US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CI141

Incident date

November 16, 2015

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.437441, 43.286666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of six was reportedly killed after an alleged Coalition airstrike was said to have destroyed a car in the centre of Ramadi.

The source of the claim appeared to be the Russian Sputnik news service, which said those killed “are from poor families, unable to flee and under the control of Daesh in Ramadi.” Correspondent Raafat Alzerara was cited by local media as saying that “international coalition strikes have become more random recently, especially after the events of Paris.”

In its July 2017 report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of having conducted no strikes in the vicinity: “Nov. 16, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

However since strikes were reported at Ramadi for November 15th-17th, Airwars has requested additional information.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ 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.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition confirmed heavy arstrikes at Ramadi on November 15th-16th 2015: “Near Ramadi, five strikes destroyed six separate ISIL command and control nodes, damaged an ISIL building, and denied ISIL access to terrain.”

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI188

Incident date

February 13, 2016

Location

المحلبية, Mahalabiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.26632, 42.70744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three children reportedly died in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Mahalabiya, to the west of Mosul.

An anonymous source cited by Face Iraq complained that there was “constant indiscriminate shelling on the villages and areas of the city of Mosul, under the pretext of the presence of criminal elements from Daesh.”

In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SKF940159
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • Feb. 13, 2016, in Mahalabiya, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2896/CI188 38SKF940159

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 12th-13th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, five strikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed 11 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL excavator, and an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI205

Incident date

March 23, 2016

Location

Hajj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.734251, 43.3181477 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Coalition announced on April 30th 2017 that it had concluded an assessment on an NGO’s claims of civilian harm “near Hajj Ali, Iraq”. It is unknown to Airwars which NGO it is referred to. According to the Coalition report, “1. March 23, 2016, near Hajj Ali, Iraq, via NGO report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was almost 4 km away.”

This might be related to local tribe and Iraq war media sources reporting that Iraqi airstrikes targeted Haj Ali village and several locations in Qayyarra at the beginning of its liberation operation, which reportedly caused many civilian victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hajj Ali, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The closest strike to the report of possible civilian casualties was almost 4 km away.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For March 22nd-23rd 2016, the Coalition reports that “Near Mosul, three strikes [1 French] struck an ISIL headquarters, an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL assembly area and 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI228

Incident date

April 18, 2016

Location

صديرة, Sudayrah, Salahudin, Iraq

Geolocation

35.4669, 43.28284 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, unknown aircraft struck boats in Sidera village east of Shirkat north of Tikrit, killing 22 civilians and injuring at least 15 more.

Russia Today claimed that the night time event “killed five brothers from one family” with a number of houses in the village destroyed.

According to News of Iraq, the civilians died when boats carrying food were struck on the river: “It’s noteworthy that as a result of the siege of Fallujah and the hunger people are suffering, they are being forced to use boats to move some relief aid in from other regions, particularly after the destruction of nearby bridges.”

Al Sumaria blamed the Coalition, while News of Iraq said the Iraqi military was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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 (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

For April 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition did report destroying a boat, though placed the attack near Mosul: “Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL mortar positions, two ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL boat and suppressed an ISIL rocket team.“

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
    22
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS265

Incident date

July 15, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A young adult civilian male named as Ahmad Ibrahim al Faress was reported killed in a Coalition strike on Manbij. It is either the second reported event of the day in Manbij, or is linked to the previous incident.

The Syrian Network reported Coalition strikes on the city that day but made no mention of civilian casualties: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted Tareaq Jarablos bridge that connects the city of Jarablos and the northern neighborhoods of Manbej city with the center of Manbej city. The bridge was partially destroyed and was rendered out of commission. Manbej city was under the control of ISIS on the day of the incident and it is now held by the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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]

  • Translation: the young man Ahmad Ibrahim al Fares killed in Manbij due to coalition raids on the town.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA065429
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • July 15, 2016, in Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 3012/CS265 37SDA065429

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 14th-15th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, 11 strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 18 ISIL fighting positions and damaged an ISIL-used bridge.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

CS313 RS1266

Incident date

September 15, 2016

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.01982, 40.45154 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what was widely reported as a Russian action, at least 27 civilians died and more than 70 were injured following airstrikes on Al Mayadeen.

Almost all sources including Daesh blamed Russia. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered said 6 Russian planes carried out 20 strikes between them, including on a children’s playground. Shaam News added that “Activists said the Russian air force targeted several areas in the city with cluster bombs, which spread over large areas near the National Hospital and the School of Abdul-Jabbar Al Obeid and near al Rahba fortress and the garage area downtown.”

However the Syrian Network blamed the Assad regime for the attacks. And while only one minor source blamed the US-led alliance for the attack, on September 9th the Coalition had leafleted al Mayadeen warning of impending airstrikes.

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Mohamad Kamal al Hamdan's son
Age unknown male killed

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Humaidan Mahmoud al Talij
Age unknown male May be Mohammad Ahmad Saleh al Thalif killed
Adult male killed
Mouzahem al Shaker
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Abd al Mu’ti Hassan al Sagheer
Age unknown male Displaced from Palmyra killed
Mahmoud Ahmad Saleh al Thalij
Age unknown male killed
Daughters of Adnan al Nasser
Age unknown female killed
Adult male killed
Child female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Child female killed
Adult male killed
Child female killed
Mohamad Kamal al Hamdan's son
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 40
  • (9 children4–8 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Coalition leaflets dropped on al Mayadeen on September 9th had warned of impending airstrikes (via SOHR)
  • Basem Mohammad al-Hmaidi (via VDC)
  • Anas Fadel al-Shaker (via VDC)
  • 1- Salem Horan al Manfi 2- Maher Shuja al Jinah 3- Souad al haj mustapha al Haj Khalaf [the mother of Maher Shuja al Jinah] 4-Baseem Mohammad al hamidi 5- a woman from Obeid al Nijm family 6-the child Sara Omar al Bahash 7- Malek al Misha’al 8- child, daughter of Malek al Misha’al 9- child, daughter of Adnan al Misha’al 10-Anas Fadel al Shaker 11-Riyadh al Mukhlef 12- Yazen Ibrahim al Said 13+14 two children, daughters of Za’im al Tweir 15- the daughter of Anwar al Nawfal 16-the son of Mohamad Kamal al Hamdan 17-Mohammad Saleh al Juma’a 18- the child Asra’a Abd al Jalil Al Ismail 19+20 two children, the daughters of Adnan al NAsser 21- Mouzahem al Shaker 22- Ahmad al Mukhlef 23- Humaidan Mahmoud al Talij (via Deir Ezzor 24)
  • Image of remnants of cluster ammunition fired by government warplanes on Al Mayadeen city in Deir Ez-Zour governorate, September 15, 2016 (via SNHR)
  • Translation: activists - coalition raid on al Mayadeen targeted a school housing displaced people and another raid targeted the medical centre leaving 50 dead and injured (via Khabarko)
  • the leaflets read: “the coalition raids are coming to destroy bridges in this area. Stay away from the bridges and the roads leading to it. The coalition doesn’t want to harm civilians so for your safety leave the bridges and the roads leading to it” (via lccsy facebook)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU317758
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Sept. 15, 2016, in Al Mayadin, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3045/CS313 37SFU317758

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 14th-15th the Coalition reported: “Near Dayz Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIL oil well head and an oil tanker truck.“

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 40
  • (9 children4–8 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS340

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Location

الطنيرة, at Tanira, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

A man was killed when his home was reportedly hit by a Coalition strike, according to local sources.

Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered reported that a man identified as Ali al Jreik al Jairi was killed “following the targeting of his home by an international coalition air raid.”

The Syrian Observatory reported an unidentified man was killed by what was believed to be coalition warplanes, as did Shaam News Network.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ali al Jreik al Jairi (via RBSS)
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 At Tanira, Syria,
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 16th-17th the Coalition reported that “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed two oil pump jacks.”

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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS354

Incident date

October 30, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Mashlab, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources, including Halab Today TV and Al Amawi News, reported the death of a child and the injuring of this father in a coalition raid on the al Mashlab neighborhood east of Raqqa.

Smart News reported strikes in Raqqa targeting ISIL, which it said killed four militants. It said the death of the child and injuring of this father occurred in “a similar night time bombing.”

Raqqa Post added that the strike also “left considerable material damage.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (8) [ 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 Mashlab neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV046777
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 26, 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

For October 29th-30th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed a heavy machine gun, a fighting position, a vehicle, and an anti-aircraft weapon system.”

Summary

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