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

Incident Code

CS960

Incident date

June 10, 2017

Location

الرقة, Raqqah, al Qadisiyyah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.946002, 38.981467 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Raqqah, Syria” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “ 104. June 10, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via NGO report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

The Coalition shared the military coordinates with Airwars: 37SDV9832877959. This correspondence with al-Qadisiyyah in Raqqa.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV9832877959
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 9th-10th: “Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, a VBIED, and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally added that “On June 9, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two VBIEDs, two weapons caches, and an ISIS staging area.”

For June 10th-11th: "Near Raqqah, 17 strikes [2 British] engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, four vehicles, two ISIS front-end loaders, two ISIS headquarters, an ISIS UAS and an ISIS barge."

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Saturday 10 June – In Raqqa, a Reaper struck a group of terrorists engaged in a fire fight with Syrian Democratic Forces, and Typhoons hit two tunnel entrances…The following day [June 10th] , a Reaper intervened in a fire fight in western Raqqa between the SDF and a group of Daesh fighters. The Reaper hit the latter with a very effective Hellfire attack. The same day, Paveway-armed Typhoons struck two entrances to a network of tunnels built beneath a factory in the north-east of the city.’

Unknown
  • English
    /
    Original

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1041

Incident date

June 19, 2017

Location

near Raqqah, Syria, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.

Incident Code

CS1537

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

Al Badou area, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.961778, 39.006083 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that an unspecififed number of civilians were wounded in a strike near the water company or water foundation in Raqqah’s al Badou neighbourhood.

The Step News Agency blamed the Coalition, while other sources also reported a raid on the area but did not apportion blame.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the water company (مؤسسة المیاه) in the Al Badou neighbourhood (البدو) and the National Hospital in the city of Raqqa. The coordinates for the water company are: 35.957479, 39.011271; and the coordinates for the National Hospital are: 35.949994, 39.003815.

  • The water company (مؤسسة المیاه) in the Al Badou neighbourhood (البدو) and the National Hospital in the city of Raqqa

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 27th-28th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 33 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 23 fighting positions, a vehicle, and an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed three ISIS tactical units.” It additionally reported that “Near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions.” And that “On Sept. 27, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle, a logistics node and a headquarters.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI131a

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Location

Qayyarah City Hall, Qayyarah City Hall area, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.78904, 43.28928 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

More than four years after the event, the Coalition finally conceded the death of a civilian during an October 2015 airstrike on Qayarrah.

According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmah Khan and Anand Gopal for the New York Times Magazine, one civilian was killed by a Coalition airstrike on Qayyarah in this incident.

According to their reporting, the following occurred: “On or near 10/30/2015, an airstrike on Qayyarah City Hall, which had been overtaken by ISIS, resulted in the death of civilian Abdullah Khudr Ali, a retired military officer, who’d been nearby, and was struck in the head by shrapnel.”

In its October 2019 civilian casualty assessment report, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the death, noting: “October 30, 2015, in Qayyarah, Iraq, via New York Times report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of the strike. Case # 2349 Location: 38SLE454619”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Khudr Ali
Adult male Retired military officer killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Qayyarah, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE454619
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • October 30, 2015, in Qayyarah, Iraq, via New York Times report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of the strike. Case # 2349 Location: 38SLE454619

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Iraq

Near Al Qaim, one strike struck an ISIL logistical facility.
Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL fighting position.
Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL staging area.
Near Ramadi, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL recoilless rifle, an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL weapons cache, three command and control nodes, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
Near Sinjar, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL
fighting positions and two ISIL bunkers.

Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and wounded an ISIL
fighter.

Near Tal Afar, one strike [Canadian] destroyed an ISIL checkpoint and wounded two ISIL fighters. Strike assessments are based on initial reports. All aircraft returned to base safely.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1962

Incident date

July 21, 2021

Location

خربة الجاموس, Kharbet Al Janous, Al Hassaka, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between one and three people, including a child, were killed and others were injured in Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) strikes on Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. Various sources report that a child was killed in the operation while other sources report that between one and three members of ISIS were killed.

The Syrian Arab News Agency reported that “Three persons were killed and many others were injured in an attack by US occupation warplanes in Jamous village, east Hasaka” and that the helicopters launched missiles at a house for several hours, killing and injuring all who were inside. Various other sources also referred to “three people” as being killed in the strikes.

Al Khabour posted on Facebook that three people, including a child, were killed “on the pretext of the presence of ISIS cells inside it”.

@modar28 tweeted that the SDF had raided a home and killed the child Osama Adnan Al-Hamid and “to hide the crime, they gave his coordinates to the American planes that the house contained ISIS cells, so the coalition aircraft destroyed the house in Karbet Al Jamous (Tal Hamis) village in Al Hassaka.” Haskaka News reported a similar story that ” the child “Osama Adnan Al-Hamid” was inside the house, and when he saw them, he fled outside the house, so [the Kurdish forces] shot him, killing him instantly.”

Jisr’s correspondent in Hasaka countryside reported that “two people were killed as a result of the attack, in addition to the death of a child who was close to the scene, after he was hit by a stray bullet”.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “the security operation targeted a house after the troops cordoned it off and calls the people inside the house to surrender, but the suspects resisted, as exchange of fire erupted between the two sides. Meanwhile, International Coalitions fighter jets intervened and bombarded the house, which caused the death of three suspects believed to be ISIS members who were inside the house.” Baladi News also quoted “sites close to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that the latter had raided a house containing three members of the “ISIS” organization.”

Tweets from @OIRSpox, the US Coalition spokesman, stated that “Today the Syrian Democratic Forces conducted a raid in the vicinity of Hasakah, Syria which resulted in the death of one Daesh terrorist. Coalition forces conducted two airstrikes on the building in support of our partner forces in contact and to ensure the terrorist threat was eliminated. The Coalition has the inherent right to defend our partner forces. No civilians were killed as a result of #SDF operations or  airstrikes. #Syria #Hasaka”

A day later, the @OIRSpox released a revised statement: ” Update: The SDF spokesman has provided an update to #SDF raid on a Daesh hideout on July 21, 2021. SDF reports that 2 Daesh gang members were KIA & 2 were arrested. The SDF requested air support after finding & removing a wounded child from the Daesh hideout. Believing that Daesh gang members were still hiding out in the house; an air strike was conducted. The child subsequently died from his wounds despite @Coalition medical efforts to save his life. The SDF is investigating the death of the child who was being held captive by Daesh during the attack. See below for more information or contact @Farhad_Shami SDF spokesman.”

However, the SDF statement recounts the events as “In order to support, coalition aircraft targeted the cell’s sites with two missiles eliminating two mercenaries while two other members were arrested. By searching the house, our special units discovered the body of a murdered child.” indicating that the child was killed in the strike.

Watan Radio’s correspondent indicated that “the SDF moved the bodies to an unknown location, without revealing the identity of their owners, while the US helicopters hovered for more than half an hour at the site of the operation after it ended.” Syria TV sources added that “a member of the “SDF” was injured during the clashes that took place, after which he was transferred to the mobile medical center of the SDF, and then he was transferred to Al-Hasakah Military Hospital.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Image of alleged US coalition strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by Syrian Arab News Agency)
  • #Khabour #Al-Hasakah Three people, including a child, were killed as international coalition aircraft targeted a house in the village of Khirbet al-Jamous in the Hasaka countryside on the pretext of the presence of ISIS cells inside it
  • Damage caused by alleged US coalition strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by RT Arabic)
  • Damage caused by alleged US coalition strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by RT Arabic)
  • Image of Osama Adnan Al-Hamid, who was killed in an alleged US Coalition-SDF raid on Karbet Al Jamous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by @modar28)
  • Image of the damage caused by Coalition and SDF strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by SDF)

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Syrian Democratic Forces

After a close monitoring and detecting process, the (SDF) counter-terrorism units dismantled, with a joint security operation on Wednesday, a dangerous terrorist cell affiliated with Daesh in Khirbet al-Jamous village, the eastern countryside of al-Hasakah.
The operation was supported by the coalition ISR and targeted a house that was used by the terrorists to hide. Among them are those responsible for committing assassinations against civilians and the security and military forces.
During the raid, one of our fighters was martyred due to clashes with the terrorists who opened fire on our forces in an attempt to escape. In order to support, coalition aircraft targeted the cell’s sites with two missiles eliminating two mercenaries while two other members were arrested.
By searching the house, our special units discovered the body of a murdered child, however; our forces will open an investigation into the detained mercenaries to find out why the child was there and the circumstances that led to his death.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of the damage caused by Coalition and SDF strikes on a home in Kharbet Al Janous on July 21, 2021. (Image posted by SDF)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

"Today the Syrian Democratic Forces conducted a raid in the vicinity of Hasakah, Syria which resulted in the death of one Daesh terrorist. Coalition forces conducted two airstrikes on the building in support of our partner forces in contact and to ensure the terrorist threat was eliminated. The Coalition has the inherent right to defend our partner forces. No civilians were killed as a result of #SDF operations or  airstrikes. #Syria #Hasaka"

A day later, the @OIRSpox released a revised statement: " Update: The SDF spokesman has provided an update to #SDF raid on a Daesh hideout on July 21, 2021. SDF reports that 2 Daesh gang members were KIA & 2 were arrested. The SDF requested air support after finding & removing a wounded child from the Daesh hideout. Believing that Daesh gang members were still hiding out in the house; an air strike was conducted. The child subsequently died from his wounds despite @Coalition medical efforts to save his life. The SDF is investigating the death of the child who was being held captive by Daesh during the attack. See below for more information or contact @Farhad_Shami SDF spokesman."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    1

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1995

Incident date

July 19, 2023

Location

تل الذهب, Tal Al Thahb in Al Dashisha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two brothers were killed by an operation declared by the SDF and involving the US-led Coalition in Tal Al Thahb, Al Dashisha on July 19, 2023. Sources are conflicted as to whether the men killed were civilians or members of ISIS.

Euphrates Post reported that two people, Muhammad Salem Al-Nazal (28 years old) and his brother Hammoud (25 years old), were killed during a raid carried out by the SDF and Coalition and their cousin Saleh Ahmed Al-Nazal was arrested.

Syria News quoted the local “Al-Khabour” website which stated that an SDF military force consisting of 20 vehicles raided a house in the the village of Abu Hamda in the Dashisha area, with the support of the international coalition aircraft, and clashed with a number of the villagers as well as damaging items in the house. Euphrates post gave an account that about 30 SDF vehicles participated in the operation which lasted for three areas and included drones.

The SDF announced that “On July 19, the Anti-Terrorism Units (YAT) of the Syrian Democratic Forces, with the support and participation of the Anti-Terrorism Forces in Southern Kurdistan (CTG) and the International Coalition, carried out an effective operation against a cell belonging to the terrorist organization ISIS in the town of Al-Dashisha, affiliated to Al-Shadada, where the cell was dismantled…The operation resulted in the killing of 2 members of the cell, the arrest of one of its members alive, and the seizure of a quantity of weapons and ammunition, which are as follows: 2 AK-47 weapons, 2 phones, 1 pistol, 1 bomb, 8 AK-47 magazines, 3 pistol stores, 1 quiver, 1 hunting rifle.” The US has not released a statement acknowledging their role in the operation.

Al Jazeera referred to both of the brothers, Hamoud and Muhammad, as civilians and Syria News, quoting Al-Khabour, reported that the two brothers killed worked in sheep rearing.

In a civilian casualty assessment released on November 30th 2023, the Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, claiming that “Based on a thorough review of all available information, the allegation was found not credible because any potentially corroborating operation affected only legitimate military targets, with no civilian casualties attributable to U.S. or Coalition Forces.”

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Muhammad Salem Al-Nazal (28 years old) and his brother Hammoud (25 years old), killed by SDF/Coalition operations in Deir Ezzor on July 19, 2023. (Image posted by Rasd News)
  • One of the victims killed by SDF/Coalition operations in Deir Ezzor on July 19, 2023. (Image posted by @Sharqya_reporte)
  • One of the victims killed by SDF/Coalition operations in Deir Ezzor on July 19, 2023. (Image posted by @Sharqya_reporte)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2023
  • July 19, 2023, near Deir Ezzor, Syria, via Airwars report. Based on a thorough review of all available information, the allegation was found not credible because any potentially corroborating operation affected only legitimate military targets, with no civilian casualties attributable to U.S. or Coalition Forces. 3339 / CS1995 / 37SFV9349481454.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI173

Incident date

January 7, 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 media service Hit News claimed that Coalition airstrikes had struck a residential building in Hit. No further details are presently available.

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.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKC985246
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • Jan. 7, 2016, in Hit, 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. 2890/CI173 38SKC985246

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For January 6th-7th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Hit, two strikes struck an ISIL VBIED factory.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI338

Incident date

November 14, 2016

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.97785, 42.57989 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Tal Afar, Iraq.

Their March 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “Nov. 14, 2016, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS checkpoint it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when the vehicle he was driving approached the checkpoint just prior to the munition’s impact.”

The Coalition had previously announced in January 2017 that they were investigating a possible civilian casualty event at Tal Afar that had happened six weeks earlier.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.375659, 42.451536

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
    1
  • Stated location
    near Tal Afar, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKE818842
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017
  • Nov. 14, 2016, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS checkpoint it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when the vehicle he was driving approached the checkpoint just prior to the munition’s impact.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 13th-14th, the Coalition reported at the time that “Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed an ISIL-held repeater tower.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition