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

CI210

Incident date

March 30, 2016

Location

يت, Hit, Qalqa neighbourhood, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.6425, 42.821944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike on the Qalqa neighbourhood of Hit resulted in 20 civilians reportedly injured, and one child was killed.

According to Hit News, the home of gas seller Lutfi Abu was also hit.

News of Iraq quoted what it said was a local source: “Warplanes of the international coalition bombed residential areas behind Hit general hospital… the bombing destroyed a number of civilian houses, and led to the martyrdom and wounding of 20 civilians.”

In its monthly casualty report for July 2017, the Coalition noted two allegations for Hit, both of which it dated to March 31st 2016 (see also I180a). It stated for Qaiqa that “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.”

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

Given the available evidence for this report including heavy strikes on Hit that day, Airwars has requested co-ordinates from the Coalition to better understand for which vicinity it conducted its assessment.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bakir Hassan Nadir
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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]

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 Hit, 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

For March 30th-31st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Hit, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL safe house and destroyed two ISIL supply caches, 15 ISIL rockets, three ISIL bunkers, and an ISIL tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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

RS746

Incident date

March 30, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News Network reported that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a Russian strike in Douma: “Two civilians were martyred in Al Marj area in Russian raids and one was martyred and others wounded in Douma.”

However, other sources report that this was a regime action. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported for example “regime warplanes shelling in Ar-Rawda mosque in Douma which caused partial damage.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Damage to Ar-Rawda mosque, Douma, after a strike on March 30th. All sources blamed the regime.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in Eastern Ghouta for March 30th-31st.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI211

Incident date

March 31, 2016

Location

Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

The Al Najmawi family’s flour mill in Granary Street, eastern Mosul was struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike, leading to casualties among the civilian workers inside.

Qoraish reported that the attack took place at the 10.30am local time, with two strikes approximately five minutes apart. It claimed there were no Daesh forces present.

NRN News said one person civilian died his uncle – factory director was injured along with three other workers.

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

The incident occured at 10:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Salah Riyad Haj Saeed Al Najmawi
Adult male killed
Ghassan Al Najmawi
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • The picture of Salah Riyad Haj Saeed Al Najmawi, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike on the flour mill in Mosul, on March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Coalition strike on flour mill in Mosul, on March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Coalition strike on flour mill in Mosul, on March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
  • The aftermath of airstrike shows an ISIS fighter in the flour mill that was reportedly hit by a Coalition strike, Mosul, March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF380253
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • March 31, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2917/CI211 38SLF380253

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 30th-31st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, eight strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL bed down location, two ISIL safe houses, an ISIL fighting position, and suppressed two ISIL mortar firing positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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

CI212

Incident date

March 31, 2016

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.352084, 43.783178 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed Coalition aircraft struck the Haswa and Jumeila neighbourhoods in Fallujah at around 9.30pm, hitting civilian homes and causing the deaths of five civilians including two children, and the wounding of seven more civilians.

Al Sharqiya published the most detailed report, saying that Coalition aircraft strikes “resulted in the deaths of five people, all of them women and children, and the wounding of seven others, in addition to inflicting massive destruction on a number of houses.”

Multiple sources named some victims. And also, Iraqi Revolution named two of the wounded children.

However, the source News Fallujah Now reported that “explosive barrels” had been dropped on Fallujah, killing two children – meaning that the regime may have been responsible.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Fatima Abed Jassim Al Essawi
Adult female killed
Salah Abbas Jassim al-Issawi
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

The wife of Ghazi Khalaf al-Ali al-Jumail
Child female (via Fayad Fayad blog) killed
Ahmed Ghazi Khalaf Ali Al Jumeily
Child male (via Fayad Fayad blog) killed
unnamed daughter of Ghazi Khalaf Ali Al Jumeily
Child female (via Fayad Fayad blog) killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Salah Abbas
Child male (Iraqi Revolution) injured
Osama Salah al-Shami
Child male (Iraqi Revolution) injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • An image of the wife of Ghazi Khalaf al-Ali al-Jumaili, reported killed along with her two children in an alleged Coalition strike on Fallujah March 31st (via Fayad Fayad blog) the wife.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the injured child followed the alleged Coalition strike on Fallujah March 31st (via Fayad Fayad blog).
  • An image shows the child (Ahmed Ghazi Khalaf Ali Al Jumeily) who was killed following the alleged Coalition strike on Fallujah March 31st (via Fayad Fayad blog).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows the injured child followed the alleged Coalition strike on Fallujah March 31st (via Fayad Fayad blog).
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLB867909
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • March 31, 2016, in Fallujah, 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. 2918/CI212 38SLB867909

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 31st-April 1st 2016, the Coalition has publicly declared no airstrikes in the vicinity of Fallujah.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI213

Incident date

March 31, 2016

Location

يت, Hit, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.642631, 42.8278537 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that Coalition aircraft targeted a civilian car in Hit and killed the driver, who was said to have no links to so-called Islamic State.

According to News of Iraq, the aircraft had been targeting a Daesh VBIED “driven by a suicide bomber” but that the attack also led to the destruction of another car and the killing of a civilian driver with no links to Daesh.

Its source added: “There is presently a heavy engagement by international aircraft above Hit, with the aim of bombing areas under the control of Daesh in preparation for an attack by government forces on the city centre.”

In its monthly casualty report for July 2017, the Coalition noted two allegations for Hit, both of which is dated to March 31st 2016. It stated that “The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 Hit, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 30th-31st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Hit, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL safe house and destroyed two ISIL supply caches, 15 ISIL rockets, three ISIL bunkers, and an ISIL tunnel.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS194

Incident date

March 31, 2016

Location

الصالحية, Sala Heya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.82738, 43.38919 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians in an artillery strike near Sala Heya.

Their December 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIL mortar system, it was assessed that three civilians were inadvertently killed by Coalition counter-battery artillery near the point of origin of an ISIL mortar strike on friendly forces.”

Reports from the day made no mention of the Coalition, instead blaming the Assad regime. Baladi News noted that “Warplane shelling in Sala Heya, Kanamat, Jafar and Mariya in East of Syria killed a civilian and wounded others.” LCCSY reported that “Abdulla Sibhi al-Zaid, from #Jiaa village, was martyred due to targeting #Salhia neighbourhood with airstrikes yesterday.”

A day later Sin News said that 34 ISIL fighters had died in Coalition strikes on the town.

In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulla Sibhi al-Zaid
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest district at 35.336, 40.145

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
    3
  • Stated location
    near Sala Heya, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE545660
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 1, 2016

  • March 31, 2016, near Sala Heya, Syria: During a strike on an ISIL mortar system, it was assessed that three civilians were inadvertently killed by Coalition counter-battery artillery near the point of origin of an ISIL mortar strike on friendly forces.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Artillery strikes are not reported as part of daily Coalition press reports.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS195

Incident date

April 1, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.95268, 39.00776 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A targeted airstrike on Daesh officials in vehicles outside the Al Nour mosque in Al Daraiyeh also killed up to five civilians and injured as many as 30 more.

The US later admitted responsibility for the attack, noting: “near Raqqah, Syria, against ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that three civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

According to Bas News, “a US drone today struck two cars belonging to Daesh leaders in Raqqa after Friday prayer near Al Nour mosque in the city centre. Activists confirmed that the bombing resulted in the deaths of three senior leaders of the organization, one of Iraqi nationality, as well as wounding more than ten others. Daash sites confirmed the news of the raid and resulting deaths.”

But Enabaladi reported Al A’amaq as saying that “Three civilians were killed and others injured when a drone targeted a mosque in the city of Raqqa, during Friday prayers.” And Syria News Desk claimed five non-combatants died.

Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered later named Hamidi Abboud al Hamidi as a civilian killed in the attack.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamidi Abboud al Hamidi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The Al Nour mosque in Raqqa after it was hit in a likely Coalition targeted strike April 1st (via Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered)
  • Hamidi Abboud al Hamidi (via RBSS)
  • Photos of the damage caused at Al Nour mosque and the surrounding area following a raid by a drone. (via RBSS)
  • Photos of the damage caused at Al Nour mosque and the surrounding area following a raid by a drone. (via RBSS)
  • Photos of the damage caused at Al Nour mosque and the surrounding area following a raid by a drone. (via RBSS)
  • Photos of the damage caused at Al Nour mosque and the surrounding area following a raid by a drone. (via RBSS)
  • Photos of the damage caused at Al Nour mosque and the surrounding area following a raid by a drone. (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.9505639, 39.0094148

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected 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 deaths conceded
    3
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV007787
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition

  • against ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that three civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 1st-2nd, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI214

Incident date

April 3, 2016

Location

حي الجري, Hit, Jerri and Amina, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.638333, 42.822778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Locals reported that eight civilians died after the Coalition or Iraq government aircraft struck the Jerri and Amina neighbourhoods of Hit. The Coalition has denied responsibility.

Among those killed was a family of six: a Facebook tribute page noted: “This is a picture of the martyr Riad Ahmed Rzeyk, who was forced out of his house in the Railway Quarter by Daash, and so moved to the Aminah neighbourhood. There his house was bombed by mistake which led to his martyrdom and that of his four children and his wife.”

While most blamed the US-led Coalition, Iraqi Spring instead blamed “the air force” – possibly a reference to the Iraqi military.

Multiple sources published eight victim names.

In its July 2017 monthly casualty report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of having conducted no strikes in the near vicinity: “April 3, 2016, near Hit, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Riad Ahmed Rzeyk
Adult (via Hiet News al-Hadath) killed
wife Raghad
Adult (via Hiet News al-Hadath) killed
Child 1
Child (via Hiet News al-Hadath) killed
Child 2
Child (via Hiet News al-Hadath) killed
Child 3
Child (via Hiet News al-Hadath) killed
Child 4
Child (via Hiet News al-Hadath) killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ghassan Khashan
Adult male (via Heet News) killed
Ahmed Shaban abd Al Rahman Al Hiti
Age unknown male (via Heet News) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1 woman2–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture of the victims who were killed after al alleged Coalition or Iraq government airstrike on the Jerri and Amina neighbourhoods of Hit, April 3rd (via Heet al-Hadath News).
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 Hit, 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

For April 2nd-3rd 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Hit, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL used-bridge, an ISIL VBIED factory, 22 ISIL boats, and an ISIL bed down location and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1 woman2–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]