US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

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

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]

Incident Code

CS190 RS734a

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Location

أبو قلقل, Abu Qalqal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.434629, 38.091094 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on the town of Abu Kalkal. Opinion was split as to whether the attack was Russian, Coalition or Syrian regime in origin.

Daesh-linked Al A’amaq Media, the Syrian Observatory, the Syrian Network, the Syrian Human Rights Committee, Shaam News and al Hall Media all said the attack was by the Coalition.

Free Syria TV, Baladi News and Qasioun described the event as the work of Russia. And al Souria insisted that “warplanes belonging to the regime carried out raids on the two villages of Abu Kalkal and Al A’rima… which led to the death of 4 people and the injury of others.”

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.43462, 38.09109

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Abu Qalqal
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA1853332540
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • March 13, 2016, near Abu Qalqal, Syria, via Airwars report (previously closed, but reopened due to new information). After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 151/CS190 37SDA1853332540

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 12th-13th 2016,the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece, three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL mortar position, and an ISIL fighting position.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI223

Incident date

April 10, 2016

Location

يت, Hit, Al-Bab Al-Gharbi and Ummal, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.634444, 42.827222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed Coalition planes struck a home in the Al-Bab Al-Gharbi neighbourhood of Hit in western Anbar, which resulted in the injuring of a family. A later report said two women died in the attack on Ummal neighbourhood.

In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non-credible on grounds of lack of available information: “April 10, 2016, near Hit, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Given that specific neighbourhoods were identified in reports, Airwars is seeking additional clarification from the Coalition.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ 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 Hit, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that for April 9th-10th 2016 “Near Hit, two strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, and an ISIL mortar system and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI241

Incident date

May 24, 2016

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3667014, 43.0854607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were reported killed and 23 injured in two reported alleged Coalition raids.

In the first event Coalition aircraft reportedly struck a Daesh security headquarters in the July 17th neighbourhood of Mosul. Iraqi Revolution – which published an aftermath picture showing a massive plume of smoke (right) – said the area around the Almoghaith mosque had targeted. According to NRN, a number of Daesh fighters were killed, but civilians were also reported to have injured.

In a second incident, the Coalition reportedly targeted another HQ in the Rashidiya area in the west of the city. Here at least 15 civilians were killed and injured according to NRN. While 11 Daesh fighters reportedly died in the attack, the heavy strike caused major damage to nearby shops and homes.

In their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in these strikes as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical areas at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the aid team trying to remove the casualties from the incident location where seven civilians were reported killed and 23 injured in two alleged Coalition raids on May 24th,2016.
  • A picture shows destroyed buildings including shops and vehicle following two alleged Coalition raids. The strikes reportedly led the killing of seven civilians were reported killed and 23 injured (via NRN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of a child, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of a child, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)
  • A picture shows a destroyed site and vehicle following two alleged Coalition raids. The strikes reportedly led the killing of seven civilians were reported killed and 23 injured (via NRN)
  • A picture of an injured child by in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of a child, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)
  • A picture shows an injured young man by in an alleged coalition airstrike targeted (17 July neighbourhood) in Mosul on May 24th,2016 (via NRN)

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
    38SLF282263/38SLF292305
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • May 24, 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. 2955/CI241 38SLF282263

  • May 24, 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. 2956/CI241 38SLF292305

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 23rd-24th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes [1 British with others] destroyed two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL VBIED, an ISIL mortar system, and an ISIL fighting position and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    23
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI265

Incident date

July 12, 2016

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two displaced families from Tikrit were reportedly killed in an alleged Iraqi government or Coalition airstrike at Hawijah.

Iraqi Spring reported that all members of his family died in the bombing of their house by the Coalition. Another local source claimed a second family was also killed.

There was confusion about who might have been responsible for any fatalities since Iraqi government airstrikes were also reported.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Via Iraqi Spring MC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For the period of July 11th-13th, no Coalition strikes were publicvly reported in the Hawijah area.

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
    6
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS287

Incident date

July 31, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4022, 38.02642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an attack on Manbij.

Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “during a strike against ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.5269242, 37.9559288

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 injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA127290
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016
  • July 31, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, during a strike against ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 31st-August 1st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, eight strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, and ISIL-used engineering equipment.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS307

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Location

المزيونة, Mazyoneh, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.72471, 37.23006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The VDC listed a 33 year old civilian male as a victim of alleged coalition warplane shelling. His name was given as Taha al Afara.

According to Manbij Mother of all the World, Tahal al Afara was killed and “his two brothers Khalaf and Hassan wounded in a coalition strike on his brother’s home in the village of al Mazyoneh – which is between the village of Arba’a Sagheer and al Hamar in the southern Manbij countryside“.

He was also named by Halaab News.

In their May 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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

33 years old male killed
Khalaf Al-Afara
Age unknown male injured
Hassan Al-Afara
Age unknown male injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Taha al Afara 33 years old martyred and his two brothers Khalaf and Hasan injured in coalition raid on the house of his brother in al Mazyouneh village which is between the villages of Arba’a Sagheer and al Hamar in the southern Manbij countryside.

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
    37SCV399548
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Sept. 10, 2016, in Mazyoneh, 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. 3041/CS307 37SCV399548

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 10th-11th, the Coalition report “Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery system”.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS335 TS005b

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Location

تل بطال, Tall Btal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.50018, 37.43927 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 3 and 4 displaced people were reported killed in camps near Tal Btal, a village south of Ra’i in the Aleppo countryside. It was unclear whether Turkey or the Coalition was responsible.

Ramaf reported that an attack hit a camp, claiming “the lives of three martyrs and [left] more than fifteen wounded as a result of being targeted by Turkish artillery. Ramaf named the three victims.

The ISIS-controlled propaganda unit al Al A’maq Agency reported that four civilians were killed, including a girl “when two tents were targeted with an American raid.”

Only two sources reported on this incident. There are no other known details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Ma’rouf
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Sheikh Nouri
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Adel
Age unknown male killed
A female child
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tall Btal (تل بطال), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.50018, 37.43927. 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 Tal Btal, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 10th-11th the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions and two vehicles.” For October 11th-12th, the Coalition reported “Near Manbij, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit” and that “Near Mar’a, four strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions and a vehicle.”

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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, Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]