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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US-led Coalition
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Iraq
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Incident Code

CI098

Incident date

August 30, 2015

Location

أربيل, Near Irbil, Irbil, Iraq

Geolocation

36.191457, 44.009341 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three or four possible civilians were reported killed in an airstrike in northern Iraq, carried out by two Danish F-16s which each dropped a 500lb GBU-12 bomb. The possible error was discovered after a Danish review of cockpit video: “In some parts of the footage showing four people and a vehicle, there were acts being carried out which may be perceived as not being openly hostile.”

A joint inquiry with CENTCOM later concluded that those killed were “likely not civilian casualties” and had instead had probably been involved in planting roadside bombs.

The commander of Danish F-16s in the Middle East told Information: “It was ourselves who said, ‘I wonder if there is something here that is not as it should be?’ We wanted to get the Coalition to investigate that the intelligence basis for the operation was in order, and I am very pleased that our suspicions have been treated thoroughly and seriously, both by the Coalition and at home in Denmark.”

Denmark set a new benchmark for Coalition transparency when it publicly reported the incident just four days after the event. A statement at the time noted that “Danish forces routinely carries out an evaluation of all completed missions, with a detailed focus on specific attacks. In this context, Danish forces assessed that there is a risk that an attack may have caused civilian casualties. Danish forces have disseminated this assessment to the coalition’s air headquarters. The coalition has now launched an investigation. Danish force will review internal operating procedures in order to assess whether there is a need for change.“

No further details on the location have been given. However, citing military sources Danish state radio said that the attack took place “near Irbil.“

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known 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 Irbil
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

According to Coalition daily logs there were three potential incidents at locations near Irbil. On August 29th-30th 2015 it was reported that “Near Kisik, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL heavy machine gun.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI131

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Location

المحلبية, Mahalabiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.26632, 42.70744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four people from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike, after missiles hit a civilian home.

While a number of outlets reported the incident there are no more details presently available.

In their January 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
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF941159
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 31, 2015, in Mahalabiya, 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. 2853/CI131 38SKF941159

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 30th-31st 2015 the Coalition reports carring out one strike in the city: “Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI163

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Location

Keseir, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were reportedly killed and three injured – all children and women – after Coalition jets allegedly bombed their house in Keseir village east of Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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]

  • Alrafidain TV report on the incident

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 December 21st-22nd 2015, “Near Mosul, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, 12 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL bunkers, and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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

CI195

Incident date

February 25, 2016

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.7977836, 43.2935143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that at least 13 and as many as 46 civilians from ‘ISIS families’ – including children and women – were killed when their bus was bombed between Qayarrah and Shura south of Mosul as it was trying to cross the Iraqi-Syrian border. The bodies were reportedly transferred to the Forensic Medicine institution in Mosul.

According to reports, the terrorist group has been evacuating family members from Mosul to Syria in anticipation of a government assault.

There was some confusion in reporting. Kitabat said that 13 civilians from one family were killed, along with 46 Daesh militants. However, NINA said members of eight Daesh families died.

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
    13 – 46
  • 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]

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
    38SLE457628
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • Feb. 25, 2016, in Qayyarah, 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. 2910/CI195 38SLE457628

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For February 24th-25th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, nine strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units, an ISIL improvised weapons factory, an ISIL IED factory, an ISIL mortar factory, and an ISIL VBIED facility and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, and ISIL vehicle, an ISIL light machine gun, and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 46
  • 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

CI227

Incident date

April 17, 2016

Location

حلبسة, Halabisa, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.329165, 43.718515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that Coalition aircraft struck homes in an afternoon attack on Halabsa village west of Fallujah, killing six civilians and injuring another 12 or more, “most of them children and women.”

News Fallujah pictured a young survivor of the event, noting: “Yousif Mushtak Talib Al Halbusi : His mother was killed and his father( Mushtak Talib) and sister( Mariam) were injured today afternoon by the bombing.”

News of Iraq only reported ‘heavy shelling’ on the village, and did not attribute responsibility for the civilian deaths. And Yaqen – which placed the death toll higher at eight – also blamed the attack on unidentified aircraft, with its reporter noting that “the bombing targeted the homes of civilians in different parts of the city of Fallujah which also left material damage.“

Iraqi Spring instead blamed Iraq militarily for the deaths of three civilians “in [the] Zoyya area west of Fallujah.”

Iraqi Revolution reported that a female child also died the following day of injuries sustained in the event (see picture).

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mariam Mushtak Talib Al Halbusi
Child female (via News Fallujah now) injured
Mushtak Talib Al Halbusi
Adult male (via News Fallujah now) killed
The wife of Mushtak Talib Al Halbusi
Adult female (via News Fallujah now) killed

The victims were named as:

Aisha Ali Mohammed
Child female (via Iraqi revolution) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 9
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–18
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    a photo of Aisha Ali Mohammed, who had died following an alleged Coalition strike on Halabsa village west of Fallujah, April 19th 2016 (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • An image of the injured child (Yousif Mushtak Talib Al Halbusi) following an alleged Coalition strike on April 19th 2016. The source also said that his parents were killed and the sister (Mariam) was injured (via News Fallujah Now)

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
    38SLB807885
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • April 17, 2016, in Halabisa, 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. 2945/CI227 38SLB807885

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.”

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
    4 – 9
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–18
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI259

Incident date

June 29, 2016

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that families of ISIS members and other civilians were killed or wounded after Iraqi government and Coalition aircraft targeted Daesh convoys fleeing Fallujah to Ramadi Island.

According to the US military blog War Is Boring, Between 9:00 and 10:00 at night on June 28, Iraqi military intelligence detected the movement of numerous vehicles from Fallujah in a southwesterly direction along the road to Amiriyat Fallujah. Iraqi army helicopters took over the job of tracking the movement. Around 10:00 that night, intelligence reports indicated Islamic State militants were fleeing Fallujah — seemingly explaining the huge convoy. Baghdad informed the Americans, but CJTF-OIR denied permission for its warplanes to attack the area in question, as the vehicles in question could be carrying civilians.

The Washington Post also cited US officials as saying they could not immediately determine whether there were civilian casualties.

Based on interviews with Iraqi pilots, War Is Boring continued: The ISIS convoy included more than 400 vehicles, most of which were civilian. Iraqis are convinced that majority of their occupants were militants. So Iraqi pilots took the initiative. They called their political leaders in Najaf and, four hours later, attack orders came down. The first two helicopters took off at 1:30 in the morning on June 29. As they approached the area, they encountered heavy automatic gunfire from the ground. The shooting confirmed to the pilots — this was an Islamic State convoy. The pilots counted more than 400 vehicles. They’d never seen such a huge column before.

Approximately half of the vehicles were destroyed. Coalition aircraft then also joined in the attack: It’s possible that some of the vehicles carried militants’ families — which is apparently why the United States initially refused to take part in the operation. According to CJTF-OIR spokesman Col. Chris Garver, U.S. aircraft eventually did participate in an attack on the convoy, although they specifically avoided the part of the column the coalition suspected of carrying civilians.

The Coalition later reported it had destroyed up to 55 vehicles in its attacks. The Washington Post quoted Coalition spokesman Colonel Garver as saying that ‘for the bombing of the Fallujah convoy, the U.S. Air Force put everything up in the air, including B-52 bombers and AC-130 Spectre gunships.

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
    2
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of Daesh convoy that was targeted by the Iraqi government and Coalition aircraft. In contrast, various sources reported that civilians were killed in the incident while trying to flee the conflict area including Daesh families (via @IraqiSecurity)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of Daesh convoy that was targeted by the Iraqi IQAF in Musayab-Fallujah road. In contrast, various sources reported that civilians were killed in the incident while trying to flee the conflict area including Daesh families (via @green_lemonnn)
  • An image shows the targeted vehicle following an Iraqi & coalition strike (Via war is boring)
  • An image shows a child treating in an ambulance following a strike on the convoy (Via war is boring)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 29th-30th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Fallujah, two strikes [2 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 42 ISIL vehicles 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
    2
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI291

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Location

كراج الشمال, Mosul, ISIS court in North Garage, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.350762, 43.172722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two sources reported that 11 civilians killed followed alleged coalition jets targeted ISIS court in Mosul.

The media office of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Mosul, Ghayath al-Surji, said, The international coalition aircraft bombed, at dawn today, ISIS Sharia court inside a residential neighbourhood at Karaj, in central Mosul, killing 11 civilians who were present there.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the aftermath of the alleged coalition airstrike that reportedly targeted an ISIS court in Mosul (via Almada press)

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
    38SLF360244
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Sept. 24, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3050/CI291 38SLF360244

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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

Incident Code

CI323

Incident date

November 5, 2016

Location

حمام العليل, Mosul, Hamam al Alil subdistrict, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.16429, 43.25923 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: On 5 November, airstrikes hit two houses in Hamam al-Alil City resulting in the houses collapsing. Twenty-three civilians, including children, were reportedly trapped inside. In the evening of the same day, two children, one seriously wounded, and an elderly woman was reportedly rescued and taken to the hospital. In the morning of 6 November, two female children and three bodies were reportedly taken out from the rubble. On 7 November, eight bodies (husband, wife, three children, mother of the husband and husband’s two sisters) and seven wounded civilians–three children, two men and two women–were reportedly taken out from the rubble. ISIL was reportedly shelling ISF positions from behind the houses. Attempts to rescue victims and to take out dead bodies were reportedly also being hindered by ISIL sniper fire.

Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilians killed or injured in Hamam al Alil on this date.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (3 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF434035
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020

  • Nov. 5, 2016, in Hamam al Alil, 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. 3061/CI323 38SLF434035

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 4th-5th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, nine strikes [3 British] engaged five ISIL tactical units and four staging areas; destroyed five vehicles, three weapons caches, three mortar systems, a storage facility, a VBIED, and an ISIL-held building; and damaged an ISIL supply route, a bridge, and a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (3 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]