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

CI732

Incident date

May 25, 2017

Location

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.346741, 43.118997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Medical sources reportedly told the ISIL press agency that 101 civilians were killed and 199 others were injured as a result of airstrikes carried out by the Coalition and Iraqi forces on West Mosul neighbourhoods during the previous five days.

Presently no further details are known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    101
  • Civilians reported injured
    199
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 24th-25th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed five vehicles, four fighting positions, four medium machine guns, three heavy machine guns, three weapons caches, an IED, a mortar system, an ISIS staging area, a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged two ISIS supply routes; and suppressed two mortar teams.”

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
    101
  • Civilians reported injured
    199
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI856

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

Mutaybayjah, Saladin, Iraq

Geolocation

34.233333, 44.123333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media outlet Yagein claimed that hundreds were killed and wounded following alleged US-Coalition strikes on Metebija, in the east of Salahadin province. The Iraq Spring Media Center also alleged the Coalition conducted raids in the area, though it did not refer to civilian casualties.

A source who spoke to Yagein claimed: the Coalition aircraft bombed several areas in al-Mutaybayjah east of Salah al-Din targeted vehicles carrying an explosive device. It added that the bombing caused deaths and injuries but numbers had not been confirmed. Houses were also destroyed. The heavy bombardment of Coalition aircraft came to block any attempt by the organization [IS] to carry out any surprise attacks from Al-Mutaybayjah to break the siege imposed on it.

There are no further details available at present.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 100
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Mtebija (مطبیجة), on the border between the provinces of Diyala and Salahuddin. The coordinates of the subdistrict of Mtebija (مطبیجة) are: 34.233333, 44.123333. 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 Mutaybjah, 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 September 26th-27th the Coalition reported no strikes near Salahadin.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 100
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI709

Incident date

May 13, 2017

Location

عنه, Anah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.372699, 41.986442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Residents and local press said that up to 100 civilians were killed and dozens wounded after Coalition airstrikes and guided missiles allegedly hit multiple locations in and around Anah town, in Anbar province, on a Saturday evening.

Noor Al Mustafa Dawood reported that “the bombing continued with more than four airstrikes and four missiles directed so far” and listed the locations of the shelling as follows:

– Airstrikes on the cemetery, while a funeral of an ISIL was going on

– Bombing on the Internet Hall in Al Hadra Street

– The bombing of the house of Ibn Faiq Rashad II, “which was considered a house of money”

– On Abu Fahad House, the head of the “movement of the solution”. As well as full destruction and reports of minor civilian casualties

– Bombing on the building of Haj Badia Khairi Ghi in Al-Hadra Street – news about the the death of the resident and the serious injuries of [other] people

– Targeting Pick up wheel in Al Hadra Street for people. Unidentified civilians were killed.

– Bombing near the stadium without knowing the details.

Yaqein Agency said that the Coalition had also “deliberately targeted” a hospital and a market.

On Monday 15th May Yaqein reported that the death toll had risen to more than hundred civilians. The press source had told the media agency that “the international Coalition forces launched violent raids on the district [in the] west of Anbar province” and that “the shelling killed more than 100 civilians and wounded dozens.” It furthermore said that residents were confused whether they should stay in the house – at the risk of seeing walls fall on them – or go out and be exposed to the risks there. The source said that “the bombing of the International Alliance is the most violent of its kind as the Coalition aircraft directed 4 airstrikes and used guided missiles in the bombing.”

Local residents named various people who were killed as a result of the shelling.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied involvement in the incident: “May 13, 2017, near Anah, Iraq, via NGO report: 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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abu Yasser
Age unknown male Brother of Bassem Hamra killed
Bassem Hamra
Age unknown male Brother of Abu Yasser killed

The victims were named as:

Sheb Obeida Wael Hussein
Adult male had moved to his neighbour in the city of Ana that day killed
Jamil Al Ani
Child male killed
Jassim Mohammed Saleh Al-Hamra
Adult male killed
The son of Uday Attawi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 100
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Jassim Mohammed Saleh Al-Hamra (via Rawa, Facebook)
  • Obeida Wael Hussein Jamil Al Ani (via Rawa)
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 Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGU742070
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 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 May 12th-13th, the Coalition did not report any strikes near Anah.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 100
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI794

Incident date

June 30, 2017

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local press and resident sources said that dozens to hundreds of civilians, including the bodies of ‘hundreds of children and women’, were under the rubble in various areas in Old Mosul. Heavy shelling and air strikes had allegedly hit their homes. Local media provided striking accounts of streets filled with dead bodies, and called for help to save the families under the rubble.

The Nineveh Media Center and mutliple other sources said that “hundreds of bodies of civilians [were] under the rubble in the areas of the Great Mosque and Sargkhana and Ras al-Kor and Bab Laksh and in the vicinity of Khalid Bin Al-Walid Street.” It said that most of these civilians died in air strikes.

Mosul Eye (local press) reported the same information on Facebook, launching the following appeal: “We urge the Coalition to immediately intervene in rescuing tens of families who are still under the rubble as the civil defence teams are not capable of rescuing them. There are tens of children and women who still alive under the rubble at those locations. Those areas are already liberated .. they must be rescued immediately now. All the area around this: 36.343166, 43.121770.”

Iraqyoon Agency also said that Iraqi civil defense teams were no longer able to do the rescue work, given the “magnitude of the disaster”.

In a striking account, Alaraby News said on Friday June 30th that: “In the streets, the bodies of civilians fill the sidewalks, and inside the destroyed houses there is evidence that dozens of bodies are beneath [the rubble], where smells are emitted and dogs are barking around, amid reports that hundreds of civilians have been hit by shelling in their homes during the past two days.”

A rescue worker had furthermore told Al Jazeera news that “the area around the [Grand Nuri] mosque has dozens of bodies that are still under the rubble and have not been removed for days.”

According to Al Jazeera, the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights spoke with eyewitnesses who had managed to flee the Old city and said that heavy shelling killed dozens of civilians. The witnesses could not say what the exact source of the bombing was.

BBC Arabic published video material and interviews with eyewitnesses who were still trapped in Old Mosul. One woman in the reportage said that her son was killed by an air strike, and she only needs to bury his body.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 100
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Local media launched an urgent call to save dozens of families who were still under the rubble of destroyed buildings in the marked areas in Old Mosul. Hundreds of lives were at risk (via Mosul Eye, Facebook)
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
    Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 29th-30th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 14 fighting positions, four supply caches, two tunnels, and a mortar system; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 29, near Mosul, Iraq, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed seven fighting positions and two medium machine guns, and damaged eight supply routes.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 100
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1900

Incident date

February 11, 2019

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4641667, 40.9452778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to several local sources including ISIS, the Coalition killed between 50 and 100 civilians when an airstrike struck Al-Baghouz in the final stages of the fight against ISIS’ last territorial stronghold.

While reports varied on the exact number of civilian casualties, most sources claimed that the majority of the victims were women and children. Syria TV specified that among the dead were two women and two children. Al Souria and al Jisr TV, citing ISIS, gave a casualty tally of 100, but said this was both dead and injured.

Sputnik News, citing SANA, placed the toll lower, at 70 civilians killed and injured.

According to SANA News itself, which is affiliated to the Syrian government, the airstrike struck an IDP camp on the outskirts of Al-Baghouz.

SANA added that the incident occurred on February 12th and while LCCSY reported the same, it published its own report on February 11th, thus confirming the event date to be a day earlier.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed. The Coalition told Airwars that, specifically, the media claims of a strike against an IDP camp were being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 100
  • (2–100 children2–100 women1–100 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photo of the news published by A'maq agency, an ISIS propaganda news channel (via Alsouria).

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve launched a precision strike in support of Syrian Democratic Forces against an ISIS command and control facility, formerly used as a mosque in Baghouz Fawqani, Syria, on Feb. 11, 2019.

ISIS used the former mosque to direct attacks and employ vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices against CJTF-OIR and partner forces. Otherwise protected under the Geneva Convention, ISIS caused the mosque to lose its protected status afforded by the Law of Armed Conflict.

“This mosque lost its protected status when ISIS deliberately chose to use it as a command and control center,” said U.K. Maj. Gen. Christopher Ghika, CJTF-OIR deputy commander-strategy and information. “This strike on ISIS will further hasten their defeat in the MERV.”

Coalition Forces, comprising 74 partner nations and five international organizations, are deployed in support of CJTF-OIR, working by, with and through partner forces to bring about the enduring defeat of ISIS.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

From Feb 6th-12th, French MoD report 7 firing missions by Task Force Wagram on the Hajin area of Syria, from Iraqi territory. Additionally, French Rafales carried out 21 sorties and 6 airstrikes.

CHAMMALSITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATREOffensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en SyrieEn moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, les Forces démocratiques syriennes ont repris les opérations de reconquête de la poche de Hajin dans la nuit du 09 et 10 février. Elles sont appuyées par les tirs des forces aériennes de la Coalition, dont celles de l’opération Chammal, ainsi que par les tirs d’artillerie de la Task Force Wagram.Poursuite des actions en IrakLa situation sécuritaire est stable en Irak. Les Forces de sécurité irakiennes, appuyées par la Coalition, maintiennent un rythme opérationnel élevé face à Daesh.ACTIVITE DE LA FORCELe dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué.La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’EuphrateDepuis le territoire irakien, la Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie les forces démocratiques syriennes engagées contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine.La TF Wagram a réalisé 7 missions de tir (1 mission d’éclairement, et 6 missions d’aveuglement – bilan du 06 au 12 février inclus).Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérationsLes aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition.Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 21 sorties aériennes (bilan du 06 au 12 février inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit 6 frappes au cours de cette période.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Monday 11 February – Typhoons supported the Syrian Democratic Forces east of Abu Kamal in Syria, striking two Daesh strong-points, including a heavy machine-gun position...As the Syrian Democratic Forces have continued their operations to clear the last small remaining pocket of Daesh-held territory that has been identified in eastern Syria, Royal Air Force aircraft have maintained daily armed reconnaissance support, delivering air attacks if needed by the SDF on the ground. On Monday 11 February, the SDF encountered two Daesh strong-points on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, across the river from Abu Kamal. These strong-points were directing fire, including from a heavy machine-gun, at close range against the SDF, so assistance was requested from two RAFTyphoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker. The Typhoons conducted an accurate simultaneous attack on both strong-points, hitting each with a Paveway IV guided bomb, and successfully eliminated the threat to the SDF.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50 – 100
  • (2–100 children2–100 women1–100 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS688

Incident date

April 13, 2017

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.34169, 40.19897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The state news agency Sana reported the death of ‘hundreds of people’ in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hatla. The Coalition said they were not responsible. However in its own published reports for that day the Coalition did later confirm three strikes in the province.

According to Sana: “The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces said on Thursday that hundreds were killed, including a large number of civilians, due to an air strike carried out by aircraft of the so-called US-led international coalition against a huge depot for ISIS terrorist organization that includes toxic materials in the village of Hatla in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor province.”

Samidon was among other sources pointing to the Coalition, reporting: “Yesterday, at 17:30 and 17:50, an international air strike targeted the headquarters of the terrorist organization, which included a large number of foreign mercenaries in the village of Hatla, east of Deir al-Zour. A white cloud turned yellow – the result of the explosion of a huge warehouse containing a large amount of toxic materials. This led to a fire which continued until 22:30 resulting in hundreds of deaths, including large numbers of civilians due to inhalation of toxic fumes.”

However, a spokesperson for the Coalition denied the claims on twitter, saying: “. has seen the reports from SANA alleging strikes near Deir Ezzor Weds–not true! Intentional misinformation…again!” However in its own published reports for that day the Coalition confirmed three strikes in the province.

@FreeMohamad reported that the claims were untrue, while AJA_Syria said that the Coalition had not carried out any raids in Hatla on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 100
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hatla (حطلة), Deir Ezzor province, for which the coordinates are: 35.34169, 40.19897. Due to limited satellite imagery and information 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 Hatlah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 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. (1321)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 13th-14th, the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes damaged three ISIS supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 100
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI573

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Location

رجم الحديد, Mosul, Rajl al Hamid, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.32719, 43.07313 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources and the UN reported that up to hundred civilians were killed or injured after airstrikes targeted residential houses in Rajm Hadid neighborhood, on March 22 in West Mosul.

According to the UNHCR an airstrike [not specified] hit a residential building in the neighbourhood. It said: “ISIL reportedly filled the house with people from the surrounding neighbourhood, including children, and then used the house to launch rocket-propelled grenades against the Iraqi Security Forces. The airstrike killed a seven-year-old girl and trapped eight other children under the rubble, seven of whom were later found and taken to hospital.”

According to Al Jazeera, ISIL had launched a surprise attack on the Iraqi Forces fighting in the area. The Iraqi Spring Media Center blamed the US for the strike and said that “about 100 bodies of civilians in the Rajm Hadid [neighbourhood], killed by a US strike last week, are still under the rubble and government forces are preventing journalists and aid organizations from entering the neighborhood.”

Iraqyoon Agency and Ninawa Media Center quoted the spokeswoman of the Russian foreign ministry, who said that “the international Coalition committed a massacre, similar to the massacre of the New Mosul, in the district of Rajm Hadid, West of Mosul.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 100
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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]

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 Rajl al Hamid, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 28, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 21st-22nd the Coalition noted: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 11 tunnels, 10 fighting positions, three mortar systems, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an artillery system, and a heavy machine gun; damaged 12 supply routes, three fighting positions, three tunnels, and a vehicle; and suppressed four ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 100
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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

CI805

Incident date

July 9, 2017

Location

الميدان في موصل القديمة, Al Meydan, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.335556, 43.125 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Omar al Halbusi, an Iraqi blogger, claimed that roughly 100 civilians were killed and 220 others were injured in alleged artillery bombardment by the Coalition and the Iraqi government on the Al Meydan area of Old Mosul in the two days prior to July 9th.

Ninawa Media Center added that 30 families which made up roughly 100 people – comprising of children, the elderly and the wounded – were also besieged in the Al Meydan area of the city and have had no access to food or water for three days. It said most of them were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    100
  • Civilians reported injured
    100–220
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (2) [ 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 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 21 fighting positions, six IEDs, four medium machine guns, three staging areas, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, and a VBIED facility; and damaged six fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On July 8, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a heavy machine gun, a fighting position, a medium machine gun, and a sniper position.”

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
    100
  • Civilians reported injured
    100–220
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]