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

CI035

Incident date

January 28, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Centre, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.339375, 43.130993

Airwars assessment

Citing a police source in the city, NINA claimed that nine civilians were killed and seven injured in an international coalition airstrike: “The source said that ‘the international coalition targeted the homes of civilians which resulted in the killing and injuring of dozens of civilians’… He pointed out that ‘the bodies of the martyrs arrived at the forensic medicine in Mosul and the injured were taken to hospital for treatment.‘”

In July 2017, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible as a result of a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Jan. 28, 2015, near Mosul, 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.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • 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 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

According to the coalition, between January 27th-28th 2015: “Near Mosul, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL checkpoint, six ISIL shipping containers, and four ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI052

Incident date

March 19, 2015

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event previously unknown to Airwars, an internal CENTCOM review of a Coalition strike on an ‘ISIL weapons assembly area’ at Hawijah identified a possible issue. According to the report, “ISR imagery showed that an unintentional potential ClVCAS may have occurred. Unidentified and unexpected personnel were seen IVO [in the vicinity of] the detonations. CAOC is assessing.“

A more detailed assessment of weapon system video led to a determination that casualty claims were “not credible.”

Airwars researchers have identified no reports of civilians killed that day, although there was news of heavy fighting in Hawijah itself as ISIL fighters retreated from outlying villages.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Hawijah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Strike ISR imagery showed that an unintentional potential CIVCAS may have occurred. Not credible based on closer review of WSV

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS075

Incident date

June 10, 2015

Location

عربيد, A'rbeed, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.5716306, 39.1553861 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition strike near the ISIL-occupied village of A’rbeed was said by the Syrian Network for Human Rights to have killed three civilians in a farmhouse – a 43 year old man and his two wives.

Two other sites described Coalition strikes in the vicinity, though did not refer to civilian deaths.

In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted the following: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Youssef Mohamad al-Khalaf
43 years old male killed
Oush al Sabri
42 years old female Youssef's first wife killed
Houriya Houssein al-Rifaee
33 years old female Youssef's second wife killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports mention the incident took place near the village of Al Arbeed (عربيد), Ar Raqqah Governorate. The incident was first reported on June 10th, 2015 (same day as the incident) by Syrian Documentation centre. The website has since been taken down. Structural damage can be seen on satellite imagery for the following location: 36.5716306, 39.1553861, however, this is more likely to be linked to an incident that took place on June 19, 2015 (CS082)

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
    Arbeed, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA139473
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • June 10, 2015, Arbeed, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

A number of Coalition strikes were confirmed in the Ar Raqqa area during the relevant period. For June 9th-10th 2015 it was reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL armored vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI083

Incident date

July 11, 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

There were fresh claims of Coalition-inflicted civilian casualties at Mosul, with 37 non-combatants alleged killed and injured in airstrikes reportedly aimed at disrupting power supplies to the city.

According to NINA, the dawn raid “caused a complete interruption of electricity – and some water pumps stopped in the city.” Some hospitals reportedly lost access to clean water. Twenty civilians were allegedly killed in the strikes, among them seven women and three children. A further 17 civilians were said to have been injured.

Almustaqbal News published a carbon copy of the NINA report.

In its civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘not credible, asserting: “July 11, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2785/CI083 38SLF294240”.

Officials published a location for the event to within 100 metres of where they had remotely assessed the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (3 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • 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 11, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2785/CI083 38SLF294240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition confirms it carried out multiple strikes at Mosul on July 10th-11th 2015: “Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL rocket position and 11 ISIL staging areas and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (3 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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
Official source

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

CI137

Incident date

November 10, 2015

Location

الرفاعي, Rifai (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3558497, 43.0937862 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were claims that 12 primary school children were injured following an alleged Coalition airstrike at Rifai, west of Mosul.

No other details are presently available.

In their January 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 local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • NINA
    • Arabic
    • Arabic

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
    38SLF290251
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • November 10, 2015, in Rifai, 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. 2857/CI137 38SLF290251

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No Coalition strikes were reported at Mosul for November 9th-10th 2015. For November 10th-11th it was reported that “Near Mosul, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • NINA
    • Arabic
    • Arabic

Incident Code

CI160

Incident date

December 17, 2015

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Amid heavy airstrikes on the city of Fallujah, at least four children were among up to eight people reported killed when a home was struck in an alleged Coalition attack.

According to Al Fallujah News, those killed were a father, mother and their six children. News Fallujah Now, citing “medical sources at Fallujah General Hospital” instead said that six civilians had died (four children and 2 women) wth a further nine injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (4–6 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 16th-17th 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL sniper position, an ISIL tunnel, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL RPG system, and wounded an ISIL fighter.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (4–6 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS170

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

دادات, Dadat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.634068, 37.936569 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A young child was killed in either a Coalition or a Russian airstrike near Al Dadat, on the road to Jarablus.

Ara News blamed the attack on Russia, while Shaam News and Halab Today among others said the US-led Coalition was responsible.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: the martyrdom of a child and the injury of others following air raids on the village of al Dadat near the town of Manbij in the northern Aleppo countryside.
  • Translation: News just in: a child was killed following an air raid by coalition planes on the outskirts of the vilage of al dadat near the city of Manbij in the northern Aleppo countryside.
  • Translation: Aleppo: International coalition planes launch several air raids on the village of Al Dadat in the countryside of the town of Manbij in the northern countryside. (via RFS_North)
  • Translation: the martyrdom of a child and the injury of others following air raids on the village of al Dadat near the town of Manbij in the northern Aleppo countryside (via Manbej_Alhadath)

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
    37SDA049548
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Jan. 29, 2016, in Dabat, Syria, 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. 2904/CS170 37SDA049548

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 28th-29th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]