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

CS185

Incident date

February 27, 2016

Location

عين العروس, `Ayn al `Arus, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.6703466, 38.9346886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to reports up to 16 civilians including 10 members of a family died in Ain al A’rouss “following Coalition raids.” One adult male civilian victim – the head of the family – was named by VDC as Faeour al Abo.

According to Shaam News, Daesh targets had been struck in the town: “International coalition aircraft attacked the Al Bazza’i building in the town of Ain Al A’rouss near Tal Abyad, where elements of IS were holed up inside. This led to the destruction of the building and the killing of all those who were inside.

Another source noted: “Baladi News’s reporter confirmed that ten people including women and children were killed in the family of Mr. Fa’our Al I’bbo, when the coalition bombed their home in Ain Al A’rouss. The coalition also bombed three other houses belonging to Ismail Al I’bbo, and Hamad Mahmoud Juma’a al Hawi, which led to the displacement of the villagers to the neighboring villages.”

In a later report the Syrian Network placed the final death toll at 16, who it said died in two separate events. “First incident: Fixed-wing international coalition forces war-planes fired missiles that targeted Ein Al Arous village which resulted in the killing of 11 individuals including two children and five women

Second incident: Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted a residential building in Ein Al Arous village which resulted in the killing of four individuals: Victims’ names:

1- Hamad Jomaa Hamad

2- Ismail Khalil Eneizan

3- Baran Ismail Al Eneizan, child

4- Mrs. Sifein, her surname wasn’t acquired

Raqaa is Being Slaughtered has published a picture [below] of a burning building it said was among the Deash-occupied facilities targeted.

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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Turfah Ibrahim Al Abbo
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult male killed
Ismail Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult male killed
Mohammad Al Fa’our Al Abbou
Child male killed
Ahmad Ibrahim Al Abbou
Child male killed
Mohammad Ibrahim Al Abbou
Adult male killed
Rim Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult female killed
Aisha Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult female killed
Ro’a Fa’our Al Abbou
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Zahra Hamad Al Kadrou
Adult female killed
Hamad Jomaa Hamad
Age unknown male killed
Ismail Khalil Eneizan
Age unknown male killed
Baran Ismail Al Eneizan
Child male killed
Sifein
Adult female last name could not be found killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • One of the buildings reportedly targeted by the Coalition on February 27th in Ayn (via Raqaa is Being Slaughtered)

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.67034, 38.93468

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Ayn al Arus
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA9416358305
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • Feb. 27, 2016, near Ayn al Arus, Syria, via Airwars report. 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. 2922/CS185 37SDA9416358305

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 26th-27th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Tal Abyad, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (3 children6 women7 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS187

Incident date

March 2, 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

Airstrikes in the Al Hosh and al Fouroussiya areas of Raqqah killed at least three civilians including a child according to reports – although it was unclear whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Coalition. Ten Daesh fighters were also said to have been killed.

The Syrian Observatory reported in English that “Rose to 3 the number of civilians who were killed by aerial bombardment by the coalition warplanes targeted the city of al-Raqqa.” However in its Arabic report the group stated it “did not know whether it was the Russians or an international coalition.” Qasioun also said “local sources from within the city confirmed that the nature of the raids suggest that the fighters belonged to the international airline alliance.” All other sources blamed Russia.

Syria News for example reported that “Russian jets launched five raids, two of them with cluster bombs on the Al I’laf building and the area of al Fouroussiya club [riding club] and near the water company south and west of the city.” According to their source 7 civilians died including two children, with 35 others injured.

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
    3 – 7
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    35
  • 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 (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
    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
  • March 2, 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. 2923/CS187 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 1st-2nd 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL security headquarters.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    35
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI197

Incident date

March 5, 2016

Location

شركة البناء الجاهز, Mosul, Industrial area in Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.413333, 43.106667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 21 civilians including 13 children reportedly died after an alleged night time Coalition strike on an abandoned factory in Mosul, which was being used by Daesh. The Coalition later said it had targeted an ‘ISIL weapons production facility’ in the city. This may also have been linked to the terror group’s chemical weapons programme according to a later report by the New York Times.

The US admitted seven months later that it had killed 10 civilians in the attack – at the time the highest ever publicly acknowledged civilian toll from a strike: “Near Mosul, Iraq, on strike against an ISIL weapons production facility it is assessed that 10 civilians were killed.”

According to NRN News “the Coalition targeted an old industrial plant in eastern Mosul, killing 10 Daesh militants… Our correspondent also said that the bombing killed and wounded more than 20 civilians from displaced families from western Sunni areas, who were living in the buildings.”

In a New York Times report, the family killed in the strikes had moved into the storage facility, divided it up into separate rooms, brought in a water tank, built a kitchen and a bathroom, all to avoid living in the IDP camps. On the night of the strikes, the whole family, 21 of them, were gathered at the table for dinner. A relative of the family Abdul Aziz heard the explosions, maybe a dozen in all, and later went to the site of the bombing, describing it as “The place was flattened. It was just rocks and destruction. There was fire everywhere.” They returned at dawn, with blankets to carry the dead. “We searched for our relatives picking them up piece by piece and wrapping them.”  Everyone at the dinner had been killed: Zeidan and his wife, Nofa; Araj, Ghazala and their four children; Zeidan’s adult son Hussein, Hussein’s wife and their six children; Zeidan’s adult son Hassan, Hassan’s wife and their two children; and Sawsan, their own beloved daughter.

Sawsan’s father said that “If it weren’t for her clothes, I wouldn’t have even known it was her. She was just pieces of meat. I recognized her only because she was wearing the purple dress that I bought for her a few days before. It’s indescribable. I can’t put it into words. My wife — she didn’t even know whether to go to her daughter, or the rest of the family first. It is just too hard to describe. We’re still in denial and disbelief. To this day, we cannot believe what happened. That day changed everything for us.”

According to the New York Times, the Pentagon had concluded that there was “no civilian presence within the target compound. Though the surveillance video had captured 10 children playing near the target structure, the military officials who reviewed this footage determined the children would not be harmed by a nighttime strike because they did not live there: They were classified as “transient,” merely passing through during daylight hours.” However, a United States Agency for International Development representative had disputed this finding, arguing that it was likely that the family lived in or near the compound because “parents would be unlikely to let their children stray far from home” but her concerns were dismissed.

In a Daesh propaganda video issued four months later, UK journalist John Cantile gave the death toll as 24, reporting from the site: “These were shops, houses and small markets. 24 people were killed, two entire families were wiped out and the houses of one of those families… is just a crater.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ali Fathi Zeidan Al- Manaawi
Adult male (via NRN News) killed
wife of Ali Fathi Zeidan Al- Manaawi
Adult female (via NRN News) killed
Daughter of Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child female (via NRN News) killed

Family members (8)

Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult male (via NRN News) killed
Wife of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult female (via NRN News) killed
Child 1 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 2 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 3 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 4 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 5 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 6 of Hussein Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed

Family members (5)

Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult male (via NRN News) killed
Wife of Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult female (via NRN News) killed
Child 1 Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 2 Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 3 Hassan Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed

Family members (5)

Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult female (via NRN News) killed
Husband of Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Adult male (via NRN News) killed
Child 1 of Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 2 Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed
Child 3 Ghazala Ali Fathi Zeidan
Child (via NRN News) killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 24
  • (13 children4 women4 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows an unnamed child, killed by an alleged Coalition strike on Mosul March 5th (via NRN News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the child who was killed after the alleged coalition airstrike in Mosul on March 5th (Via NRN News‎)
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Coalition airstrike on an abandoned factory in Mosul (via NRN News‎)
  • An image shows an injured child after the alleged coalition airstrike in Mosul on March 5th (Via NRN News‎)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another image shows a dead child who was killed after an alleged coalition airstrike in Mosul on March 5th (Via NRN News‎)
  • Abdul Aziz Ahmed Araj, right, and his brother Saddam amid the ruins of the warehouse where their brother and other family members were killed. (Image by Ivor Prickett for The New York Times)
  • The site of a Coalition strike in Yabisat, West Mosul on March 5, 2016. (Image by Ivor Prickett for The New York Times)

Geolocation notes

The MGRS provided by the Coalition placed this incident at 36.3457, 43.08219

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    10
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF279240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016
  • On a strike against an ISIL weapons production facility it is assessed that 10 civilians were killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 5th-6th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL weapons production facility and destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 24
  • (13 children4 women4 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI198

Incident date

March 7, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.32504, 43.155519 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a local source, six civilians from the same family were killed after two missiles by allegedly Coalition jets struck their home in the Shura district south of Mosul.

According to Yaqen News, the local Mosul source who reported the deaths also added that “indiscriminate bombardment by Coalition aircraft operations has increased dramatically recently, and led to the deaths of many civilians.”

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
    6
  • 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF344215
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • March 7, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2911/CI198 38SLF344215

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 6th-7th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI199

Incident date

March 7, 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

Twelve civilians reportedly died when their homes were struck in alleged Coalition airstrikes at Hit – although no strikes were publicly declared in the near vicinity.

According to local media, among those killed ‘in Coalition strikes’ were Hadi Hassan Jihad, Bashar Hadi Jihad and five other family members with several more wounded, near the secondary school for girls in Jamyiah neighbourhood; and Fadel Awad Alasaffi and his wife, who died when the nearby Meteorological Department was bombed.

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

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:

Family members (2)

Fadel Awad Alasaffi
Adult male (via Heit News al-Hadath) killed
The wife of Fadel Awad Alasaffi
Adult female (via Heit News al-Hadath) killed

The victims were named as:

Hadi Hassan Jihad
Age unknown (via Heit News al-Hadath) killed
Bashar Hadi Jihad
Age unknown (via Heit News al-Hadath) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image of the victim (Bashar Hadi Jihad) who was killed in an alleged Coalition strike at Hit March 7th 2016 (via News From Hit)

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
    38SKC985246
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • March 7, 2016, in Hit, 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. 2912/CI199 38SKC985246

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 6th-7th 2016, the Coalition reported strikes in both Fallujah and Ramadi.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI200

Incident date

March 9, 2016

Location

العصرية, Asriya, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.46345, 43.07301 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major mass casualty incident, 69 civilians were reported killed and 100 injured after alleged Coalition or possibly Iraq government aircraft allegedly struck the village of Asriyah. All of the victims were said to be from the Al Bojaber tribe.

According to al Rafidain and other sources, fifteen of those killed were said to be from the Al Jabri family, including the head of the household Matar Dayih Kattah Al Jabri. Only one member of the family reportedly survived, a baby named as Malak Juma Al Jabri.

Sheikh Zeidan Al Jabri, the chief sheikh of the Al Bijaber tribe, told Al Jazeera that his tribe members had stayed at their homes in Asriyah village during a nearby government offensive against Daesh. He claimed international Coalition and Iraqi forces had targeted them with airstrikes and killed dozens, mostly children and women.

There were claims that the Iraq Army initially prevented medical personnel from entering the town because it had been classed as a military operations area.

News of Iraq said the attack was the work of both the Coalition and the Iraq military.

The event inflamed local opinion, including the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq which blamed the US-led Coalition: “The United States is responsible for everything that happens in Iraq for crimes against humanity and violations of terrible human rights, which was and still is responsible for every drop of blood being shed on the land of Iraq.”

And local Sunni political leader Mahmoud al Daham called for legal action against the Coalition: “I ask for the formation of a team of volunteer lawyers to work in international courts to condemn this action, and to hold those responsible negligent according to international law and to demand compensation for the victims and the injured in this heinous crime.

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

In their June 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 (2)

Adult male (via AlAnbar Motny) killed
Child female (via AlAnbar Motny) injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    69
  • (10 children10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A video contains an interview with the tribal leader of Abu-Jaber as he talks concerning dozens of civilians casualties occurred after an alleged coalition/Iraqi Gov airstrike on Asriya village north Anbar (via Al-Jazeera TV)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the child (Malak Juma Al Jabri) who survived after an alleged airstrike by coalition/Iraq government aircraft in the village of Asriyah (via Fallujah Modal facebook account)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows dead bodies on the floor after the alleged airstrike by coalition/Iraqi government.

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
    38SLC209043
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • March 9, 2016, in Asriya, 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. 2913/CI200 38SLC209043

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 9th-10th 2016 the Coalition reported that “Near Ramadi, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL supply caches, 11 ISIL improvised explosive devices (IED), three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL VBIED, and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

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
    69
  • (10 children10 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS720 CS188

Incident date

March 10, 2016

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians including a girl and a woman died in airstrikes on the town of Khusham. While the majority of the sources allege that this was a Coalition incident, other reports say Russia was responsible.

According to Free Deir Ezzor, Russian raids targeting oil fields in Khusham killed two civilians displaced from Qaryatain, Homs: “Abir Mohamamd al Farrah and the child Shaymaa Hassan al Ammar“. It claimed that the death toll had reached 20, including eight children – though no other sources alleged this tally. A tweet by With God’s Help We Will Triumph and Al Qaryatain Round the Clock also blamed Russia.

However, according to a tweet by Rania Daughter of Douma, these two people died in an alleged Coalition raid. Other sources also alleged that the Coalition was responsible. These included Homs Deir Ba’alba and Syria Rebels Gathering. Hassan Kanjo, self-described as an independent journalist, reported “a very violent bombing the extent of which has never been seen before in the city of Deir Ezzor by coalition planes“, while Aletihad Press said that Coalition warplanes carried out several raids killing “a number of civilians” including the six-year-old girl. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two civilians from the province of Homs were killed in a strike on the city of Deir Ezzor” – and said that the Coalition carried out the raid.

Homs Media Center and SYRCU were among other sources blaming the Coalition, however, Shouqi Sabra said that Russia 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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abir Mohamamd al Farrah
Adult female killed
Shaymaa Hassan al Ammar
Child female Child of Abir Mohammed al-Farrah killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 20
  • (1–8 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Martyred: Shymaa Hassan Abd al Kafi al Ammar and the wife of Mohammad Abd al Kafi al Ammar. Their house was bombed by Russian planes" (via With God’s Help We Will Triumph' twitter)
  • "Abir Adallah al Farra and the child Shaymaa Hasan al Ammar martyred in coalition raids targeting Kisham village in the countryside of Deir Ezzor" (via Rania Daughter of Douma twitter)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

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
    37SFV174073
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • March 10, 2016, in Khusham, 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. 2924/CS188 37SFV174073

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in Khusam city for March 9th-10th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 20
  • (1–8 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS189

Incident date

March 12, 2016

Location

Al Mashlab, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9449373, 39.0474701 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Al A’amaq Media – linked to Daesh – “A child and his father were killed in a raid by an unmanned American plane on the outskirts of Raqqa city.”

No other sources in the city reported civilian casualties. However Raqqa is Being Slaughtered did note that “An unmanned plane targets a Daesh pickup truck east of the city of Raqqa in Al Mashlab neighbourhood.”

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition said there was not enough evidence showing civilians were killed in the strike: “Mar. 12, 2016, near Raqqah, Syria, 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.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    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

For March 12th-13th 2016, the Coalition has confirmed that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.“

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]