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

CS1236 RS2350

Incident date

July 19, 2017

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.78379, 39.36559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 22 civilians including as many as 11 children died in airstrikes on Zor Shamer, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame.

There were no reports of injured civilians.

@eldorar, Syrian free army, Ahmad Shibli and the Smart News Agency pointed towards the Coalition – as did the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at eight.

@ShahbaPress reported that of ten civilians killed seven were from the same family.

Other deaths counts varied between 10 and 15.

According to Baladi, “Coalition aircraft killed 12 civilians, mostly children and women, in a bombing onthe village of Zour Shamr. Civilians were leaving the village in response to a coalition request to do so. The Coalition had dropped leaflets asking civilians to evacuate. They were therefore surprised by the bombing.”

However, other sources – including Sawarim and Shaam and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) – blamed Russia. RBSS put the death toll at more than 22 including 11 children, reporting that the victims included seven people from the family of Haj Hassan al-Hammadi and the wife of Walid al-Taka in addition to two of her daughters.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at 15 including three children and four women.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Zuhur, wife of Walid Hassan Al – Assaf
Adult female named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Iman al-Ali al-Assaf
18 years old male named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Ihsan al-Ali al-Assaf
15 years old named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Khalil Al Ali Al Assaf
8 years old named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed
Said Ali Al Assaf
5 years old named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed

Family members (1)

People from the family of Abdullah Hassan al-Hammadi, nicknamed Haj Hassan
Age unknown named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed

Family members (1)

Family of Shawah Al – Hassan Al – Hammadi
Age unknown named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed

Family members (1)

Family of Ahmed Hassan Al – Hammadi
Age unknown named by RBSS and Hasaka Rasd killed

Family members (1)

Shuwaq Hassan Al-Hammadi family
Age unknown named by Ar Raqqa Al Mydanya killed

Family members (1)

Obaid family
Age unknown named by Ar Raqqa Al Mydanya, missing killed

Family members (3)

Wife of Walid al-Taka
Adult female killed
Daughter of Walid al-Taka 1
Child female killed
Daughter of Walid al-Taka 2
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 22
  • (5–11 children2–4 women1 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, Russian Military

Sources (27) [ 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 July 19th-20th: “Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, a supply cache, and a tunnel; and suppressed a mortar team.” It additionally reported that “On July 19, near Raqqah, Syria, 19 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units; destroyed 34 fighting positions, two IEDs, and a VBIED; and damaged four fighting positions and a mortar position.” And also that “On July 19, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two ISIS fighting positions and a storage facility and suppressed a mortar system.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘ Wednesday 19 July – Tornados destroyed an explosives warehouse in northern Iraq, whilst Typhoons and Tornados struck a command post and defensive position in Raqqa…Update: air strikes against Daesh – GOV.UK In northern Iraq, intelligence had identified a warehouse near Hawijah in which large quantities of homemade explosives were being stored by Daesh. A flight of RAF Tornados attacked the building with two Paveway IV guided bombs, and demolished it on Wednesday 19 July. A mixed pair of one Tornado and one Typhoon meanwhile provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting to clear the terrorists from Raqqa. A coalition surveillance aircraft identified a Daesh defensive position, and our aircraft conducted a successful attack with a Brimstone missile. A terrorist command post was also identified within the city, and this was struck with two Paveway IVs.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 22
  • (5–11 children2–4 women1 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, Russian Military

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS497

Incident date

February 16, 2017

Location

مزرعة تشرين, Tishreen Farms, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.132398, 38.869372 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported airstrike at Tishreen Farms killed up to 22 non-combatants, according to reports. Both Russia and the Coalition were blamed, though the latter denied responsibility.

Asharqiya Voice reported the deaths of 10 people, while Raqqa is Being Slaughtered described “a massacre against 14 civilians after Coalition planes bomb Tishreen farm north of Raqqa.”

Smart said that “the warplanes launched raids on the areas of Kabish Sharqi and Tishreen farms which killed eight civilians and injured 14 others including 5 who were critically injured.”

However, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently later appeared to change their position and reported that this was a Russian strike, killing 14 non-combatants.

The Brigade of Raqqa’s Rebels and Arkhamis al Arabi also blamed Russia.

According to Syria news desk to “22 civilians were killed, including seven members of one family, and more than 30 others injured, at noon today, due to the international targeting the village of Tishreen farm with six raids”.

Euphrates Post published a video showing “long range winged rockets fired by Russian bombers on targets in the city of Raqqa.”

In its June 2017 report the Coalition denied responsibility: “5. Feb. 16, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was 4 km away.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Mohammad al Soweiha
Age unknown male Killed with two of his children killed

The victims were named as:

Khalaf al Akeel
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 22
  • (1–5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: raqqa - international coalition planes commit a massacre killing more than 14 civilians after bombings tishreen farm north of the city with several air raids.
  • Translation: media office of the brigade of Raqqa’s rebels - raqqa - 14 martyred after Russian enemy raids on a market in Tishreen farm in northern raqqa.
  • Translation: coalition planes commit a massacre killing 14 civilians after bombing commercial shops near the bakery in Tishreen farm west of Hazima north of raqqa.
  • Translation: it wasn’t the coalition who committed the massacre in raqqa at dawn today but Russian has confessed to the massacre that left dozens of victims after Tishreen farm was targeted.
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 Tishreen Farm, near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 16th-17th it noted: “Near Ar Raqqah, 17 strikes engaged two ISIS staging areas and an ISIS tactical unit; and destroyed four tunnels, three fighting positions, three ISIS-held buildings, two weapons storage areas, two ISIS headquarters, a VBIED storage facility, a fuel station and a bridge.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

[France reports that over the last week they carried out 32 sorties and seven strikes destroying seven ISIL targets. five strikes were in the Mosul and Sinjar region andtwo were in the Raqqa region of Syria. Strikes targeted ISIL fighters and shooting positions. After two months of presence and operational missions in Operation Chammal, the two Rafales, deployed as reinforcements, left the Middle East. The number of French Rafale deployed in Operation Chammal, has now returned to 12.]

‘Chammal APPRECIATION DE SITUATION Sur l’ensemble du théâtre du Levant, la situation a peu évolué, au sens géographique du terme, cette semaine. En Irak, la phase de sécurisation de Mossoul Est se poursuit et les forces de sécurisation se réarticulent pour libérer l’Ouest de Mossoul. Néanmoins, Daech continue de les harceler et durcit encore ses défenses dans la partie occidentale de la ville. La capitale irakienne reste plongée dans une situation sécuritaire difficile en raison des attentats perpétrés. En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes ont progressé, notamment dans la partie Nord-Est de Raqqah. À Al Bab, le recul de Daech se poursuit au sein même de la ville même si la complexité des interactions entre protagonistes représente toujours un frein aux avancées tactiques. ACTIVITES DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui aérien Cette semaine, alors que la pause opérationnelle générée par la phase de sécurisation de Mossoul-Est se poursuit, les aéronefs ont réalisé 32 sorties aériennes dont 30 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 2 de recueil de renseignement. 7 frappes ont été réalisées pour détruire 7 objectifs, dont 5 en Irak dans la région de Mossoul et de Sinjar, et 2 en Syrie dans la région de Raqqah. Les frappes ont ciblé des groupes de combattants, des positions de tir ou des pick-up de Daech. Après deux mois de présence et de missions opérationnelles au sein de l’opération Chammal, les deux Rafale de l’armée de l’air, déployés en renfort sur la base de Jordanie pendant la période d’absence de porte-avions, sont rentrés en métropole. Le nombre de Rafale français déployés en opération Chammal, est désormais revenu à 12 chasseurs. Appui artillerie : Depuis ses deux emprises au Nord et au sud de Mossoul, la TF Wagram a été largement sollicitée cette semaine avec près de 25 missions d’appuis réalisées. Depuis son emprise près de Mossoul, les artilleurs ont appuyé les troupes irakiennes pour des missions d’éclairement destinées à gêner les mouvements de Daech et les tentatives de franchissement du Tigre ou des missions d’interdiction et de destruction contre des positions ennemies. Depuis Qayyarah, la TF Wagram a conduit 11 missions d’éclairement afin de harceler les positions ennemies et faciliter l’action des Forces irakiennes dans la région de la poche d’Hawijah.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 22
  • (1–5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI617

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Farouk, Zinjili, Islah Zerae, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336843, 43.117979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources, in what was possibly based on an Al Amaq [ISIL press agency] statement, reported that 22 civilians were killed and 42 injured in Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes on Farouk, Zinjili and Isilah Zeraei (Agricultural Reforrm) neighbourhoods in West Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    42
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

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 Farouk, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 April 6th-7th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed four mortar systems, three fighting positions, two VBIED factories, two command and control nodes, a rocket system, and a tactical vehicle; and suppressed six mortar teams and two ISIS tactical units.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    42
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1648

Incident date

October 22, 2017

Location

Qosor neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 22 civilians died and 32 were wounded in an airstrike on the Qosour neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor, according to local media. The regime accused the US-led Coalition of carrying out the strike. However, the Coalition categorically denied it. Other sources point towards the regime

Euphrates Post reported that 20 civilians died and 30 were wounded “as a result of an air raid by mistake targeting the perimeter of Al-Fateh Mosque yesterday evening”. It blamed the regime.

However, Al Ahed blamed the Coalition, putting the death toll at 14 with 32 more wounded.

Reuters published a report in which the Coalition denied responsibility. It said: “Syrian state television had said the U.S.-led coalition hit the government-held Qusur district, killing 14 civilians and wounding 32, on Monday.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was unclear which aircraft carried out the raid, but that it killed at least 22 people.

Colonel Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for the US-led coalition against Islamic State, said that its jets had not conducted air strikes on any part of the eastern city. The coalition says it investigates any such allegations and was careful to avoid civilian casualties in its bombing runs in Syria and neighbouring Iraq.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khalil Al Yunes
Age unknown male named by Euphrates Post killed
Mohammed al-Hassu, nicknamed Abu Bassem
Age unknown male named by Euphrates Post killed
Abdul Aziz Amer al-Zaidan
Age unknown male named by Euphrates Post killed
Dawood Salah Al-Mawi
Age unknown named by Euphrates Post killed
Yousef Nouri Al-Hesso Abu Noori
Age unknown male named by Euphrates Post killed
Atwan Deeb Al-Atwan
Age unknown named by Euphrates Post killed
Mohamed Zakaria Al-Ahmad
Age unknown male named by Euphrates Post killed
Majed Khaled Lotfi
Age unknown named by Euphrates Post killed
Sulaiman al-Siksak
Age unknown male named by Euphrates Post killed
Dr. Alaa Al Jarad
Age unknown named by Euphrates Post killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 22
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–32
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • 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 October 22nd-23rd: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle. Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes destroyed five defensive fighting positions, four ISIS lines of communication, a VBIED factory and an ISIS headquarters.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 22
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–32
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI228

Incident date

April 18, 2016

Location

صديرة, Sudayrah, Salahudin, Iraq

Geolocation

35.4669, 43.28284 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, unknown aircraft struck boats in Sidera village east of Shirkat north of Tikrit, killing 22 civilians and injuring at least 15 more.

Russia Today claimed that the night time event “killed five brothers from one family” with a number of houses in the village destroyed.

According to News of Iraq, the civilians died when boats carrying food were struck on the river: “It’s noteworthy that as a result of the siege of Fallujah and the hunger people are suffering, they are being forced to use boats to move some relief aid in from other regions, particularly after the destruction of nearby bridges.”

Al Sumaria blamed the Coalition, while News of Iraq said the Iraqi military was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

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

For April 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition did report destroying a boat, though placed the attack near Mosul: “Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL mortar positions, two ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL boat and suppressed an ISIL rocket team.“

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI838

Incident date

September 2, 2017

Location

Al Qaim, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Yaqein reported that 22 civilians were killed following alleged airstrikes by the US-led Coalition west of Anbar Province in Al Qaim.

According to a local source cited in Yaqein, an airstrike of the international coalition aircraft” targeted the area. In addition to killing 22 people it also allegedly caused considerable material damage.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Qaim (القائم), for which the coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684. 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
    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-Qaem, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU833078
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 1st – 2nd the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed two ISIS fuel storage sites, an ISIS-held building, a front-end loader, a weapons storage area and an excavator.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI872

Incident date

October 26, 2017

Location

Al Qaim (Romana area), Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.39381, 41.07954 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sources reported the deaths of 22 civilians and dozens of wounded as a result of an airstrike on the Romana area in Al Qaim. Local media outlets Yaqein and Dhiqar also reported the bombing. Both quoted a military source confirming the airstrike.

However, Yaqein, as well as Dhiqar, mentioned both the Coalition and the Iraqi air force as the culprit.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the shelling of the Al Qaim, Romana area, Anbar (via Yaqein)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Romana (منطقة الرمانة), Qaim, west of the province of Anbar. The generic coordinates for the town of Romana (منطقة الرمانة) are: 34.39381, 41.07954. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Qaeim, Iraq
    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 October 25th-26th the Coalition reported: “Near Al Qaim, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area and destroyed 10 supply routes, a VBIED facility, an ISIS vehicle and a command and control node.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI429

Incident date

January 17, 2017

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3534304, 43.1174326 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that more than 30 civilians were killed or injured by an air or drone strike on a funeral in al Shifa, and in other neighborhoods west of Mosul.

Iraqyoon quoted witnesses saying that “aircraft had bombed a funeral for the Sangaree family in Shifa neighborhood, at the right side of Mosul”. People had reportedly gathered there to mourn the death of retired Colonel Aziz Ahmad Aziz Sangaree, who passed away a few days before, according to MNN.

Iraqyoon said witnesses had reported that “the bombing killed eight civilians and wounded 22 others”. They furthermore said that “the dead included three of Sangaree family, namely: Maan Ahmed Aziz Sangaree and Mishal Aziz Ahmed Sangaree and lawyer Ammar Mohammed Sangaree and five of the mourners.” Iraqyoon said that it was unclear whether the warplanes were from the Coalition or the Iraqi Army.

According to the Iraqi Spring Media Center, eight people had died at the funeral due to a drone strike.

Sheikh Mamdouh Duwaish Al Jarba was also named as one of the deadly victims of the raids on the funeral, according to Ahmed Al Jarba (Facebook), who said American planes were responsible. Likewise, Colonel Talib Aziz Alnemr was reported killed while attending the funeral, according to Iraqyoon.

Raedlay posted a very graphic video showing dead bodies as well as a witness collecting body parts. It said these were the result of Coalition airstrikes on different Mosul districts. In another post, Raedlay spoke of “21 dead and 11 wounded, including women and children” Coalition raids on several neighborhoods in Mosul.

CJTFOIR reported on March 4th that “Jan. 17, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.” Officials confirmed to Airwars that this was a reference to the al-Shifa allegations.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Maan Ahmed Aziz Sangaree
Age unknown male Named by Iraqyoon killed
Mishal Aziz Ahmed Sangaree
Age unknown male Named by Iraqyoon killed
Ammar Mohammed Sangaree
Adult male Named by Iraqyoon, lawyer killed

The victims were named as:

Mamdouh Duwaish Al Jarba
Adult male Sheikh killed
Talib Aziz Alnemr
Adult male Colonel attending a funeral killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 21
  • (1 child3–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–22
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • More images of the alleged victims
  • Colonel Talib Aziz Alnemr and Sheikh Nuri Duweish Jarba
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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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 January 16th-17th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed a command and control node, aheavy machine gun, a tactical vehicle, 14 fighting positions, two vehicles, a mortar, an ISIL-held building, a VBIED, and an ISIL weapons factory; suppressed an ISIL mortar team and artillery crew; and damaged 32 supply routes and an ISIL defensive berm.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 21
  • (1 child3–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–22
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (14) [ collapse]