US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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
text search
2984 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

CS337

Incident date

October 14, 2016

Location

الغازلي, Al Ghazli, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.30755, 39.02292 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The home of a local sheikh was bombed during a lunch party, killing as many as 20 civilians, according to local sources. Though most reports point to this being a Coalition action, one other blames the regime while a further report alleges that Russia was responsible.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently initially reported that at least 11 people died when unidentified warplanes struck the house of Sheikh Daham Ka’a-ishish in the village of al Ghazli. It later updated the death toll to 15 and said the strikes were carried out by “the international coalition.”

The Syrian Observatory also put the death toll at 15 and attributed the strikes to the Coalition. Several other sources cited the Coalition.

However, an account associated with the Sheikh’s tribe reported that six missiles from Russian warplanes caused the destruction.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Network reported that “government forces” shelling on Al Ghazli was to blame for the massacre. Several News agencies, including ARA News and Al Jisr cited ISIL-controlled al A’maq agency, reporting a death toll of 20 due to coalition attacks. Step News Agency reported “the international coalition aircraft had launched several air raids on Friday targeting the home of” the Sheikh, killing twenty “women and children” and “wounding scores… all of them civilians.“

On October 14, Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered posted an initial list of 11 victims:

A woman named as Wazna al Sheen (initially reported killed) was also pulled alive from the rubble two days later.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Abd al Shaheen
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Nayef al Ka’a-ishish's wife
Age unknown female killed
Nayef al Ka’a-ishish's son
Child killed
Nayef al Ka’a-ishish's son
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Salama al Hamad’s child
Age unknown killed
Salama al Hamad’s child
Age unknown killed
Salama al Hamad’s child
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Hamish Salama
Age unknown male killed
Hamish al Hassan
Age unknown male killed
Moussa al Kidro
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 19
  • (5 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • 6 missiles from Russian warplanes target the house of Sheikh Daham al Ka’a-ishish in al Ghazli village during a lunch party inside his house.
  • Photo of the Hamish al Salam [Abu Ali] (via K'ak'a Anzi)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Photo of the aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
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 Ghazli, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 13th-14th the Coalition reported that “Near Ayn Isa, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.” For October 14th-15th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, one strike engaged an ISIL headquarters building and a staging area.”

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 19
  • (5 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI140

Incident date

November 16, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between 7 and 12 civilians were reported killed following an alleged Coalition strike on the Directorate of Agriculture in Mosul. A further 28 to 39 people were reported injured. The incident took place in the Al Faisaliah area of eastern Mosul, and according to reports, most if not all of those killed had no links to Daesh. An ISIL propaganda video showed some victims in their vehicles, with others including children taken to a local hospital.

In a separate event, five to eight civilian prisoners and three Daesh guards were reported killed and a further 30 people injured, after the Coalition allegedly bombed a detention facility at government offices in Badush, to the west of the city. One eyewitness told a Daesh film crew that there were two strikes at the location: “While I was sitting inside my home taking breakfast at 9.30 am [inside the mosque compound] I heard the sound of planes and the first missile hit this place. The smoke and dust was very heavy. Then the second missile hit again the same place at 10 a.m and you can see the destruction which resulted of this bombing.”

One victim has since been named as Saad Abu Mohammed, a local surveyor.

Major General Abdullah al-Jubouri, commander of Iraq Army operations in Nineveh, later urged the international coalition to exercise greater precision in hitting targets.

In July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of no strikes in the near vicinity: “Nov. 16, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

However, given that the Coalition declared strikes in Mosul on the day, Airwars is seeking additional information – and has now classed this event as contested.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saad Abu Mohammed
Adult male Surveyor killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 18
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    28–39
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Missile fragment reportedly found at scene of a lethal Mosul airstrike, November 16 2015 (via NRN)
  • One of 40 vehicles destroyed in an alleged Coalition strike at Mosul which killed up to 17 civilians (via NRN)
  • Another image of the aftermath of the attack (via Shabkt Alami Nineveh)
  • Another image of the aftermath of the attack (via Shabkt Alami Nineveh)
  • Another image of the aftermath of the attack (via Shabkt Alami Nineveh)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the people supposedly killed in the strike (via Shabkt Alami Nineveh)
  • Saad Abu Mohammed (via Mosul Kadema)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition has confirmed a single strike at Mosul for November 16th-17th 2015: “Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL weapons cache.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 18
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    28–39
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS749

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Location

شارع فلسطين, Tabaqah, Palestine Street, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.831667, 38.546944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eighteen civilians including 11 children and three women, died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Filastin Palestine Street, Al Tabaqa.

There is, however, uncertainty about the date ofthe incident: Mohab Nasser puts it at April 28th and eyewitnesses told Human Rights Watch that the attack happened in late April. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reports the date as May 3rd and the Violations Documentation Center lists the victims date of death as May 5th.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, 18 martyrs from the family of Abdul Razzaq al Sanani died after their home in Filastin street was targeted. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at 18 including 11 children and three women. Qasioun and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights were among other sources blaming the Coalition.

The Violations Documentation Center named 18 victims of a Coalitionstrike. It gave the date of death as May 5th: Abd al-Jalil Mohammad Dalo adult, male; Salha Ahmad Dalo – adult, male; Amineh Abd al-Jalil Dalo, female; Mohammad Abd al-Jalil Dalo – child, male; Shahed Abdal-Jalil Dalo child, female; Hamzeh Abdal-Jalil Dalo child, male; Ahed Abd al-Jalil Dalo child, male; Khaled Mohammad Abd al-Jalil Dalo – adult male; Amina Ahmad Dalo – adult, female; Mohammad Khaled Dalo – adult, male; Amineh Khaled Dalo – child, female; Fatima Khaled Dalo female; Omer Khaled Dalo child, male; Reem Khaled Dalo – child female; Ayoush Abd al-Jalil Dalo – adult female; Abd al-Razzaqal-Merei Sinani male; Bayan Abd al-Razzaqal-Merei child, female; Rawan Abd al-Razzaq al-Merei child, female. The victims were also named by Mohan Nasser and Raqqa is Being SlaughteredSilently.

In a September 2017 report following a field study, Human Rights Watch noted the following: Likely in late April, CJTF airstrikes struck a house in an eastern neighborhood of Tabqa, near Palestine Street, reportedly killing 18 members of the Dalo family. Two residents who said they lived on the street where the house was struck told Human  Rights Watch that there was heavy fighting between SDF and ISIS in the area at the time of the strike. Neither could remember the exact date but indicated that SDF forces were trying to advance from the east and ISIS fighters were moving between houses in their neighborhood and firing at the advancing forces. Muhammad, the owner of the house that came under attack, told Human Rights Watch that he was not present at the time of the attack – he had left the house as fighting approached the area – but that he gave his keys to his neighbors, the Dalo family, as his house had thicker walls and still had water.

Local residents told Human Rights Watch that one munition hit a narrow street in front ofthe house and killed an ISIS fighter. A second munition hit the house where the Dalo family had sought refuge killing all 18 members of the family, including 3 women and 11 children. Human Rights Watch found in the rubble ofthe house remnants of an air-launched Hellfire missile with a Commercial and Government Entity Code (or CAGE) – a unique identifier assigned to suppliers to various government or defense agencies – corresponding to Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC in Rocket Center, West Virginia. Alliant is a well-known supplier of warheads and rocket motors to Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the Hellfire missile.”

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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (15)

Abdel Jalil Mohammad Dillo
48 years old male killed
Saliha Ahmad Dillo
44 years old female killed
Amina Abdel Jalil Dillo
13 years old female killed
Mohammad Abdel Jalil Dillo
11 years old male killed
Shahad Abdel Jalil Dillo
9 years old female killed
Hamza Abdel Jalil Dillo
5 years old male killed
A’had Abdel Jalil Dillo
7 years old male killed
Khaled Mohammad Abdel Jalil Dillo
46 years old male killed
Aamina Ahmad Dillo
38 years old female killed
Mohammad Khaled Dillo
19 years old male killed
Ameena Khaled Dillo
17 years old female killed
Faima Khaled Dillo
13 years old female killed
Omar Khaled Dillo
5 years old male killed
Rim Khaled Dillo
7 years old female killed
Ayyoush Abdel Jalil Dillo
50 years old female killed

Family members (3)

Abdel Razzaq al Mir’i “Al Sanani”
50 years old male killed
Bayan Abdel Razzaq al Mir’i
17 years old male killed
Rawan Abdel Razzaq al Mir’i
13 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • (11 children3 women)
  • 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 (11) [ 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
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility. (1401)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 27th-28th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed a command and control node and a front-end loader.”
For April 28th-29th, the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed a front-end loader" and "Near Tabqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and four vehicles"

The Coalition later reported: "Additionally, four strikes were conducted in Syria April 28 that closed within the last 24 hours.
Near Tabqah, Syria, on April 28, four strikes destroyed three fighting positions and a VBIED.”

For May 2nd - 3rd the Coalition reported: "Near Tabqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 12 fighting positions, an ISIS supply route, and a tactical vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit"

For May 3rd-4th the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed a command and control node" and "Near Tabqah, 18 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, four vehicles, two tactical vehicles, a VBIED; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For May 4th: CHAMMAL OPERATION ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION In Syria the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue their progress against Daesh. In the region of Raqqah they have proceeded this week to secure territorial gains made the previous week in the north of the city, neutralizing several pockets of resistance still occupied by terrorist fighters. Further west, the SDS continue to expand their controlled areas, gradually tightening those held by Daesh on the town of Tabqah and its dam. In Iraq, Daesh is still trying to maintain an atmosphere of insecurity in the Anbar and the Tiger Valley in order to divert the Iraqi military effort from Mosul. In the region of Mosul, the situation has changed little this week with the exception of a breakthrough in the south-west of the city. With unfavorable weather conditions, the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) marked an operational pause to regenerate their potential, while maintaining pressure on the Medina neighborhood. To the north-west, on the outskirts of the city, the 9th Division is still engaged in security actions of its control zone centered around Badush, and is still under attack by terrorist groups. Further south, in the city of Mosul, the ICTS and the FEDPOL maintained their position in and around the medina by repelling several attempts by Daesh fighters. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAMMAL FORCE Fire support - TF Wagram The Task Force (TF) Wagram continued this week its shooting missions in support of the 9th Iraqi Division engaged in the Badush region. The 29 illumination and interdiction missions carried out in support of Iraqi units contributed to the security of the Iraqi zone control system in the face of harassing actions by Daesh groups seeking to infiltrate. Air support to the Levant This week, the aircraft of Operation Chammal made 40 sorties, including 30 for armed reconnaissance or ground support (CAS), 2 for air command and control, 5 for refueling, and 3 for intelligence gathering. 3 strikes were carried out by French planes in Iraq and Syria, in support of ongoing operations in Mosul and Tabqah, as well as in the Anbar Valley. '

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION En Syrie les Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) poursuivent leurs avancées contre Daech. Dans la région de Raqqah elles ont procédé cette semaine à la sécurisation des gains territoriaux réalisés la semaine précédente au Nord de la ville, en neutralisant plusieurs poches de résistances encore occupées par les combattants terroristes. Plus à l’Ouest les FDS continuent d’étendre leurs zones contrôlées, resserrant progressivement celles tenues par Daech sur la ville de Tabqah et son barrage. En Irak, Daech cherche toujours à entretenir une atmosphère d’insécurité dans l’Anbar et dans la vallée du Tigre afin de détourner l’effort militaire irakien de Mossoul. Dans la région de Mossoul, la situation a peu évolué cette semaine à l’exception d’une avancée dans le sud-ouest de la ville. Avec une météo peu favorable aux opérations, les Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes (FSI) ont marqué une pause opérationnelle pour régénérer leur potentiel, tout en maintenant la pression sur le quartier de la Médina. Au nord-ouest, sur les abords de la ville, la 9e division est toujours engagée dans des actions de sécurisation de sa zone de contrôle centrée autour de Badush, et qui fait toujours l’objet de tentative d’infiltrations de groupes terroristes. Plus au sud, dans la ville de Mossoul, l’ICTS et les FEDPOL ont maintenu leur position dans et autour de la médina en repoussant plusieurs tentatives de sorties des combattants de Daech. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a poursuivi cette semaine ses missions de tir en appui de la 9e division irakienne engagée dans la région de Badush. Les 29 missions d’éclairement et d’interdiction réalisées en appui des unités irakiennes ont contribué à la sûreté du dispositif de contrôle de zone irakien face à des actions de harcèlement menées par des groupes de Daech cherchant à s’infiltrer. Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 40 sorties aériennes dont 30 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), 2 de commandement et de contrôle aérien, 5 de ravitaillement, et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 3 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, en appui des opérations en cours à Mossoul et Tabqah, ainsi que dans la vallée de l’Anbar.’

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

'Chammal: diversity and complementarity of the support pillar Updated: 28/04/2017 On April 23, a French A400M landed for the first time in Iraq. This first logistical link to Baghdad and Erbil is an opportunity to return to the diversity and complementarity of the means of the "support pillar" of Operation CHAMMAL. Chammal: diversity and complementarity of the pillar support These French resources, engaged in the Inherent Resolve interallied operation, have been operating in the Levant from different areas of influence to all the facades of the theater with optimized effects. They make it possible to sustain and last: the logistic support by air to the air bases and the support points in the Levant makes it possible to respond, by its flexibility, to the impromptu needs: repair of a M88 engine of Rafale, electronic bench of an AWACS, Atlantic optronic ball 2 ... Now relying on A400M flights to Iraqi airports, the armed forces are once again reinforcing their reactivity and the support of the three deployed Task Forces (Narvik, Monsabert, Wagram). They make it possible to assess the situation autonomously and to share the information gathered: for the reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence acquisition missions, the Atlantic 2 sensors and the Rafale RECO NG nacelle cameras confirm their high performance. The endurance of the vectors, the diversity of the sensors and the analytical capacities of the French personnel contribute to the good development of the "situational awareness" (Situation Awarness). They make it possible to respond to requests for support from local security forces or to strike Daech in depth on its hotspots. Chammal: diversity and complementarity of the pillar support After a rigorous targeting process and strong national control, the French armies contribute significantly to coalition strikes in various forms: Prepared strikes in the depths of the Iraqi or Syrian theater, targeting targets of vital importance for Daesh as a booby traps factory or illegal trafficking sites, sources of funding for terrorists. SCALP cruise missiles are regularly used for this purpose. By strikes in support of the local security forces: either on demand, on all lines of contact thanks to the Rafale fighters, punctually thanks to the Atlantic 2, or permanently but on a more restricted area, in direct support surrounding units using CAESAR guns. They enable the detection, control and surveillance of allied air movements thanks to the power of the E-3F (AWACS) weapon system deployed in Qatar, high value added aircraft (HVAA) that exceeds regularly the ten hours of flight after a refueling flight. Most of these assets have increased endurance thanks to the C135-FR air-to-air refueler deployed in the United Arab Emirates. The "Dean" of these abilities CHAMMAL continues to contribute to a commitment in the duration of the different effectors on the zone of combat. The complementarity of the French capabilities deployed in the Levant allows to multiply and combine the effects to ensure the effectiveness of support in the fight against Daesh. This diversity illustrates the commitment and strong involvement of the CHAMMAL forces in the coalition. '

‘Chammal : diversité et complémentarité du pilier appui Ajoutez aux favoris Partager Mise à jour : 28/04/2017 Le 23 avril dernier, un A400M français atterrissait pour la première fois en Irak. Cette première liaison logistique vers Bagdad et Erbil est l’occasion de revenir sur la diversité et la complémentarité des moyens du « pilier appui » de l’opération CHAMMAL. Chammal : diversité et complémentarité du pilier appui Ces moyens français, engagés au sein de l’opération interalliée Inherent Resolve, agissent au Levant depuis différentes emprises vers l’ensemble des façades du théâtre avec des effets optimisés. Ils permettent de soutenir et de durer : le soutien logistique par voie aérienne vers les bases aériennes et les points d’appui au Levant permet de répondre, par sa flexibilité, aux besoins impromptus : dépannage d’un moteur M88 de Rafale, banc électronique d’un AWACS, boule optronique de l’Atlantique 2… En s’appuyant désormais sur des vols A400M vers les aéroports irakiens, les armées renforcent à nouveau leur réactivité et le soutien des trois Task Forces déployées (Narvik, Monsabert, Wagram). Ils permettent d’apprécier la situation de manière autonome et de partager les informations recueillies : pour les missions de reconnaissance, de surveillance, d’acquisition du renseignement, les capteurs de l’Atlantique 2 et les caméras de la nacelle RECO NG des Rafale confirment leurs hautes performances. L’endurance des vecteurs, la diversité des capteurs et les capacités d’analyse du personnel français participent au bon développement de la « connaissance de situation » (Situation Awarness). Ils permettent de répondre aux demandes d’appui des forces de sécurité locales ou de frapper Daech en profondeur sur ses points névralgiques. Chammal : diversité et complémentarité du pilier appui Après un processus de ciblage rigoureux et forts d’un contrôle national intransigeant, les armées françaises contribuent de manière significative aux frappes de la coalition sous diverses formes : Par des frappes préparées, dans la profondeur du théâtre irakien ou syrien, en visant des objectifs d’importance vitale pour Daech comme une usine de véhicules piégés ou des sites de trafics illégaux, sources de financement pour les terroristes. Les missiles de croisière SCALP sont régulièrement utilisés à cet effet. Par des frappes en appui des forces locales de sécurité : soit à la demande, sur l’ensemble des lignes de contact grâce aux chasseurs Rafale, ponctuellement grâce à l’Atlantique 2, soit en permanence mais sur une zone plus restreinte, en appui direct des unités environnantes grâce aux canons CAESAR. Ils permettent la détection, le contrôle et la surveillance de l’ensemble des mouvements aériens alliés grâce à la puissance du système d’armes de l’E-3F (AWACS) déployé au Qatar, aéronef à haute valeur ajoutée (HVAA) qui dépasse régulièrement les dix heures de vol après un ravitaillement en vol. Car la plupart de ces moyens disposent d’une endurance accrue grâce au ravitailleur en vol C135-FR déployé au Emirats-Arabes-Unis. Le « doyen » de ces capacités CHAMMAL continue de contribuer à un engagement dans la durée des différents effecteurs sur la zone de combat. La complémentarité des capacités françaises déployées au Levant permet de démultiplier et de combiner les effets pour assurer l’efficacité des appuis dans la lutte engagée contre Daech. Cette diversité illustre bien l’engagement et la forte implication des forces CHAMMAL au sein de la coalition.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • An Inherent Resolve Spokesperson briefs reporters, May 4th (via CJTF Operation Inherent Resolve)

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • (11 children3 women)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI463

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Location

مدينة الطب, Mosul, Medical City Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3570248, 43.116703 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several sources claimed that civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on a medical complex in western Mosul. While Iraqi Spring and Raedlay spoke of 18 dead and 47 wounded, News of Iraq reported the death of a child in a video.

The Coalition confirmed to have carried out the strike, but did not state any civilian casualties. It stated in a press release issued on February 18th:

“With the approval of the government of Iraq, Coalition forces struck an ISIS command and control headquarters and propaganda facility in Western Mosul on Feb. 17. The five-story Bab Sinjar administration facility was located in the Al Jumhuri medical community complex. ISIS continues to ignore the Law of Armed Conflict and uses protected sites such as hospitals, schools, and mosques to try and shield themselves from Coalition airstrikes.

In this instance, the Coalition was able to determine through intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance efforts that ISIS did not use the building for any medical purposes and that civilians were no longer accessing the site. The intelligence showed that its sole function was as a military command and control facility for ISIS to oversee its operations against the people of Iraq.

Coalition forces comply with the Law of Armed Conflict, work diligently to be precise in our airstrikes, and take all feasible precautions during the planning and execution of air strikes to reduce the risk of harm to civilians. The air strikes conducted against legitimate ISIS military targets are just one of the ways the Coalition continues to work by, with, and through its Iraqi partners to defeat ISIS in Iraq.”

However Iraqi Spring Media Centre and Raedlay (Facebook) later reported “the killing of 18 civilians and wounding 47 others, including women and children, after coalition airstrikes on Medicine # city of Mosul in the right side of the city.” The source for the claim appeared to be so-called Islamic State.

Alrafidain Channel posted a video (GRAPHIC) showing the aftermath of the strike. News of Iraq posted the same video, saying: “watch a child dying from the effects of the bombing of the international Coalition on the Medical City Hospital in the right side of the city of Mosul”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    47
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Islamic State claims 18 civilians ded and 47 are injured in a confirmed Coalition strike on a hospital complex, February 17th 2017
  • Video showing the afterath of the alleged attack

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Confirmed event [see above]

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    47
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1429b

Incident date

August 13–18, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95817, 39.0028 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Some of the names in this incident were initially reported by several sources under incident number CS1429a (Amjad Ahmed Taha Al-Suwairi, Mohammed Ayman Sweiri and Ahmad Taha Al-Omar Al Suweiri). During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field researchers were able to identify the location (near Baladi Stadium) of the strike in which 18 members of the Sueri family were killed.

The joint Amnesty/Airwars report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality notes: Seven members of the Al-Sueri family were killed when the building they were sheltering in was hit by an air strike. Eleven other people were also killed in the same strike but have not been named. A relative of the Al-Sueri family, a woman named Amal, spoke to Amnesty researchers: “Many other neighbours were killed in the same strike, including some wives and children of Daesh fighters. Our relatives stayed in the building because there was a water well nearby.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Ayman Steif Sueri
39 years old male interviewee's cousin killed
Fatima
30 years old female Ayman's wife killed
Khadija Steif Sueri
11 years old female Ayman and Fatima's daughter killed
Mohamed Steif Sueri
9 years old male Ayman and Fatima's son killed
Yassir Steif Sueri
7 years old male Ayman and Fatima's son killed
Ali Steif Sueri
5 years old male Ayman and Fatima's son killed
Hussein Steif Sueri
3 years old male Ayman and Fatima's son killed
Fadiah Steif Sueri
1 years old female Ayman and Fatima's daughter killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • (5 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Image of the building before the strike on August 11, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

  • Image of the building after the strike on August 18, 2017 (via Amnesty International)

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 August 29th – 30th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 46 strikes engaged 30 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 66 fighting positions, five heavy machine guns, five vehicles, three medium machine guns, three anti-air systems, three ISIS communications lines, two command and control nodes, an ISIS headquarters, a weapons cache, an ISIS staging area, a VBIED, damaged eight fighting positions and suppressed two heavy machine guns.” It was additionally reported that “On Aug. 29, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, a VBIED, a heavy machine gun, and a command and control node.”

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.(@EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • (5 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI093

Incident date

August 19, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that a Coalition airstrike aimed at an ISIL vehicle instead hit nearby celebrations, killing 18 people including three medics. One was later named as dentist Dr. Samir Ibrahim while the UN noted that a father and child died in the reported event.

According to NINA, the deaths occurred when a missile accidentally struck celebrants at a festival in a square in north Mosul.

The monitoring site Jihadology later published a comment from a pro-ISIL website: “This man was one of the noble ones of Mosul who refused to leave the city, unlike others who abandoned their people in their time of need, fearing death, hunger or anything else…God willing on the Day of Judgment we will dispute with every doctor, engineer or even student who left Mosul in the time when solidarity and standing together in the path of turning the wheel of life were needed. But praise and thanks be to God we do not need those who abandoned us as they need us.”

In a January 2016 study, the United Nations Mission in Iraq noted that an alleged targeted killing of a Daesh official had also reportedly slain a father and daughter. According to UNAMI, “On the afternoon of 18 August, a man and his 12 year-old daughter were reportedly killed when an airstrike hit al-Minassa street, northern Mosul. The airstrike allegedly targeted a vehicle carrying three assistants to ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and a judge of an ISIL self-appointed court, who were all killed.“

In its monthly civilian casualty assessment for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event to be ‘non credible’, noting: “August 19, 2015, 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. 2811/CI093 38SLF294240”.

The Coalition also provided coordinates showing the area it had assessed, accurate to within 100 metres.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dr. Samir Ibrahim
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Dr. Samir Ibrahim (via Al Mustaqbal News)

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
    in Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF294240
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • August 19, 2015, 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. 2811/CI093 38SLF294240

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 18th-19th 2015, the Coalition noted that “Near Mosul, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1050

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Location

النور, Al Nour, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.955556, 38.9925 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that 18 civilians were killed and 10 others were injured following alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes and possible SDF mortar attacks in the Al Nour neighbourhood, near the Al Nour Mosque, in the northeast of Raqqa.

All 12 sources who reported the incident alleged that a combination of Coalition airstrikes and SDF shelling was responsible. While some claimed that ‘SDF artillery’ was responsible, only the Coalition was using this weapon on the city. Qasioun and Euphrates Post said that the SDF had used mortars and rockets on the neighbourhood.

Names of the victims have not been identified and no further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

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

For June 20th-21st the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; and destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles, three tactical vehicles, two mortar teams, a command and control node and a mortar cache.” In addition, it reported that “On June 20, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes damaged eight fighting positions.”

For June 21st-22nd, “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 16 fighting positions, three vehicles and an ammunition cache.” It additionally reported that “On June 21, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed four ISIS staging areas, three vehicles, three fighting positons, and a VBIED; damaged a VBIED factory; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 21 June – Typhoons struck two Daesh-held buildings in Raqqa, while Tornados and Typhoons destroyed a car-bomb, and four terrorist strongpoints in Mosul…On Wednesday 21 June, a pair of Typhoons assisted Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Raqqa. Two buildings held by extremist fighters were hit with Paveway IVs.

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
    18
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1273

Incident date

July 25, 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

Local media reported that 18 civilians had died and up to 50 had been wounded in the last 48 hours – however, sources were conflicted as to whether the deaths were caused by the US-led Coalition or Russia. It should also be noted that these are general numbers and Airwars has not yet been able to break them down further to separate casualty incidents.

Ahmadalhashloum, Thefreesyrians and Hadialabdallah blamed Coalition air and artillery strikes for the casualties.

But Maherallosh referred to a “massacre committed by the International Air Force and Russian Airlines in the city of Al-Raqqa during the last 48 hours”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ 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
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 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 25th-26th: “Near Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, four observation points, three sniper positions, two command and control nodes, two supply caches, two mortar systems, a VBIED, an ISIS communication tower, a front-end loader, an ammunition cache, a tactical vehicle, and a heavy machine gun; and suppressed a supply route.” It additionally reported that “On July 25, near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed five mortar positions, a VBIED storage facility, a VBIED, and ISIS equipment.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

In the last week (20th-27th) France reports carrying out two strikes in Raqqah, destroying two ISIL combat positions. Task Force (TF) Wagram carried out 21 artillery strikes in Mosul. The overall record of air activity since September 19th 2014 amounts to 1,324 strikes, 2,092 targets destroyed and 6,857 sorties.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION En Syrie, Dans la ville de Raqqah, Daech continue de perdre du terrain, jour après jour, face aux Forces Démocratiques Syriennes. Les combattants terroristes continuent néanmoins de disposer de solides positions défensives dans le cœur de la ville, à partir desquelles ils mènent des contre-attaques régulières et des actions de harcèlement. En Irak, Les forces de sécurités irakiennes poursuivent leurs opérations de sécurisation de la ville de Mossoul, face à des équipes isolées de combattants qui continuent de mener des actions symboliques de harcèlement. Dans le même temps, Daech consolide ses positions autour de Tal Afar, pour tenter de résister à l’offensive prochaine de la Coalition pour libérer aussi cette ville. Daech poursuit par ailleurs ses actions de diversion et de harcèlement, en se concentrant dans les régions de l’Anbar et d’Hawijah. Certaines actions ont également été menées cette semaine dans l’Ouest de l’Irak, dans la région de Rutbah. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 45 sorties aériennes dont 31 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), ainsi que 04 missions de recueil de renseignement et 06 de ravitaillement en vol. Un C135-FR récemment déployé a en effet réalisé de nombreuses missions en quelques jours à peine, soutenant ainsi, à son niveau, la bascule des efforts de la Coalition vers les autres bastions de Daech. Deux frappes ont été menées dans le cadre de la bataille de Raqqah, détruisant deux positions de combattants ennemies, au contact des troupes alliées engagées. De ces positions, des tireurs de Daech tenaient sous leur feu les soldats alliés à une centaine de mètres à peine. La Task Force (TF) Wagram a réalisé 21 missions de tir dont 07 de harcèlement et 14 d’éclairement. Ces missions interdisent une offensive de contre des terroristes vers Mossoul. Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève à 1 324 frappes, 2 092 objectifs détruits et 6 857 sorties. Le bilan global de l’activité artillerie atteint 1 331 missions.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]