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

CS954

Incident date

June 8, 2017

Location

الرقة, Raqqa, Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An August 2017 Amnesty International report documented a civilian casualty incident in Raqqa, in which 9 members of the same family were killed on June 8th, 2017. The neighbour of the family had told the organization’s field researchers that in the early evening, Abdallah Allawi, his wife Muntaha, and their seven sons, aged between three and 18, were killed when their home was shelled and destroyed.

Amnesty mentioned that the house could have been targeted by either air or artillery strikes. The interviewed neighbour had stated that the family’s house had been hit by an airstrike, but this was based on the presumption that only an air bombardment could have completely destroyed the building.

Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilian casualties with the same first or last names.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdallah Allawi
Adult male killed
Muntaha
Adult female wife of Abdallah Allawi killed
Nine sons of Abdallah Allawi
Child male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 1, 2017
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 7th-8th: “Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 fighting positions, three vehicles, two ISIS staging areas, an ISIS excavator, an ISIS weapons cache, and an ISIS training camp.” It also added that “On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed six fighting positions and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” And that “On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS minefield.”

For June 8th-9th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles and a mortar system.

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Friday 9 June – Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa…On Friday 9 June, Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI118

Incident date

October 5, 2015

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Geolocation

35.43304, 44.02941 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians were killed from one family after US aircraft bombed their home in Atshana Village, in eastern Hawijah district.

In a January 2016 report the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq appeared to confirm the report, noting: “On 5 October, an airstrike mistakenly targeted a civilian house in Atshana village, east of Hawija and southwest of Kirkuk, that belonged to the Mukhtar of the village, killing eight persons from the same family, including several women and children and the Mukhtar himself.”

On April 22nd 2016, CENTCOM confirmed eight civilians died in the attack: “On Oct. 5, 2015, in Atshanah, Iraq, near Al Huwayjah, during a strike on ISIL personnel, it is assessed that eight civilians were killed during a strike on a mortar fire position used by enemy fighters.“

In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with coordinates for this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mukhtar of village (unnamed)
Adult male killed
Female relative of Mukhtar
Adult female killed
Female relative of Mukhtar
Adult female killed
Child 1 of Mukhtar
Child killed
Child 2 of Mukhtar
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women1–2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to 35.3240179, 43.77335

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
    Killed by strike blast
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    in Atshanah, Iraq, near Al Huwayjah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SME119215
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 22, 2016
  • On Oct. 5, 2015, in Atshanah, Iraq, near Al Huwayjah, during a strike on ISIL personnel, it is assessed that eight civilians were killed during a strike on a mortar fire position used by enemy fighters.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women1–2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI227

Incident date

April 17, 2016

Location

حلبسة, Halabisa, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.329165, 43.718515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources claimed that Coalition aircraft struck homes in an afternoon attack on Halabsa village west of Fallujah, killing six civilians and injuring another 12 or more, “most of them children and women.”

News Fallujah pictured a young survivor of the event, noting: “Yousif Mushtak Talib Al Halbusi : His mother was killed and his father( Mushtak Talib) and sister( Mariam) were injured today afternoon by the bombing.”

News of Iraq only reported ‘heavy shelling’ on the village, and did not attribute responsibility for the civilian deaths. And Yaqen – which placed the death toll higher at eight – also blamed the attack on unidentified aircraft, with its reporter noting that “the bombing targeted the homes of civilians in different parts of the city of Fallujah which also left material damage.

Iraqi Spring instead blamed Iraq militarily for the deaths of three civilians “in [the] Zoyya area west of Fallujah.”

Iraqi Revolution reported that a female child also died the following day of injuries sustained in the event (see picture).

In the first 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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Child female (via News Fallujah now) injured
Adult male (via News Fallujah now) killed
Adult female (via News Fallujah now) killed

The victims were named as:

Child female (via Iraqi revolution) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 9
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–18
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    a photo of Aisha Ali Mohammed, who had died following an alleged Coalition strike on Halabsa village west of Fallujah, April 19th 2016 (via Iraqi Revolution)
  • An image of the injured child (Yousif Mushtak Talib Al Halbusi) following an alleged Coalition strike on April 19th 2016. The source also said that his parents were killed and the sister (Mariam) was injured (via News Fallujah Now)

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
    38SLB807885
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 25, 2020
  • April 17, 2016, in Halabisa, 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. 2945/CI227 38SLB807885

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 17th-18th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.”

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
    4 – 9
  • (1 child2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–18
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI631

Incident date

April 11, 2017

Location

حي الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3431411, 43.1257262 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that nine people from the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their house in Al-Farouk Street, in Farouk neighbourhood in West Mosul, at midnight.

Local Facebook page Sawlf Ateka reported that Tarek al-Sanjari, his five sons and two daughters died. Reportedly, a large explosion blew off the roof of the house where they were seeking protection.

A.M.S. and Urgent Mosul News listed the victims.

The New York Times interviewed a witness in Mosul who took the reported the remains of the Sanjari family home. According to witnesses, “Tariq Khalil Ibrahim Sanjari and his family were sleeping in April 2017. The Sanjari family had rented this house because their own had been damaged during the war. On the night of the strike, 27 people were asleep in five bedrooms. A little after 12:30 a.m., Sanjari’s son Emad Tariq Khalil Ibrahim woke up struggling to breathe and realized he was partly buried under concrete. After removing the blocks on top of him, he found his wife and two sons. He heard a voice and began searching for other survivors. The lower half of his brother Mahmoud Tariq Khalil was pinned under a block of concrete and steel bars. “I don’t know how to describe the moaning sounds he was making,” Emad told me softly. “I started by hugging my brother, and I kissed his forehead. I told him: ‘Don’t worry, you’re going to be OK. We’re going to save you.’ He didn’t say anything. He just moaned. Neighbors who came to help spent more than three hours working to free Mahmoud and the others, but the block was too heavy to lift. Emad could feel Mahmoud’s heartbeat slowing, his body temperature going down. He understood what was happening. Emad kissed his brother, said a prayer and left the room. Using a drill hammer, a metal-cutting tool and a car jack, the neighbors worked until 1 p.m., rescuing survivors and recovering bodies. Then they took the dead, seven in all, for burial. ISIS had previously briefly occupied the house next door to this home, he said, but abandoned it about 20 days to one month before the strike. That home did not appear to be hit.”

In its June casualty report the Coalition appeared to deny responsibility:

“27 – April 12, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

29 – April 12, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Airwars has requested additional information on the location of these events.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “In the evening of 12 April, an airstrike targeting ISIL in the Farouq neighbourhood, western Mosul, killed seven civilians, including two women and a child, and wounded 11 others, including four women and two children all from the same family. An unknown number of ISIL fighters were killed and wounded. The airstrike hit an ISIL compound and a civilian home adjacent to it.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Tariq Khalil Ibrahim al-Sanjari
Adult male Father killed
Mother of Ziad
Adult female Mother killed
Ahmed Tareq al-Sanjari
Age unknown male Son killed
Mahmoud Tarek al-Sanjari
Age unknown male Son killed
Abeer Tareq al-Sanjari
Age unknown female Daughter killed
Marwan Mohammed Khalil al-Sanjari
Age unknown male Cousin killed
Hakam Marwan al-Sinjari
Age unknown male Son killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (0–2 children2–4 women1–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Farouk neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017
  • 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. (1314)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For April 10th-11th: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a supply cache, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an anti-air artillery system, one VBIED; damaged a fighting position; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit and a mortar team.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (0–2 children2–4 women1–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

CS1057

Incident date

June 22, 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

Local media reported that nine civilians were killed and “many” others were wounded in airstrikes and artillery fire on Raqqa city.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently identified two of the victims (see below) and mentioned that they reportedly were displaced from the town of Samouma in Maskana, as two of the fatalities.

Ahmad Shibli said that the Coalition was responsible for their deaths.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Taha al Awad
Age unknown male killed
Ali al Awad
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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]

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 Ratlah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV007787
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 22, 2018
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 21st-22nd, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 16 fighting positions, three vehicles and an ammunition cache.” It additionally reported that “On June 21, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed four ISIS staging areas, three vehicles, three fighting positons, and a VBIED; damaged a VBIED factory; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.”

For June 22nd-23rd the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 12 fighting positions, two vehicles, and an IED cache; and damaged an ISIS supply route.” It additionally reported that On June 22, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.” and that “On June 22, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, a weapons cache, and an ISIS staging area; and damaged 14 fighting positions.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

9 strikes were made by French aircraft in Iraq and Syria in the last week. Most of them were carried out in the battles of Mosul and Raqqah. These strikes were aimed at groups of Daech fighters. The other strikes were carried out in Syria and targeted regrouping and refueling areas used by jihadi fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 16 artillery strikes in Mosul.

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 29 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 2 de recueil de renseignements. 19 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie. La majeure partie d’entre elles ont été réalisées dans le cadre des batailles de Mossoul et de Raqqah. Ces frappes visaient des groupes de combattants de Daech. Les autres frappes ont été réalisées en Syrie et ont visé des zones de regroupement et de ravitaillements utilisées par les combattants djihadistes.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Friday 23 June – Tornados and Typhoons hit three Daesh sniper teams in Mosul, and a truck-bomb and armoured personnel carrier in Raqqa…The next day [June 23rd], a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair used two Paveway IVs to target successfully a large group of Daesh fighters operating with a truck-bomb and an armoured personnel carrier in Raqqa, while in Mosul a Tornado flight conducted three precision attacks with Brimstone missiles on sniper positions.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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

CS1144

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Location

بناء الحريري, Al-Hariri Building, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.954908, 39.023073 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilians from three families were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes which hit the Al Hariri building, near the Al Ateeq Mosque in Raqqa.

All ten sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Despite this the Coalition has responded that there was no civilian harm as a result of Coalition action. “Thorough review of available evidence indicated Coalition activity did not cause the alleged civilian casualties.”

Initial Airwars research indicated the airstrike occurred on the 2nd of July, however Amnesty field research has uncovered the airstrike occurred on the 1st of July at 5pm.

Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, reported that “Nine people – seven children, one woman and one man – from three families were killed when a three storey house was destroyed in an air strike.”

In a survivors testimony, the mother of the al Abdullah family, Rimal, stated in an emotional interview that “My entire family was taken from me, why? My four children and my husband; everything that was dear to me. Why did they kill them? I have nothing left to live for.”

The incident occured at 17:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

42 years old male father killed
11 years old male killed
4 years old male killed
3 years old male killed
1 year 4 months years old female killed

Family members (3)

Adult female her husband previously killed in Tayyar killed
2 years old male her son killed
4 years old female her daughter killed

Family members (1)

16-17 years old female Ghofran Horan Mohammed killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (4–7 children1 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Yasser Al-Abdullah and four of his children - A’ssaf, Zain, Jude abd Rimas - died in a reported Coalition strike on Ar Raqqah, July 2nd 2017. (via RBSS)

Geolocation notes

The Al-Hariri building near the Old Mosque was hit by airstrikes at 35.954908, 39.023073. The building was a three story house.

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 Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV020789
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 30, 2018
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 2nd – 3rd: “Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 10 fighting positions and a mortar system.” It additionally reported that “On July 2, near Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two VBIEDs, an ISIS communications tower, and a fighting position; and damaged 32 fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Sunday 2 July – Tornados and Typhoons struck four Daesh positions in Mosul, and two in Raqqa…On Sunday 2 July, mixed pairs of Tornados and Typhoons operated over both Mosul and Raqqa. In Mosul, the Iraqi ground forces encountered three groups of snipers – all three positions, plus another Daesh-held building, were successfully struck with Paveways. In similar fashion, Paveway IVs were used against two terrorist firing points in Raqqa.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (4–7 children1 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1286b

Incident date

July 22, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah: Museum square, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94572, 39.01725 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Investigations for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org) reported that on July 22 nine members of the Al-Zanna family were killed in a coalition air strike while sheltering in a basement under a parade of empty shops in Museum Square. Hours later another Coalition air strike two streets away killed 15 other members of the same family who were sheltering on the ground floor of a four-storey building. The second strike can be found here: CS1286a. Amnesty researchers spoke to a relative, Abdellatif: “The family had tried to leave Raqqa but Daesh (IS) prevented them, and Daesh also kicked them out of home near the old mosque. So, they took shelter in whatever place they thought they would be safe.” The strike happened between 1.30 and 2pm. Amnesty also interviewed a survivor named Salah Ahmad Hamdan, 46, who survived with Dhiba, Khalil’s wife, who testified to the event.

In July 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible. Their monhtly civilian casualty report noted: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.”

The incident occured between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Fatima Mahmoud Mohammed
42 years old female wife of Salah Ahmad Hamdan, Mahmoud Mohammed's daughter killed
Ahmad Ahmad Hamdan
23 years old male Fatima and Salah's son killed
Mohammed Ahmad Hamdan
18 years old male Fatima and Salah's son killed
Mahmoud Ahmad Hamdan
16 years old male Fatima and Salah's son killed
Mahmoud Mohammed al Zunna
67 years old male Marian's husband, Fatima's father killed
Mohammed Rasool Al Zunna
20 years old male Khaled and Muna's son killed
Khaleel Mohammad Al Zunna
20 years old male Marian and Mahmoud's son, Fatima's brother, Daleel's husband killed
Mariam Mohammad Al Zunna
8 years old female Khaleel and Dhiba's daughter killed
Mahmoud Mohammad Al Zunna
5 years old male Khaleel and Dhiba's son killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (3 children1 woman5 men)
  • 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

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Building in which 9 members of the Al Zanna family were killed, before the strike (July 19, 2017)

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

  • Building in which 9 members of the Al Zanna family were killed, after the strike (July 29, 2017)

    Imagery:
    Amnesty International

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Stated location
    in Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV014783
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2019
  • Jul. 22, 2017, in Raqqa, Syria, via Amnesty International report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For July 28th-29th: “Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and suppressed a fighting position.” It additionally reported that “On July 28, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units, destroyed an anti-air artillery system, and damaged seven fighting positions.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 28 July – a Tornado and Typhoon pair struck a Daesh position in Raqqa…Another mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair assisted the SDF in Raqqa on Friday 28 July, and a Paveway IV was used to destroy a terrorist position.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (3 children1 woman5 men)
  • 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

Incident Code

CI307

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Location

أبو جربوعة, Abu Jarbua, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.41241, 43.31882 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A local source told Airwars’ Iraq-based field researcher that three families have died in the village of Abu Jarbuha, followed Coalition airstrikes allegedly destroyed their homes.

With British airstrikes confirmed in the area that day, Airwars reached out to the MoD, with information which included geolocates within 1km of the likely vicinity of the event (36.41241, 43.31882.)

An MoD official subsequently told Airwars that “From the evidence you have provided… we cannot make any definitive assessment. However, I can confirm that there was no indication of any civilian casualties in our own detailed assessments of the impact of each of our strikes on the dates in question.

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: ‘On 24 October 2016, an airstrike reportedly hit a house in Abu-Jarbu’a village in Bashiqa subdistrict of Mosul killing six civilians–two children, two women and two men–from two families and also wounding four civilians–two children, one woman and a man.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (2 children2–3 women)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ba’shiqa, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF5217127671
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017
  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For October 23rd-24th 2016, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units, two rocket systems, two anti-aircraft artillery systems and two staging areas; destroyed 19 fighting positions, 17 vehicles, 10 heavy machine guns, nine mortar systems, eight command and control nodes, six repeater towers, and four tunnels; and damaged four fighting positions, two vehicles, a mortar system, and a tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 9
  • (2 children2–3 women)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]