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

CS081

Incident date

June 18, 2015

Location

Road between Suluk and Ar Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.2451039, 39.0351105 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were reported killed by the coalition when the car they were traveling in was struck.

According to SOHR, the vehicle was hit on the road between Ar Raqqah and Suluk. Sira Press reported: “Activists stressed that all those who were in the car were unarmed civilians and there were four of them and that aircraft targeted them near the town of Khaneez, which led to the martyrdom of everyone in the vehicle.

Sira Press also claimed that the coalition “also targeted a primitive oil refinery east of the village of Alhderatt [south east of Ain Issa], even though the refinery belongs to civilians who have nothing to do with Daesh.

In what may be a related incident, the Violations Documentation Centre named a civilian male as having been killed in ‘Coalition shellnig’ at Suluk, though gave the date of death as June 19th.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male VDC lists him as a civilian from Boulial and killed in a coalition strike on Suluk in Raqqa

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an area in the vicinity of the village of Khaneez (خنيز or خنيزر جنوبي), on the road between Suluk (سلوك) and Ar Raqqah, known as Route 6. The coordinates for the area on Route 6 that is West of the village of Khaneez (خنيز) are: 36.2451039, 39.0351105

  • Map showing Route 6 and the village of Khaneez (خنيز)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Multiple coalition strikes were confirmed in the vicinity. For June 17th-18th 2015, the coalition noted: “Near Tal Abyad, four airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL excavator.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI084

Incident date

July 17, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.38997, 43.14576 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Waiter Muhannad Hisham Alnemah was killed in a US airstrike near the Al Afandi Restaurant in the main street of Hadbah neighborhood. An unspecified additional number of restaurant staff and customers were also reported killed and injured in the attack.

In January 2016, CENTCOM admitted the civilian casualty incident, noting that “during strikes against ISIL fighters traveling in a vehicle, it was assessed one civilian was injured.”

According to the Mosul Ateka website [since destroyed by Islamic State] Muhannad had looked out of the restaurant door during the airstrike and had seen a terrified young child in the street. He rescued the child, but was then struck in the head by shrapnel as he re-entered the building. He later died of his injuries in hospital.

Muhannad’s death occurred on the first day of Eid, the public holiday celebrating the end of the Ramadan fasting period.

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this incident accurate to within a 100 metre box. This clearly located the strike on the main street in Hadba neighbourhood,

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhannad Hisham Alnemah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Waiter Muhannad Hisham, killed in a US airstrike on Mosul July 17 2015 (via Mosul Ateka)
  • Another picture of the victim (via Mosul Ateka)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest city at 36.34585235, 43.09857692

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 injuries conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF337288
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 22, 2016
  • On July 17, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, during strikes against ISIL fighters traveling in a vehicle, it was assessed one civilian was injured.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 16th-17th 2015 the coalition reports that: “Near Mosul, three airstrikes [2 Canadian] struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL technical vehicle, an ISIL mortar tube, two ISIL buildings and an ISIL bunker.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI099

Incident date

September 1, 2015

Location

مكحول, Makhul, Salah al Din, Iraq

Geolocation

35.20437, 43.27905 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reports alleged that a Coalition strike killed 11 civilians “including elderly people,” and injured 18 more. According to an activist Facebook page, “Coalition planes bombed the market in the village of Makhul, which was full of displaced people.”

Another site attributed alleged civilian fatality estimates to the police, though said the airstrike responsible was by “unidentified aircraft.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • 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 (2) [ 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
    38SLD433970
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2020
  • Sept. 1, 2015, in Makhul, 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. 2814/CI099 38SLD433970

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

While there was no strike described for Makhul, the Coalition did report that for August 31st-September 1st 2015: “Near Bayji, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL vehicles and an ISIL weapons cache.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS135

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Location

جبل عبدالعزيز, Abdulaziz Mt, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.408116, 40.3085589 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source listed an adult male non-combatant as a victim of Coalition action. According to VDC, Ahmad Nayef Al Hamad was from Baseera in Dayr ez Zawr, and was killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Abdulaziz mountain in Al Hassaka.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Originally from Baseera, Deir Ezzor. Killed in Abdulaziz Mt, Hassakah killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    37SFA173300
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020
  • October 8, 2015, in Abdulaziz Mountain, 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. 2864/CS135 37SFA173300

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 7th-9th 2015, no Coalition strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI142

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Location

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.157604, 43.257238 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A doctor was reported killed and three of his colleagues injured after an alleged Coalition strike near Mosul.

According to the Iraqi state news agency NINA, “a doctor was martyred and three other doctors were wounded in bombing which targeted health centers in the Hamam al-Alil area, and also hit uninhabited residential buildings close to the center, causing heavy damage.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    38SLF432028
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020
  • November 17, 2015, in Hamam al Alil, 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. 2859/CI142 38SLF432028

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition has confirmed one strike in the vicinity for November 16th-17th 2015: “Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL weapons cache.”

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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI166

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Military aircraft – which some sources described as the Coalition’s – reportedly killed five civilians in a Christmas Day strike.

According to Al Rafidain the attack could have been the work either of the Iraq Army or the Coalition, noting that “army aviation commander Hamid al-Maliki also confirmed that army helicopters carried out a raid on 50 locations within the city of Ramadi on the day.”

In its July 2017 report the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible on grounds of limited information: “Dec. 25, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ramadi, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports heavy strikes on the city for December 25th-26th 2015: “Near Ramadi, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL tactical vehicles, six ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL vehicles, two ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) factories, two ISIL heavy machine gun positions, an ISIL sniper position, two ISIL house borne improvised explosive devices (HBIED), and wounded two ISIL fighters.”

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
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS172 RS622

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Location

الشدادي, Al-Shadadi, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.408116, 40.3085589

Airwars assessment

Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports.

Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at Auto Bakery, although other sources said those killed were bakery staff.

Al A’maq Media (close to Daesh) initially blamed the attack on Russia but later noted: “Correction: a Source to al A’maq: the raids that destroyed the bakery of Shadadi killing 15 of its staff was carried out by international coalition planes, not Russian planes.” The VDC attributes the attack to Russia.

In a lengthy report [in Arabic] on the attack, the Damascus Center later cited eyewitness Nabila um Khaled:We were standing in front of the oven waiting to get the bread, everyone present was a civilian. The day before we didn’t leave the house for fear of bombing from the air… We looked to the sky and saw three or more planes flying in the air, their color almost cyan [light blue]. After less than a minute we started to tell each other that we had to leave the place and run away, because the aircraft were flying at low altitudes. But we did not have time to move. After less than a minute, as I said what we saw was a rocket hit the oven building where people were lined up. Those at the front of the line are the victims who died in the massacre. My sister and I were standing at the back, I was hit by shrapnel, and my sister was left in a serious condition, though she is now improving.”

The Coalition later appeared to confirm it had carried out strikes in the vicinity, saying it had destroyed ‘an ISIL building’ near Al Hassakah. Heavy airstrikes had been recorded in the town in preceding days, given an imminent ground assault to recapture Al Shadadi from Daesh. In contrast, Russia did not publicly report carrying out airstrikes in Al Hassakah governorate.

The Daily Beast later reported that “U.S. Central Command, which leads the U.S. military in the Middle East, is investigating the latest allegations of civilian deaths to determine if they are credible and conduct a proper military investigation, Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, told Pentagon reporters during a briefing Thursday….Brown said he could not say whether the coalition was conducting strikes at the same time residents were alleged to have come under attack, but he noted that coalition forces “have been striking that area for the past several days.”’

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 28
  • (4 children1 woman8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Kahtan Al A’lawi Al Sleiman (via Hassakah Youth Movement)
  • Taha Ajaj and Louai Jazzar (via Hassakah Youth Movement)
  • A photo published by activists of the martyr Ala’a Hussein Al Dakheel (via Hassaka’s Youth Union)

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 February 15th-16th 2016, the Coalition reports that “Near Al Hasakah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 28
  • (4 children1 woman8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS193

Incident date

March 24, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in the Al Dar’iya area of central Raqaa, in an alleged Coalition strike.

According to Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered, “International coalition planes yesterday targeted a weapons depot belonging to Daesh near Hod al Furat garage in Al Dar’iya area in the city centre of Raqqa which led to its total destruction and the martyrdom of one person from Ain Issa, along with the injury of Mohammad Al Shalash by shrapnel in his waist.

However in a tweet the next day showing destruction at the site, the group simply reported “an airstrike.” No Coalition strikes have publicly been reported in the vicinity in this period, suggesting that either Russia or the Assad regime may instead have been responsible.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the airstrike (via RBSS)
  • Translation: coalition aggression carries out three raids targeting the outskirts of Raqqa until now. (via Zeynisajda)
  • Translation: American planes today openly worked with Russian and regime planes in bombing Palmyra and Al Raqqa. (via Zeynisajda)

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
    37SEV008784
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • March 24, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 2927/CS193 37SEV008784

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

No Coalition strikes have publicly been reported for Raqqa governorate between March 23rd-25th 2016.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Update from UK MoD for Thursday 24 March: ‘Thursday 24 March – Tornados destroyed a mortar team that was firing on Kurdish forces in northern Iraq, while a Reaper destroyed a vehicle in eastern Syria…The following day [Thursday 24 March], Tornados were again active over Qayyarah; working in close cooperation with a coalition surveillance aircraft, they were able to successfully engage with a Paveway a Daesh mortar team that had opened fire on Kurdish forces. Across the border in eastern Syria, a Reaper used a Hellfire missile in a successful attack on a Daesh vehicle.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]