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

CS563

Incident date

March 10, 2017

Location

حمرة بلاسم, Hamra Blassem, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.878056, 39.197222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died and seven were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hamra Blassem, according to local sources.

Halab Today, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered and the Syrian Network all blamed the Coalition, putting the death toll at four.

According to Syria News Desk – which also pointed to the Coalition – “the media opposition activist Ahmed Mazer, quoting civilian sources from the eastern countryside, said that the strikes caused the destruction of three houses and the burning of another, in addition to damage to other property.” Raqqa Post reported that “the main water supplying tank was destroyed in Hamra Blassem”. It also blamed the Coalition.

Four victims were named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Violations Documentation Center.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad al Ali al Mustaph al Diyab
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Ismail Al Abd al Diyad
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Abd al Hamid al Hamad al Jijan
Age unknown male killed
Abdallah Ahmad al Hamid
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Abdallah Ahmad al Hamid or al-Hadidi (via Raqqa Post)
  • Abd al Hamid Jijan (via RBSS)
  • The main water supplying tank was destroyed in Hamra Blassem in the eastern countryside of Raqqa (via Raqqa Post)
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 Hamra Balasem (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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 March 9th-10th it noted: “Near Ar Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed four vehicles, a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, an ISIS headquarters, and a VBIED factory; and damaged three supply routes.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS579

Incident date

March 16, 2017

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.83917, 38.74288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart news agency reported that likely Coalition airstrikes targeted the oil refinery area of Al Mansoura, “killing one worker and injuring others, in addition to destroying three burners and a car used to transport oil.”

Madar News used identical language in its own report.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 27, 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 March 15th – 16th: “Near Ar Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, an IED, a weapons storage facility, a storage facility, a VBIED facility, a UAV facility, a logistics facility, and an ammunition cache.” For March 16th – 17th: “Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a vehicle, an ISIS-held building, and an oil refinement still.”
For March 16th-17th: "Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a vehicle, an ISIS-held building, and an oil refinement still."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS614 RS2025

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Location

Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.962769, 39.009272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians including two children and two women died, and as many as five civilians were wounded, in an airstrike on the Bado neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local media, though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US led Coalition or Russian warplanes.

Palmyra Media Center reported “Coalition planes targeted a Daesh warehouse behind Abu al A’laa al Ma’ari school. The school was damaged as a result of the air raid and was used to house displaced people from Palmyra, al Sukhna and al Tabaqa”.

Another report by Palmyra Media Center named a female as a victim of a Coalition strike which hit a “a bakery belonging to Daesh near Abu al A’laa al Ma’ari school.”

RFS Media Office, RBSS and Syria PC reported that the strikes targeted several points in the city of Raqqa but centred around a school and a water resources building in al-Ma’ari, which both were rendered inoperable. Areas around ِal-Idikhar street were also hit, RFS added.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently initially reported an unspecified number of deaths and injuries following a Coalition strike on the Bado neighbourhood. However, a subsequent report alleged that this was a Russian strike. Further reports by RBSS put the death toll at six, “mainly women and children” and named a young girl as killed.

Photographs were published by RBSS of the aftermath, showing destruction to buildings and local infrastructure.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also attributed blame to Russia, putting the death toll at five including a girl and two women. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Shaam News also said that Russia had carried out raids on Raqqa.

Sharqiya Voice reported the death of two women and a child by “warplanes”, though it didn’t identify them. According to Alaraby, “warplanes targeted the Al-Thanaka neighbourhood opposite to the stadium in Al-Bado neighbourhood, killing three civilians and wounding five.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amina Haitham Al-Mufdi
Child female later died form her wounds sustained in the attack killed
Fatima Ahmad Battman
9 years old female displaced from Palymra killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Amina Al-Mufdi, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the Al-Bado neighbourhood in Raqqa, March 24th 2017. (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Amina Al-Mufdi, killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the Al-Bado neighbourhood in Raqqa, March 24th 2017. (via Al Ragga truth)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on a warehouse behind Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, 24th March 2017. (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a warehouse behind the Ma’ari school (مدرسة المعري) in the Badou neighbourhood in Raqqa. The coordinates for the Ma’ari school (مدرسة المعري) are: 35.9621355, 39.0097957. On satellite imagery a building that looks like a warehouse can be seen behind the school, damaged between January 7 and May 18, 2017. The images published by RBSS clearly show the collapsed roof of this building and the water tower east of the warehouse. The coordinates for the warehouse are: 35.962769, 39.009272.

  • Damage seen of the warehouse behind Al Ma'ari school (مدرسة المعري), the water tower seen on RBSS images marked in red (left: January 7, 2017; right: May 18, 2017)

    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 Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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

For March 24th-25th: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, and a weapons storage facility; and damaged a supply route.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between March 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS637

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Location

شعيب الذكر, Shoa'ib Al-Zaker, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.800735, 38.267642

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that Coalition warplanes carried out a strike on Shoa’ib Al-Zaker.

According to Newsjorf, there were reports of deaths and injuries. Raqqa 24 reported “damage to residential houses.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 27, 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

For March 28th-29th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed an ISIS pump jack.”
For March 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; and destroyed five oil tanker trucks, three vehicles, two tractors, an oil trailer, and a tactical vehicle."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

"In the past week, France reports carrying out 10 strikes of which 2 planned. They have destroyed 13 targets. In Iraq, all six strikes were carried out in the Mosul area at the request of Iraqi troops engaged in the ground combat. In Syria, two strikes were carried out in the western region of Raqqa, in support of the offensive near the Tabqah dam. Two other strikes were carried out against planned targets, one of which was led by the Atlantic 2, in order to put the Daesh oil infrastructure out of use. Task force Wagram carried out 27 missions in Mosul."

"Chammal Appréciation de la situation Point de situation des opérations au 30 mars 2017 En Syrie, la semaine a été marquée par les opérations menées par les Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS) dans la région de Tabqah. Alors que l’aéroport a été repris, les combats se poursuivent pour reprendre le barrage de Tabqah. Le contrôle de ce verrou revêt un caractère stratégique dans la manœuvre d’isolement progressif des approches de Raqqah destinée à préparer l’offensive visant à reprendre la ville. Dans le reste du pays, la situation n’a pas connu d’évolution significative en dépit d’affrontements violents, notamment dans les régions de Palmyre et Deir Ez Zor. En Irak, Daech poursuit sa campagne d’action asymétrique dans les régions de l’Anbar et dans la poche de résistance d’Hawijah sans pour autant avoir conduit d’action d’ampleur cette semaine. Dans la région de Mossoul, l’isolement de la ville a été consolidé par la 9e division depuis Badush au Nord-Ouest en avançant le long du Tigre en direction de l’Est. Dans la ville même, l’offensive n’a pas connu d’avancée significative cette semaine. Si Daech ne semble plus disposer de moyens suffisants pour mener des actions offensives coordonnées, les positions des combattants sont durcies et protégées dans le quartier de la vieille ville, et le piégeage du terrain comme l’utilisation de véhicules suicides chargés d’explosif (VBIED-Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices) ainsi que la présence de population civile rendent difficile les progressions. Dans ce contexte, les forces de sécurité irakiennes des FEDPOL (police fédérale irakienne) et des ERD (Emergency Response Division – division d’intervention Rapide) ont consolidé et sécurisé leurs positions au sud de la Médina tandis que l’ICTS a amorcé une série d’opérations périphériques qui ont permis de progresser à l’Ouest de la Médina et de consolider l’isolement de ce quartier. Activité de la force Appui aérien au Levant Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 27 sorties aériennes dont 20 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 7 de recueil de renseignements. 10 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français, dont 2 planifiées. Elles ont permis la destruction de 13 objectifs. En Irak, les 6 frappes réalisées ont toutes été menées dans la zone de Mossoul sur demande des troupes irakiennes engagées dans les combats au sol. En Syrie deux frappes ont été réalisées dans la région ouest de Raqqah, en appui de l’offensive des FDS à proximité du barrage de Tabqah visant à parfaire l’isolement de la ville. Deux autres frappes ont été réalisées contre des objectifs planifiés, dont une guidée par l’Atlantique 2, afin de mettre hors d’usage des infrastructures pétrolières utilisées par Daech. Appui feu – TF Wagram La Task Force (TF) Wagram a poursuivi cette semaine ses missions de tir en appui de la 9e division. Les 27 missions réalisées l’ont été en appui des combats visant à resserrer l’encerclement autour de la ville de Mossoul, dont 22 missions de neutralisation, et 5 missions d’appui éclairant ou fumigène. L’effort a été marqué sur les points de franchissement du Tigre et dans les collines surplombant la région de Badush, zone refuge de combattants de Daech, faisant passer aux artilleurs de la TF Wagram le cap symbolique des 600 missions d’artillerie."

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI599

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.336804, 43.083396 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that three named civilians from the same family were killed after a Coalition airstrike targeted a sniper on the roof of their house in Yarmouk neighborhood, West Mosul.

MNN and Urgent Mosul News said that Sheikh Mohammed Fathi al-Hussein al-Rashdi and his wife and his son’s wife were among the victims. According to sources, the bodies were still under the rubble. Both said the Coalition was responsible.

The other sources did report civilian casualties in the neighbourhood, but did not say who carried out the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sheikh Mohammed Fathi al-Hussein al-Rashdi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from 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 April 1st-2nd the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed three rocket-propelled grenade systems, three fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, an artillery system, a weapons factory, and a VBIED factory; damaged seven supply routes and five fighting positions; and suppressed 12 ISIS mortar teams, four ISIS tactical units, and an ISIS sniper team.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI618

Incident date

April 8, 2017

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, 17 July, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that three named family members were killed and their daughter injured on the morning of April 8th, after an airstrike reportedly struck their house in West Mosul. They also reported a “number of wounded”. Yaqein said a “wrong” Coalition airstrike killed three and wounded two of the same family in West Mosul that day. Other sources did not state who was responsible.

Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook group) reported that: “The young man Hudhayfah Saad Khalil was martyred with his father Said Khalil and his mother, engineer Najwa Hashim Ismail after the bombing of their house in the neighborhood of July 17 in the street of Al-Walaa school in West #Mosul on the morning” and expressed hopes that “their daughter recovers quickly”.

Several other sources also reported their names.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Said Khalil
Adult male Father killed
Najwa Hashim Ismail
Adult female Mother killed
Hudhayfah Saad Khalil
male Son killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Said Khalil, whose wife and son died with him in an alleged Coalition strike April 8th 2017
  • Images of Saad Khalil
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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF282264
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 7th-8th: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed four mortar systems, two fighting positions, a supply cache, a VBIED factory, an ISIS-held building, and a front-end loader; damaged two supply routes; and suppressed 14 ISIS mortar teams and five ISIS tactical units.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI648

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34075, 43.126911 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that heavy airstrikes hit several neighbourhoods in Old Mosul on Tuesday, leading to ‘dozens of civilians killed and injured.’

One report suggested helicopters may have participated, though presently no further details are known.

The Coalition later admitted it had killed one civilian in the area that day – see CI649.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 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 April 17th-18th the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; these destroyed five fighting positions, three VBIEDs, one mortar system, and one front-end loader; damaged three fighting positions and two supply routes; and suppressed one ISIS tactical unit, one mortar team and one artillery system.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS725

Incident date

April 24, 2017

Location

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.08, 39.05917 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman died and several other civilians were wounded in an incident in Al Rahiyat, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, the Syrian Democratic Forces or ISIL were responsible.

Shaam News Network was the only source that named the Coalition as the culprit. Step News Agency instead blamed artillery shelling for a woman’s death and the injury of several other civilians. But Qasioun reported that a woman was killed by an ISIL sniper, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an ISIL bomb was responsible for a woman’s death.

Hope-fm-radio also reported “ISIL mortars”, while according to Raqqa24, “Syria Democratic Forces targeted a gathering of displaced people”.

Al Raqqa Truth named the victim but did not mention the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khawla Salem al Sheikh
40 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS

Sources (7) [ 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 evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Rahiyat, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV053928
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 23rd - 24th the Coalition reported: "Near Raqqah, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, a tactical vehicle, and an ISIS well head"

For April 24th - 25th the Colaition reported: "Near Tabqah, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed three ISIS command and control nodes, a fighting position, and a heavy machine gun; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units"

The Coaliton later reported: "On April 24, near Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS vehicles. On April 24, near Tabqah, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; and destroyed two fighting positions and a rocket-propelled grenade team."

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

ISIS Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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, Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS

Sources (7) [ collapse]