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

CS1410

Incident date

August 23, 2017

Location

Tib Al-Hadeeth, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9525, 39.002222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tib Al Hadeeth in the city of Raqqa, according to multiple local sources.

No additional details are presently known.

In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible, noting “After a review of all available strike records 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.

The victims were named as:

Saddam Mohammed Khalaf Khmeri
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 (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention civilians being struck in the area surrounding Tib Al Hadeeth (الطب الحديث), for which the coordinates are: 35.952402, 39.002194.

  • Reports of the incident mention civilians being struck in the area surrounding the Tib Al Hadeeth (الطب الحديث)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 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
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV002787
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 27, 2019

  • Aug. 23, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available strike records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 23rd-24th: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions and a vehicle.” It additionally reported that “On Aug. 23, near Raqqah, Syria, 44 strikes engaged 27 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 77 fighting positions, six ISIS headquarters, three command and control nodes, an explosives cache, a heavy machine gun, and a vehicle.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

Wednesday 23 August – Typhoons attacked two terrorist positions in Raqqa, whilst Tornados and Typhoons hit an armed truck and terrorists on foot in and around Tal Afar…On Wednesday 23 August, a Typhoon flight used Paveway IVs to destroy two defensive positions in Raqqa, from which Daesh extremists were firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For Aug 23rd-29th, France report 8 strikes in Iraq and 11 strikes in Syria, plus 46 artillery missions in Tal Afar, Iraq.

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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI838

Incident date

September 2, 2017

Location

Al Qaim, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Yaqein reported that 22 civilians were killed following alleged airstrikes by the US-led Coalition west of Anbar Province in Al Qaim.

According to a local source cited in Yaqein, an airstrike of the international coalition aircraft” targeted the area. In addition to killing 22 people it also allegedly caused considerable material damage.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al-Qaim (القائم), for which the coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

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-Qaem, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU833078
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 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 September 1st – 2nd the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed two ISIS fuel storage sites, an ISIS-held building, a front-end loader, a weapons storage area and an excavator.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    22
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1465

Incident date

September 10, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, a wife and husband were reported killed following airstrikes on the city of Raqqa. The exact location within the city is currently unknown.

Three out of five sources blamed the Coalition, the other two referred to an “aerial bombardment”, without identifying the culprit.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights commented that the incident occurred “amid continuing clashes at varying levels of violence between SDF forces supported by the US Special Forces and ISIS”.

No additional information is available at present.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Obeid Mohammed
Adult male killed
Amina al-Sulaybi
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 9th – 10th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 34 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 21 fighting positions, 16 vehicles, four heavy machine guns, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and engineering equipment; and suppressed six fighting positions.”

For September 10th - 11th the Coalition reported •Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, two logistics nodes, and a vehicle; and suppressed two fighting positions" It later reported, "Additionally, 15 strikes consisting of 21 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 10 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 10, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 vehicles, three fighting positions, a logistics node, and an anti-air artillery system; and suppressed a fighting position"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Monday 11 September – Tornados destroyed two sniper positions in Raqqa, and attacked a Daesh-held compound and terrorists on a motorcycle near Dayr az Zawr…A flight of Royal Air Force Tornados supported the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting in Raqqa on Monday 11 September, when Paveway IV guided bombs were used to destroy two sniper positions. A second Tornado flight patrolled north-east of Dayr az Zawr, where they attacked a group of terrorists in a compound with a Paveway IV. Survivors of the attack then attempted to move to another position on a motorcycle, but were successfully engaged with a Brimstone missile.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1494 Rs2450

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

سعلو, Deir Ez-Zor, Sa'alu, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.141173, 40.363297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female civilian, died in an alleged airstrike on the village of Sa’alu, according to local media. The US-led Coalition and Russia were both cited as culprit, amongst multiple references to unidentified aircraft.

According to Qasioun, the Coalition bombed Sa’alu as part of an aerial offensive that targeted multiple villages in the east of Deir Ezzor – Baqiras, Sa’alu and Zubari. Qasioun noted “significant material damage” and alleged no civilian casualties.

Sdusyria was the only source that named Russia responsible, they reported “Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships launched dozens of air raids on the neighborhoods of the city of Deir Ghazur” including Sa’alu, one civilian casualty was documented in the report. @asharqasouri also reported the effects “limited to material damage”, and did not specify an actor.

A later report by Deirfree documented the death of one woman and injury of others, allegedly caused by the “spread of cluster bombs among civilian houses”, which caused “panic among the people”, they did not attribute blame. Euphrates Post subsequently named Ms. Aisha Ahmed Al-Zaher. The majority of sources did not identify the aircraft responsible, with the Coalition receiving one allegation, as did Russia. The US-led Coalition had informed Airwars that as a result of their deconfliction agreements, they had ceased to conduct strikes entirely in Deir Ezzor city.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ms. Aisha Ahmed Al-Zaher “Umm Daham” wife of Jarad Al-Hamdan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sa’alu (سعلو), for which the coordinates are: 35.141173, 40.363297. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 13th - 14th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes [2 or more British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position"

For September 14th – 15th, the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.” and "Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 13 September – a Reaper twice engaged terrorists on foot, as well as a truck-bomb, whilst Tornados and Typhoons struck a Daesh building, all near Dayr az Zawr…On Wednesday 13 September, another Reaper continued patrolling near Dayr az Zawr. It used two Hellfire missiles to attack terrorists spotted on foot, then employed a third missile to destroy an armoured truck-bomb positioned next to a main road. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair meanwhile targeted a group of Daesh in a building nearby, scoring a direct hit with a Brimstone.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI853

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

بطمة, Al Butma near Huwaija, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.503101, 43.888521 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported airstrikes in Huwaija south of Kirkuk province, during an Iraqi assault to capture the city from ISIS.

Yagein alleged the US-led Coalition was responsible and cited dead and wounded following the raids. Alzab made a plea to ISF: We hope the security forces ascertain the proper coordinates of their goals in order to protect the safety of innocents after a bomb reportedly struck the family home of Hussain Ali al-Jawamir in the village of Al-Butma in the areas of al-Jabr district Hawija. Alzab did not provide additional information on civilian casualties.

Moreover, in Hawija, 48 terrorists were alleged killed according to a Shafaaq news report, with the US-led Coalition again considered responsible. The air raids reportedly destroyed a Daesh headquarter in Huwaija and warehouses.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Butma (بطمة), near Hawija (الحویجه) in the south of Kirkuk governorate. The coordinates for this village are: 35.5031010, 43.8885210.

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 Batmah, Hawijah, Iraq
    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
Official source

For September 23rd-24th the Coalition reported: “Near Huwijah, 10 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed 18 VBIEDs, 12 vehicles, five fighting positions, six weapons caches, three heavy machine guns, three VBIED factories, two tunnel entrances, an IED storage facility, a command and control node, an ISIS trailer, and an ISIS oil storage tank, a mortar system, a tactical vehicle, a recoilless rifle; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units and two mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

CS1545

Incident date

September 29, 2017

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

Two civilians named as Abdul Fattah Abdul-Ali Al-Dali and Sufian al-Dali died reportedly due to airstrikes on Raqqah city. The sources did not name a culprit and referred only to “bombing” and “shelling”.

There is limited information presently available. Airwars will amend the entry when new information arises.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Fattah Abdul-Ali Al-Dali
Adult male Father killed
Sufian al-Dali
Age unknown male Son killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Raqqa (الرقة‎), for which the coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.  

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 28th – 29th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 26 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, six vehicles, an IED; and suppressed six fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Sept. 28, near Raqqah, Syria, eight strikes destroyed two ISIS fighting positions; and suppressed six fighting positions.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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]

Incident Code

CS1578

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A civilian named as Hussein al-Ibrahim al Hassan died following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqah city, local media reported. Raqqa Media Center cited “artillery bombardment” as the cause of his death.

Airwars understands only the US-led Coaliiton had access to artillery at Raqqah.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein al-Ibrahim al Hassan
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident only mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to the limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 3rd – 4th the Coalition reported “Near Raqqah, 30 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 fighting positions, two vehicles, and a logistics node; and suppressed four fighting positions.” It additionally reported that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three ISIS fighting positions and a VBIED.” And that “On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS communication system.”

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI865 RS2613

Incident date

October 8, 2017

Location

Al Qaim, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to many reported, two brothers were killed in Al Qaim or al Hari in Syria, near the Iraqi border. Reports were contested: one source implied that Iraqi aircraft may have been responsible, while a number of sources identified Russia as the culprit, one source attributed the attack to the Coalition and others did not apportion blame. The Coalition itself has reported airstrikes in the vicinity at the time.

The Euphrates Post reported that the two brothers were killed as a result of an air strike targeting the city of Al-Qaim in Iraq today.

It is important to note that a number of sources reported that the brothers were killed in a village southeast of Abu Kamal, either by Coalition or Russian aircraft. A tweet by @Yousef339y noted: Russian occupation aircraft bombing the village of Hari on the border with Iraq.

Additionally, an adult man was reported killed in the same attack as the Al-Zein brothers.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria stated that the three civilians were killed by international coalition forces.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Nasser Al-Zein
Child male Via Lawhat Bukmalna‎ FB account killed
Ahmed Nasser Al-Zein
Child male Via Lawhat Bukmalna‎ FB account killed

The victims were named as:

Anwar Hajem
Adult male Via Asaad Al Sattam killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Mohammed Nasser Al-Zein, killed following an alleged coalition or Iraq forces strike on Al Qaim, Anbar (via Lawhat Bukmalna)
  • A picture of Ahmed Nasser Al-Zein , killed following an alleged coalition or Iraq forces strike on Al Qaim, Anbar (via Lawhat Bukmalna‎)
  • Another picture of Ahmed Nasser Al-Zein , killed following an alleged coalition or Iraq forces strike on Al Qaim, Anbar (via Mohamed Sharif al-Khabour FB)
  • A picture of Anwar Hajem al-Satem, killed following an alleged coalition or Iraq forces strike on Al Qaim, Anbar (via Asaad Al Sattam)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Qaim (القائم), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.3957715, 40.9943684. Due to the limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 al Qaeim, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For October 7th – 8th the Coalition reported “Near Al Qaim, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a headquarters and a vehicle.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • 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, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]