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

CS1338

Incident date

August 6, 2017

Location

بلدة الكشكية, Kashkiyah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.81, 40.694722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Over one hundred child soldiers were killed in an alleged US-led Coalition strike on a training camp of the so-called Islamic State organisation, according to multiple sources.

A report by Euphrates Post said, “The coalition warplanes attacked an [ISIS] camp in the town of al-Kashkiya in al-Sha’atiyat district, on the house of Rahim al Thalaj al-Mustapha and its environs, where members of the organization had turned the place into a training camp for the cubs of the caliphate, the children of Asian immigrants’, the report continues, ‘…the raid was focused on the house, where a large number of cubs of different nationalities are present’.

Furat Post covering events in the city said that Islamic State had not commented on any of the report’s released and had not confirmed the authenticity of this alleged massacre.

All sources obtained attributed the airstrike to the US-led Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incidents mention the town of Al-Kashkiya (الكشكية), Deir Ezzor governorate, for which the coordinates are: 34.81, 40.694722.  

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 Kashkiyah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU536546
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 6th-7th the Coalition have reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed eight ISIS well-heads, a excavator, a crane, and a vehicle.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI856

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

Mutaybayjah, Saladin, Iraq

Geolocation

34.233333, 44.123333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media outlet Yagein claimed that hundreds were killed and wounded following alleged US-Coalition strikes on Metebija, in the east of Salahadin province. The Iraq Spring Media Center also alleged the Coalition conducted raids in the area, though it did not refer to civilian casualties.

A source who spoke to Yagein claimed: the Coalition aircraft bombed several areas in al-Mutaybayjah east of Salah al-Din targeted vehicles carrying an explosive device. It added that the bombing caused deaths and injuries but numbers had not been confirmed. Houses were also destroyed. The heavy bombardment of Coalition aircraft came to block any attempt by the organization [IS] to carry out any surprise attacks from Al-Mutaybayjah to break the siege imposed on it.

There are no further details available at present.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 100
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the subdistrict of Mtebija (مطبیجة), on the border between the provinces of Diyala and Salahuddin. The coordinates of the subdistrict of Mtebija (مطبیجة) are: 34.233333, 44.123333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Mutaybjah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 26th-27th the Coalition reported no strikes near Salahadin.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 100
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI794

Incident date

June 30, 2017

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34075, 43.126911 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local press and resident sources said that dozens to hundreds of civilians, including the bodies of ‘hundreds of children and women’, were under the rubble in various areas in Old Mosul. Heavy shelling and air strikes had allegedly hit their homes. Local media provided striking accounts of streets filled with dead bodies, and called for help to save the families under the rubble.

The Nineveh Media Center and mutliple other sources said that “hundreds of bodies of civilians [were] under the rubble in the areas of the Great Mosque and Sargkhana and Ras al-Kor and Bab Laksh and in the vicinity of Khalid Bin Al-Walid Street.” It said that most of these civilians died in air strikes.

Mosul Eye (local press) reported the same information on Facebook, launching the following appeal: “We urge the Coalition to immediately intervene in rescuing tens of families who are still under the rubble as the civil defence teams are not capable of rescuing them. There are tens of children and women who still alive under the rubble at those locations. Those areas are already liberated .. they must be rescued immediately now. All the area around this: 36.343166, 43.121770.”

Iraqyoon Agency also said that Iraqi civil defense teams were no longer able to do the rescue work, given the “magnitude of the disaster”.

In a striking account, Alaraby News said on Friday June 30th that: “In the streets, the bodies of civilians fill the sidewalks, and inside the destroyed houses there is evidence that dozens of bodies are beneath [the rubble], where smells are emitted and dogs are barking around, amid reports that hundreds of civilians have been hit by shelling in their homes during the past two days.”

A rescue worker had furthermore told Al Jazeera news that “the area around the [Grand Nuri] mosque has dozens of bodies that are still under the rubble and have not been removed for days.”

According to Al Jazeera, the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights spoke with eyewitnesses who had managed to flee the Old city and said that heavy shelling killed dozens of civilians. The witnesses could not say what the exact source of the bombing was.

BBC Arabic published video material and interviews with eyewitnesses who were still trapped in Old Mosul. One woman in the reportage said that her son was killed by an air strike, and she only needs to bury his body.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 100
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Local media launched an urgent call to save dozens of families who were still under the rubble of destroyed buildings in the marked areas in Old Mosul. Hundreds of lives were at risk (via Mosul Eye, Facebook)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 29th-30th the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 14 fighting positions, four supply caches, two tunnels, and a mortar system; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 29, near Mosul, Iraq, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed seven fighting positions and two medium machine guns, and damaged eight supply routes.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 100
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI709

Incident date

May 13, 2017

Location

عنه, Anah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.372699, 41.986442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Residents and local press said that up to 100 civilians were killed and dozens wounded after Coalition airstrikes and guided missiles allegedly hit multiple locations in and around Anah town, in Anbar province, on a Saturday evening.

Noor Al Mustafa Dawood reported that “the bombing continued with more than four airstrikes and four missiles directed so far” and listed the locations of the shelling as follows:

– Airstrikes on the cemetery, while a funeral of an ISIL was going on

– Bombing on the Internet Hall in Al Hadra Street

– The bombing of the house of Ibn Faiq Rashad II, “which was considered a house of money”

– On Abu Fahad House, the head of the “movement of the solution”. As well as full destruction and reports of minor civilian casualties

– Bombing on the building of Haj Badia Khairi Ghi in Al-Hadra Street – news about the the death of the resident and the serious injuries of [other] people

– Targeting Pick up wheel in Al Hadra Street for people. Unidentified civilians were killed.

– Bombing near the stadium without knowing the details.

Yaqein Agency said that the Coalition had also “deliberately targeted” a hospital and a market.

On Monday 15th May Yaqein reported that the death toll had risen to more than hundred civilians. The press source had told the media agency that “the international Coalition forces launched violent raids on the district [in the] west of Anbar province” and that “the shelling killed more than 100 civilians and wounded dozens.” It furthermore said that residents were confused whether they should stay in the house – at the risk of seeing walls fall on them – or go out and be exposed to the risks there. The source said that “the bombing of the International Alliance is the most violent of its kind as the Coalition aircraft directed 4 airstrikes and used guided missiles in the bombing.”

Local residents named various people who were killed as a result of the shelling.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied involvement in the incident: “May 13, 2017, near Anah, Iraq, via NGO report: 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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abu Yasser
Age unknown male Brother of Bassem Hamra killed
Bassem Hamra
Age unknown male Brother of Abu Yasser killed

The victims were named as:

Sheb Obeida Wael Hussein
Adult male had moved to his neighbour in the city of Ana that day killed
Jamil Al Ani
Child male killed
Jassim Mohammed Saleh Al-Hamra
Adult male killed
The son of Uday Attawi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 100
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Jassim Mohammed Saleh Al-Hamra (via Rawa, Facebook)
  • Obeida Wael Hussein Jamil Al Ani (via Rawa)
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 Anah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SGU742070
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018

  • 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
Official source

For May 12th-13th, the Coalition did not report any strikes near Anah.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 100
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1294

Incident date

July 28, 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

Multiple reports said that 99 civilians died and approximately 120 had been wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa within the last 72 hours. These numbers, however, are general numbers and Airwars has not, so far, been able to break them down to specific locations.

Al Hasaka Rasd, @raassaf77, @freedom_raqqa1, @mogthdarqqat, @alksndr111, @Mohamma26725093 produced carbon copies of the same report giving these figures.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “there were nearly 100 martyrs and hundreds wounded in days by daily massacres in the city of Raqqa by the Coalition and the SDF.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 99
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–120
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and suppressed a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units, destroyed an anti-air artillery system, and damaged seven fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 28 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair struck a Daesh position in Raqqa…Another mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair assisted the SDF in Raqqa on Friday 28 July, and a Paveway IV was used to destroy a terrorist position.’

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
    0 – 99
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–120
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI363

Incident date

December 7, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Multiple neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nearly 100 civilians were killed or wounded in Mosul due to airstrikes and artillery bombardment, according to a local source.

Iraqi Spring Media Center reported the deaths of 98 civilians in Mosul during the preceding 48 hours due to aerial and artillery bombardment targeting residential areas.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, the Coalition officials said the event was presently assessed as Not credible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    98
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 6th-7th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed a VBIED facility and an excavator, damaged three supply routes, and suppressed two tactical units.” For December 7th-8th, the Coalition has not yet released a strike report.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    98
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI654

Incident date

April 19, 2017

Location

الثورة, Mosul: Thawra neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34325, 43.09785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that more than 90 civilians died in a major incident in Al Thawra (Revolution) neighbourhood in Old Mosul. As Reuters noted, “Dozens of civilians were killed on Saturday by air strikes targeting homes in the Thawra district on the western side of Mosul, a neighborhood declared by Iraqi forces restored overnight by the Islamic state, local residents said.”

In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this allegation of civilian harm – though conceded just one death. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh fighting position. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.” This was later declared by the Pentagon to have been a US action.

Local Facebook group Sawlf Ateka reported that fatalities had resulted from actions by several belligerents: “The bodies of civilians fill the streets of Al-Thawra district, on the right side of Mosul.” They allegedly died after sniper attacks, “terrorist attacks, or because of the indiscriminate bombardment of mortars, artillery and aerial bombardment by the security forces.”

Sources reported to Al Jazeera that “there are dozens of civilians under the rubble, [and] no one knows whether they were alive or dead because Iraqi forces prevented anyone from reaching these areas.”

Iraq Newspaper cited a senior official of the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior’s Rapid Response Force, who spoke of a “total destruction of more than 30 houses in the Thawra neighbourhood, including houses belonging to the region’s dignitaries.”

Abdel Wahab Talal Hadidi and his father died after an airstrike was carried out in front of their house

It was also reported that Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud El Sheikh Issa, a neurologist in the Al-Thawra neighborhood, also died together with his father and son.

Mosul News Now (local Facebook group) named Ahmed Shiite Aida Abu Doaa as one of the victims. He reportedly was Director of Accreditation Company Asia Cell and Sales Manager of North Sale Company. Local comparisons were made to of the “massacre” to the major incident in New Mosul neighbourhood, on March 17th-18th.

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

In May 2020 in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon said this had been a US action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdel Wahab Talal Hadidi
Adult male killed
Father of Abdel Wahab Talal Hadidi
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud El Sheikh Issa
Adult male killed
Father of Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud El Sheikh Issa
Adult male killed
Son of Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud El Sheikh Issa
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Shiite Aida Abu Doaa
Adult male Director of Accreditation Company Asia Cell and Sales Manager of North Sale Company killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    90
  • (1 child3 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
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Abdel Wahab Talal Hadidi and his father allegedly died after an airstrike hit their neighbourhood in Old Mosul, on April 19th (via Sawl Ateka Facebook)
  • Dr. Mohammed al-Sheikh Issa, who used to be a neurologist, allegedly died in airstrikes on Old Mosul, together with his father and son (via Sawlf Ateka)
  • Ahmed Shit Aida Abu Doaa, reportedly died after airstrikes and shelling hit Revolution neighbourhood (via Mosul News Now)
  • Video showing the aftermath of the strikes
  • A second video showing the aftermath
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes

Prior the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwas had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.34389,43.103399. In June 2019 the Coalition released the MGRS as 38SLF293237.

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:

  • 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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Thawra, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF293237
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 29, 2019
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • April 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: 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.

  • Apr. 19, 2017, near Al Thawra, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh fighting position. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 18th-19th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units, destroyed 11 fighting positions, six rocket-propelled grenade systems, five anti-air artillery systems, four medium machine guns, four VBIEDs, a weapons cache, a front-end loader, an ISIS vehicle, a command and control node; and suppressed four fighting positions, four ISIS supply routes and four ISIS tactical units.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    90
  • (1 child3 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
  • Suspected attacker
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI858

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

Al Qaim, plaster factory, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.257855, 41.213365 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two sources alleged the US-led Coalition conducted air raids on Al Qaim west of Anbar province, resulting in 87 civilians killed. However, there was some confusion about the status of the vehicles reportedly struck.

Local sources who spoke to Yaqein said aircraft targeted an area near the plaster factory in the province. It initially alleged the strikes destroyed 20-24 cars that belonged to so-called Islamic State. However, a later Yaqein report said the vehicles were civilian. The agency also added that the raids took place on the desert area of Qaem, and also referred to the location of strikes “near the Teacher area south of Qaim district.”

Both sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    87
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area around a plaster factory in the West of Anbar province, for which the coordinates are: 34.257855, 41.213365. Reports also refer to the teachers area south of the Al Qaim (القائم) district.

  • The plaster factory south of the town of Al Qaem (القائم)

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

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 Qaiem, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 27th – 28th the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed two weapons caches and an ISIS headquarters.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    87
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]