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

CI178

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

تليارة, Tell Yara, Bashiqa, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.4447612, 43.2552338 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A spokesman for the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) stated that 12 civilians were injured in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Tell Yara in Bashiqa, north of Mosul.

Ghiyath Alsurja, a media official with the KDP, told reporters that the Coalition had targeted Daesh facilities in the village 17 km north of Mosul, killing a number of enemy fighters. But he added that “12 people from the village were also injured.”

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event on the grounds of insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “Jan. 16, 2016, near Bashiqa, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Given the named source for this allegation, Airwars continues to assess as likely.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (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
    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 Bashiqa, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that for January 16th-17th 2016 “Near Mosul, 10 strikes struck seven separate ISIL tactical units and an ISIL-used culvert and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, 34 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL weapons caches, three ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL bunkers, and wounded two ISIL fighters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS166

Incident date

January 18, 2016

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

According to the Union of Hassakah Youth, an adult male non-combatant named as Ammar Al Khayran was killed in a Coalition strke on Raqqah. According to the group, the victim “came from Mabrouka in the western countryside of Rass Al Ain.” Other sites also reported his death, which was additionally claimed for both January 17th and January 19th.

According to Ara News, in an evening strike the international Coalition targeted “three locations near Raqqa city with a drone, which led to the destruction of a tactical unit belonging to Daesh.” Citing Raqaa is Being Slaughtered, the article also reported that there had not as yet been any reports of civilian casualties from the event.

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.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Al Khayran
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ 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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Jan. 18, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 2901/CS166 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for January 17th-18th 2016 that “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL underground facility.”

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI179

Incident date

January 18, 2016

Location

المعارض المنفيس, Mosul, Exhibitions area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.344167, 43.188333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources claimed that 11 civilians were killed and 6 others wounded after Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted cars in the Exhibitions area east of Mosul.

According to the National Iraqi News Agency, residents in the city’s Exhibitions area said the casualties occurred when aircraft fired on vehicles: “The bodies of civilians were handed over to the forensic medicine department, while those injured were taken to hospitals in Mosul.” Al Mustaqbal also noted the event, though their story appears to be based on NINA’s report.

Al Araby said that 10 civilians died in the event while a further 11 were injured, noting that local sources “did not know whether the bombing had inflicted casualties (on Daesh) or not.”

Responding to a request for clarification, the UK MoD told Airwars: “There is no credible indication of potential UK involvement” in the alleged event of January 18th.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying it had not conducted strikes in the near vicinity: “Jan. 18, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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 (4) [ 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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported for January 18th-19th 2016 that “Near Mosul, five strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, four ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL cash collection point.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI180

Incident date

January 20, 2016

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.437441, 43.286666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Iraqi Spring Media Centre claimed that “Coalition fighters” had struck civilians in north-west Ramadi, killing 13 civilians and injuring a further 18.

Particular news described the alleged Coalition strike as ‘retaliatory’ though gave no further details while noting that there was also significant material damage to civilian houses in the area.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes near Ramadi that day, the MoD told Airwars: “We cannot make any definitive assessment of possible UK presence from the evidence you have provided, but I can confirm that there was no indication of any civilian casualties in our own detailed assessments of the impact of each of our strikes over the period concerned.”

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 the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLC407010
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Jan. 20, 2016, in Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2891/CI180 38SLC407010

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reported heavy strike activity in the area for January 19th-20th 2016: “Near Ramadi, six strikes [2 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL mortar system, three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL RPG system, two ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), an ISIL building, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL tunnel entrance, two ISIL petroleum oil and lubricant trucks, an ISIL front end loader, suppressed an ISIL mortar system, and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI181

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Jaza'ir / Algeria and other neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3547437, 43.1640816 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several local sources claimed 10 civilians were killed and 20 injured in alleged Coalition strikes on Mosul.

According to anti-government site Yaqen, “the international airline alliance this morning carried out several air strikes” in central Mosul which in turn killed 10 civilians and ‘substantially damaged’ a number of homes.

Meanwhile, the pro-government site Al Rassid made no mention of civilian casualties, noting only that up to 25 fighters with Daesh were killed when ‘gatherings and strongholds’ of the terror group were struck.

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
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF352248
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Jan. 21, 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. 2892/CI181 38SLF352248

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reported for January 20th-21st 2016 that “Near Mosul, three strikes destroyed nine ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL weapons cache, two ISIL command and control nodes, and five ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI182

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Location

يت, Hit, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.642631, 42.8278537 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed Coalition airstrikes had struck residential homes in Abu Teban village in Hit, west of Ramadi, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians and the injuring of a further 18 – described as mostly women and children.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes between Ramadi and Haditha that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

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
    8
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLC130107
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Jan. 21, 2016, in Abu Teban, 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. 2893/CI182 38SLC130107

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition publicly reported no strikes on Hit between January 20th-22nd 2015. However it did confirm carrying out a combined total of eleven airstrikes ‘near Ramadi’ on those dates.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS167

Incident date

January 22, 2016

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

There were claims by some of a wedding convoy hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa on the evening of January 22nd. Al Jazeera instead said that “an unmanned drone targeted a car belonging to IS near Bab Baghadad east of the town.”

The event, which took place in the Baghdad Bab neighbouorhood of the city, was alleged by some to have killed 25 or more people “including women and children.” However these casualty claims may relate to Russian airstrikes which also reportedly hit the city that day.

So-called Islamic State – which issued what it said was a post-strike video – was quick to accuse the US of responsibility for the attack on a “wedding convoy”.

However the Coalition did not publily declare any strikes on the city that evening. Responding to Airwars, a CJTF-OIR spokesperson stated: “As per the daily strike release on Jan. 23, there were no strikes conducted near Raqqah on Jan. 22.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A vehicle said to have been part of a wedding convoy, bombed in alleged Copalition strike on Ar Raqqa January 22nd 2016 (via Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently)

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

The Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in Raqaa for January 22nd-23rd 2016, later confirming to Airwars this was the case.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI183

Incident date

January 26, 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

According to multiple reports, an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hawijah resulted in at least 13 civilian deaths.

Al Jazeera reported that 16 died in the incident, which it attributed to the Coalition. The Al Amaq Agency (which often distributes Islamic State propaganda) reported that 13 civilians died in a ‘Coalition strike’ while 11 were injured. Local reporter Hamid Hadeed claimed that a family of six were among the dead. Images from the impact site appear to show significant damage to a building.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes in Kirkuk province that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 16
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Breaking: At least 16 civilians, including a family of six, were killed in a bombardment of coalition aircraft in Hawijah district, southwest of Kirkuk(via @HamidHadeed tweet)
  • The pictures of the aftermath of the alleged coalition airstrike and also geolocation (Jan 26, 2016) on IS-held Hawija Iraq (via @trbrtc tweet)

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

The Coalition reports that on January 25th-26th 2016 “Near Al Huwayjah, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 16
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]