US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CI017

Incident date

November 17, 2014

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.8949604, 43.2228756 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple civilians were reported killed as a result of air raids launched by the coalition south of Mosul. The National Iraqi News Agency cited forensic sources as saying that 16 people, including six women and children, were killed.

Other media reported that up to “22 Daesh militants” were also killed in coalition airstrikes in the vicinity, including 13 at Al Qayyarah.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (3 children3 women)
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistricts of Al Qayyarah and Al Shura, south of Mosul. Coordinates for the middle point between these areas are: 35.8949604, 43.2228756. Due to limited information and satellite imagery 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 Qayyarah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Seven coalition airstrikes, including by Canada, are confirmed for November 17th-19th. According to CENTCOM: “Seven airstrikes near Mosul struck five ISIL tactical units, damaged an IED factory and destroyed an ISIL mortar position, three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL occupied building, an ISIL artillery piece and ISIL artillery mover.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (3 children3 women)
  • 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

CI440

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Location

الدواسة, Mosul: West, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.332586, 43.1388688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were claims that up to 34 civilians died and 20 or more were injured following Coalition or Iraqi strikes on western Mosul.

The Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that airstrikes had targeted residential neighborhoods and killed 32 people, including women and children. Yaqein news also put the death toll at 32.

Shebab newsagency said that “33 people were killed, including women and children, when an airstrike targeted the west of Mosul amid intensified fighting between, on the one hand,  Iraqi forces and the militia collaborating with them, and ISIL on the other hand, on the edge of the Tigris River in the city centre.”

Al Rawed posted an Al A’Amaq [ISIL propaganda] video showing “the damage left behind by US aircraft [as it] bombed residential areas on the left side of the city of Mosul”. The witness in the video said that two civilian houses and a wool factory had just been targeted by a US missile.

The Coalition announced on March 4th that it was conducting an assessment into an event on Mosul for January 26th.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: ‘In the evening of 26 January, 27 women and children were reportedly killed and 11 other civilians, including four children and one woman, were wounded in an airstrike targeting an ISIL compound in the Qasir al-Mitran neighbourhood of western Mosul.’

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible. Their monthly 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
    27 – 32
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–20
  • 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 (15) [ 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 Western Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF311230
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019
  • Jan. 26, 2017, in Western Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it wasdetermined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 25th-26th the Coalition publicly noted: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed three mortar systems and two watercraft; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
For January 26th-27th it noted: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed two ISIL headquarters, twoVBIED facilities, two barges, a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, a VBIED, and an anti-air artillery system; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 32
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–20
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI082

Incident date

July 9, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians including women and children were allegedly killed in a reported coalition airstrike at Mosul, which was also said to have injured seven people.

The National Iraq News Agency (NINA), citing what it described as a local source, reported that “the international coalition aircraft bombed houses belonging to unarmed civilians believed to be strongholds of the organization Daash in Qayyarah and Hamam al-Alil and Shura south of Mosul.”

“The source added that the outcome of the bombing had resulted in 15 martyrs, including women and children, and the elderly, as well as the wounding of seven other civilians who were seriously injured.”

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “July 9, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2784/CI082 38SLF294240”.

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF294240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • July 9, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2784/CI082 38SLF294240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

One coalition strike was reported in the vicinity for July 8th-9th 2015: “Near Mosul, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL building.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI115

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local and medical sources said that 13 civilians were killed and up to six more injured after Coaliton planes struck their homes in the centre of Mosul, while three more civilians died after a shop was reportedly struck by the Coalition in the west of the city.

This report references the event in central Mosul.

NINA reported one local as saying some residents were trying to flee the city “for fear of being subjected to bombardment again“ after reports of a heavy aerial assault on the city. It also said that “The bombing led to the death of 13 civilians, and wounding six others were injured, in addition to major damage role and property”. A later report referenced 16 deaths – though this may also include the west Mosul allegation outlined in event CI115a.

In its monthly civilian harm assessment report for November 2019 – published on January 2nd 2020 – the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’ while breaking it down into two incidents, noting:

”7. September 27, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2836/CI115 38SLF294240

8. September 27, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2837/CI115 38SLF294240″.

The Coalition provided geolocates, indicating to within 100 metres the area on which it had focused its assessment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 16
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Archive image of Cubs of the Caliphate - ISIL's child soldiers (via al Mayadeen)

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2020
  • 7. September 27, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2836/CI115 38SLF294240 8. September 27, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2837/CI115 38SLF294240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported that for September 26th-27th 2015: “Near Mosul, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL armored vehicle, and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 16
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI147

Incident date

November 26, 2015

Location

جامع خالد بن الوليد, Fallujah, near Khalid Bin Al Waleed mosque, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.338889, 43.746667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources in Fallujah alleged that Coalition aircraft bombed a house with three families inside near Khalid Bin Al Waleed mosque, killing at least 12 and wounding six more – mostly children and women.

The reported 11.30pm airstrike caused multiple casualties, with many victims buried under a collapsed building. The Baghdad Centre for Human Rights said that both Coalition and Iraq government aircraft had participated in the attack, while all other sources pointed only to the Coalition.

Jasim Al Assal, a member of the local provincial council, complained that “the desire by local people to be free from Daesh terrorists does not justify inaccuracy by the international coalition, who must spare civilians including children and women in Fallujah.”

In July 2017 the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “Nov. 26, 2015, near Fallujah, Iraq, via Airwars report: 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.”

However, given the well-chronicled nature of the event, and confirmed Coalition strikes in the vicinity, Airwars will continue to list this event as likely – while seeking additional clarification from the Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdarahman Ahmed Ibrahim
11 years old male killed
Ahmad Kamal Ibrahim
12 years old male killed
Abdarahman Lance Tawfiq
1 years old male killed
Ruasi Kamal Ibrahim
12 years old male killed
Hmsh Kamal Ibrahim
4 years old male killed
Rana Omar Khalil
2 years old female killed
Fatimah Tawfiq Shafi
37 years old female killed
Abrahim Ahmed Ibrahim
3 years old male killed
Omar Khalil
32 years old male killed
Wife of Omar Khalil
27 years old female killed
Ayman Hamid Abdul Jabbar
7 years old male killed
Hamid Abdul Jabbar Abdullah
38 years old male killed
Yousef Ahmed Ibrahim
3 years old male injured
Asia Kamal Ibrahim
1 years old female injured
Ahmed Ibrahim Ghaith
10 years old male injured
Huda Khamis Farhan
12 years old female injured
Alaa Hamid
13 years old male injured
Aqil Hamid Abdul Jabbar
10 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 17
  • (8 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Child victims of alleged Coalition strike at Fallujah, November 26th 2015 (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • Omar Khalil, victim of a reoprted Coalition strike at Fallujah, November 26th 2015
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victims of an alleged Russian airstrike on Ar Raqqah, November 26th (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Yousif Ahmed Ibrahim Hussein (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Ahmed Ibrahim (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Martyr Abdulrahman Anas (via Iraqi Revolution)
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 Fallujah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • 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

The Coalition confirms carrying out strikes in the near vicinity on November 26th-27th 2015: “Near Fallujah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL rocket rail, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL improvised explosive device (IED) cache, and an ISIL command and control node.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 17
  • (8 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI179

Incident date

January 18, 2016

Location

المعارض المنفيس, Mosul, Exhibitions area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.344167, 43.188333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources claimed that 11 civilians were killed and 6 others wounded after Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted cars in the Exhibitions area east of Mosul.

According to the National Iraqi News Agency, residents in the city’s Exhibitions area said the casualties occurred when aircraft fired on vehicles: “The bodies of civilians were handed over to the forensic medicine department, while those injured were taken to hospitals in Mosul.” Al Mustaqbal also noted the event, though their story appears to be based on NINA’s report.

Al Araby said that 10 civilians died in the event while a further 11 were injured, noting that local sources “did not know whether the bombing had inflicted casualties (on Daesh) or not.”

Responding to a request for clarification, the UK MoD told Airwars: “There is no credible indication of potential UK involvement” in the alleged event of January 18th.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying it had not conducted strikes in the near vicinity: “Jan. 18, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (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
    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
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported for January 18th-19th 2016 that “Near Mosul, five strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, four ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL cash collection point.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI211

Incident date

March 31, 2016

Location

Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

The Al Najmawi family’s flour mill in Granary Street, eastern Mosul was struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike, leading to casualties among the civilian workers inside.

Qoraish reported that the attack took place at the 10.30am local time, with two strikes approximately five minutes apart. It claimed there were no Daesh forces present.

NRN News said one person civilian died his uncle – factory director was injured along with three other workers.

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

The incident occured at 10:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Salah Riyad Haj Saeed Al Najmawi
Adult male killed
Ghassan Al Najmawi
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The picture of Salah Riyad Haj Saeed Al Najmawi, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike on the flour mill in Mosul, on March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Coalition strike on flour mill in Mosul, on March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Coalition strike on flour mill in Mosul, on March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
  • The aftermath of airstrike shows an ISIS fighter in the flour mill that was reportedly hit by a Coalition strike, Mosul, March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF380253
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • March 31, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2917/CI211 38SLF380253

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 30th-31st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, eight strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL bed down location, two ISIL safe houses, an ISIL fighting position, and suppressed two ISIL mortar firing positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI307

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Location

أبو جربوعة, Abu Jarbua, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.41241, 43.31882 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A local source told Airwars’ Iraq-based field researcher that three families have died in the village of Abu Jarbuha, followed Coalition airstrikes allegedly destroyed their homes.

With British airstrikes confirmed in the area that day, Airwars reached out to the MoD, with information which included geolocates within 1km of the likely vicinity of the event (36.41241, 43.31882.)

An MoD official subsequently told Airwars that “From the evidence you have provided… we cannot make any definitive assessment. However, I can confirm that there was no indication of any civilian casualties in our own detailed assessments of the impact of each of our strikes on the dates in question.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: ‘On 24 October 2016, an airstrike reportedly hit a house in Abu-Jarbu’a village in Bashiqa subdistrict of Mosul killing six civilians–two children, two women and two men–from two families and also wounding four civilians–two children, one woman and a man.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (2 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (2) [ 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 Ba’shiqa, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF5217127671
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 23rd-24th 2016, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units, two rocket systems, two anti-aircraft artillery systems and two staging areas; destroyed 19 fighting positions, 17 vehicles, 10 heavy machine guns, nine mortar systems, eight command and control nodes, six repeater towers, and four tunnels; and damaged four fighting positions, two vehicles, a mortar system, and a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (2 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]