US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CI480

Incident date

February 24, 2017

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local and press sources claimed that nine civilians were killed and more than twenty wounded in an airstrike conducted by planes of the US-led Coalition on Al Qa’im City.

According to Yaqein “a news source said that Coalition forces launched intensive raids on the city of Qaim, western Anbar province, killing nine civilians. The source added that the raids resulted in the injury of more than 22 civilians were injured.”

However in its April assessment the Coalition denied involvement: “Feb. 24, 2017, near Al-Qa’im, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    22–35
  • 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 (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
    Other
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al-Qa’im, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 1, 2017
  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 23rd-24th the Coalition did not publicly report strikes near Al Qa’im.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    22–35
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1756

Incident date

May 31, 2018

Location

باغوز فوقاني, Al Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.469968, 40.954784 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling on the town of Al Baghouz led to the deaths of up to nine civilians, including two or three children.

Coalition officials indicated to Airwars that it is likely that this incident matches one of the following concession of civilian harm. In their February 2019 press release, they noted: “Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS staging area. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the target location”, following an allegation they received from social media.

Deir Ezzor 24 stated in a tweet that “the bombing by warplanes” took place “at dawn”. A number of sources, including Shaam News, reported that these airstrikes were accompanied by “land to land missile attacks by the international Coalition forces located in al Omar oil field”.

A Step News correspondent detailed that the artillery strikes originated from French troops who targeted “the outskirts of the town, Bagouz Fawqani, and the towns of Al-Shafa, Al-Sousse”.

The victims were identified in a tweet by Al Rased And Euphrates Post also later listed an anonymous fatal victim of the strike, along with a named married couple who  were injured.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Bassam Al-Qasim
Age unknown male killed
Abdullah Al-Qasim
Age unknown male killed

Family members (4)

Khair Allah al-Qasim
Adult male injured
Wife of Khair Allah al-Qasim
Adult female injured
Child 1 of Khair Allah al-Qasim
Child killed
Child 2 of Khair Allah al-Qasim
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Sallouh Al-Attiyah
Age unknown male killed
Saad Al-Yousef
Age unknown male killed
Ammar Al-Fazza
Age unknown male killed
Child of Fantal
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The destruction in al Baghouz following an alleged Coalition strike on May 31st (via a tweet by Al Rased)
  • Original tweet text (since deleted) via @alrassedei "Massacre as a result of the bombing by military aircraft to the town of # Albaguz in the countryside of the city of Albuqmal resulted in a number of martyrs and wounded, including: Sallouh Al-Attiyah, Saad Al-Yousef, Ammar Al-Fazza’, Bassam Al-Qasim, Abdullah Al-Qasim, and of Khairallah’s children and one of Fantal’s children. "
  • Original tweet text (since deleted) via @alrassedei
  • Original tweet text (since deleted) via @alrassedei

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention several buildings in Baghuz Fawqani (باغوز فوقاني), the village of Shajlah (الشجلة). Photos and videos from social media show damaged and destroyed buildings (including the remains of a car next to a large crater in the ground) at this location: 34.469968,40.954784

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Stated location
    near Al Baghouz, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU795159
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • May 31, 2018, near Al Baghouz, Syria, via social media report. Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS staging area. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the target location.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For May 31st, the Coalition reported that “On May 31 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of seven engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, four strikes engaged one Daesh tactical unit, destroyed three Daesh vehicles, one Daesh command and control center and one Daesh fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Thursday 31 May – Typhoons and Tornados destroyed two compounds in eastern Syria, used by the terrorists as a headquarters and equipment store…The focus for RAF attacks for the remainder of the week were terrorist facilities in eastern Syria towards the border with Iraq. On Thursday 31 May, flights of Tornados and Typhoons joined forces to deliver an attack with twelve Paveway IVs against two large adjoining compounds, which were being used by Daesh as a headquarters, weapons store and muster point. All twelve weapons hit and destroyed their intended targets.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For the 2nd straight week, Dutch F-16s fired weapons near Abu Kamal and Hajin in Deir Ezzor. The Dutch MoD reported that between May 30th-June 5th, aircraft targeted ISIS fighters and logistics centers in three missions. Jets supported ground troops in 9 missions, including in Nineveh, Iraq.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 06-06-2018 | 12:00 In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 9 missies. Bij 3 daarvan zijn wapens ingezet. Dat gebeurde in de omgeving van Abu Kamal en Hajin in de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië. Hierbij zijn onder andere ISIS-strijders en logistieke opslagplaatsen aangevallen. Ook is gevlogen boven de Irakese provincie Ninawa. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 30 mei tot en met 5 juni 2018. Militaire instructeurs in Irak leren Koerdische strijders gebieden te beveiligen. Daarbij staan onder meer wapenhandelingen, medische verzorging, oorlogsrecht en civiel-militaire samenwerking op het programma. De door de coalitie opgeleide instructeurs verzorgen een deel van de opleiding. Een Nederlands chirurgisch team opereert in een Amerikaans role 2-hospitaal in westelijk Irak. Het team werkt nauw samen met Noorse medici.’

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS965b

Incident date

June 11, 2017

Location

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.950754, 39.02297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were killed in Coalition artillery strikes. The Coalition conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across CS965, CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965.

These civilians were initially listed as being victims of an airstrike which killed eight civilians from three families with dozens also left wounded. It has since been uncovered by Amnesty field research that the victims were killed in their home due to artillery shelling.

The Amnesty and Airwars joint April 2019 report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality, stated that “Mahmoud Abdallah Abu Hayf, 50, and his two children and his niece and his cousin were killed by an artillery strike outside the house where the family was sheltering. Neighbours told Amnesty International that after they were killed another eight shell landed in the street.”

Salha, a survivor of the strike told Amnesty in a testimony that “My husband was out with the children and when the shelling started he hurried home. They were struck and killed by the front door. My mother and my brother and other relatives were injured in the strike.”

A number of sources alleged that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible for the strikes with the Syrian Network blaming SDF mortars. However, the Coalition also reported that it conducted artillery fire in the Raqqa.

In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts.”

Both this event and CS965a are classed as Credible in our database.

The incident occured at 19:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

50 years old male killed
5 years old female child of Mahmoud killed
6 years old male child of Mahmoud killed
6 years old female niece killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (1)

52 years old male killed

Family members (4)

Adult female injured
4 years old injured
7 years old injured
17 years old injured

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Muhannad Qadri al Daham
Child male not from Amnesty dataset killed
Noura al Hussein
Adult female not from Amnesty dataset killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Jana al-Ali Al Hassan was reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Naya Mahmoud Ismail Abu al-Hayf was reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Naya Mahmoud Ismail Abu al-Hayf and Adnan Abu Hayf were reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Mahmoud Abu Hayf was reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • Jana al-Hassan was reportedly killed by Coalition or SDF shelling in Saif al Dawla neighborhood in the city of Raqqa (via RBSS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Coalition or SDF shelling reportedly killed several children (via Mohab Nasser)
  • Coalition or SDF shelling reportedly killed Mahmoud Abu Hayf and his two children, Naya Mahmoud Ismail Abu al-Hayf and Adnan Abu Hayf during strikes in Saif al-Dawla in al-Raqqa (via @MousaAlomar)
  • Adnan Aby Hayf, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Jana Hassa Ali, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmud Abu Hayf, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmud Abu Hayf, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Mahmud Abu Hayf and his children, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Naya Abu Hayf, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)
  • Naya and Adnan, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on 11th June 2017. (via Amnesty)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Before strike. (via Amnesty)

  • After strike. (via Amnesty)

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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Stated location
    near Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV017790
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • Aug 4, 2017
  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

  • June 12, 2017, near Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition artillery targeted ISIS fighters. Regrettably, eight civilians were unintentionally killed and 24 civilians were unintentionally injured due to their proximity to the impacts. [The Coalition conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across CS965, CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965]. 

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, two vehicles, and two ISIS boats; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and suppressed a sniper team.” And that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two fighting positions.”

It also reported for the same days that "Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions and four vehicles."

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.’

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS111

Incident date

August 11, 2015

Location

اطمه, Atimah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.3093144, 36.6781997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US airstrike on a Jaish al-Sunna ammunition depot in the night also killed at least eight non-combatants in the village of Atmeh, it was widely reported. According to accounts, a number of civilian homes were damaged or destroyed in secondary explosions. Graphic images showed significant damage at the scene.

Five young girls were among the dead.

Their mother, older brother and 2-year old sister Nariman [who later died] were hospitalised, while their grandfather complained to local reporter Hadi al-Abdallah “Are these girls terrorists? Are they carrying machine guns? May God take revenge!” Three other victims were named as Latifa Yasin (aged 55), her 21-year old son Yousef Yasin and her 17-year old daughter Fatima Yasin.

The Coalition initially denied that it had carried out the strike, telling Daily Sabah that “CJTF-OIR forces were not conducting air operations in the area“. However in a written statement on August 12th, “further research” led to an announcement that the Coalition had carried out a “deliberate airstrike” in the area. Locals insisted that the town was under the control of Jaish al-Sunna, a Sunni Islamist faction the US has not previously targeted.

CENTCOM issued an extensive denial of civilian casualties from the incident in early September 2015, telling Buzzfeed that: “A credibility assessment based on the evidence available determined that there was no evidence of civilian casualties that occurred as a result of Coalition airstrikes. As a part of the credibility assessment, imagery taken the day after the strike (12 Aug) was used to look for damage to any houses within a one kilometre circle around the target. A collapsed roof would be easily visible on this imagery, but there was no damage noted to any buildings surrounding the target, and there was no evidence of a collapsed roof. Additionally, open source imagery from social media showed a large amount of weapons in the destroyed target building, the only building damaged in the strike. Such weapons storage would not be in a dwelling with children, so it was determined that there were no civilians or children in the target building.”

CENTCOM’s assessment appeared to be based solely on aerial imagery. Buzzfeed contacted rebels on the ground in Atmeh who insisted that homes had been destroyed in the attack, providing photographic evidence to reporters Mike Giglio and Munzer al-Awad.

A United Nations spokesman urged the Coalition to limit the risks to civilians from its actions: “From the beginning of the use of airstrikes by certain countries in Syria, we have called on all those involved to ensure their greatest efforts to avoid any type of civilian casualties.”

In an Amnesty assessment of the event published in October 2016, the human rights group cited eyewitness Talha al-Amouri, a resident of Atmeh and brother-in-law of the six slain children’s mother: “I was about 50m away when the air strike happened… Five missiles fell in total. The first fell 10m away from the house, the second and third fell on and next to the house and the last two fell on the building used by Jaysh al-Sunna. We own the building and Jaysh al-Sunna is using it to produce mortar shells but they don’t pay us rent… We found the women quicker under the rubble; the children took a while to find. The [dead] children [of my brother and sister-in-law] had shrapnel injuries. The neighbours had no such injuries but their heads had exploded.”

Concluding that the US was indeed responsible for the civilian deaths, Amnesty stated: “The attack appears to have been directed at a military target, and to have struck and destroyed it, but to have also destroyed neighbouring homes and killed nine civilians within them. As such, the attack may have been disproportionate. The existence of two civilian homes a mere 15m from the military target should have necessitated precautions necessary to minimize risk of loss of civilian life and destruction of civilian objects.”

A CENTCOM spokeswoman noted at the time that ”We are aware of the reports surrounding Atmeh and are looking into them.“

However CENTCOM later told Buzzfeed that it had concluded “there was no evidence of civilian casualties as a result of coalition airstrikes.” [see above]. And responding to a query from Airwars, Centcom stated on October 27th 2015 that “After careful review and based on the best available evidence” it had found that “allegations of civilian casualties by the Coalition were unfounded and deemed not credible.”

The Coalition formally announced its findings on Atimeh four years later. In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition assessed this event as ‘non credible’, noting: “Previously Assessed Non-Credible Report: As part of our CIVCAS process in order to maintain transparency and accuracy, we constantly review our tracker to ensure proper release of information. We saw this case had not been previously listed so it is being listed now.  1. August 11, 2015, in Atimah, Syria, via self-report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 68 37SBA923201″.

It also classed Airwars’ own assessment of the event as a duplicate of the above, noting: “2. August 11, 2015, in Atimah, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition actions identified in this allegation are duplicates of those in allegation 68 (Not Credible, published in this report). 2809/CS111 37SBA915208”.

The incident occured at 20:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

9 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
8 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
6 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
5 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
4 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri. killed
2 years old female daughter of son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri, died two weeks after the date of the strike from her injuries killed
5 years old male son of Mr. Mo'wiya al Amouri injured
Adult female injured
55 years old female displaced from Areeha killed
17 years old female Latifa's daughter killed
21 years old male Latifa's son and an armed opposition member from al Fateh Army. He was visiting his family for treatement after he was injured in Sahl al Ghab killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (6–7 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–12
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • A family photo showing 6 of 7 children killed in a likely US airstrike August 11 2015 (SN4HR)
    A family photo showing 6 of 7 children killed in a likely US airstrike August 11 2015 (SN4HR)
  • The Al A'mouri home, where five kids were killed in an alleged coalition strike, and to the right the al Sunna Army HQ [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • A report by journalist Hadi al Abdallah interviewing the grandfather of the 5 children killed in the alleged coalition bombing. Subtitled in English
  • Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged coalition raid on Atimah, Idlib. [Via: Baladi News Network 11th August 2015]
  • The exact location of the shelled house. [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • The two locations that were shelled, one civilian home and Al Sunna Army military HQ [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • A series of photos showing the shelled house of Mo'wiya al Amouri. [Via: SN4HR taken by local activist Ahmad Zarour on 6th September 2015]
  • More images of both Al Amouri house and Al Sunna Army Headquarters following the shelling. [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic: The bodies of the Al Amouri children killed in the shelling. [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic: Survivors -but injured- from al Amouri family [Via: SN4HR report 10th September 2015]
  • An interview by the journalist Hadi al Abdallah with a leader in Jaish al Sunna explaining what happened.

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
    in Atimah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBA923201
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • Previously Assessed Non-Credible Report: As part of our CIVCAS process in order to maintain transparency and accuracy, we constantly review our tracker to ensure proper release of information. We saw this case had not been previously listed so it is being listed now. 1. August 11, 2015, in Atimah, Syria, via self-report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action. 68 37SBA923201

  • Duplicate Reports: The following reports were found to be duplicates of previously assessed Coalition actions. 2. August 11, 2015, in Atimah, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition actions identified in this allegation are duplicates of those in allegation 68 (Not Credible, published in this report). 2809/CS111 37SBA915208

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

A confirmed US airstrike, with a CENTCOM spokeswoman noting at the time that ”We are aware of the reports surrounding Atmeh and are looking into them.“

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (6–7 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–12
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda/HTS

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI294

Incident date

October 13, 2016

Location

المصارف, Mosul, Masaref and Rifak, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3842544, 43.1767845 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians were killed alongside 13 members of ISIS in Mosul, according to local sources.

NRN reported that Coalition aircraft launched two raids on the Masaref and Rifak neighbourhoods of the city. A correspondent said the attack targeted banks and sites belonging to ISIL members. The attacks were heavy and [caused] extensive damage to public and private property, leading to the deaths of more than nine civilians reported NRN.

Video posted by NRN as well as by ISIL sympathizer accounts showed one airstrike in the distance, as well as the aftermath of what appeared to be two separate strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video captures the aftermath of the alleged Coalition airstrikes on Masaref and Rifak, in Mosul, where nine civilians were reportedly killed alongside 13 members of ISIS in Mosul (via NRN)
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 Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF3642427772
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 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 October 12th-13th the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.” For October 13th-14th the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and a chemical weapons facility; destroyed three tunnel entrances, a tunnel, a rocket rail, a vehicle, and a trench; and damaged a trench network.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS517

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Location

السحامية, Al Sahamiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.023470, 39.738922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and nine civilians including three chilren died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sahamiya village, Raqqa, according to local sources.

Baladi, Euphrates Post, the Shaam News Network and Step News Agency all blamed the Coalition.

Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently – whICH also attributed the incident to the Coalition – reported “that an entire family were martyred after a poultry farm in the village of Al Sahamiya was bombed in the eastern Raqqa countryside – and they are: Hamadi Saleh al Baladiya, his wife, his children, the mother of his wife, her two brothers and her sister”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least five non-combatants – including three children and one woman – from the same family died in a Coalition strike.

Smart put the death toll higher, at nine, with eight more wounded – though they didn’t identify the culprit.

Likewise, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights didn’t identify the warplanes responsible, but reported that five died including two children and a woman in raids.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Hamadi Saleh al Baladiya
Adult male killed
Hamadi Saleh al Baladiya's wife
Age unknown female killed
Hamadi Saleh al Baladiya's children
Age unknown Unknown how many children killed
Hamadi Saleh al Baladiya's mother in law
Adult female Killed with her brother and sister killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: raqqa - 16 martyrs in warplane shelling on eastern raqqa countryside - 8 killed in al Sahamiya village and 8 in al Fatatish village.
  • Translation: Raqqa: The death toll in raqqa today is 28 martyrs: 8- from the village of Fatatish east of raqqa 8 from the village of al Sahamiya 1 from Ja’abar 11 from Maadan.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sahamiya (السحامية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.023470, 39.738922. 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
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Al Sahamiya (Raqqah), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV0832076391
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 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 February 20th-21st, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, a VBIED, a garage, an IED and a weapons facility; and damaged a bridge.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI020

Incident date

December 9, 2014

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3532137, 43.7875674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 9 civilians were reported killed and 32 injured in what NINA described as a “coalition airstrike” on people queuing for fuel in the city.

On the following day Al Jazeera, Rudaw, NINA and Mobtaba all described attacks on the districts of “Al Jolan north of the city, Nizal in the centre of the city and The Shuhada’a and Al Tamim neighbourhoods in the South” as being the work of Iraq Army heavy artillery.

An internal CENTCOM investigation reported that the Coalition was not responsible for the incident: “There were no airstrikes in Fallujah on 09 December. There were two airstrikes in Ramadi on 08 and 09 December… neither against vehicle and area depicted in video.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    32
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:5:"other";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Fallujah, Iraq, al Jolan neighbourhood
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015
  • Youtube video showing mangled truck and dead and injured. Video mentions bombing and only refereNe to airstrike is in the title page. FIR provided. There were no airstrikes in Fallujah on 09 December.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    32
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS076

Incident date

June 11, 2015

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.60534, 39.12188 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians were killed by US aircraft at Slouk in Raqaa’s suburbs.

Al Hal quoted Abu Ibrahim Al Raquaou of the group Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently as saying that as part of an operation to clear Slouk of Daesh militants, Coalition planes had “targeted IS machinery near the Slouk Front and its operations killed several civilians, amongst them two women and several children in their homes in the town.” Others reported that the dead were all from one family.

The head of the family was later named as Yusuf Al Sayid, who according to RBSS died alongside his two wives and five children.

A single source also reported that another civilian male, was killed nearby in a strike at Junction Alkntra.

On January 15th 2016, CENTCOM conceded that US aircraft had killed at least three civilians during this strike: “On June 11, 2015, near Soluk, Syria, during strikes against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that three unidentified civilians were killed.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Yusuf Al Sayid
Adult male killed
Wife 1 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Adult female killed
Wife 2 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Adult female killed
Child 1 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed
Child 2 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed
Child 3 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed
Child 4 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed
Child 5 of Yusuf Al Sayid
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Adult killed nearby in a strike at Junction Alkntra killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–5 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Residents of Tal Abyad region reportedly fleeing fighting between Islamic State and YPG Kurds June 13th 2015 (SNN)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest town at 36.59539, 39.128559

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    3
  • Stated location
    near Soluk, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEA109511
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 15, 2016
  • On June 11, 2015, near Soluk, Syria, during strikes against an ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that three unidentified civilians were killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Heavy coalition was reported at Raqaa. For June 10th-11th 2015 CJTF-OIR noted: “Near Ar Raqqah, seven airstrikes struck six ISIL tactical units, destroying seven ISIL improvised rocket assisted munitions, two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL resupply points, two ISIL VBIEDs, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL VBIED warehouse.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3–5 children2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (9) [ collapse]