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

CS058

Incident date

February 23, 2015

Location

الجيسي, Al Jesse, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.786346, 41.520186 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that a coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Al Hassakah had killed three unnamed civilians: “The car was bombed while it was on the bridge of a village near the town [of Al Hassakah] which led to the death of three civilians, displaced from the city of Tal Hamis,” according to Thawrah. The location was identified by other sources as the village of al-Jesse

According to Step Agency, the international coalition had targeted a number of militant vehicles in the vicinity that day: “From its side coalition flights struck ISIL gatherings in the countryside of the town of Tal Tamer after it took control of several villages and had seized several SUVs from Kurdish units. These cars were targeted by the coalition with strikes.” However Step Agency also described those killed in al-Jesse as non-combatants.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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]

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
    a:1:{i:0;s:24:"insufficient_information";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al-Jaysee, al-Hassakah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 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

The coalition has confirmed multiple airstrikes in the region. For February 22nd-23rd it notes: “Near Al Hasakah, 11 airstrikes struck ten ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL bunker and an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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

CS066

Incident date

May 6, 2015

Location

الغرة, Al-Gharah, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.4506988, 40.2984953 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 65-year old man was killed in an alleged Coalition strike according to two separate investigations by international news organisations.

According to his son Ahmed, Mr Hassan was walking to work in his village when shrapnel from a Coalition strike punctured his heart and leg and killed him: “He didn’t support any group,” Hassan told the Buzzfeed news site by phone from southern Turkey. “He just wanted to work and take care of his family.”

A separate investigation by the Global Post gives a detailed description of the reported lethal strike: “The first bomb fell on that road [to Hassakah] between 10 and 11 in the morning on May 6. Then a plane started circling over the village. People were afraid to stay in their homes. They ran into the open. Al Hassan’s father, Ismail, tried to run as well. But he was too late. The villagers remember seeing the plane point its nose down and dive, dropping a bomb. It then climbed away. Al Hassan’s father lay on the ground in a crumpled heap, dead, in front of the ruins of his house.”

US officials initially denied that a strike had taken place in the vicinity. Responding to a query from Airwars, Centcom informed us on October 27th 2015 for example that “The Coalition did not conduct strikes in the vicinity of al Ghara village on May 6.”

However, pressed by Global Post investigators CENTCOM reported in January 2016 that it would reinvestigate the incident.

 

The incident occured between 10:00 am and 11:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Ismail Ali Hassan
65 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al-Gharah (الغرة), Al-Hasakah Governorate, for which the coordinates of its midpoint are: 36.4506988, 40.2984953

  • Al-Gharah (الغرة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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-Gharah, al-Hassakah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 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

No strikes were reportedly carried out by the Coalition in Syria on May 5th-6th. However, for May 6th-7th 2015 it was reported that “Near Al Hasakah, four airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying 12 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL trench system and an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI079

Incident date

June 29, 2015

Location

حديثة, Haditha, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.22691, 42.14598 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown case, CENTCOM reported on January 15th 2015 that US aircraft injured or possbily killed two or more civilians after an attack on an ISIL tactical unit and vehicles:

According to the statement: “On June 29, 2015, near Haditha, Iraq, during strikes against one ISIL tactical unit and two ISIL vehicles, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. After the U.S. aircraft engaged the target and two seconds prior to impact, a car slowed in front of the ISIL vehicles while a motorcycle simultaneously passed by. The target vehicle was destroyed in the strike but there was insufficient evidence to determine the level of injuries to the civilians operating the passing car and motorcycle.”

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for the event to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 34.1460894, 42.3802758.

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Haditha, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKC371910
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 15, 2016

  • On June 29, 2015, near Haditha, Iraq, during strikes against one ISIL tactical unit and two ISIL vehicles, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. After the U.S. aircraft engaged the target and two seconds prior to impact, a car slowed in front of the ISIL vehicles while a motorcycle simultaneously passed by. The target vehicle was destroyed in the strike but there was insufficient evidence to determine the level of injuries to the civilians operating the passing car and motorcycle.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

In its original published report for June 29th-30th 2015, the Coalition noted only that “Near Haditha, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL vehicles.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS108

Incident date

July 30, 2015

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five members of one family including three children were killed in a reported 1.30am Coalition strike on the Syria-Iraq border, according to two sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted the following: “Suspected US-led coalition warplanes carried out several raids after midnight on places around Aysha hospital and other places around the city of al- Bokamal to the east of Deir Ezzor, leading to the death of a man, his wife and one of their children, while others were wounded.”

The Syrian Network published a later investigation, citing an eyewitness it named as Mr. Alaa: “I woke up at the sound of an explosion at about 1:30 a.m…. I went to the building’s roof to see what happened, and I was able to estimate the shelling location. It was near the cement factory and I heard the people’s screams. I went directly to the shelling location and saw great destruction. One of the rockets fell in the middle of a road next to a 2 story building, while the other fell in the middle of that house. Blood and body parts were scattered on the walls and on the road. The victims were transported to the hospital and I tried to enter it too but ISIL’s members prohibited us due to the fear of another airstrike. I heard that 5 individuals from Hasso family were killed in the shelling.”

In its civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed this event as ‘not credible, asserting: “July 30, 2015, in Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2807/CS108 37SFU752155”.

Officials published a location for the event to within 100 metres of where they had remotely assessed the incident.

The incident occured at 01:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Rihad Jasem Al Barghash
45 years old female Ahmad Mohamad Al Hasso’s wife killed
Mohamad Ahmad Mohamad Al Hasso
21 years old male killed
Ritaj Khodor Al Hasso
4 years old female killed
Batoul Rabee’ Al Hasso
5 years old female killed
Wisal Rabee’ Al Hasso
12 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Child victim of a reported Coalition strike at Bukamal, Syria on July 30 2015 [Via: SN4HR report of 11th August 2015. Logo on image is of ISIL-affiliated media]
  • Mapping by the Syrian Network for Human Rights showing the proximity of Al Hassou family home where five members of the family were killed, to likely Coalition target

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of a reported Coalition strike at Bukamal, Syria on July 30 2015 [Via: SN4HR report of 11th August 2015. Logo on image is of ISIL-affiliated media]
  • Image of injured child from the strike at al Bukamal, Syria on July 30 2015. [Via: SN4HR report of 11th August 2015. Logo on image is of ISIL-affiliated media]

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 Abu Kamal, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU752155
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • July 30, 2015, in Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2807/CS108 37SFU752155

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Heavy Coalition airstrikes were reported at Dayr az Zawr for July 30th-31st 2015: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, 17 airstrikes [1 Canadian at Bukamal] struck eight ISIL staging areas, three ISIL bridges, four ISIL checkpoints, an ISIL training area and an ISIL logistics site.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • 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

Incident Code

CS126

Incident date

September 16, 2015

Location

جديد عقيدات, Jadid Akidat, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.24999, 40.36017 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were reported killed and 10 injured in either a Coalition or Assad regime airstrike.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Six civilians were killed including children while no less than 10 others were wounded by the aerial bombardment by the U.S led coalition warplanes in Jadid Akidat in the eastern countryside of Der-Ezzor this morning.”

The monitoring group later added that a woman was among the dead. Smart News also reported the deaths and injuries of “a number of civilians.”

Qasioun instead described an afternoon Coalition targeted strike on a vehicle, and made no mention of civilian casualties. And the Syrian Press Centre attributed the raid to Assad regime aircraft, stating that “Regime warplanes targeted houses in the village of Jadid Akidat which led to the wounding of five civilians. They also targeted in another raid the head quarters of Al Zakat (Islamic tax) belonging to IS which led to the death of 3 IS members.”

In its monthly civilian harm assessment report for November 2019 – published on January 2nd 2020 – the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: ”September 16, 2015, in Jadid Akidat, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2831/CS126 37SFV237016″.

The Coalition provided geolocates, indicating to within 100 metres the area on which it had focused its assessment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 Regime
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Euphrates post tweet that violent explosions rock al Jofra field and Jadid Akidat village due to alleged coalition raids. 14th September 2015
  • Euphrates Post tweets that regime planes target a pick up car in Jadid Akidat killing 4 Daesh members. 16th September 2015
  • Euphrates Post tweet the death of Abu al Baraa, a finance officer from ISIL in warplane shelling which killed 8 and injured 13. 16th September 2015

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 Jadid Akidat, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV237016
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2020

  • September 16, 2015, in Jadid Akidat, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2831/CS126 37SFV237016

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Only one Coalition strike was reported for Syria for September 16th-17th 2015: “Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 Regime
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI126

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Location

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.4618824, 42.6849747 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian taxi was reportedly destroyed in a Coalition airstrike at Kisik Junction north west of Mosul, killing up to eight civilians including two children and a woman. A girl reportedly survived the attack. The event, described as an evening airstrike, led to the deaths of a number of named victims. The Coalition has confirmed striking an ‘ISIL vehicle’ on this date at Kisik.

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.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Anwar Mohammed Jamil
Adult male held a Masters in computing and mathematics from Mosul University, died operating a taxi which was bringing the al Fadhi family back from the Turkish border. killed
Abdullah Fathi Al Fadhi
Adult male was reported killed with his wife and at least two of their children, including a girl and a boy (pictured below) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (2 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Ammar Anwar Mohammed Jamil, reportedly killed in a Coalition strike at Kisik Junction, Oct 18th 2015 (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Abdullah Fathi Al Fandi (via Mosul Ateka)
  • The Al Fandi children (via Mosul Ateka)

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
    38SKF926377
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 18, 2015, in Kisik Junction, 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. 2843/CI126 38SKF926377

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition has confirmed an airstrike at Kisik for October 18th-19th 2015: “Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and wounded an ISIL fighter.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (2 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI150

Incident date

December 5, 2015

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Warrar, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.429722, 43.277222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that at least five civilians – mostly children and women from two displaced families – were killed and six to 12 wounded after an aerial bombing of their home in the Warrar area of Ramadi.

Al Samaria quoted what it said was an anonymous source in the Daesh-occupied city: “Two missiles from military aircraft landed today on two houses in downtown Ramadi, killing five people, including women and children, and wounding six others, including women and children… The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, and the bodies to the forensic medicine department.”

A number of graphic photos depicted dead and injured children.

In a posting since deleted, Al Fallujah News described the attack as the result of “government shelling,” and also posted video of a 2am attack on the city which it said was by government forces.

In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence: “Dec. 5, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

However given the confirmed proximity of Coalition strikes on the day, Airwars is seeking additional clarification.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1–4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–12
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of the supposed victims and the aftermath of the attack
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 Ramadi, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information 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

The Coalition reported continued heavy strikes at Ramadi for December 4th-5th 2015: “Near Ramadi, seven strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL bunker, two ISIL VBIEDs, 15 ISIL fighting positions, 12 ISIL buildings, three ISIL light machine guns, three ISIL RPGs, an ISIL anti-air artillery piece, an ISIL assembly area, five ISIL staging areas, an ISIL weapons cache, and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (1–4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–12
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS163

Incident date

January 7, 2016

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1320519, 38.9661026 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight children and three women were widely reported killed, in what most sources claimed to be a Coalition airstrike.

While Raqqah is Being Slaughtered and Radio Alkul did not attribute the attack, the Syrian Observatory blamed the Coalition: “Eight children and three citizen women were killed in a bombing by the international coalition’s warplanes on Khuzaymah village at the northern countryside of Al-Raqqah city, which is witnessing clashes between Syrian Democratic Forces against the “Islamic State.” The eight bodies of the children were brought to hospitals in Al-Raqqah city, while the bodies of the women were buried.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 12
  • (8 children3 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 (9) [ 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

The Coalition declared a strike in the vicinity of Ayn Isa, Al Raqqah governorate for January 7th-8th 2016: “Near Ayn Isa, two strikes destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and suppressed a separate ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 12
  • (8 children3 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 (9) [ collapse]