US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident Code

CI326

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Location

السلام, Mosul, Al Salam, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.304558, 43.201711 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

14 civilians were killed by alleged Coalition strikes, according to local sources.

IBN News reported the deaths of 14 civilians who were mistakenly hit in a Coalition raid in southeast Mosul. However, the Coalition later denied responsibility.

IBN cited a medical source who said the dead included women and children. Iraqi Spring Media Center and al Jazeera also reported the deaths of 14 civilians. Al Araby added that 9 civilians were wounded.

A Coalition report issued January 2nd 21017 noted: Nov. 7, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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 November 6th-7th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and three staging areas; destroyed 16 vehicles, seven mortar systems, three weapons caches, two ISIL-held buildings, an ISIL headquarters building, and a training facility; damaged two ISIL supply routes; degraded three ISIL tunnels; and suppressed two ISIL tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI327

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Location

المصارف, Mosul, Al Masarif, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3842544, 43.1767845 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single local source, four civilians were killed in an alleged coalition strike on Al Masarif, Mosul.

Yaqein reported that three children and a male civilian were killed in the northeast Al Masarif neighborhood of Mosul. The attacks severely damaged houses and shops in the neighbourhood.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of a child, killed followed an alleged airstrike on Al Masarif, Mosul (via Mosul ateka)
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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 6th-7th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and three staging areas; destroyed 16 vehicles, seven mortar systems, three weapons caches, two ISIL-held buildings, an ISIL headquarters building, and a training facility; damaged two ISIL supply routes; degraded three ISIL tunnels; and suppressed two ISIL tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS361

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A man was killed in Raqqa by a Coalition strike, according to one local source.

RBSS reported that a “young man” named Ammar Omar al Dakmawi was killed in a Coaltion raid on Raqqa. VDC identifed him as a civilian.

 

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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ammar Omar al Dakmawi (via RBSS)
  • Translation: Al Raqqa activists: the young man Ammar Omar Al Dakmawi killed in coalition raids on al Raqqa. He is from Deir Ezzor.

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 November 6th-7th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Raqqa.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Monday 7 November – Typhoons destroyed rocket and mortar equipment near Bayji, while Reaper engaged four terrorist targets near Mosul and one near Raqqah…Although support to the Iraqi efforts to liberate Mosul is the highest priority for the Royal Air Force aircraft operating against Daesh, patrols over Syria and other areas of Iraq are also being maintained, and on Monday 7 November, a Typhoon mission armed with Paveway IV guided bombs destroyed a stockpile of rocket and mortar equipment to the north of Bayji, and a Reaper conducting armed reconnaissance near Raqqah struck a Daesh vehicle with a Hellfire missile. Near Mosul, a Reaper provided close air support to Iraqi forces. Daesh fighters were observed firing a recoilless anti-tank gun at the Iraqi troops, then loading the weapon into a vehicle. As the vehicle pulled away, it was destroyed by a Hellfire. The Reaper’s crew then used a further three Hellfires, which have a very low risk of collateral damage, in successful attacks on groups of extremists as they engaged in street fighting with the Iraqi troops.’

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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS362

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Location

خنيز السلمان, Khaniz al Salman, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.24446, 39.02565 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several outlets reported the death of a man from Coalition strikes.

RBSS and Shaam News Network reported the death of a civilian “driver” who was operating a tractor when the vehicle was targeted by a Coalition strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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]

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 Khaniz al Salman village, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA023111
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 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 November 6th-7th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Raqqa, but reported “Near Ayn Isa, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIL tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, five vehicles, two VBIEDs, and a communications node.”

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

CS363

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Location

northern countryside of Ar Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three individuals were killed in a Coalition strike, local sources reported.

Euphrates Post said that international coalition strikes killed three individuals traveling in a car “in the desert of Al Raqqa.”. It identified the victims as being from Bokros in Deir Ezzor province though did not clarify if they were civilians.

The Deir Ezzor and Raqqa Legal Network also reported the same names, and said the three men had been killed by “coalition planes.”

The Syrian Observatory reported Coalition raids in the area, but did not cite casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Al hajj Khalifa Abboud al Sharida
Adult male killed
Fawwaz Said al Habboud
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khalifa al Hamidi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • One of the victims of the strike (via Euphrates Post)
  • One of the victims of the strike (via Euphrates Post)
  • One of the victims of the strike (via Euphrates Post)
  • Fawwaz al Haboud, Khalifa al Sharida, Mohammad al Hamidi (via Abu Abd al Aziz)

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 November 6th-7th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Raqqa, but reported “Near Ayn Isa, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIL tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, five vehicles, two VBIEDs, and a communications node”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI328

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Location

السلام, Mosul, Al Salam, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In the afternoon of 8 November, an airstrike reportedly hit al-Salam neighbourhood of eastern Mosul City killing 14 civilians, including three children and five women, and wounding another 11 civilians, including two women and a child.

No additional details are presently known.

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
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 Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces 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
    38SLF391179
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US Forces
  • May 1, 2020
  • Nov. 8, 2016, in Mosul, 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. 3062/CI328 38SLF391179

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces

Incident Code

CS365

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Location

الهيشةة, Al Hīshah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.35291, 39.01692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 24 civilians were killed in attacks – possibly carried out by both SDF and Coalition – according to local sources.

Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered initially reported 7 victims killed “in the international coalition raids and Kurdish militia artillery.” It later released an updated casualty assessment, counting 23 victims as victims of “a massacre committed by the international coalition.” RBSS identified 16.

Local Coordination Committees in Syria reported a lower total in the village of 9 and attributed their deaths to SDF forces. The Syrian Network also reported shelling, describing the incident as a “massacre.” The Syrian Observatory blamed the Coalition and put the final death toll at 20, including 9 women and 2 chidlren. It noted clashes in the area between the SDF and ISIL.It cited an eyewitness: ““We were sitting in our houses in the village of al-Haisha as we used to hear the sounds of the coalition warplanes flying over the town. After a few minutes the warplanes targeted the village with missiles leading to massive explosions, the inhabitants ran with their children into shelters, some of them just left their houses without knowing where to go when the coalition warplanes targeted them again leading to the death of one whole family.”

Step News Agency confirmed a total of 23 civilians killed, but claimed they were victims of both SDF artillery and Coalition aircraft “during the past three days.” Masar Press placed the final toll at 24 killed.

In a statement issued January 2nd 2017 the Coalition stated: “Nov. 8, 2016, near Al Heisha or Ayn Issa, Syria: Insufficient information provided or available to assess the credibility of the reported civilian casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (3)

Age unknown female Ali Khalaf's wife killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (3)

Age unknown male Family name unknown killed
Age unknown female Family name unknown killed
Age unknown female Family name unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female Wife of Ali Mahmoud killed
Age unknown female Family name unknown killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 24
  • (2–6 children5–9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Abd al Khalaf al Saleh's son (via RBSS)
  • Civilians fleeing after the air strike (via RBSS)
  • Saja Ammar Ayed al Habboud (via RBSS)
  • Saja Ammar Ayed al Habboud (via SNHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the victims of the air strike (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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Al Heisha or Ayn Issa, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • Insufficient information provided or available to assess the credibility of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 7th-8th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Raqqa but reported “Near Ayn Isa, 15 strikes engaged seven ISIL tactical units, destroyed five fighting positions, three vehicles, two bridges, an artillery system, and damaged three supply routes.”

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 24
  • (2–6 children5–9 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS366

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Location

الكالطة, Qaltah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1795231, 39.0142536 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a tractor at Qaltah. The source appeared to be ISIL media arm Al A’amaq.

Al Jazeera said five civilians in total died – though suggested some of the deaths occured elsewhere. Qassioun stated that “fighter jets of the international coalition launched a massive air raid on the village of Al Kalta in the countryside of northern Raqqa, which resulted in the killing of five civilians and wounded dozens, including women and children.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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]

  • A still from an Al A'Amaq propaganda video showing the site of a reported Coalition strike at al Kalta which targeted a truck but also killed two children
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 Qaltah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 7th-8th, the Coalition reported no strikes near Raqqa but reported “Near Ayn Isa, 15 strikes engaged seven ISIL tactical units, destroyed five fighting positions, three vehicles, two bridges, an artillery system, and damaged three supply routes.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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]