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

CI043

Incident date

February 24, 2015

Location

الكرمة, Garma, near Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.405, 43.913056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians from one family – including young children – were killed and 8 injured when a house was allegedly struck by a coalition aircraft. However other sources attributed the attack to an artillery assault by the Iraq Army.

The dead were later named by the Iraqi Spring Centre.

Seven additional people were named as severely injured in the event.

In a later report, Baghdad TV claimed that as well as ‘a family of six’ killed in the strike, an additional 14 civilians had died after a total of seven homes were struck.

Local elder Sheikh Mohammed Jumaili demanded that “the federal government open an extensive investigation into the bombing of the coalition flights of civilian targets and homes within the area, despite the absence in the region of any armed groups.”

However, an internal CENTCOM assessment concluded that “The nearest coalition strike IVO [in vicinity of] Al-Kharmah was a single Hellfire missile targeting a Da’ish DsHK weapon 3.5km SW of Al-Karmah, IRQ on 23 FEB 15.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Khudhir Mohammad Farhan Al-Juboori
Adult male Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre, father killed
Ahmad Khudhir Mohammad Farhan
Age unknown male Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre, son killed
Ahlam Abid Nasir
Adult female Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre, mother killed
Najla’a Kareem Hussein Al-Jumeili
Adult female Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre, mother killed
Rimas Sadiq Mohammad
Age unknown female Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre, daughter of Najla’a Kareem Hussein Al-Jumeili killed
Iman Sadiq Mohammad
Age unknown male Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre, daughter of Najla’a Kareem Hussein Al-Jumeili killed
Taha Khalil Ibrahim
Age unknown female Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre killed

The victims were named as:

Kareem Mahdi Salih Al-Halbousi
Adult male Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre, school headmaster injured
Mohammad Tha’ir Al-Mara’awi
Adult male Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre, food supply agent injured
Hakima Khalifa Awad
Age unknown female Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre injured
Ala’a Raid Khairallah
Age unknown male Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre injured
Hamid Mohmoud Salim
Age unknown male Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre injured
Hamid Khalaf Awad
Age unknown male Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre injured
Ahmad Thair Abdullah
Age unknown male Listed by Iraqi Spring Centre injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 20
  • (2 children4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
  • Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
  • Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
  • Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
  • Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
  • Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
  • Islamic State propaganda issued in the wake of the alleged coalition airstrike
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
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    al-Qaim, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015
  • Open source media report that the hospital source in al-Qaim, a town on the Euphrates River, hospital said nine civilians were killed and 29 militants were wounded in the strike by the U.S.-led coalition. Some of the wounded were taken across the border to Syria for treatment. / OSINT RPT record via CHOPS. Target identified as an insurgent meeting house/staging house, and was not a hospital.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 20
  • (2 children4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI376

Incident date

December 25, 2016

Location

البعاج, Al Baaj, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.0426, 41.71632 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media and the area’s MP reported that 20 civilians were killed and 55 injured after unknown aircraft targeted Al Baaj city west of Mosul.

According to Zahid Kotuna, the elected MP for the area, an unknown warplane carried out a fierce air strike on the densely populated civilian town of Baaj 140 km west of Mosul. The bombing caused the deaths of 20 civilians, including children, and the wounding of about 55 others.

Iraqi Spring said that More than 20 civilians were killed and dozens injured as an aerial shelling targeted Sina’a Marketplace in Ba’aj district west of Mosul.

In its February 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition stated that it was not responsible for the event: (7.) Dec. 25, 2016, near al-Ba’aj, Iraq, via media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Civilians reported injured
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al-Ba’aj, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2017
  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 24th-25th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed four buildings, four heavy machine guns, three tactical vehicles, and three VBIEDs; and suppressed nine mortar teams and two ISIL tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Civilians reported injured
    55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS909

Incident date

June 3, 2017

Location

مسبح الشراع, area behind al Shira' swimming pool, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.936066, 38.989464 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 15 and 20 civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the area behind al Shira’ swimming pool in Raqqa, according to local media.

Euphrates Post, Mohab Naser and Step News Agency said 15 non-combatants died in Coalition raids on residential homes. LCCSY – also blaming the Coalition – put the death toll at 20.

Qasioun reported that the Coalition bombed five houses at the back of the swimming pool. It also put the death toll at 15.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 20
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV990768
    Military Grid Reference System

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 2nd-June 3rd the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 vehicles, five fighting positions, four tactical vehicles, two VBIEDs and an ammunition cache.” It also later added that on June 2nd “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions.”
For June 3rd-4th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, 16 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed 17 fighting positions, three vehicles, and an ISIS excavator; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit." For June 3rd it added "Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units, destroyed 10 fighting positions, and damaged one ISIS-held building."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 20
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1230

Incident date

July 18, 2017

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of sources shared images and videos documenting an alleged white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition and reported that a “several” civilians were wounded and killed.

Eldorar News claimed that up to 20 civilian were killed, but was the only source to go into further detail about civilian casualties.

Hadi Al Abdullah reported that there was a total of 28 airstrikes in the city of Raqqa.

All six sources who documented the airstrike alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via Eldorar News)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Reported white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition on July 18th 2017. (via RBSS)

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

For July 18th-19th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two vehicles and a tactical vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On July 18, near Raqqah, Syria, 18 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 18 fighting positions, an anti-aircraft artillery system, a weapons cache, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a supply route.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For July 12th-18th, France report 11 strikes: 7 in Syria (6 in Raqqa) and 4 in Iraq. There were 26 artillery strikes in Mosul. Since September 19th 2014 France has carried out 1322 strikes, with 2090 targets destroyed and 6812 air sorties. Additionally, they’ve carried out 1310 artillery missions.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah désormais encerclée, Daech défend fermement les quartiers sous son contrôle en s’appuyant sur un usage intensif de pièges dont le terrain est littéralement saturé pour ralentir la progression des forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS). Cette stratégie impose aux FDS de déminer, pas à pas, chaque rue et chaque maison, sous la menace permanente de tireurs isolés entre autres tactiques adverses. Leur progression reste donc très lente. En Irak, Alors que les opérations de sécurisation de Mossoul se poursuivent, la principale zone de combat se situe désormais à l’Ouest de la ville dans le secteur de Tall Afar. Depuis cette localité, Daech mène des actions de harcèlement par des tirs directs et indirects contre les positions des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) à proximité. L’effort aérien de la coalition s’y porte donc tout en s’accompagnant d’un engagement plus large sur l’ensemble des autres territoires encore sous le contrôle de l’organisation terroriste. Daech poursuit notamment ses actions de harcèlement depuis la poche de Hawijah et dans l’Anbar, région dans laquelle elle dispose de nombreux camps et caches d’armes. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 37 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 02 de ravitaillement en vol après le déploiement récent d’un C135. La moitié des frappes françaises (6 sur les 11 frappes) a été réalisée dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, les missions de reconnaissance française ou alliée permettant d’en réaliser autant sur le reste du théâtre afin de préparer les manœuvres futures ou de peser sur les réseaux terroristes. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a mené de son côté 26 missions de tir dont 17 de harcèlement et 09 d’éclairement. Le bilan global de CHAMMAL depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1322 frappes, 2090 objectifs détruits et 6812 sorties aériennes réalisées. 1310 missions d’artillerie complètent cet engagement cinétique de la France au Levant.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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

CI395

Incident date

January 6, 2017

Location

حي الزراعي, Mosul, Agricultural, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3559188, 43.1460571 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources and relatives of victims said that more than 20 civilians from three families were killed, including children and women, after Coalition airstrikes targeted their houses in front of Saddam mosque at the entrance of Farms district, north of Mosul.

Mosul Ateka reported that “18 people were killed in the Farms district after three houses were bombed in that area.” In comments below the post it was said that Al Haj Riad and his wife and his son Mahfouz House Haj Hamou were among the victims, which was reportedly carried out by the Coalition. In a later post by Mosul Ateka, including photos, Haj Riad Adnan and his wife and his son Imran Riad Adnan were also reported as killed in the strikes.

Nineveh Media Center said that “a medical source confirms the deaths of more than two dozen people as a result of aerial bombardment [which] targeted the wrong homes of unarmed civilians in the agricultural district of the northern city of Mosul.” Ajel Al Mosul (Facebook) also reported the incident, and spoke of 20 civilians killed in the raids in the farms neighbourhood. Sunni Muslim (Facebook) posted a video showing “The effects of the international coalition aircraft bombed the Farms district in the left side of the city of Mosul.”

In a later investigation into the event, AFP interviewed eyewitness Abdulrahman Riyadh who said tyhe strike came at dawn on January 6th: ““Everything collapsed around me. I pushed the debris around me, I got up and I asked my brother if he was still alive. He was wounded in the leg. I told him to come into my bed and I started looking for my little brother, my father and my mother. I screamed but nobody answered.”

On March 4th the Coalition announced that it was assessing the event: “Currently, 19 reports of civilian casualties are still being assessed… Jan. 6, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.” An official confirmed to Airwars that this was a reference to the al Zirai allegation.

On April 30th the Coalition flagged the event as ‘not credible’ noting: “Jan. 6, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Based on available evidence Airwars continues to assess this event as fair.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: ‘In the morning of 6 January, airstrikes targeting an ISIL gathering in the Ziraie neighbourhood of central Mosul killed 17 civilians, including seven women and four children, and wounded 11 others, including four women and two children.’

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Al Haj Riad
Adult male killed
Mahfouz House Haj Hamou
Age unknown male Son of Al Haj Riad killed
Imran Riad Adnan
Child male Son of Al Haj Riad killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 20
  • (2–4 children2–7 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A photo of Imran Riad Adnan, killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Mosul on January 4th 2017 (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Haj Riad Adnan (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Another image of Imran Riad Adnan (via Mosul Ateka)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2982730681
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 5th-6th, the Coalition noted: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed three ISIL-held buildings, three supply caches, two mortar systems, a fighting position, and a VBIED; damaged 24 supply routes; and suppressed two mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 20
  • (2–4 children2–7 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI726

Incident date

May 20, 2017

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3534304, 43.1174326 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that twenty civilians, including one woman, were killed and dozens were injured in heavy airstrikes on Shifa neighbourhood in West Mosul.

A journalist had informed Yaqein that: “the bombing caused the deaths of more than twenty civilians [who were] burned in their homes, mostly women and children” and that “the shelling caused the injury of dozens of civilians in varying degrees.” Yaqein blamed the Joint Forces.

Al Jazeera said that witnesses had reported that the houses were used as storerooms by ISIL, and spoke of airstrikes and artillery shelling. The sources had not specified the identity of the aircraft to Al Jazeera.

In a later post, Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook group) posted two photos, of a couple reportedly killed in raids on their house.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of a couple allegedly killed in the attack

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 May 19th-20th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 23 fighting positions, 19 medium machine guns, eight rocket-propelled grenade systems, five mortar systems, three heavy machine guns, two VBIEDs, two supply caches, and a vehicle; and damaged three fighting positions and three ISIS supply routes.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

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
    20
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS228

Incident date

June 13, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported Coalition airstrike on the agricultural secondary school in Manbij – being used as a temporary prison by so called Islamic State – led to the deaths of between 8 and 20 civilian captives according to local reports.

Smart News reported: “Our reporter explained that raids carried out by international coalition aircraft targeted a secondary agriculture college which is the headquarters of the IS prison in Manbij city center. It was destroyed completely, killing a number of prisoners inside, of whom Abd al Hanan al Sheikho [or al Hammoud] was identified, in addition to three civilians who were near the school. The reporter added – citing the Media Office of the City of Manbij – that a number of Islamic State elements were also killed.

Al Araby al Jadid placed the death toll much higher at 30, with 50 injured – though this included Daesh fighters.

Manbij is the Mother of the World produced multiple reports on the incident. They said “the raid a short while ago on Manbij was near the old electricity company near Kosra Gas station and the second strike was near al Damourji road.

Another report added that the first raid was on the agricultural school and that “there weren’t any prisoners inside it as the rumours said but the prisoners were inside the electricity company that was bombed at the same time as the school.

“Following the first raid on the school there was another one straight away on the old electricity company and another one near the al Damurji street near the house of Hajj Nabou.

IS has transferred the prisoners and moved them to different places in the town. All the prisoners that were in the hotel have been moved to the security. Note: the water company was also targeted but with a lighter strike and there was no damage.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male was a prisoner killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Manbij agricultural college was reportedly being used by ISIS as a temporary prion when it was bombed June 13th (via Manbij is the Mother of the World)
  • Translation: Aleppo countryside: warplanes target a store house belonging to Daesh in the agriculture secondary school in Manbij, eastern Aleppo countryside.
  • Translation: martyrs and wounded among the prisoners held by Daesh after coalition raids target the agriculture secondary school in the town of Manbij which is under siege in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
  • Photo of the bombing in Manbij on the old electricity company near Kosra Gas station (via Manbij mother of all the world)

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 June 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, six strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL cave entrance, an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL light machine gun.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1909

Incident date

March 14, 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

During intensive air raids, a farm in Al-Baghouz was struck by air- and artillery fire on the outskirts of Al-Baghouz town.

Step News was the only source that reported over 20 civilians were killed in the strike. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the Coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces while all other sources only blamed the Coalition.

In May 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted “The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising from Al-Baghouz after an alleged Coalition airstrike on March 14th 2019 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Smoke rising from Al-Baghouz after an alleged Coalition airstrike on March 14th 2019 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Smoke rising from Al-Baghouz after an alleged Coalition airstrike on March 14th 2019 (via Euphrates Post).
  • Smoke rising from Al-Baghouz after an alleged Coalition airstrike on March 14th 2019 (via Euphrates Post).

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
  • Stated location
    near al-Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU786153
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019
  • Mar. 13, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

"Between March 10 - 23 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 250 strikes consisting of 398 engagements against Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, CJTF-OIR conducted 193 strikes consisting of 338 engagements, engaged 346 Daesh tactical units, and destroyed 104 vehicles, 63 supply routes, 39 fighting positions, 31 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, nine tactical vehicles, six fuel tankers, four weapons caches, two command and control nodes, one tunnel, one tanker for petroleum oil and lubricants, one mortar system, and one checkpoint."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For March 13th-19th, France report that Task Force Wagram did not carry out any artillery missions. Aircraft carried out 57 sorties and there was one strike. It also provides a review of the four years of training of TF Narvik and Monsabert

CHAMMALSITUATION MILITAIRE DU THÉÂTREOffensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en SyrieEn moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, les combats menés par les Forces démocratiquessyriennes, appuyés par la coalition, pour reconquérir le réduit de Baghouz continuent. Les combats sont intenses, la progression effective, mais lente, en raison de l’évacuation de nombreux civils, et de l’imbrication des combattants et des non combattants.Poursuite des actions en IrakLa situation sécuritaire est stable en Irak, et reste sous contrôle des Forces de sécurité intérieures qui poursuivent leur effort dans la lutte contre Daech.ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCELe dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué depuis la semaine dernière. Le groupe aéronaval participe toujours à l’opération Chammal : une frappe aérienne a été réalisée par ses Rafale cette semaine en appui des forces démocratiques syriennes.En parallèle, le groupement naval est intégré, en soutien associé, à l’opération Sea Gardian, opération maritime de l’OTAN qui accomplit actuellement trois tâches de sûreté maritime en Méditerranée : la constitution de capacités de sûreté maritime, la connaissance de la situation maritime, et la lutte contre le terrorisme.Enfin, la frégate britannique HMS Duncan a rejoint le groupe aéronaval cette semaine.Bilan des quatre ans de formation des TF Narvik et MonsabertDepuis mars 2015, en complément de l’appui feu aux troupes engagées au sol contre Daech, la France a déployé à Bagdad des militaires dont la mission est d’améliorer les capacités de commandement et les savoir-faire des troupes irakiennes. Deux Task Force (TF), Narvik et Monsabert, aux périmètres différents, ont été mises en place pour assurer cette mission.La TF Narvik prend part à la formation des forces spéciales de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS), dans des domaines d’expertise immédiatement exploitables dans la lutte contre Daech : le combat en zone urbaine, le renseignement, le tir aux armes collectives et armes lourdes, la lutte contre les engins explosifs ou le sauvetage au combat.Les premiers mandats proposaient des instructions générales et spécialisées aux jeunes recrues et aux soldats expérimentés. L’ICTS est progressivement devenue autonome dans ces domaines et la TF Narvik porte désormais ses efforts sur la formation des cadres et des opérateurs spécialisés tout en perfectionnant à travers des stages dédiés des bataillons opérationnels de l’ICTS.Au bilan, la TF Narvik a formé plus de 8000 soldats et 300 instructeurs, et a mené des stages de perfectionnement au profit de plus de 3000 soldats, ce qui représente 25 % des actions de formation menées par la coalition pour l’ICTS.De son côté, la TF Monsabert fournit assistance et conseil (Advise and Assist — A2) à l’État-major et aux soldats de la 6e division d’infanterie, responsable notamment de la sécurisation de Bagdad.Dans le cadre de son partenariat avec la 6e division, la TF Monsabert a formé depuis sa création plus de 3300 soldats irakiens, et plus de 1700 formateurs.En constante évolution pour répondre aux besoins de ses partenaires irakiens, la TF Monsabert a récemment mis en place des cycles d’évaluation des savoir-faire fondamentaux des soldats de la 6e division. Plus de 4000 soldats irakiens ont déjà été passés au crible, permettant aux experts de la TF et au commandement de la 6è division de disposer d’une appréciation globale du niveau des différents régiments.Enfin, depuis 6 mois, dans le cadre de son partenariat avec l’école d’artillerie irakienne la TF Monsabert a formé 330 officiers et sous-officiers irakiens.Depuis quatre ans, ce sont au bilan plus de 20 000 soldats irakiens qui ont bénéficié de l’expertise de 1400 instructeurs français qui se sont relayés au sein de l’opération Chammal, dispensant 150 stages et participant à plus de 200 missions de conseil et d’appui.La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’EuphrateLa Task Force (TF) Wagram continue d’appuyer les forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech au sud de la ville d’Hajin.La TF Wagram n’a pas réalisé de missions de tir, depuis le territoire irakien, cette semaine (bilan du 13 au 19 mars inclus).Sorties air hebdomadaires (bilan du 13 au 19 mars inclus)Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis, et projetés depuis le groupe aéronaval poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition.Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 57 sorties aériennes (bilan du 13 au 19 mars inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit 01 frappe cette semaine, réalisée par les aéronefs du groupe aeronaval.

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]