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

CI163

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Location

Keseir, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were reportedly killed and three injured – all children and women – after Coalition jets allegedly bombed their house in Keseir village east of Mosul.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Alrafidain TV report on the incident

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reports that on December 21st-22nd 2015, “Near Mosul, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, 12 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL bunkers, and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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

CI185

Incident date

February 6, 2016

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi (Al Bosaleh), Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

There were reports of two or three civilian homes in Al Bosaleh village east of Ramadi were struck by the Coalition in the morning, killing at least 17 civilians – including up to 13 from the Alibohvd clan.

Yaqen included a reported image (right) of one of the destroyed homes. However, the site also suggested that the Iraq Army may have been responsible for the fatalities.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition said it could not determine involvement in the event: “Feb. 6, 2016, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Airwars has requested additional clarification.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 21
  • 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 (4) [ 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 has confirmed a number of strikes in the vicinity on February 5th-6th 2016: “Near Ramadi, three strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL recoilless rifle, and an ISIL fuel transporter, six ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL command and control node, an ISIL front end loader, and an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) facility.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 21
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS192

Incident date

March 19, 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

In a second day of airstrikes on Raqqa, 43 civilians were reported killed and 60 injured – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one report suggesting this may be a Coalition incident.

The Daesh agency Al A’maq said there had been nine raids by Russia on various “crowded” neighborhoods in the city, killing 43 and wounding 60. They published graphic footage of the event. Al Jazeera also blamed Russia, reporting that warplanes had carried out nine raids, killing more thna 40 and injuring dozens more.

An initial report by Shaam News Network spoke of a “terrible massacre against unarmed civilians conducted by air raids thought to be Russian“. However, a second report said this was either a Russian or Coalition incident: “…the city came under dozens of air raids from aircraft believed to be a Russian or an international coalition.” A subsequent report by SNN also referred to the incident in Raqqa on March 18th, adding: “Activists said the air raids targeted civilian areas and public squares directly away from the headquarters of the organization, resulting in 20 martyrs yesterday [March 18th], but today more than 20 have been killed and dozens more wounded, packing the hospitals in the city.” It said that the focus of the airstrikes was “on Karnak Square in Tel Abiyad Street and Al Ferdous neighbourhood, Al Mourour street and Al Sina’iya area and al Thakana“.

Initial reports by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently did not say who who carried out the raids, though further reports alleged Russia was responsible for nine strikes – killing 43 civilians and wounding 60 more – which targeted the following areas:

1.Alkarnak Square in Tel Abyad Street – targeted with three missiles, one of them behind behind Alandalus bakery, another on the square and a third on Alkarnak mall.

2. Alssinaea area

3. The area next to Alnnawawi mosque.

4. The park of 4th of April, Alsleby building

5. Neighborhood of althukna – Hospitality Palace Road

6. Alfirdaws neighborhood – the Chamber of Commerce – the corner of the children’s park

9. National Hospital

10. Panorama area

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the regime was to blame:”The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has accused the Assad regime of targeting civilian areas in IS-controlled areas. It said that the regime carried out airstrikes against Raqqa, an IS stronghold, on March 18 and 19, killing 32 civilians, including six children. The targets were civilian areas, with no military or weapons facilities in the vicinity.”

Sky News – citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – reported: “At least 39 people, including five children and seven women, were killed in an air strike which targeted several areas in the Syrian city of Raqqa.The Syrian Observatory said it was unclear whether the warplanes were Russian regime.”

Both the BBC and France24 also cited the Observatory in their reports.

RBSS named the following victims:

Issa Al Karat – an agricultural engineer (also named by SN4HR)

Abdallah Mahmoud al Nijm – killed in a raid that targeted Al Mourour street (also named by SN4HR)

Ibrahim Al Rawaba, – “70 years old, after he was hit with shrapnel in his head which caused him a coma following the bombing a week ago near the police gas station“.

Additionally, an individual called Alaa Al Fahad posted a reply on RBSS with a photo of a victim: “Mohammad Khalaf Al Zagheer martyred yesterday in the criminal regime bombing on Raqqa. He is from the village of al Assadiya“.

Raqqa Post named an additional nine victims.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Al-Rashed
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Al-Rashed's mother
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Ruba
Age unknown female daughters of Abu Waddah Al-Sukhni killed
Amira
Age unknown female daughters of Abu Waddah Al-Sukhni killed

Family members (2)

Um Muhannad
Age unknown female wife of Haj Mohammed killed
Um Muhannad's son
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male An agricultural engineer killed
Age unknown male killed
70 years old male killed
Ammar Al-Mufdi
Age unknown male killed
Aziza Al-Qadro
Age unknown female killed
Ali
Age unknown male Son of Waddah killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 43
  • (5 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The al Lailat building in al Thakana neighbourhood, Raqqa, after it was targeted by a raid on March 19th (via RBSS)
  • 'The agricultural engineer Issa Al Karat martyred in the air raids on the city of Raqqa this morning [Mar 19th]' (via RBSS)
  • Abdullah Mahmood Al-Najim (Via RBSS)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 43
  • (5 children7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    60
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI225

Incident date

April 16, 2016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Multiple local sources reported that one civilian was killed and four injured after an oil refinery in northern Mosul was hit by allegedly Coalition aircraft.

One source described the civilians as the ‘owners’ of the refinery.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (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

The Coalition reports for April 15th-16th 2016 that “Near Mosul, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, 14 ISIL modular oil refineries, and two ISIL crude oil stills and destroyed an ISIL assembly area and 10 ISIL boats.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS217

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Location

كلجبرين, Kaljibrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5359847, 37.1173525 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A fierce battle for the town of Kaljibrin left up to 39 civilians dead – with both Daesh and the Coalition blamed for the fatalities.

So-called Islamic State launched a major assault on Kaljibrin, later releasing a video in which it boasted of capturing weapons there. However Coaltion aircraft then reportedly struck at Daesh forces in the town, also hitting residential areas.

Local source Abu Firas al Halabi reported that “16 martyrs occurred including women and children in the village of Kaljabreen, northern Aleppo, after it was targeted by rockets by Daesh yesterday evening and this morning before it gained control of it.”

However, others reported that Coalition airstrikes then killed up to 39 civilians, “most of them women and children.”

A report from the Syrian Observatory later noted: “Casualties have risen since yesterday in the northern countryside of Aleppo, Mare’ and Kaljibrin to at least 68 dead, including 41 or more fighters from rebel and Islamic Factions killed in shellings, bombings and clashes against so-called Islamic State; as well as 27 civilian citizens – including 7 children at least and 5 women – were killed during the military operations which took place in the town of Kaljibrin north of Mare’ city. The fate of another 10 people is still unknown. It is unclear whether they were killed, or were able to flee to areas nearby.”

In a video, Halab Today TV reported testimony from an eye witness (at 0’21”): “on Thursday 26/5/2016 we woke up to noises of clashes in the village which was taking place between IS and the FSA which led to IS gaining control of the village completely.. The next morning coalition planes launched a raid on the village which led to the death of more than 50 martyrs, all of them civilians and most of them women and children and men.”

And then at 1’14”: “after IS withdrew from the village, Russian planes also launched a raid on the village which killed one child and injured two others“.

Syrian Network also blamed the Coalition, citing its own eyewitness: “We were at the cemetery burying the young man who is the son of Ali Marndi where he was killed by ISIS’s bullets when international coalition forces warplanes fired three missiles. One of the missiles fell a few meters away from me. I felt the big explosion of the missile and then headed home which is located 50 meters away from the cemetery to find that it was reduced to ruins over the dead bodies of my family. I pulled out three of my nephews and was able to rescue them. I also was able to save two of my sisters, but I lost my dad and 11 others of my family including children. Also, the head of the village council was killed, and his name was Faraj Shikhou.” The Network has named the following 28 fatalities

In its August 2017 monthly report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible based on insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “May 27, 2016, near Khan Jibran, Syria, 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.

The victims were named as:

Child female killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Adult female killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    28 – 65
  • (18–21 children4 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Destruction at Kaljibrin following a reported Coalition strike (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Translation: Coalition planes bomb now Kafr Kalbain and Kaljabreen.
  • Translation: Coalition planes now bomb the village of Kafr Kalbain and Kaljabreen even though civilians are until now stuck inside the two villages.
  • Translation: 16 martyrs including women and children in the village of Kaljabreen northern Aleppo after it was targeted by rockets by Daesh yesterday evening and this morning before it gained control of it.
  • Translation: Coalition planes commit a terrible massacre in the village of Kaljabreen in northern Aleppo countryside killing 39 martyrs most of them women and children.
  • Translation: 39 civilian martyrs in Kaljabreen in the Aleppo countryside a result of an indiscriminate attack by Daesh and international coalition raids.
  • Pictures showing the destruction that resulted from the bombardment (via SNHR)
  • Pictures showing the destruction that resulted from the bombardment (via SNHR)
  • Pictures showing the destruction that resulted from the bombardment (via SNHR)
  • Pictures showing the destruction that resulted from the bombardment (via SNHR)
  • Pictures showing the destruction that resulted from the bombardment (via SNHR)
  • Pictures showing the destruction that resulted from the bombardment (via SNHR)
  • Pictures showing the destruction that resulted from the bombardment (via SNHR)
  • Pictures showing the destruction that resulted from the bombardment (via SNHR)
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 Khan Jibran, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA3176045088
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 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

The Coalition reports for May 27th-28th 2016 that “Near Mar’a, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    28 – 65
  • (18–21 children4 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS240

Incident date

June 23, 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

In a previously unreported incident, the US admitted six months later that it had killed four civilians in an attack on Raqqa, noting that “June 23, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL-held building, it is assessed that four civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.“

However, in their April 30 2017 report, the Coalition discounted their credible assessment, stating: “June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria: Number 12 and 13 on the Nov. 9, 2016, U.S. Central Command press release were both based on the same report. The actual assessment was that on June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, during a strike on an ISIS headquarters four civilians were unintentionally killed.”

The credible assessment that they refer to on June 21, 2016 is CS237.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Coalition planes launched raids on al Dalla roundabout and the area of the electricity company in Raqqa which led to civilian deaths and injuries.”

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Bemo Bank, a six-storey-building, was destroyed in a Coalition strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Raqqa, Bemo Bank, a s-x-floor building which was reportedly completely destroyed (via RBSS)

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017
  • during a strike against an ISIL-held building, it is assessed that four civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.

  • June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria: Number 12 and 13 on the Nov. 9, 2016, U.S. Central Command press release were both based on the same report. The actual assessment was that on June 21, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, during a strike on an ISIS headquarters four civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 22nd-23rd 2016, the Coalition noted at the time that “Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL-used bridge and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Thursday 23 June – A Reaper struck a further target north of Bayji, Typhoons attacked terrorist positions in northern Syria and Fallujah…A second Reaper continued support in the area [Bayji] into Thursday 23 June and used a Hellfire missile to eliminate a terrorist spotted with a man portable surface-to-air missile. Typhoons continued their support over Fallujah as well, conducting a Paveway IV attack on a machine-gun team. Another Typhoon flight operated over northern Syria, close to the Turkish border and destroyed two Daesh-held buildings several miles east of Azaz.’

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS263

Incident date

July 14, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.5269242, 37.9559288 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Continued heavy Coalition airstrikes on Manbij reportedly resulted in further heavy civilian casualties.

According to Lens Young Manbij, “The family of Mahmoud Bin Ali al Manssini [the barber] was killed. The father is in a critical condition. The daughter of Safi Miassni was with them and she was also killed. Ahmad Bin Safi was lost with his car in warplane bombing on their home. The planes also targeted the home of Mr. Mohammad Al Ahmad Al A’ouni killing his three children. He and his wife are in a critical condition in hospital. Their daughter survived.”

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, 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:

Family members (3)

Mohammad Al Ahmad Al A’ouni
Adult male injured
Mohammad Al Ahmad Al A’ouni's wife
Adult female injured
Mohammad Al Ahmad Al A’ouni's three children
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Daughter of Safi Miassni
Age unknown female killed
Ahmad Bin Safi
Age unknown male Was lost with his car in warplane bombing on their home. killed
Mahmoud Bin Ali al Manssini
Age unknown male He was a barber. His family was also killed killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: The family of Mohammad al Barho, 4 civilians from al Qiba village in the Jarablos countryside killed by coalition raids on Manbij.

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
    37SDA065429
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • July 14, 2016, in Manbij, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 3010/CS263 37SDA065429

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 13th-14th the Coalition reported: “Near Manbij, nine strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 14 ISIL fighting positions and damaged two separate ISIL fighting positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI273

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.3240179, 43.77335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported the deaths of 10 civilians and the injuring of nine others in alleged Coalition and Iraqi government actions in and around Hawijah.

According to Yaqein, international Coalition warplanes targeted, on Wednesday evening, the village of Albrglah and three areas in the district of Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk, killing ten civilians and wounding nine others. Iraqi government mortar fire and Katyusha rockets were also said to have targeted the area.

In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, 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
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (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
    38SLE885096
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • Aug. 3, 2016, in Hawijah, 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. 2988/CI273 38SLE885096

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition publicly reported no strikes at Hawijah for August 3rd-4th 2016.

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]