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

CS1419

Incident date

August 26, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A male civilian was killed as a result of US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local media reported. All tracked sources held the US-led Coalition responsible, referring to “bombing by International Coalition aircraft”.

Airwars has limited information on the location of the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Mohammed Ali
Adult male icknamed “Abu Sobhi” killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hussein Mohammed Ali" nicknamed Abu Sobhi, killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Raqqa, August 26th 2017. (via @syrien0)

Geolocation notes

Airwars has insufficient information to geolocate the incident beyond Raqqa city. The assessment summary uses genetic coordinates for Raqqa: 35.9505639, 39.0094148

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 26th-27th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 18 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, six logistics nodes, and three vehicles.” It was additionally reported that “On Aug. 26, near Raqqah, Syria, 22 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions.” And that “On Aug. 26, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed five fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Saturday 26 August – Typhoons and Tornados eliminated four sniper teams in Raqqa…The focus for RAF missions remained on Raqqa over the weekend. A mixed flight bombed four sniper teams there on Saturday 26 August, whilst on Sunday, three RAF flights used Paveway IVs to attack a total of ten Daesh positions in the city.’

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.(@EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1688

Incident date

December 1, 2017

Location

غرانيج / درنج, Daranj (possibly غرانيج Granij), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.91808, 40.58189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child died in a Coalition airstrike according to local media.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported “a child died on December 3rd, due to wounds sustained from International Coalition warplanes which fired missiles on Darnaj village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs on December 1, 2017″.

In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event noting” Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.” The Coalition additionally provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. Eleven months later this was declared to have been a US action.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights made no mention of civilian casualties but confirmed that the SDF had gained control of Daranj.

However, two other sources (Marsad Al Sharqiya and Obaidahalabdull) reported that the victim died in the town of Granij.

Other sources reported that the SDF had taken control of Daranj.

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US military action.

The incident was first reported on December 1, 2017 at 2:00 pm by .

The victims were named as:

Maher Rami Mohammad al Hasan
Adult male (via @obaidahalabdull) killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image shows destruction in a building following an alleged coalition strike on Daranj (via step agency)
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention two possible locations: the village of Darnaj (درنج), for which the coordinates are: 34.9244444,40.5791667; and the village of Garnij/Kharanij (غرانيج), for which the coordinates are: 34.7588889,40.7611111 Prior to the release of the MGRS for this incident, Airwars geolocated this incident to the nearest village at 34.9245045, 40.5793762. In June 2019 the Coalition released the MGRS for this incident: 37SFU445651.

  • A geographic image of the villages of Darnaj (درنج) and Garnij/Kharanij (غرانيج)

    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
    1
  • Stated location
    near Daranj, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU445651
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2019

  • Dec. 1, 2017, near Daranj, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 30th-December 1st: ” Near Abu Kamal, five strike engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS fighting position, a tactical vehicle and an explosive hazard.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1837

Incident date

November 16, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local media, an alleged Coalition airstrike killed ISIS member Yousuf Mahmoud al-Mohsen and his wife Furat Imad Awwad al-Hamad.

According to Euphrates Post and others, al-Mohsen was an early member and conspirator of the terrorist organisation ISIS in al Soussa: “Following the killing of Yousef Mahmoud al-Mohsen in addition to his wife Furat Imad Awwad al-Hamad from the city of Mohsen after an airstrike of the international Coalition targeted the town of Al Soussa yesterday, it is noteworthy that Yousef  is one of the first members of Daesh.”

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Furat Imad Awwad al-Hamad
Adult female From the family of Mohsin-Bahouri-Al Bou Azzam Al Khader. She was from al Bahhouri neighborhood in Mouhasan city. killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • According to Euphrates Post, ISIS member Yousef Mahmoud al-Mohsen was reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on November 16th, 2018.
  • Body of ISIS member Yousef Mahmoud al-Mohsen who was reported killed along with his wife by an alleged Coalition airstrike on November 16th 2018, according to Euphrates Post.
  • ISIS member Yousef Mahmoud al-Mohsen (via Akeel al Hamoud)

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
    in al Soussa, Iraq [sic]
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU805225
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 29, 2020

  • 11.Nov. 16, 2018, in al Soussa, Iraq [sic], via Airwars report. This report contains insufficient information on time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 3204/CS1837 37SFU805225

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 16th, the Coalition publicly reported: On Nov. 16 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 41 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 22 strikes engaged 14 tactical units and destroyed 11 vehicles, eight supply routes, five buildings, three staging areas, one tunnel, one vehicle borne IED and one media cell.  

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Friday 16 November – Typhoons destroyed an armed truck and a concealed truck bomb in eastern Syria… The following day [Nov 16th], a Daesh armed truck was reported to be firing to the north of Hajin; Typhoons responded, and destroyed it with a direct hit from a Paveway IV. The Typhoons were then directed to a ruined building, next to a road, within which the terrorists had been spotted hiding a truck-bomb. A second Paveway was used against this target, producing a large explosion which confirmed that the truck-bomb had been successfully detonated before any civilians or SDF had been placed in danger.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

France report that from Nov 14th – 20th, Task Force Wagram conducted 64 firing missions – 47 ‘lighting’, 17 ‘destruction’. Aircraft carried out 18 sorties but there were no strikes.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, marque actuellement un temps d’arrêt. Appuyées par la coalition, les forces démocratiques syriennes se réorganisent et consolident leurs positions avant de relancer leur offensive. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent. Evitant le contact, Daech tente d’alimenter un sentiment d’insécurité par des actions clandestines ciblant indistinctement les FSI ou la population irakienne. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Elle a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 64 missions de tir (47 éclairement, 17 destruction – bilan du 14 au 20 novembre inclus).’ Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2165 missions de tirs.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For November 14th-20th 2018, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16’s supported ground troops in the fight against IS during 10 missions. Weapons were deployed during 3 missions above Deir Ezzor in Syria, targeting IS warehouses and fighting positions.

‘In het weekoverzicht van 14 t/m 20 November laat MinDef weten F-16’s te hebben ingezet tijdens 10 missies ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Bij 3 werden wapens ingezet, boven Deir al Zour in Syrie. Opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities van IS zijn vernietigd.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI703

Incident date

May 9, 2017

Location

July 17 neighbourhood, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3667014, 43.0854607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single local source – a relative of the victim – said on Facebook that her cousin Laith Azhar Saadallah al-Obeidi died after an airstrike hit his house in July 17 neighbourhood in West Mosul.

“My cousin was martyred on Monday. Laith Azhar Saadallah al-Obeidi, after he was hit on his house on July 17, killing him and neighbors buried him in the garden of the house. God is patient with his children.”

Presently no further details are known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Laith Azhar Saadallah al-Obeidi
Age unknown

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ 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 May 9th-10th: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and a sniper; destroyed seven mortar systems, five fighting positions, three VBIEDs, two supply caches, two vehicles, and a command and control node; damaged 18 ISIS supply routes, a fighting position, a tunnel; and suppressed four mortar teams and four ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS040

Incident date

January 5, 2015

Location

معرحطاط, Ma`arr Hitat, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.575381, 36.658974 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Martyrs website, lists one civilian male as a victim of a coalition strike. It is unclear whether he was killed in his home town of Ma’ar Hatat in Idlib or in Raqqa.

However, the original listing in Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies lists him as a militant from Idlib – and reports that he was killed in ‘clashes with the regime’.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Mohammad Al Shahhad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

The alleged Coalition airstrike was reported to have taken place in the village Ma’ar Hatat ( معرحطاط), Idlib district. The location for the midpoint of the village is: 35.575381, 36.658974

  • The village of Ma’ar Hatat ( معرحطاط)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ma’arr Hitat, Idlib, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV878393
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No coalition airstrikes have officially been confirmed as occurring in Idlib governorate between January 4th-5th or 5th-6th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS247

Incident date

July 6, 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

A young civilian non-combatant male named as Osama Ibrahim Mohammad al Rahim was killed in a reported Coalition night time strike on the village of Tokhar Kabir, as part of an ongoing and aggressive air campaign in the area.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Osama Ibrahim Mohammad al Rahim
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ 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 July 6th-7th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, 11 strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL-used bridges and damaged a separate ISIL-used bridge… Near Manbij, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI268

Incident date

July 19, 2016

Location

الشرقاط, Al Shirqat, Salaheldin, Iraq

Geolocation

35.5045616, 43.2404709 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported killed and at least half a dozen civilians injured in an alleged Iraqi government or Coalition airstrike at Sharqat. The casualties were said to have occurred when a Daesh headquarters was bombed in the late morning.

Al Samarra TV reported that three families were injured and one woman killed… after inaccurate shelling by Iraqi aircraft of a Daesh prison. A number of Daesh fighters also reportedly died.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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

No strikes were publicly reported for Sharqat itself. For July 18th-19th 2016, the Coalition noted the following: “Near Qayyarah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL headquarters and an ISIL training camp.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI406

Incident date

January 8, 2017

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that civilians, including women and children, were killed or injured due to Coalition airstrikes on Rashad and Riad regions Sunday evening in Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk.

Only once source, News of Iraq, claimed there were civilian casualties.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    a:1:{i:0;s:20:"no_coalition_strikes";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hawija, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE8848409665
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • 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
Official source

For January 7th-8th the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in Hawija.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]