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

CI339

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

34.3957715, 40.9943684 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least ten civilians were killed by strikes in Anbar province, according to local sources.

Yaqein reported that 10 civilians were killed and others injured, including women and children by both Coalition and Iraqi Air Force planes.

One additional report, posted by @amsiiraq, referred to dozens of dead and wounded, and also cited the Coalition as well as government forces for the aerial attack west of Ramadi.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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, 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Qa'im, Iraq
    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 14th-15th, the Coalition reported “Near Haditha, one strike destroyed an ISIL mortar system” and “Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIL bunker.”

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
    10
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS373

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Location

أبو وحل, Abu Wahil, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.03892, 39.28914 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians reportedly died in a Coalition airstrike on Abu Wahil village, according to sources.

Syria News Desk reported the following: “The media opposition activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from Abu Wahil, said Coalition aircraft targeted with severe rocket explosion the homes of civilians in both villages, which led to the deaths of three civilians in Abu Wahil and one in Mazra’at al Qadisiyah, as well as confirming the presence of six wounded in a critical condition who were transferred to the National Hospital in Raqqa under the control of ISIL. The source said the raids also resulted in the deaths of a number of livestock in Abu Wahil and the destruction of five houses completely and partially destroyed in six other houses, in addition to physical damage to other property.”

Syria Press tweeted that Coalition strikes were taking place in the vicinity, while Smart News reported “Casualties due to coalition airstrikes in Mazra’at Al Qadissiya and Abu Wahil in Raqqa.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (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 Abu Wahil, 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 14th-15th, the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle. Near Ayn Isa, five strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS374

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Location

مزرعة القادسية, Mazra'at Al Qadissiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.982156, 39.2132198 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian reportedly died in a Coalition airstrike at Mazra’at al Qadissiya, according to local sources.

Smart News noted “Casualties due to coalition airstrikes in Mazra’at Al Qadissiya and Abu Wahel in Raqqa.”

Syria News Desk reported the following: “The media opposition activist Mohamed Osman, quoting civilian sources from Abu Wahil, said Coalition aircraft targeted with severe rocket explosion the homes of civilians in both villages, which led to the deaths of three civilians in Abu Wahil and one in Mazra’at al Qadisiyah, as well as confirming the presence of six wounded in a critical condition who were transferred to the National Hospital in Raqqa under the control of ISIL. The source said the raids also resulted in the deaths of a number of livestock in Abu Wahil and the destruction of five houses completely and partially destroyed in six other houses, in addition to physical damage to other property.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (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 Mazra'at Al Qadissiya, 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 14th-15th, the Coalition reported “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle. Near Ayn Isa, five strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI340

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Airport and Gizlani camp, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.30503, 43.146813 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In January 2017 the Coalition issued a statement denying responsibility for alleged civilian casualties in Mosul six weeks earlier.

Nov. 15, 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 Coalition noted.

A senior official later informed Airwars that the alleged incident had come to light as a result of internal reporting. Coordinates provided by the Coalition showed that the target that day was an electrical substation northwest of Mosul, and west of Tall Kayf.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • 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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF2503641066
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 14th-15th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, six strikes [1 British] engaged three ISIL tactical units and a staging area; destroyed five storage containers, five mortar systems, two vehicles, a VBIED, and a weapons cache; damaged five tunnels; and suppressed two ISIL tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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

CI341

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.368483, 43.184281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shelling killed and wounded civilians in eastern Mosul, according to local sources.

Iraq News Center reported shelling from both ISIL and government forces affected civilians in eastern Mosul. Zyaad Al Senjary posted that the mutual bombardment had resulted in a massive number of casualties among civilians.

Rudaw TV meanwhile reported that ten civilians were killed, including a mother and her four kids in the exchange of shelling.

@othmanmhmmadr named one of the dead in Mosul who was identified as a professor of electrical engineering at the University of Mosul. The report blamed Coalition raids for his death.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dr Safwan Imad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Dr Safwan Emad who was killed following the alleged coalition airstrike (via @othmanmhmmadr)
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 15th-16th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, eight strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed three VBIEDs, three mortar systems, two vehicles, two ISIL-held buildings, a weapons cache, an anti-aircraft artillery system, a front-end loader, a VBIED facility, and a command and control node; damaged a supply route and two tunnels; and suppressed a tank.”

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
    10
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS375

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Location

شنينة, Shanina (and al Rihat, Ba’as and Abu Hassan), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.0089089, 39.0964794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were reported killed and 15 injured following reported Coalition strikes on three villages to the north of Raqqa.

Although multiple sources noted the raids, only Smart news alleged civilian casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: urgent - coalition planes launh two air raids on the villages of al Rihat and Shanina in the northern raqqa countryside.
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 Shanina, 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 15th-16th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units, and damaged two fighting positions, a vehicle, and a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS376

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that an unspecified number of civilian casualties were caused by a Coalition strike on al Tabaqa.

According to Smart News, “A number of civilians died and wounded on Wednesday-Thursday night due to aerial bombing of the international coalition on Tabaqa city in the western countryside of Raqqa.”

No other details are presently known.

 

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 (1) [ 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 Tabqah, 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 November 16th-17th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed an artillery system, a mortar system, and damaged a supply route.”

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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS377

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Al Manghiyah and Al Sina’a, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that two civilians were killed and nine injured by Coalition strikes on the Raqqa neighbourhoods of Al Manghiyah and Al Sina’a.

According to Smart News, “Our correspondent said that the international coalition aircraft against IS launched two raids on the neighborhood Al Manghiyah and Al Sina’a, which led to the deaths of two civilians and wounding of nine others, who were taken to the city hospital.

No other details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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 Raqqah, 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 16th-17th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed an artillery system, a mortar system, and damaged a supply route.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]