semaine écoulée, les aéronefs engagés dans l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 16 sorties aériennes en appui des forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 09 au 15 mai). Une frappe planifiée a été réalisée dans le secteur d’Abu Kamal permettant la destruction d’un bâtiment logistique de Daech. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 8063 sorties / 1450 frappes / 2241 objectifs neutralisés.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For the second consecutive week, Dutch F-16s deployed weapons in Deir Ezzor. The Dutch MoD reported that between May 8th-15th jets targeted ISIS fighters and an HQ in two missions nr Abu Kamal. Dutch aircraft supported ground troops in Deir Ezzor in 10 missions.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 16-05-2018 | 12:00 Plaatsvervangend Commandant der Strijdkrachten luitenant-generaal Wijnen en de krijgsmachtadjudant Nico Spierenburg brachten een bezoek aan de militairen van de Capacity Building Mission Iraq in Erbil. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 8 tot en met 15 mei 2018. Na aankomst in het gebied was er een ontspannen meet and greet met militairen in de Dutch Corner op Camp Stephan. Tijdens de gesprekken kreeg de P-CDS een positieve indruk van de gedrevenheid waarmee de trainers zich aan hun taak kwijten. Hij benadrukte namens de CDS het belang van de inzet in Koerdistan waar Nederland een waardevolle bijdrage levert aan de opleiding van Peshmerga. De Special Operation Forces (SOF) zijn in Erbil begonnen met de voorbereidingen op terugkeer naar Nederland. De Nederlandse SOF-bijdrage in Bagdad en een resterend trainingsteam in Noord-Irak blijven actief in het gebied.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI879

Incident date

January 3, 2020

Location

مطار بغداد الدولي‎, Baghdad International Aiport, Baghdad, Iraq

Geolocation

33.266781, 44.231191 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Possibly one civilian was killed and an unknown number of civilians injured in a confirmed U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian national Qassam Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, on Baghdad International Airport at January 3rd, 2020.

The New York Times reported that an “American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the airport”.

Janoubia reported that the “the security media cell of the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office announced that ‘three Katyusha rockets landed on Baghdad International Airport near the air cargo hall, resulting in the burning of two vehicles and the injury of a number of citizens.'”

Qassam Soleimani’s son-in-law was also declared killed. While sources do specify the roles of the other persons in the convoy killed, his combatant status remains unclear. Hence, we have listed Soleimani’s son-in-law as a possible civilian casualty.

The belligerents named killed were:

Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis (deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces)
Qassem Soleimani (commander of the Iranian Quds Force)
Samer Abdullah (head of External Operations Agency for Hezbollah and brother-in-law of Imad Mughniyeh)
Muhammad Reda Al Jabri (director of the Hashdat Al-Hashd at the airport)
Hassan Abdul-Hadi (PMU)
Muhammad Al Shaibani (PMU)
Haider Ali (PMU).

Muhammad Al Kawtharani, senior member of Hezbollah, was also reported to be among the dead, but these reports remain unconfirmed.

Iranian officials also listed the following officers who accompanied Soleimani as killed, as reported by Nors:

Brigadier Hussein Jafir
Colonel Shahrud Muzaffari
Major Hadi Tarmi
Captain Waheed Zamanian.

The Pentagon confirmed responsibility for the airstrike in a statement on January 3rd, stating that “this strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.”

The incident occured at approximately 1:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11–13

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Bodies of those killed in the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport after midnight on January 3rd, 2020 (via @madallh_skaren).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Iranian Qassam Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, was killed on January 3rd 2020 after his convoy was bombed by an American airstrike. On the right a photo of his body, zooming in on the ring he was wearing when he was alive, left (via @SUUFp1).
  • Iranian Qassam Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, was killed on January 3rd 2020 after his convoy was bombed by an American airstrike (via @IRaqiRev).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of the body of Iranian Qassam Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, who was killed on January 3rd 2020 after his convoy was bombed by an American airstrike (via @IRaqiRev).
  • Aftermath of US drone strike on Baghdad International Airport in January 2020 which assassinated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani (via Arab48).
  • Iranian Qassam Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, was killed on January 3rd 2020 after his convoy was bombed by an American airstrike. Here pictured during a visit to Deir Ezzor end of 2019 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Money found near the location of the incident on January 3rd, 2020, that allegedly belongs to "Assad gangs" (via Nors).
  • Photo of a car near the location of the incident, allegedly from "Assad gangs" (via Nors Studies).
  • Iraqi official tv announces the killing of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mehdi Al Muhandis on January 3rd, 2020 (via Nors Studies).
  • Iranian Qassam Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, was killed on January 3rd 2020 after his convoy was bombed by an American airstrike (via Al Arabiya).
  • Muhammad Al Kawtharani (senior member Hezbollah), who was killed in an American drone strike on Bagdhad International Airport on January 3rd, 2020. Reports of his death remain unconfirmed (via Al Arabiya).
  • Muhammad Reda Al Jabri (director of the Hashdat Al-Hashd at the airport), who was killed in an American drone strike on Bagdhad International Airport on January 3rd, 2020 (via Al Arabiya).
  • Photo of Qassem Soleimani (left) and Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis (right), both killed in an American drone strike on Bagdhad International Airport on January 3rd, 2020 (via Al Arabiya).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike on the road connecting Baghdad International Airport (مطار بغداد الدولي) to the city of Baghdad. The generic coordinates for the airport are: 33.266781, 44.230898

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11–13

Sources (29) [ collapse]