US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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Incident Code

CS1695 RS2797

Incident date

December 12, 2017

Location

الجردي الغربي, Al Jarthi al Gharbi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.8827778, 40.6091667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was named as killed in an airstrike on al Jarthi al Gharbi. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, and others to Moscow.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Syrian regime warplanes for his death. But according to Al Haall, Russia was responsible. The source reported that “Russian warplanes targeted the village of al-Jarthi al Gharbi with two raids, killing one man and injuring four others.”

The Smart New Network blamed unidentified warplanes, as did Euphrates Post which also named Hamad al Ghathwan as a victim.

The Syrian Observatory provided some context, reporting that it had “observed fierce fighting between Syria’s democratic forces supported by the International Alliance and Russian aircraft on the one hand, and the organisation of the Islamic State. On the other hand, the forces of Operation Al-Jazeera Storm succeeded in gaining control of a village on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. Violent clashes were continuing on the outskirts of the town of al Jarthi al Gharbi and in the towns of Abu Hammam and Al-Kashkiya”.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Hamad al Ghathwan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Jarthi Al Gharbi (الجردي الغربي), for which the coordinates are: 34.8827778, 40.6091667

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed three heavy weapons.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Tuesday 12 December – a Reaper struck a group of terrorists firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces in the east of the country...The Syrian Democratic Forces have continued to clear a number of villages held by Daesh along the Euphrates in eastern Syria, between Abu Kamal and Mayadin. Royal Air Force Reapers have provided significant support to these operations, their very long endurance, precision weaponry and advanced surveillance equipment allowing them to maintain effective overwatch for the SDF advances on the ground. On Tuesday 12 December, a Reaper identified a small group of Daesh extremists firing on the SDF. The Reaper’s crew kept very close watch on a number of civilians, including women and children, who were evacuating the village, and waited until they were clear of the area before conducting a successful attack on the terrorists with a Hellfire missile

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

he Wagram Task Force continues its support for security operations in the Euphrates Valley. This week, two firefighting missions were carried out for the benefit of the Iraqi security forces (balance sheet from 6 to 10 December). Since the beginning of its mission, the TF Wagram, realized 1589 shooting missions. This week, the air activity focused on intelligence missions for the benefit of Iraqi security forces and Syrian democratic forces.There were 20 sorties (Nov 6th-10th) but no strikes were conducted. It gave rise to 20 aerial sorties (balance sheet from 06 to 10 December). During these outings no hits were made. Total balance since 19/09/14: 7561 sorties / 1422 strikes / 2209 targets destroyed

CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Libération de l’Irak Cette semaine a été marquée par l’annonce par le premier ministre irakien de la libération de l’Irak et de la fin de la guerre contre l’Etat Islamique. Cette annonce fait suite à l’achèvement de la dernière opération d’ampleur dans le désert de Jézirah et à la reprise par les forces de sécurité irakiennes du contrôle de l’ensemble de la frontière entre l’Irak et la Syrie. La victoire militaire sur l’Etat Islamique ne signifie cependant pas la fin des opérations militaires ni strictement la fin des combats. Des poches terroristes subsistantes en Syrie En Syrie, le long de la frontière irako-syrienne, Daech contrôle encore quelques poches que les forces de sécurité syriennes s’attachent à réduire. Les combats y sont encore intenses, notamment dans le nord-ouest d’Abou Kamal, sur la rive orientale de l’Euphrate. EFFORT DE LA COALITION Poursuite du soutien aux forces locales En Irak, l’effort de la coalition porte sur le soutien aux forces de sécurité irakiennes actuellement impliquées dans des opérations de sécurisation et de stabilisation. En Syrie, la coalition poursuit son soutien aux forces démocratiques syriennes engagées dans des combats contre plusieurs poches terroristes restantes situées sur la rive orientale de l’Euphrate. Préparation de la période hivernale pour les réfugiés Avec l’arrivée de la période hivernale, la coalition s’attache à mettre en place les conditions permettant aux nombreux réfugiés et déplacés de passer l’hiver dans les meilleures conditions possibles. Ces opérations sont dirigées par le général Parisot, Senior National Représentative français, dont l’une des attributions est également de diriger la cellule en charge des actions civilo-militaires de l’état-major de l’opération Inherent Resolve. Dans ce cadre, trois C-17 américains ont récemment acheminé de l’aide humanitaire à Raqqa qui reste néanmoins infestée d’engins explosifs improvisés malgré les travaux de dépollution en cours. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE la Task Force Wagram en appui des dernières opérations de sécurisation La Task Force Wagram poursuit son appui aux opérations de sécurisation menées dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, deux missions de tirs ont été réalisées au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes (bilan du 6 au 10 décembre). Depuis le début de sa mission, la TF Wagram, a réalisé 1589 missions de tirs. Activité aérienne Cette semaine, l’activité aérienne s’est concentrée sur des missions de renseignement au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes et des forces démocratiques syriennes. Elle a donné lieu à 20 sorties aériennes (bilan du 06 au 10 décembre). Au cours de ces sorties aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 7561 sorties / 1422 frappes / 2209 objectifs neutralisés.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1788

Incident date

August 6, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed and her mother was wounded in an airstrike on Al Sousse, local media said. Most sources blamed the US-led Coalition, though there was one allegation against the regime.

According to the Syrian National Movement, “a female child was killed and her mother was injured by the International Alliance shelling the town of Sousse”. The pair were said to have originally lived in Abu Kamal.

Sound and Picture reported that “the International Air Force targeted the villages of Al-Bagouz and Al-Sousse in the countryside of Abu Kamal with several air strikes, resulting in a number of civilian casualties.”

Step also said a girl died and a number more civilians were wounded in Coalition strikes.

Al Soussa Youth said that the raids occurred on the shops of Ahmad al Turki and Mohsen al Turki.

However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the regime, reporting that “in Deir Ezzor province, a citizen woman was killed due to shelling by the regime forces on areas in Al-Susah town in Deir Ezzor countryside.”

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 34.53392, 40.95823

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU7971223100
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • Aug. 6, 2018, near al Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 3177/CS1788 37SFU7971223100

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 6th, the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in Syria, asserting: "There were no reported strikes conducted in Syria on August 6, 2018."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1830

Incident date

November 10, 2018

Location

السوسة, Al Sousse, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Step News Agency reported that the Coalition “bombed the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor with white phosphorus last night [Nov 10th]. It also renewed  shelling of Hajin city and the town of al-Sousse”. It added that deaths were reported, but didn’t give numbers.

Al Khabar also claimed that white phosphorous was used, asserting that “the bombing left extensive destruction in affected neighbourhoods where the National Hospital remained the only building not destroyed.”

The Coalition accused unspecified forces (presumably Syrian regime) of conducting a significant number of additional strikes on the Hajin Pocket at this time.

In its October 2020 monthly civilian casualty review, the US-led Coalition classed this event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    in al Soussa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU805225
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

Unknown
  • Oct 29, 2020

  • 6. Nov. 10, 2018, in al Soussa, 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. 3223/CS1830 37SFU805225

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

For November 10th, the Coalition publicly reported: "On Nov. 10 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes consisting of 36 engagements against ISIS targets.
Near Hajin, 23 strikes destroyed two command and control centers, one IED facility, one logistic facility, five buildings, four tunnels, two staging areas, six supply routes, one fighting position and one UAS launch site."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

From Nov 7th – 13th, France reports that the three CAESAR guns carried out 49 ‘fire’ missions from the Iraqi territory – 35 illumination, 14 destruction. Aircraft conducted 18 sorties and 1 strike in support of forces on the ground in Syria.

‘CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie L’opération pour reprendre la poche d’Hajine dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, lancée le 10 septembre, marque actuellement un temps d’arrêt. Les forces démocratiques syriennes se réorganisent et consolident leurs positions avant de relancer leur offensive. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation des forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) se poursuivent, avec un renforcement à la frontière irako-syrienne. Si Daech a perdu ses capacités militaires, l’organisation terroriste conserve une capacité de nuisance, notamment dans la région du plateau d’Hawija. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué de manière significative. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate La Task Force (TF) Wagram appuie l’offensive des forces démocratiques syriennes contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. Les trois canons CAESAR ont réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 49 missions de tir (35 éclairement, 14 destruction – bilan du 7 au 13 novembre inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2101 missions de tirs. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La TF Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’instruction de la 6ème division irakienne. Elle conseille l’état-major de cette division et, ponctuellement, les brigades qui lui sont subordonnées. Ainsi, du 5 au 11 novembre, un groupe d’instructeurs s’est rendu au poste de commandement de la 24ème brigade pour former pour former 20 stagiaires irakiens aux techniques du combat urbain. La TF Narvik forme et conseille les membres de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Elle dispense actuellement des instructions au combat débarqué et au recueil de renseignement. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Au sein de la coalition, les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 18 sorties aériennes (bilan du 7 au 13 novembre inclus) et conduit 1 frappe, en appui des FDS en Syrie. Bilan total de l’action du pilier appui aérien depuis le 19/09/14 : 8636 sorties / 1479 frappes / 2278 objectifs neutralises.’

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For November 7th-13th, the Dutch MoD reported that Dutch F-16s supported ground troops during 8 missions in the fight against ISIS. Weapons were deployed in 3 missions near Deir Ezzor governorate, Syria. Targets were ISIS warehouses and fighting positions.

‘In het weekoverzicht van 7 t/m 13 November laat MinDef weten Nederlandse F-16’s te hebben ingezet ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in de strijd tegen IS. Tijdens 8 missies werden 3 wapens ingezet boven Deir al Zour, Syrie. IS Opslagplaatsen en gevechtsposities zijn vernietigd.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1890

Incident date

January 22, 2019

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz: Sheikh Hamad neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.46385, 40.94231 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a Coalition airstrike struck a civilian vehicle moving out of ISIS controlled areas at the intersection of Sheikh Hamad on the outskirts of the town Al Baghouz, east of Deir Ezzor, shortly before midnight.

The Coalition described an admission of six civilian deaths at Baghhouz on this date as “related incidents”, with the Pentagon later confirming it as a US action.

Dozens of families were reported to be leaving the town to other surrounding areas to escape the intensive shelling. A named woman was reported killed and her two daughters injured when their car was hit. Sources pointed out that the airstrike caused the destruction of several other cars as well, with more people reported wounded. There was therefore speculation that the death toll was expected to go up.

The Washington Post later reported that “the United States said Friday that it had launched an investigation into the death of a mother and the injury of two of her children when their car was allegedly hit by an airstrike.”

In December 2019, the Coalition conceded six civilian deaths on this date in the vicinity, stating that “January 22, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh facilities and vehicles. Regrettably, six civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of this strike. 2660 37SFU784153”.

Asked by Airwars whether this might be a match for this event, Coalition officials said that “The information provided in CS1890 leads us to believe that these are related incidents.”

In May 2020, this event was declared to be a US-only civilian harm event – though wrongly attributed to January 23rd 2019 – in the Pentagon-s annual report to Congress.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The incident occured at approximately 11:59 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Dima al-Okidi
Adult female killed
Shahd
Child female Child of Dima al-Okidi injured
Mustafa
Child male Child of Dima al-Okidi injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The children of Dima al-Okidi, wife of Hassan Hassan Al-Abdullah, named Mustafa and Shahd were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghouz (via @deirezzor24).
  • Table of US-only civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria for 2019, declared by the Pentagon to Congress in May 2020.

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 34.458659, 40.954199.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    6
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU784153
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019

  • January 22, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh facilities and vehicles. Regrettably, six civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.2660 37SFU784153

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Between Jan. 13 - 26, 2019, CJTF-OIR conducted 645 strikes consisting of 1,360 engagements in Syria, and conducted nine strikes consisting of 12 engagements in Iraq.

In Syria, 645 strikes engaged 394 ISIS tactical units, and destroyed 244 fighting positions, 172 supply routes, 85 staging areas, 21 vehicles, 17 buildings, 15 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 14 mortar launching sites, 13 manufacturing facilities for improvised explosive devices, 12 command and control nodes, nine tunnels, eight weapons catches, seven pieces of engineering equipment, five launching sites for unmanned aircraft systems, two weapons storage facilities, two mortar tubes, two improvised explosive devices, one unmanned aircraft system, one machine gun, one logistic node and one check point.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

For January 16th - 22nd, France report and 9 strikes in the Hajin region of Syria. Task Force Wagram carried out, from the Iraqi territory, 28 firing missions.

Point de situation des opérations Armée française - Opérations militaires·Thursday, 24 January 2019 CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE A l’occasion de ses vœux, le président de la République a évoqué la situation au Levant, rappelant que Daesh est désormais privé de territoire en Irak, et sur le point de l’être en Syrie. Il a par ailleurs souligné les efforts des forces armées françaises, matérialisés d’une part par les campagnes aériennes et l’appui de l’artillerie, et d’autre part par la formation dispensée aux forces armées irakiennes Offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie La progression des forces démocratiques syriennes dans la moyenne vallée de l’Euphrate, dont l’offensive est appuyée par une couverture aérienne et l’appui de l’artillerie de la Task Force Wagram, se poursuit et se rapproche de la frontière séparant l’Irak et la Syrie. Poursuite des actions en Irak En Irak, la situation sécuritaire est stable. Les forces de sécurité irakiennes ont maintenu un rythme opérationnel de contrôle de zones élevé, notamment à proximité de la frontière irako-syrienne. ACTIVITE DE LA FORCE Le dispositif français déployé au Levant n’a pas évolué. La Task Force Wagram en appui de l’offensive contre les dernières poches de Daech présentes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate Les artilleurs de la Task Force (TF) Wagram appuient, depuis l’Irak, les forces démocratiques syriennes engagées contre Daech dans la région d’Hajine. La TF Wagram a réalisé, depuis le territoire irakien, 28 missions de tir (02 éclairements, 26 appui – bilan du 16 au 22 janvier inclus). Depuis le début de son engagement, en octobre 2016, la Task Force Wagram a réalisé 2476 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Les aéronefs français basés en Jordanie et aux Émirats arabes unis poursuivent leurs actions contre Daech, au sein de la coalition. Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 22 sorties aériennes (bilan du 16 au 22 janvier inclus). Les Rafale français ont conduit 9 frappes dans la région d’Hajine. Les Task Forces Monsabert et Narvik poursuivent leurs missions de formation La Task Force (TF) Monsabert poursuit sa mission d’assistance et de conseil de l’état-major de la 6ème division irakienne, en charge de la sécurisation de l’ouest du grand Bagdad. Elle conseille également ponctuellement les brigades qui lui sont subordonnées. Récemment, les équipes EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), spécialisées dans la neutralisation d’engins explosifs de tous types, ont conseillé des cadres irakiens dans la préparation et la mise en œuvre d’explosifs. Elles les ont accompagnés au cours d’une mission de destruction de plusieurs tonnes de munitions découvertes, dont des engins explosifs improvisés posés par Daech d’une part, et des munitions périmées d’autre part. Ces formations spécifiques font partie des missions de la TF Monsabert qui participe directement à l’amélioration de la capacité opérationnelle de l’armée irakienne. La TF Narvik, poursuit sa mission de formation et de conseil de l’Iraki Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS). Dans ce cadre, pour la toute première fois, un stage de Combat Corps à Corps de haute intensité (C4) est actuellement délivré à l’Académie des forces spéciales irakiennes, à la demande du commandement irakien. Celui-ci, tirant les leçons de la campagne contre Daech, veut doter ses troupes des meilleures techniques en matière de combat rapproché.  L’objectif est de former des cadres irakiens, mais aussi de transmettre des savoir-faire pédagogiques qui permettront aux futurs moniteurs d’instruire leurs hommes.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1801a

Incident date

September 30, 2018

Location

Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.54567, 40.9562 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Al Sousah.

In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted the following: ” Coalition aircraft engaged multiple ISIS vehicles, including a machine-gun equipped pick-up truck engaging friendly forces with machine gun fire. The ISIS vehicles were destroyed in the attack but regrettably a civilian was also unintentionally killed when his vehicle entered the target area after the weapons were released.”

Airwars is aware of another event near al Sousah on this day that allegedly killed one civilian (CS1801) that has not yet been assessed by the Coalition. However, that allegation details artillery and the Coalition have confirmed to us that this incident was an airstrike with a precision munition.

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Al Sousah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU795244
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019

  • September 30, 2018, near Al Sousah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft engaged multiple ISIS vehicles, including a machine-gun equipped pick-up truck engaging friendly forces with machine gun fire. The ISIS vehicles were destroyed in the attack but regrettably a civilian was also unintentionally killed when his vehicle entered the target area after the weapons were released.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

On Sept. 30 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 17 engagements against ISIS
targets.
• Near Abu Kamal, 10 strikes engaged 14 tactical units, and destroyed two command and control centers,
one truck, one up-armored vehicle, four fighting positions and two supply routes.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Incident Code

CI154

Incident date

December 9, 2015

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

One child was reported killed and three civilians injured in an alleged Coalition strike at Mosul.

Mosul Nawen and Iraqi Spring claimed the attack was carried out by a drone, on the east side the city (‘left bank’).

In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “Dec. 9, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: 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.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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 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
  • Jul 7, 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
Official source

For December 8th-9th 2015, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS197

Incident date

April 5, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A former Syrian table tennis champion and national coach named as Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban was reported by VDC as having died “Due to coalition air force’s shelling.”

The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria later published a detailed obituary: “The teacher Mukhles Khreiban was martyred yesterday on Tuesday evening in the province of Idlib in a raid by an unmanned drone accroding to information received from Idlib. Mukhles Khreiban was born in 1953 … he was a member of the Syrian world championship team and participated in the 1980 world championship in Korea .. He worked nationally as a coach and was number one in the game. Many of the stars of football were trained by him. He also worked as a member of the Technical Committee of Table Tennis in the province and was a former member of the trainers committee for the Syrian Table Tennis Federation.. His son has been detained in Assad’s prisons for nearly 4 years. He has four boys and three girls. The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria extends heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyr hero, We belong to God and to Him we return.”

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 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:

Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban
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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban (via VDC)
  • Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban (via The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria).

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
    37SBV867775
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • Apr. 5, 2016, in Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location, or details to assess its credibility. 2929/CS197 37SBV867775

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity for April 4th-5th.

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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS309

Incident date

September 12, 2016

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.056316, 40.730438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a previously unknown civilian casualty incident, CENTCOM reported on September 13th that civilians may have been killed or injured after a non-ISIL vehicle strayed into a strike kill box.

“On Sep. 12, near Ash Shaddadah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft,” CENTCOM reported.

While no civilian deaths were publicly reported at the time, heavy clashes took place in the viciinity. As the Syrian Observatory noted on the day, “Islamic State has bombed areas controlled by SDF in al Ziyanat village in the al Shadadi countryside south of al Hassaka, in conjuntion with violent clashes on the outskirts east of the town of Shadadi between the two sides, following a violent attack by IS in an attempt to advance towards Tal Jayer.“

 

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]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 11th-12th 2016, the Coalition reported: “Near Al Shadadi, nine strikes engaged eight ISIL tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, two bulldozers, a command and control node, a VBIED, a vehicle and a VBIED facility.”

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]