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

CI246

Incident date

June 2, 2016

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

Four civilians were reported killed and 20 others wounded, and three members of Daesh died, after Coalition drone allegedly targeted an ISIS car, according to local sources.

Nineveh Operations Command said that a “Hyundai” vehicle carrying three Daesh members was struck near a garage which sold chickens. The source said that “corpses littered the street“.

In December 2018 the Coalition classed the allegation as non-credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm, noting: “June 2, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 30, 2018

  • June 2, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports for June 1st – 2nd “ Near Mosul, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL assembly area and suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun position.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS244

Incident date

June 30, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two families were reported killed in an alleged Coalition dawn airstrike on Manbij, in the vicinity of the city’s al Lamiya roundabout. According to Manbij Mother of the World, nine civilians were buried at the Al Sheikh Akeel cemetery.

Six ISIL fighters reportedly died in an apparent strike on an anti-aircraft position. But the nearby home of Mustapha al Hamdoni was also struck, leading the deaths of his daughters and their chldren.

Halab Today placed the civilian death toll at 10, while the Syrian Network said seven died. All reports blamed the Coalition.

A later Syrian Network investigation reported the following: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted a residential building near Al Lamba circle. The building is owned by Mr. Kamel Mustafa Al Hamdoni. The bombardment resulted in the killing of seven civilians from Al Hamdoni family including three children and three women whose names weren’t acquired (They are the daughters and grandsons of Kamel Mustafa Al Hamdoni).

Residents in the area told us that ISIS, who were controlling the city at the time, occupied the lower floor of Al Hamdoni building and some of the military vehicles and cars belonging to ISIS stationed in front of the building before the bombing. The city is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.“

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Daughters and grandsons of Kamel Mustafa Al Hamdoni
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Yusuf Shabib
Age unknown male killed
Yusuf Shabib's son
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Shabib
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Deeb Shabib
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3–7 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.51003, 37.94878

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Manbij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA0586841035
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • June 30, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 2996/CS244 37SDA0586841035

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

June 30, 2016, near Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available
evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as
a result of a Coalition strike. 2996/CS244 37SDA0586841035

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3–7 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS269

Incident date

July 18, 2016

Location

التوخار كبير, Tokhar Kabir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.6398429, 37.9810023 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to sixteen civilians including two or more children were reported killed in an alleged noon Coalition airstrike on Al Tokhar, a village near Manbij in northern Aleppo governorate.

In its own report on the event the Syrian Network noted: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted a residential house that is owned by Al Durj family in northwestern Al Toukhar village, affiliated to Manbej city in the eastern suburbs of Aleppo governorate, which resulted in the killing of 16 civilians – most of whom were from the same family – including two children. Al Toukhar village was under the control of ISIS on the day of the incident and it is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.”

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 (9)

Ali Mohammad Al Durj
Age unknown male killed
Hasan Ibrahim Al Durj
Age unknown male killed
Son of Hasan Ibrahim Al Durj
Child male killed
Son of Hasan Ibrahim Al Durj
Child male killed
Ahmad Ali Al Akhras Al Durj
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Hasan Ibrahim Al Durj
Child male killed
Hasan Mohammad Ali Al Durj
Age unknown male killed
Khalaf Mohammad Ali Al Durj
killed
Hussein Saad Ali Al Durj
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Aboud Shaikh Al Haji
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Shaikh Al Haji
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Bakkar Ali Bakkar Al Emiri
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Hussein Al Hamid Al Emiri
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Abd Al Hmeidi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 16
  • (2–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 5 people killed in coalition raids on al Tokhaz village north of Manbij.
  • Translation: activists: 8 martyrs including women and children in coalition raids on al Tokhaz village near Manbij in the Aleppo countryside.
  • Some of the victims killed in the alleged air strike (via Al Tokhar al Kabir)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, 11 strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 22 ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 16
  • (2–4 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI276

Incident date

August 15, 2016

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

Four civilians were reported killed and 24 injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mosul, as the battle for the ISIL-occupied city intensified.

No additional details are presently known. See the following report.

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ 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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF293239
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • Aug. 15, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2990/CI276 38SLF293239

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 14th-15th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and an ISIL improvised explosive device assembly area and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, six ISIL assembly areas, two ISIL command and control nodes, and one ISIL vehicle borne IED and suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun position and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS316

Incident date

September 17, 2016

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A reported drone strike at al Tabaqa “led to the martyrdom of Ibrahim Mahmoud al Said and the injury of a woman and two children,” according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered. ISIL claimed the drone was American. VDC also named the victim, though said the aircraft as ‘unidentified’.

The Syrian Network reported that “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired missiles that targeted Al Tabaqa city, located in the western suburbs of Al Raqqa and is under the control of ISIS, which resulted in the killing of Mr. Ibrahim Ismail Mahmoud Al Saeed.”

In its February 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition said it was assessing the incident: “Currently, 10 reports of civilian casualties are still being assessed: 2: Sept. 17, 2016, near Al Tabqah, Syria, via self-report.” In June, the Coalition denied any casualties: “Sept. 17, 2016, near Al Tabqah, Syria, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Due to the multiple reports and named victim associated with this event, Airwars continues to class ths incident as likely.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibraheem Ismael Mahmoud al-Saeed
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • So-called islamic State blamed "an Ammerican drone" for a strike on September 17th 2016 which reportedly killed one civilian
  • Translation: al raqqa al Tabaqa - a drone raid near the sports city in al Tabaqa led to the death of Ibrahim Ismail Mahmoud al Said and the injury of a woman and two girls.
  • Translation: Ibrahim Ismail Mahmoud al Said who was killed following a drone raid targeting al tabaqa was a civilian and not from Daesh.
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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 16th-17th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL training compound, an oil well head, an oil pump jack, and two oil storage tanks.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Saturday 17 September – a Reaper took part in a coalition air attack in eastern Syria that was alleged to have struck Syrian regime forces by mistake. Another Reaper provided close air support to Iraqi troops near Qayyarah… On Saturday 17 September, a Reaper joined other coalition aircraft in a strike against a reported Daesh position south of Dayr az Zawr in Syria, but this was later alleged to have in fact been a position held by Syrian regime forces; a detailed investigation into the incident is being conducted by the coalition.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI297

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Location

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.157604, 43.257238 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the second day of the offensive to recapture Mosul, Coalition strikes reportedly damaged a medical center in the south of the city leaving several dead, including at least three children.

Al Rafidain Network for Human Rights reported that “American” bombings targeted a health center in Hamam al-Alil, south of Mosul. Ahmed Mashal posted that an “American bombing raid” hit the center, leaving a number of “civilian casualties, including children.”

A graphic video posted on social media, appearing to originate from an ISIL-controlled outlet, showed at least three children dead wrapped in blankets. What appear to be portions of the medical center are reduced to rubble.

Given reported British actions in the area that day, Airwars flagged the incident to the UK’s MoD which said ” we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the event. However given that RAF strikes were reported south east of Mosul, Airwars has requested further clarification.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (4) [ 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 October 17th-18th the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and two staging areas; destroyed 10 mortar systems, five artillery systems, four ISIL-held buildings, four fighting positions, four vehicles, two supply caches, two repeater tower generators, a VBIED facility, and a VBIED; and suppressed four tactical units and three rocket positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI317

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.368483, 43.184281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, three members of a family, as well as a father and son, were killed by mortar fire in eastern Mosul.

Mosul Eye reported that mortars fell on apartment buildings, and killed a family of 3.

Mosul Kadema named the two victims and published their pictures.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Waleed Tamer
Age unknown male killed
Abus Rahma
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image of Waleed Thamer, killed after mortars fell on Mosul (Via @mosul.kadema)
  • An image of Abus Rahma, killed after mortars fell on Mosul (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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 1st-2nd, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed four vehicles, a mortar system, and a fighting position; damaged two fighting positions; and suppressed three tactical units, two heavy machine guns, and a mortar system.”

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
    5
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI334

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A coalition airstrike allegedly killed three civilians in Seada village in western Anbar, According to multiple sources.

Several local outlets reported the deaths of three civilians from Coalition bombings. Al Qiam news named two victims as.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hamid Badawi Mahlawi
Adult male Via ALQAIM ALHADATH1 killed
Zidane Wadi Marsoumi
Adult male Via ALQAIM ALHADATH1 killed

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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture of the three civilians who were killed in an alleged coalition in Seada village in western Anbar (via Samarra Tv)

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 Qa'im, Iraq
    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 November 13th-14th, the Coalition reported “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a bunker.”

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 (7) [ collapse]