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

CI170

Incident date

December 30, 2015

Location

حي سومر, Mosul, Sumer, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.2981099, 43.2000446 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilian prisoners were reportedly killed in an alleged 5 am Coalition strike on Mosul which targeted the Nineveh provincial council building.

According to A3Maq, “international coalition aircraft launched at dawn on Wednesday several raids in which some 20 rockets were fired, The aircraft targeted the marriage contracts office, the Office of the Ombudsman and a local court prison, killing 10 prisoners and injuring 31 others, some of them in serious condition, and damaged nearby residential buildings.” NRN reported that a number of Daesh militants were also killed.

In a separate incident, it was reported that “in the Sumer area, international coalition aircraft bombed an empty building that also wounded four civilians and damaged surrounding houses.”

In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in one of these reported strikes as “non-credible”, stating that after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition again assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in the other of these reported strikes as “non-credible”, stating that after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    31
  • 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]

  • Victim of reported Coalition strike on Mosul is evacuated, December 30th 2015 (via Mosul Third Eye)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that several locations were targeted in the east of Mosul, most likely in the neighbourhood of Sumer (سومر), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.2981099, 43.2000446. The targets mentioned are the marriage contracts office, the Office of the Ombudsman and a local court (ISIS) prison. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. 

  • The neighbourhood of Sumer (سومر) in the east of Mosul

    Imagery:
    © 2019 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF373193/38SLF342234
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • May 1, 2020
  • Dec. 30, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2876/CI170 38SLF373193

  • Dec. 30, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2874/CI170 38SLF342234

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported that on December 29th-30th 2015, “Near Mosul, nine strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL assembly area, an ISIL bed down location, 20 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, and an ISIL tunnel.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    31
  • 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

CI252

Incident date

June 15, 2016

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to various local sources reported that an alleged Coalition shelled the Hasi area of Fallujah, leading to the death of six families, two of whom were killed while trying to leave Fallujah.

Al Fallujah Online said 10 people died, including four women and three children, and that 13 others were wounded, including five children and four women.

Iraqi Spring Media has named the victims of one of those two families who were killed.

In their June 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 after a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Adult male Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed
Adult female Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed
Age unknown Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed
Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed
Via Iraqi Spring Media Center killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3 children4 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of the victims at the medical facility following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of the child who was killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th ( via newsofiraq3)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of the child (same victim) and the father who were both killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via newsofiraq 3)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of a little girl who killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A photo of an injured man following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)
  • A photo of the victim who was killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture of the same child who was killed following an alleged Coalition strikes on Fallujah, June 15th (via AlFalujahNews)

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLB829826
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020
  • June 15, 2016, Hasi, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, the alleged civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 2960/CI252 38SLB829826

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Fallujah, two strikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed 11 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, and six ISIL light machine guns and denied ISIL access to terrain.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3 children4 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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

CI735

Incident date

May 27, 2017

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3502851, 43.1098795 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that ten civilians were killed, among whom an entire family, after heavy shelling in Zanjili neighborhood in West Mosul.

Iraqi Spring Media Center said it was the work of the Iraqi government, while Yaqein Agency did not say who was responsible.

Presently no further details are known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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 (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 Zanjili neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that a Coalition strike did not cause civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 26th-27th the Coalition publicly reported: “Near Mosul, two strikes destroyed a VBIED and damaged 19 ISIS supply routes.”

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
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1524

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

Al Mayadin, Central, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians – mostly women and children – reportedly died and dozens more civilians were injured in multiple airstrikes on different locations in Al Mayadin, local media reported, though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible.

Qasiuoun laid the blame with the Coalition, reporting that jets struck “the comprehensive pharmacy” in the centre of al Mayadin.

According to RFS Media Office, “Warplanes, believed to be Russia, carried out several air raids targeting different areas inside the cities of Al-Mayadin and Abu Kamal, east of the city of Deir Ghazur, resulting in a number of dead and wounded, mostly children and women.

The Syrian Revolution in the City of Mayadeen said: “Warplanes launched two raids this morning. The first targeted the comprehensive clinic and a house that had been confiscated by the organization [IS]. The building housed IS widows and the strike killed at least 10 women and children and wounded others. The second raid targeted an empty house, which was confiscated by the organization near the post office, and destroyed it without causing any injuries.”

Jisrtv didn’t name the culprit, but also said that warplanes had targeted “a center for the shelter of widows and families of dead ISIS members in the market area in the city”. It put the death toll at ten, “all of them women and children, in addition to dozens of wounded”, adding that this event came “after dozens of raids by the Coalition Russia in the region, leaving several massacres.”

According to the Smart News Agency, “five unidentified military aircraft launched five raids on the rural recovery center and post office and the Al Shamla pharmacy near the agricultural bank in the city (46 km east of the city of Deir Ezzor), killing 10 civilians, mostly children and women, and wounded others.”

Justice For Life added that an “air strike at around 7 am this morning targeted a pharmacy next to the commercial bank in the town of Al-Ma’ayadin east of Deir Al-Zour, which led to its total destruction”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–4 children2–4 women)
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.016667, 40.444167. One specific location mentioned is the Al Shamla (الشاملة) pharmacy and residential buildings near the Agricultural Bank in the city of Al Mayadin (المیادین). Airwars was unable to locate the pharmacy, however, the coordinates for the Agricultural Bank are: 35.017705, 40.456274.

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 Mayadin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 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

For September 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 24, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed two fighting positions; and damaged an IED factory.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–4 children2–4 women)
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI224

Incident date

April 11, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Iraq Oil Report, at least 10 civilians died, and 20 were injured following Coalition airstrikes on Daesh bases around Mosul.

Citing local sources, it noted: “On April 11, coalition air strikes also took out IS bases in Sawas in the south, Sukar on the east and the Filastin (Palestine) area on the west sides of Mosul. But in striking targets in these residential neighbourhoods, the coalition also killed at least 10 civilians and wounded at least 20 more in total, according to two eyewitnesses at the scene of each strike who reported the bodies they saw.”

Prompted by Iraq Oil Report, the Coalition said it was reviewing the claims: “When asked to comment on these incidents, [chief Coalition spokesman Colonel Steve] Warren said the coalition conducted airstrikes ‘near Mosul’ on April 7 and 11, but did not confirm the particulars of the strikes.

‘We have not received previous allegations of civilian casualties in the area. Now that we have received this allegation, as with any allegation we receive, we will review any information we have about the incident, including information provided by third parties, such as the proximity of the location to CJTF airstrikes, and any other relevant information presented,’ Warren said, saying the coalition encourages reporting of civilian casualty allegations. ‘If the information supporting the allegation is determined to be credible, we will then determine the next appropriate step. We take all feasible measures during the targeting process to avoid or minimise civilian casualties or collateral damage and to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict,’ Warren said.”

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared the UK strikes near Mosul and Qayyarah that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in these strikes 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
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    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
    38SLF357287/38SLF374198/38SLF310208
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • April 11, 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. 2938/CI224 38SLF357287

  • April 11, 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. 2939/CI224 38SLF374198

  • April 11, 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. 2940/CI224 38SLF310208

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that for April 10th-11th 2016 “Near Mosul, four strikes [3 British] struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL supply cache, and an ISIL rocket rail.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI123

Incident date

October 16, 2015

Location

يت, Hit, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.642631, 42.829814 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, ten civilians were killed and 23 wounded after Coalition aircraft struck Hit city, in the west of Anbar province. According to Iraqi Revolution a number of civilian homes at Shap Corniche were destroyed in the attack which had targeted Daesh elements, with children reportedly among the victims. One photograph showed a man cradling dead or injured child.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–33
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Residents at site of alleged Oct 16th Coalition strike at Hit which reportedly killed 10 civilians (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • A man cradles a child casualty of an alleged Coalition strike at Hit, Oct 16th 2015 (via Iraqi Spring)
  • Another image of the aftermath of the event (via Iraqi Revolution)

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 October 15th-17th 2015, no strikes were publicly reported at Hit by the Coalition.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–33
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI481

Incident date

February 24, 2017

Location

مزير, Mazir, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.4889697, 43.9799585 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single local media source reported that ten civilians were killed and many others were wounded in Coalition raids on Mazirr village, near Dibis region, north of Kirkuk City.

No additional details are presently known.

In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: “Feb. 24, 2017, near Mazir, Kirkuk, Iraq, via Airwars report. 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.”

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
    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
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mazir, Kirkuk, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SME074277
    Military Grid Reference System

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 23rd-24th the Coalition reported no strikes nearby.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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

CS679

Incident date

April 9, 2017

Location

مزرعة تشرين, Tishreen farm, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.132398, 38.869372 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported the death of two families in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Tishreen Farms area.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, four non-combatants including a woman and her child died at the hands of the Coalition. Other sources put the number of dead at six, again pointing to Coalition warplanes while BNN put the death toll at at least ten, with dozens more wounded.

Q_Alenzy reported the death of two families when the home of Khaled Al-Latif was bombed.

The Coalition denied casualties in its June 2017 report, noting: ”26. April 10, 2017, near Tashrin, Syria, via social media: 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 2 km away.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the alleged Coalition airstrike on Tishreen farm, 9th April 2017. (via JisirTV)
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 Tashrin, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 2, 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 2 km away.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 9th-10th: the Coalition did not report any strikes near Raqqa, though did note that “Near Tabqah, 14 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed five vehicles, two fighting positions, and a VBIED; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.“

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • April 9, #CJTFOIR conducted 27 strikes consisting of 89 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria & Iraq (via CJTFOIR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]