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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US-led Coalition
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Incident Code

CS074

Incident date

June 7, 2015

Location

دالي حسن, Dali Hasan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.56301, 38.369558 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights posted a video which it said showed “the destruction caused by an international Coalition air strike on a house in Dali Hasan killing seven civilians from one family, including 5 children and a woman.”

In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters firing on friendly forces from a moving vehicle. Coalition aircraft executed a strike on the vehicle in self-defense of the friendly forces. Regrettably, it is more likely than not that seven civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity to the blast.”

The Syrian Observatory also attributed the event to the Coalition, with the event occuring at 4am. Villagers were afraid to approach the house for four hours for fear of more strikes, it was later reoprted by eyewitnesses.

Those killed were a man and his wife along with their six children, named by Halab News as Tahani (aged 12), Fatima (11), Aboud (9), Mohammad (aged 5), Ziad aged two and an unnamed infant.

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

The incident occured at approximately 4:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Eisa al-Hasan al-Shareef
Adult male killed
Lamia Abo Dahham
Adult female Eisa's wife killed
Tahani
12 years old female killed
Fatima
11 years old female killed
Aboud
9 years old male killed
Mohammad
5 years old male killed
Ziad
2 years old male killed
Infant
Age unknown child of Eisa and Lamia killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged coalition strike on Dali Hasan in Aleppo, June 7th 2015. [Via: SN4HR]
  • The image of the house targeted in Dali Hasan village. [Via: IS-affiliated Al'A'amaq news agency]

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dali Hasan (دالي حسن) near Sareen (صرين), Aleppo Governorate. Airwars was unable to locate Dali Hasan (دالي حسن), but geolocated images of the incident to the exact location of the destroyed building: 36.56301, 38.369558, in the village of Ra’s al Ayn al Qibli (رأس العين القبلي)

  • Village of Ra's al Ayn al Qibli (رأس العين القبلي) with the building marked in red

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Composite of stills taken from video, allegedly of the incident

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Syrian Network for Human Rights

  • Satellite imagery showing structural damage (left: 4 February, 2014; right: 17 May 2016)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    7
  • Stated location
    near Dali Hasan, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA436466
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • June 7, 2015, near Dali Hasan, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters firing on friendly forces from a moving vehicle. Coalition aircraft executed a strike on the vehicle in self-defense of the friendly forces. Regrettably, it is more likely than not that seven civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity to the blast.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition reported a single strike in the vicinity of Aleppo for June 6th-7th 2015: “Near Aleppo, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL ant-aircraft artillery piece and an ISIL fighting position.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI114

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Location

داقوق, Duquq, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.1352647, 44.2513895 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A strike by what at the time was an unknown aircraft killed eight civilians in Yurgon (or Alarkon) village near Duquq, according to local reports. The US led Coalition admitted responsibility for seven deaths in March 2020.

Waradana at the time cited one anonymous source: “The bombing led to the destruction of a number houses… The village is still under the control of Daesh terrorists, who take civilians as human shields, and prevent them from dispersing to areas controlled by the Iraqi government.”

Citing an anonymuos security source, NINA said that the village was located on a Daesh supply route: “International coalition aircraft bombed a residential house at the entrance to Alarkon village south of Kirkuk, which led to the martyrdom of an entire family of seven including men, women and children.”

In March 2020, the US-led Coalition conceded the event, noting that “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh fighters. Regrettably, seven civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike.”

The Coalition provided assessment coordinates accurate to within 100m

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the town level at 35.140191, 44.446261.

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
    7
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Duquq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SMD318883
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020

  • Sept. 27, 2015 near Duquq, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh fighters. Regrettably, seven civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike. 2835/CI114 38SMD318883

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

One strike was reported neat Kirkuk for September 26th-27th 2015: “Near Kirkuk, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI778

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.339981, 43.124292 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of seven civilians in an event in Mosul.

Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that seven civilians, not observed near the target before the engagement, were unintentionally killed.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location for this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The location given placed the event just off Mosul’s Nineveh street.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    Unseen at time of engagement
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    7
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3166623291
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017

  • During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that seven civilians, not observed near the target before the engagement, were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For June 20th-21st: “Near Mosul, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 24 fighting positions, three vehicles, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two medium machine guns, a recoilless rifle, a supply cache, and a heavy machine gun; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS609

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.84633, 38.54376 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a major casualty incident, between 44 and 56 named civilians reportedly died and up to 55 others were wounded in a Coalition airstrike on an automated bakery in the Al Thani neighbourhood of Tabaqa, according to local sources.

The US-led alliance later conceded seven deaths in the event. Their September 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, seven civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Step News reported that the Coalition carried out more than 25 airstrikes in Tabaqa since dawn, targeting “the first neighborhood and the second neighborhood and the automated oven and the city market”. Radio Akul, also blaming the Coalition, put the death toll at 27.

However, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, 37 civilians died with 52 more wounded.

Other sources said that a local market was hit as well as the bakery. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 13 were killed but that the number was likely to rise. According to Syrian News Desk, “The raids focused on the main market behind the bakery building, causing heavy damage to four residential buildings and the burning of cars and shops.”

A local source told the Smart news agency that the Coalition carried out “four raids on an automatic bakery in the city, killing the owner of the bakery, the employees and dozens of civilians who were nearby.” Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – also attributing the event to the Coalition – produced a number of reports naming victims as well as publishing graphic images of the strike’s aftermath. According to Euphrates Post, in addition to targeting the bakery, the Coalition “also targeted one of Daesh’s HQ near the Assyrian church in the city.”

Human Rights Watch published a major field investigation into the event in September, which concluded that a 5pm strike on GPS co-ordinates 35.845879, 38.540913 had killed at least 44 civilians. Multiple witnesses and survivors spoke with HRW, with some indicating that the aircraft responsible may have been a B-52 bomber. The international NGO published a casualty list featuring 44 victims.

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:

Family members (2)

Ez al-Deen Sahari
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Abd al-Jabbar Sahari
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (6)

Wael Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Maher Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Abd al-Kareem Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Daughter of Ismaeil Ahmad al-Qobos
Child female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Wife of Ismaeil Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Ismaeil Ahmad al-Qobos
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (2)

Abdulla Mohammad al-Mdakhar
14 years old male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Eisa Mohammad al-Madkher
13 years old male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (2)

Ali Hamid al-Bakri
Child male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Hamid al-Bakri
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (2)

Aboudi Dibo
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Ammar Dibo
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed

Family members (2)

Shahade Al-Abed
Child killed
Ibrahim Al-Abed
Child male killed

Family members (3)

Salah Ahmad al Omar
Age unknown killed
Walid Ahmad al Omar
Age unknown killed
Hussein Ahmad al Omar
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Daed Mansour
42 years old female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Khadijeh al-Ibraheem al-Btoushi
40 years old female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mohannad Barko
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mohammad Elaiwi
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Khaled Ahmad al-Salal
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Fatima al-Hendi
Adult female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mahmoud Ahmad Mostafa or Ahmad Ali Al-Mustafa
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mahmoud Dahham al-Abdullah
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Hamoud Staif
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Hasan Kassab
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Yosra Fattah
Adult female named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Mostafa Mansour
Adult male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Haytham Khalouf
32 years old male named by VDC, as victims at Al Tabaqa of international Coalition actions, from Palmyra killed
Ibrahim AleiwiIssa
Age unknown male killed
Mariam – the mother of Mohammad al Masri
50 years old female killed
Raed A’beid
Age unknown killed
Ahmad Al Abed
Age unknown male killed
Udai Hasan Khleif
10 years old killed
Fayez Mohammed Al-Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Ammar Kahat
Age unknown killed
Mayada Kashash
Age unknown female killed
Ahmad Abdul-Hay Al-juneidi
Age unknown male killed
Ismaeil Hussein Haj A’ref
Age unknown killed
Lina Hasan Hajja
Age unknown female killed
Mustafa Rajab Abdo
13 years old male killed
Peipers Al-Hasan
Child killed
Mohammed Alewi
Age unknown male killed
Khadija Ibrahim
Age unknown female killed
Faryal Dibo
Age unknown female killed
Mansour Al-Haji
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Jamil Asad
Age unknown male killed
Manar al-Hussein
Age unknown killed
Ahmad Faraj al Nazal
Age unknown killed
Abu Hamdo al Hajji
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Mahmoud Zahhab
Age unknown male killed
Su'ad Taje
12 years old female killed
Hadeel Rabih
16 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    44 – 56
  • (14 children9–10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (83) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (48) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via Alhiwarchannel)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via Syrian newsdesk)
  • Q-Alenzy documenting 20 initial names of civilian casualties. (via Q-Alenzy)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments before the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments before the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty found in the rubble after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Moments after the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via Asharqiya voice)
  • Peipers Al-Hasan, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The child Udday Hasan Khalif, 10 years old, killed in an alleged coalition raid yesterday on al Thani neighbourhood bakery in al tabaqa.
  • Mohammad Aleiwi, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Muhannad Barko, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Ez al-Deen Sahari, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Ez al-Deen Sahari, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Abd al-Jabbar Sahari, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Ali Hamid al-Bakri, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Hamid al-Bakri, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Hasan Kassab, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Haytham Khalouf, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd march 2017. (via VDC)
  • Ahmad al Abd, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Ahmad Mahmoud Zahhab, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Abu Hamdo al Hajji, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • Ahmad Faraj al Nazal, killed in a Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqah, 22nd March 2017. (via RBSS)

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
    7
  • Stated location
    near al-Thani, Tabaqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDV588670
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 2018

  • March 22, 2017, near al-Thani, Tabaqa, Syria, via Airwars report. During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, seven civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 22nd-23rd: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed two tactical vehicles, a fighting position, and a heavy transport equipment piece; and damaged four supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    44 – 56
  • (14 children9–10 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–55
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (83) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI244

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Northeast, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.12578, 43.52979 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, CENTCOM later confirmed the deaths of six civilians in a US attack on Mosul.

Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “during a strike against an ISIL weapons system, it is assessed that six civilians were killed”

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.3787954, 43.1615496

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
    6
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE677989
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • May 29, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL weapons system, it is assessed that six civilians were killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 29th-30th 2016, the Coalition reported at the time that “Near Mosul, eight strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and an ISIL weapons storage center and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, six ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL tunnel entrance, seven ISIL weapons caches, five ISIL vehicles, five ISIL command and control nodes, 11 ISIL mortar positions, six ISIL artillery pieces, two ISIL rocket rails, seven ISIL vehicle borne IED, and damaged an ISIL anti-air artillery piece and suppressed an ISIL rocket position and an ISIL tactical unit and denied ISIL access to terrain.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI730

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.347845, 43.110264 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 1m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of six civilians in an event near Mosul.

Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that six civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a one metre box. The given location placed the event in the Zanjili neighbourhood.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ 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
    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
    6
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3042424188
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • May 23, 2017, near Mosul, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that six civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after the munition was released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 22nd-23rd, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed 20 fighting positions, seven VBIEDs, six medium machine guns, five rocket-propelled grenade systems, three rocket systems, a weapons cache, a command and control node, a vehicle, a mortar system, a house-borne IED; damaged 21 ISIS supply routes, a tunnel, a fighting position; and suppressed four ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI067

Incident date

May 13, 2015

Location

بيجي‎, Masahag, Salah al-Din, Iraq

Geolocation

35.00444, 43.47343 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six members of one family were reported killed when a Coalition drone allegedly struck a vehicle distributing oil products to local people. Responding to questions from Airwars, an MoD spokesman said that no British Reaper drone strike took place in the vicinity of al Masahag on that date.

Bayji’s Mayor, Mohamed Mahmoud said in an interview that “Drone aircraft targeted a wheel loaded with oil derivatives to the north of Bayji killing six people, among them three brothers, all from the same family.” He said they were handing out oil derivatives to other families in the region. Mahmoud added that “the dead were all from the Jabour tribe of the people of Bayji, who had fled to the area after Daesh control of their area.”

On July 7th, 2017 – more than 2 years later – the Coalition confirmed responsibility for the incident, reporting: “May 13, 2015, near Bayji, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS weapons cache, it was assessed that six civilians may have been unintentionally killed.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 35.004388,  43.473673

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
    6
  • Stated location
    near Bayji, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLD607746
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2019

  • May 13, 2015, near Bayji, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on an ISIS weapons cache, it was assessed that six civilians may have been unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition has confirmed heavy activity at Bayji around the time of the strike. On May 12th-13th 2015 it reported that “Near Bayji, four airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying 10 ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL VBIED.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI222

Incident date

April 9, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.35311, 43.15221 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Coalition conducted several night raids on telephone exchanges and reportedly the Babylon Bank in Mosul, which resulted in the deaths of at least six and as many as 67 civilians.

In November 2016 the US initially admitted to killing one civilian in the attack, noting that “during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon”.

The Coalition appear to have reassessed this incident and in May 2019 additionally confirmed the deaths of five civilians and the injuriing of nine others in an attack on a Daesh communications centre.

Their monthly civilian casualty report noted “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike on a Daesh communication center in Mosul, Iraq. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed and nine others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. (Not previously reported)”

Other casualty counts varied wildly. According to NINA “children, women and the elderly” were among many civilian fatalities after five telephone exchanges were hit: “The bombing also caused the martyrdom of 67 civilians, mostly women and children and wounded 38 other civilians, as well as causing significant damage to homes near the PBX exchange sites and shops. Our sources said that ambulances were operating from last night until today, transporting bombing victims.”

Yaqen put the death toll at six and said phone exchanges on both sides of the city were hit in what appeared to be a coordinated effort to cut internal Dash communications.

NRN News reported no civilian deaths from the telephone exchange strikes, saying Daesh had instructed locals to leave a week earlier because of the risk of possible strikes.

However NRN said two non-combatants did die when a branch of the bank of Babylon was bombed in eastern Mosul: “Our correspondent said that the bombing killed three gunmen organizing from Daash and two civilians guards of the Bank, as well as serious material damage to the building, which also includes the Office of the Chamber of Commerce.”

In May 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 67
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–38
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo reveals a destroyed telephone exchange building that was hit in coordinated strikes on Mosul on April 9th (via NRN News)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.34585235, 43.09857692

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, Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    6
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    9
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF342247
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019
  • Nov 9, 2016

  • April 9, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

  • Apr. 9, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike on a Daesh communication center in Mosul, Iraq. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed and nine others unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. (Not previously reported)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reports that for April 9th-10th 2016 “Near Mosul, eight strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and five ISIL communication facilities and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL boat.“

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 67
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–38
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]