Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

CS412

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

الكور, Al Kour, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.1971183, 38.6234665 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reports emerged on December 15th of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Kour which killed three civilians. However the original source for the claim suggested that the event took place two days earlier.

According to Abd al Basset Ahmad al Khalaf, head of the political committee for local Syrian tribes, Habib al Mourabi and two of his family died when Coalition aircraft struck at al Kour, north west of Raqqa.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials requested additional information concerning the alleged event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Habib al Mourabi
Age unknown male And two members of his family killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from 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 Al Kour, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 4, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area of the reported civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 12th-13th, the Coalition reported “Near Ayn Isa, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units, destroyed a command and control node and damaged five supply routes.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI369

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

النور والتأميم, Mosul, Noor and Ta’mim, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3638331, 43.1857967 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fifteen civilians were reported killed in fighting between ISIL and Iraqi forces.

Said Noor Ahmed Halbusi, a doctor at a field hospital, told Anadolu he had received 15 bodies, including seven from one family. The civilians were killed in fighting between Iraqi forces and ISIL inside Mosul it said. Yaqein reported the same figures but said the victims died from government mortar fire.

Rudaw instead said that rocket-propelled grenades were responsible and that the culprit was unknown.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image reveals the destruction that followed the shelling between Iraqi forces and ISIL which led the killing of seven civilians in Mosul, Noor and Ta’mim (via Yaqein)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Not relevant on this occasion.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS411

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.35077, 40.36689 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to eleven civilians died in a Coalition airstrike which at the time was also blamed on Russia and the Assad regime. However the Coalition has confirmed striking oil installations and tankers in the vicinity on this date, and killing five drivers.

According to Ara News, “Unidentified warplanes shelling oil refineries in Badeyet Kisham killed 10 workers and wounded 15. The number of death is likely to rise due to the seriousness of some injuries.” Baladi News placed the initial death toll at 6, again citing unidentified warplanes.

The FSA and Daral Akhbar blamed Russia, while the Syrian Network said the regime was responsible, as did Syrian Newsdesk which reported: “Seven civilians were killed, including three children, and 15 others wounded yesterday evening, due to regime warplanes targeting with four raids the town of Khisham which is under the control of the organization of the Islamic state east of Deir al-Zour city.”

Shaam News initially blamed Russia, but later said the Coalition was responsible for 11 civilians killed. Syrian PC also reported that “Coalition warplanes carried out raids in Badeyet Al kisham oil fields and killed 11 civilians – most are drivers and civilians who work in the industry – and wounded dozens. The death toll is likely to rise due to serious injuries.”

Deir Ezzor 24 named three victims.

The Coalition noted in February 2017 that the incident was still being assessed. On March 4th it confirmed responsibility: “Dec. 11, 2016, near Dayr Az Zayr, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS oil tanker trucks it is assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed. After warning shots were fired truck drivers vacated their vehicles and moved a safe distance away. Aircraft engaged targets and following munition release five of the drivers returned to their vehicles and were killed by munition’s impact.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nour Al-Deen Sabah Al-Amash
Age unknown male killed
Ibrahim Ali Albadran
Age unknown male killed
Bassam Ramadan Al Saleh
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 35.3020098, 40.2914143

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
    Entered target area just prior to or after munition released
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Stated location
    near Dayr Az Zayr, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFV242128
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 4, 2017

  • Dec. 11, 2016, near Dayr Az Zayr, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS oil tanker trucks it is assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed. After warning shots were fired truck drivers vacated their vehicles and moved a safe distance away. Aircraft engaged targets and following munition release five of the drivers returned to their vehicles and were killed by munition’s impact.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 10th-11th 2016, the Coalition publicly reported that “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed five oil well heads, an oil storage tank, and an oil tanker truck.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI368

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

حي الفلاح, Mosul, Falah, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.39229, 43.17916 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight to eleven civilians – including five children and 8 members of the same family – were killed by Coalition strikes in Mosul, according to local sources.

According to Iraqi Spring, eight civilians from one family, including four children and two women were killed in Coalition airstrikes in the Al-Falah neighbourhood of eastern Mosul.

Several outlets, including Nineveh Media Center, identified 12 victims by names.

The Los Angeles Times interviewed the strike’s sole survivors: Mohammed Mumtaz, 30, and his 8-year-old son, Yaman. Mumtaz said he was not contacted by the coalition, and did not expect compensation. Nothing can compensate for my loss, said Mumtaz, a pharmacist who lost his wife, parents, two brothers, sister-in-law and two nephews.

In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016, Coalition officials requested additional information concerning the alleged event.

On April 30th 2017 the Coalition accepted responsibility for eight deaths, noting: Dec. 11, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: During a strike on ISIS fighters firing on Coalition and partnered forces, it was assessed that the strike impacted an ISIS weapons cache that set off secondary explosions that set an adjacent building on fire killing eight civilians in the building.

In July 2019, 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)

Haj Mumtaz Abdullah Majid
Adult male killed
the Wife of Haj Mumtaz Abdullah Majid
Adult female killed

Family members (4)

Ammar Mumtaz Abdullah
Adult male killed
Lina Hisham AlAnnaz
Adult female killed
Ahmed Ammar Mumtaz Abdullah
Child male killed
Abdul Rahman Ammar Mumtaz Abdullah
Child male killed

Family members (4)

Mumtaz Mustafa Abdullah
Adult male Via Monitoring and information killed
Mohamed Mumtaz"s wife
Adult female Via Monitoring and information killed
Mumtaz Mustafa Abdullah's son wife son (Mohamed)
Child male Via Monitoring and information killed
Ghani Mumtaz
Child female Via Monitoring and information killed

The victims were named as:

Ashraf Badran
Adult male killed
Walied
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (5 children3 women4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • A separate photo of the child (Ghani) who was killed with her family following an alleged airstrike on Falah, Mosul (via Mosul Habebti)
  • A tweet contains images of the family members who were killed following the coalition strike on Falah, Mosul (Via Ali Omer @ali3omar)
  • A separate new photo of the child (Ghani) who was killed with her family following an alleged airstrike on Falah, Mosul (via Mosul Habebti)
  • A picture of Walied, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Falah, Mosul (via Ammar Albozenee)
  • A picture of Ashraf Badran, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Falah, Mosul (via Mosul Ateka)

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest neighbourhood/area at 36.383778, 43.177611

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 secondary explosion(s), Killed in adjacent structure
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    8
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF367290
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Apr 30, 2017

  • Dec. 11, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: During a strike on ISIS fighters firing on Coalition and partnered forces, it was assessed that the strike impacted an ISIS weapons cache that set off secondary explosions that set an adjacent building on fire killing eight civilians in the building.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 10th-11th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed seven front-end loaders, three fighting positions, two ISIL-held buildings, two tractor trailer trucks, a vehicle, a land bridge, and three tunnels; damaged six tunnels; and disabled two bridges.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (5 children3 women4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1796

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

Sarqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A girl was seriously wounded in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Sarqib, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing responsibility to Russia and others the Syrian regime.

According to a source the girl was trapped under the rubble for eight hours. She died of her wounds on the 27th.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima al-Korini
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fatima al-Korini, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Sarqib, 11th December 2016. (via @SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fatima al-Korini, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Sarqib, 11th December 2016. (via EMC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sarqib, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.859101, 36.797731. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1783

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians, including two children, were killed and as many as 24 more were wounded following air or artillery or mortar strikes targeting Douma, Damascus, local sources reported. Sources, however, were unclear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the strikes.

Sources reported the death of between one and six civilians, and all six victims were identified by name, including two children.

One of the victims,  Hassan al-Mahash, was reportedly a media activist for the Civil Defence. Another victim, Al Haj Mohammad Deeb Muhi al Deen Sariyou, reportedly died on December 13th 2016 from wounds sustained during the strikes on December 11th.

SMO News and Zamanalwasl  reported that Douma was targeted by both warplanes, mortar shelling, artillery and land-to-land missiles, inflicting heavy damage on civilian infrastructure.

The majority of the sources blamed the Syrian regime while a few attributed the strike to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mustafa al Tinawi
Child male killed
Mohammed al-Tinawi
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Hassan al-Mahash
Adult male killed
Mohammed Berghash
Adult male killed
Kassem Ramadan
Age unknown male killed
Al Haj Mohammad Deeb Muhi al Deen Sariyou
Age unknown male Died the following days due the his wounds caused by this event's airstrikes killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defence carrying a victim of the contested airstrikes targeted Douma, Damascus on 11 December 2016 (via SMO News)
  • Hassan al-Mahash, who was working for the Syrian Civil Defence himself, was reportedly killed by the contested airstrikes targeted Douma, Damascus on 11 December 2016 (via Rfsmediaoffice)
  • Hassan al-Mahash, who was working for the Syrian Civil Defence, was reportedly killed by the contested airstrikes hit Douma, Damascus on 11 December 2016 (via @YousefAlbostany)
  • Footage of the aftermath of strikes in Douma, Damascus, on December 11th 2016 (via Syrian Civil Defense in the Eastern Ghouta)
  • Footage of the Civil Defence working to rescue civilians in the aftermath of the contested airstrikes on Douma, Damascus on 1December 11th 2016 (via Syrian Civil Defense in the Eastern Ghouta)
  • Footage of the Civil Defence working to rescue civilians in the aftermath of the contested airstrikes on Douma, Damascus on December 11th 2016 (via Syrian Civil Defense in the Eastern Ghouta)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Chaotic aftermath in Douma, Damascus after being hit by the contested airstrikes on December 11th 2016 (via Yasser Al Fawwal)
  • Hasan Al Mahshi, a media activist of civil defense, was reportedly killed by the contested airstrikes targeting Douma, Damascus on December 11th 2016 (via SN4HR)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1784

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Location

قرية عرفة, Arafeih, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.38178, 37.02376 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one child was killed and another child was injured from the explosion of a cluster bomb that was left behind by alleged Russian airstrikes a few months prior in the village of Arafeih in eastern Hama, according to local media.

The child killed from the cluster bomb was a 12-year-old boy; his brother also sustained minor injuries from the explosion.

Both @SamirMaleh1 and the Violations Documentation Center identified Russian planes as responsible for dropping the cluster bomb, while the Hama East Facebook page did not publish who the culprit was.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Hayan Ghazi al Kasar
12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of the victim of a cluster bomb explosion in Arafeih, Dec. 11th (via Hama East Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI367

Incident date

December 10, 2016

Location

Al Ashwa, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

A Coalition or Iraq government airstrike on a vehicle killed one civilian and injured others, according to a Human Rights Watch investigation.

According to HRW a strike on a vehicle at al Ashwa, 80 kilometres from Mosul in December 2016 killed one civilian named and wounded 11 others. It said the apparently unlawful attack, in an area held by Islamic State, was most likely carried out by the Coalition or Iraqi government forces.

According to the report interviews with six witnesses to the attack and aftermath uncovered no evident ISIS target in the vicinity. Both the Iraqi military and coalition forces were conducting airstrikes and ground-based attacks in areas outside of Mosul, but Human Rights Watch was unable to identify the attacking force or the weapon used. The laws of war prohibit deliberate or indiscriminate attacks against civilians.

Attacking forces are obligated to take all feasible precautions to avoid harming civilians, including by first identifying the military target, said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. The large numbers of families on the move in the ISIS-held territory are especially vulnerable to attacks.

The NGO also noted that Because of the possible laws-of-war violation, all government forces involved in the attack should conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation to determine whether it was unlawful… The governments should pursue war crimes prosecutions as appropriate and pay compensation or amends to victims. Under Iraqi law, a governmental committee is empowered to provide payment to victims of ‘terrorism and military errors.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salah Ali
Age unknown male via HRW killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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
    38SKE615880
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 24, 2020

  • Dec. 10, 2016, in Ashwa, 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. 3077/CI367 38SKE615880

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For December 10th-11th, the Coalition reported “Near Mosul, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed seven front-end loaders, three fighting positions, two ISIL-held buildings, two tractor trailer trucks, a vehicle, a land bridge, and three tunnels; damaged six tunnels; and disabled two bridges.”

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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]