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

CI118

Incident date

October 5, 2015

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.43304, 44.02941 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians were killed from one family after US aircraft bombed their home in Atshana Village, in eastern Hawijah district.

In a January 2016 report the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq appeared to confirm the report, noting: “On 5 October, an airstrike mistakenly targeted a civilian house in Atshana village, east of Hawija and southwest of Kirkuk, that belonged to the Mukhtar of the village, killing eight persons from the same family, including several women and children and the Mukhtar himself.”

On April 22nd 2016, CENTCOM confirmed eight civilians died in the attack: “On Oct. 5, 2015, in Atshanah, Iraq, near Al Huwayjah, during a strike on ISIL personnel, it is assessed that eight civilians were killed during a strike on a mortar fire position used by enemy fighters.“

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mukhtar of village (unnamed)
Adult male killed
Female relative of Mukhtar
Adult female killed
Female relative of Mukhtar
Adult female killed
Child 1 of Mukhtar
Child killed
Child 2 of Mukhtar
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women1–2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    in Atshanah, Iraq, near Al Huwayjah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SME119215
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016
  • On Oct. 5, 2015, in Atshanah, Iraq, near Al Huwayjah, during a strike on ISIL personnel, it is assessed that eight civilians were killed during a strike on a mortar fire position used by enemy fighters.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women1–2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI342

Incident date

November 17–18, 2016

Location

حي عدن, Mosul, Aden, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35316, 43.21461 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local reports and an eyewitness inside east Mosul said up to 24 civilians from four families who had been gathered in one room within a three-story house, were killed in Aden Quarter by an alleged Coalition airstrike at 2.30pm during the main offensive by Iraqi security forces.

Iraqi reporter Majid Sharif noted on the day “Heavy fighting in the district of Aden by my brothers, heroes of the fight against terrorism.” And fellow reporter Issa Abdul Razzaq noted that “Counter-terrorism forces have stormed the district of Aden.”

On April 30th 2017, the Coalition confirmed that it had killed eight civilians in the attack: “Nov. 17, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: During a strike on ISIS fighters firing on partnered forces from a building Nov. 18, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 12 civilians unintentionally injured in the building.”

A field report by the Los Angeles Times also confirmed the event: “Sunday’s report confirmed that eight civilians were mistakenly killed and a dozen injured on Nov. 17 in east Mosul’s Aden neighbourhood by a strike meant to hit Islamic State fighters. Victims identified, including an adult man, 6 children and an unborn niece. His mother suffered burns to her scalp and back. His 40-year-old sister’s legs were broken and she still cannot walk. ‘The way they are targeting ISIS is wrong: They will target one ISIS militant, and as a result, many civilians will die,’ Jasim, 30, said Sunday. An unemployed taxi driver, he is trying to get his injured relatives treated, but said no one would lend him the money.”

Between April 2016 and June 2017, reporters Azmat Khan and Anand Gopal visited the sites of nearly 150 airstrikes across northern Iraq for the New York Times Magazine.

Regarding this specific incident, they noted that, “On 11/17-18/2016, the family of Jassim Mohammad Ali was at home when an airstrike hit their home, killing eight of his grandchildren, including one who was born only two days earlier, and injuring three family members.

“Naha Mohammad Hussain, who was among the injured, had just given birth two days earlier, woke up under the rubble, looking up to see sky, thinking about the pain in her right hand and right leg, and where her children were. Her husband pulled her out of the rubble, and she was treated at Salam Hospital. Her right arm has already had three operations, but her hand hangs completely limp. Doctors say she will take two years to recover. Also injured were Zohra Hassan, who has a very deep gash in her head, where you can see her skull, and back, and Fatiiya Jasim, who has a chunk of her left leg missing. The family has rebuilt parts of the house, but still are seeking costly medical treatment for injuries.”

Jassim Mohammad Ali, originally badly injured in the event, passed away in December 2017.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Imad Jasim
5 years old male killed
23 years old male killed
12 years old male killed
8 years old male killed
5 years old male killed
4 years old male killed
1 years old male killed
1 years old female 2 days old killed
Adult male Died December 2017 killed
Naha Mohammad Hussain
Adult female Mother of Rahma Omar injured
Zohra Hassan
Age unknown female injured
Fatiiya Jasim
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 24
  • (6–7 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo shows the house which was destroyed by the alleged Coalition airstrike in Aden Quarter in the Baysan neighbourhood of Mosul where reportedly up to 24 civilians were killed (via LA times)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3535686, 43.2141209

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Inside target building
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    12
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF398246
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • Nov. 17, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: During a strike on ISIS fighters firing on partnered forces from a building Nov. 18, it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 12 civilians unintentionally injured in the building.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 16th-17th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes [1 British] engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed six mortar systems, four watercraft, three storage containers, two fighting positions, two vehicles, a bunker, a trench, and an ISIL-held building; degraded two tunnels; and suppressed two tactical units and a rocket-propelled grenade system.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 24
  • (6–7 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI114

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Location

داقوق, Duquq, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.1352647, 44.2513895 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A strike by what at the time was an unknown aircraft killed eight civilians in Yurgon (or Alarkon) village near Duquq, according to local reports. The US led Coalition admitted responsibility for seven deaths in March 2020.

Waradana at the time cited one anonymous source: “The bombing led to the destruction of a number houses… The village is still under the control of Daesh terrorists, who take civilians as human shields, and prevent them from dispersing to areas controlled by the Iraqi government.”

Citing an anonymuos security source, NINA said that the village was located on a Daesh supply route: “International coalition aircraft bombed a residential house at the entrance to Alarkon village south of Kirkuk, which led to the martyrdom of an entire family of seven including men, women and children.”

In March 2020, the US-led Coalition conceded the event, noting that “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh fighters. Regrettably, seven civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike.”

The Coalition provided assessment coordinates accurate to within 100m

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the town level at 35.140191, 44.446261.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    7
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Duquq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SMD318883
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Sept. 27, 2015 near Duquq, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh fighters. Regrettably, seven civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike. 2835/CI114 38SMD318883

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

One strike was reported neat Kirkuk for September 26th-27th 2015: “Near Kirkuk, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI594

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336937, 43.073451 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of seven civilians in an event on the western outskirts of Mosul. The action was later revealed to be a US strike.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike against an ISIS formation, it was assessed that seven civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a one-metre box. The location given placed the event in a house in the Al Tanak neighbourhood. The house is located near the Yarmouk Secondary School for Boys.

None of the six strikes reported by Airwars that day in Mosul were located in the Al Tanak neighbourhood or in its vicinity.

The Australian Defence Force published information about the event on September 30, 2017: “On 30 March 2017, Coalition forces conducted airstrikes in support of Iraqi ground forces against suspected Daesh military forces in Mosul. No Australian aircraft were involved in the incident. ADF personnel were involved in the Coalition approval process. Based on the information available, an airstrike was authorised and tragically seven civilians were unintentially killed or injured. ADF personnel self -reported the incident in accordance with ADF policy. The personnel involved, using the information available to them, acted in compliance with the laws of armed conflict and Australian rules of engagement.”

In its May 2019 report to Congress of US-only civilian harm events for 2017, the Pentagon included this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Location of the Coalition airstrike that unintentionally killed seven civilians on March 30, 2017 in the Al Tanak neighbourhood of Mosul.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    7
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2709623043
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • March 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike against an ISIS formation, it was assessed that seven civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 29th-30th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed two command and control nodes, two mortar systems, a fighting position, and a UAV facility; damaged 19 supply routes; and suppressed 10 ISIS mortar teams and seven ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI778

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.339981, 43.124292 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that seven civilians, not observed near the target before the engagement, were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the event just off Mosul’s Nineveh street.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    7
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3166623291
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017
  • During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that seven civilians, not observed near the target before the engagement, were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 20th-21st: “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 24 fighting positions, three vehicles, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two medium machine guns, a recoilless rifle, a supply cache, and a heavy machine gun; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI792

Incident date

June 29, 2017

Location

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Lakash, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.33928, 43.13248 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single local source reported that six civilians from the same family died after air strikes hit their house in Bab Lakash, in Old Mosul.

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.”

In September 2018, the Coalition confirmed that it had killed six non combatants in the incident. Their report noted: “During a strike on ISIS fighting positions, six civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this event accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.339738, 43.132406

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    6
  • Stated location
    near Bab Lakash, Mosul
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF324232
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018
  • June 29, 2017, near Bab Lakash, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. During a strike on ISIS fighting positions, six civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

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
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI067

Incident date

May 13, 2015

Location

بيجي‎, Masahag, Salah al-Din, Iraq

Geolocation

35.00444, 43.47343 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six members of one family were reported killed when a Coalition drone allegedly struck a vehicle distributing oil products to local people. Responding to questions from Airwars, an MoD spokesman said that no British Reaper drone strike took place in the vicinity of al Masahag on that date.

Bayji’s Mayor, Mohamed Mahmoud said in an interview that “Drone aircraft targeted a wheel loaded with oil derivatives to the north of Bayji killing six people, among them three brothers, all from the same family.” He said they were handing out oil derivatives to other families in the region. Mahmoud added that “the dead were all from the Jabour tribe of the people of Bayji, who had fled to the area after Daesh control of their area.”

On July 7th, 2017 – more than 2 years later – the Coalition confirmed responsibility for the incident, reporting: “May 13, 2015, near Bayji, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS weapons cache, it was assessed that six civilians may have been unintentionally killed.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.004388,  43.473673

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    6
  • Stated location
    near Bayji, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLD607746
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2019
  • May 13, 2015, near Bayji, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS weapons cache, it was assessed that six civilians may have been unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition has confirmed heavy activity at Bayji around the time of the strike. On May 12th-13th 2015 it reported that “Near Bayji, four airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying 10 ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL VBIED.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI636

Incident date

April 13, 2017

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.33772, 43.072261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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

Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED engaging Iraqi Security Forces, it was assessed that six civilians were unintentionally killed when a group of fleeing civilians entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box – also stating that the event took place at 1pm local time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Precise given location of an April 13th Coalition strike which killed six civilians
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:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    6
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2699123132
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • April 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED engaging Iraqi Security Forces, it was assessed that six civilians were unintentionally killed when a group of fleeing civilians entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 12th-13th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, five vehicles, two VBIEDs, two VBIED factories, a medium machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a mortar system; and damaged 15 ISIS supply routes, and a fighting position; in addition, suppressed 10 mortar systems, six fighting positions, two artillery systems and a rocket system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]