Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CI057

Incident date

April 8, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Maydan neighborhood, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to NINA, an intensive airstrike by the Coalition at dawn killed 11 civilians and injured a further four in Mosul. Strikes reportedly hit the neighbourhoods of Maydan, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran.

The news website Ajyal reported that up to 30 people had died in an airstrike on a juvenile prison in the city, “half of them militants, and half of them detainees.” However the source of the alleged strike was not made clear.

In July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of lack of available evidence: “April 8, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition has confirmed five airstrikes at Mosul for April 8th-9th 2015: “Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar tube, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI053

Incident date

March 25, 2015

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, multiple neighbourhoods, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local residents reported that seven civilians died in a coalition airstrike on Fallujah, with 22 more injured. There were claims that a number of neighbourhoods were hit, including in the west and south of the city. A resident of Fallujah of unknown status, named as Shawki Al-Abdal Saidi, put out a press statement claiming that the coalition, “launched a number of air attacks on the city, on Wednesday, killing seven civilians and wounding 22 others, including women and children.”

Al-Sharqiya reported that both coalition and Iraqi military aircraft participated in the assault, with additional artillery bombardment.

 

The incident was first reported on March 26, 2015 at 7:01 pm by Erem News.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple neighbourhoods within the city of Fallujah (الفلوجة‎), Anbar province: Golan Quarters (الجولان), Martyrs (الشهداء), Police (الشرطة), Officers (الضباط) and Byblos (جبيل). The Police (الشرطة) and Officers (الضباط) neighbourhoods are adjacent in the North East of the city; Golan Quarters (الجولان) is in the North West; Byblos (جبيل) and Martyrs (الشهداء) are in the South. Reports also mention heavy bombardment and up to 5 sorties, which possibly explains the naming of multiple neighbourhoods. The coordinates for the midpoint of Fallujah (الفلوجة) are: 33.3532137, 43.7875674

  • The neighbourhoods Golan Quarters (الجولان), Martyrs (الشهداء), Police (الشرطة), Officers (الضباط) and Byblos (جبيل) in the city of Fallujah (الفلوجة‎)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition has confirmed for March 24th-25th 2015 that: “Near Fallujah, five airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, an ISIL vehicle and destroyed two ISIL excavators and an ISIL vehicle.”

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
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI049

Incident date

March 6, 2015

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, al Karma General Hospital, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.404182, 43.9119244 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged coalition air strike on Garma hospital in east Fallujah reportedly killed one doctor and injured five other medical staff. According to Al Sumaria TV, one source stated that “the bombing of the hospital was due to the presence of armed men belonging to Daesh inside.”

However the Iraqi Spring site attributed the attack to Iraqi government forces, noting that “Garma Hospital east of Fallujah has been shelled by government’s army accompanied by Iranian forces and swarms militia, resulting in the killing of one medical staff member and the wounding of five.”

 

The incident was first reported on March 6, 2015 at 9:10 pm by Al Sumaria.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the alleged strike
  • Another image of the aftermath
  • Another image of the aftermath
  • Another image of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident place the location of the alleged Coalition airstrike at the Garma General Hospital (مستشفى الكرمة العام), a suburb of the city Fallujah, in the Anbar province. Due to limited satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to locate the hospital or medical centre. However, reports mention the hospital is in the centre of Garma (الكرمة), for which the coordinates are: 33.404182, 43.9119244

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-Garmah, Fallujah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

According to the coalition, on March 5th-6th 2015 “Near Al Qaim, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL bulldozer.”

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI047

Incident date

March 3, 2015

Location

الجمهورية, Fallujah, Jamhouriya, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

33.3536346, 43.7731147 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Aircraft bombed a primary school and a hospital in the Jamhouriya neighbourhood of Fallujah, reportedly killing up to 12 civilians and injuring 9. Local media reported that children were among the dead, including 11-year old Suhaib Jassem Batawi. According to Arabi21, the attack was the work of the Iraq Air Force and had killed three schoolchildren.

However, the incident occurred during significant military action involving both the Iraq Army and Shia militia, with US airstrikes also taking place in the area, making attribution difficult.

 

The incident occured around dusk.

The victims were named as:

Suhaib Jassem Batawi
11 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 12
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Photos of the school before and after the bombing
  • More photos of the alleged incident

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

The alleged Coalition airstrike was reported to have struck an elementary school in the Jamhouriya neighbourhood (الجمهورية) in Fallujah (الفلوجة) in the late afternoon/evening. Satellite imagery available to Airwars of March 3, 2015 shows damage to the Jamhouriya Primary School for Boys (مدرسة الجمهورية الابتدائية للبنين), for which the coordinates are: 33.351672, 43.774166. This location was found through geolocation of the images of the school published by the Iraq Spring Media Centre. Coordinates for the midpoint of Jamhouriya neighbourhood (الجمهورية) are: 33.3536346, 43.7731147.

  • Outlines of Jamhouriya neighbourhood ( الجمهورية ) and the location of the Al-Gomhoria Primary School for Boys ( مدرسة الجمهورية الابتدائية للبنين )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Damage visible in satellite imagery taken on Mar. 6, 2016. Features in the satellite imagery, such as the painted curb, destroyed wall and telegraph poles (shadows), match those depicted in reports of the incident. The text on the image on the right reads: "This is the Jamhouriya ( الجمهورية ) primary school after the bombing".

    Date taken:
    March 6, 2016

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 Fallujah, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The coalition has confirmed major airstrikes at Fallujah on on March 3rd-4th 2015. According to CJTF-OIR: ‘Near Fallujah, five airstrikes struck an IED factory, an ISIL VBIED factory, an ISIL weapons storage facility and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle and an ISIL vehicle.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 12
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI038

Incident date

February 8, 2015

Location

الموصل‎, 100km South of Mosul on ‘Road 1’, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.462108, 43.067723 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged coalition airstrike struck a vehicle on the road between Mosul and Baghdad, which was carrying Jordanian mosque janitor Ahmed Abdul Aqi [sometimes Baqi], his wife and daughter. All three died in the incident. The driver of the car Ahmed al Azzawi (pictured below) also died according to his family.

In a detailed report on the deaths, Alghad Press said that Aqi was making the trip because he was critically ill, and could not receive treatment in Islamic State-controlled hospitals. He had spent days getting the necessary ISIL permits to travel: “He was so poor that he had to sell some of his wife’s jewellery to pay for the trip by taxi.” The alleged airstrike on the vehicle was reported as occurring about 100km south of Mosul, near Kanu: “This was the third such incident in a week which had turned that only route out of the town into a dangerous trap for innocent civilians.“

The cousin of the driver later confirmed to Airwars by email that Ahmed al Azzawi had died, along with Aqi’s family, in what he described as an airstrike.

 

The incident was first reported on February 8, 2015 at 11:39 pm by Facebook commemoration page by @Mosul.ateka.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahmed Abdul Aqi
Adult male Father killed
Wife of Ahmed Abdul Aqi
Adult female killed
Daughter of Ahmed Abdul Aqi
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed al Azzawi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Abdul Aqi (via Google+ page)
  • Ahmed Al Azzawi, the driver of a car alleged to have been struck by a coalition aircraft (family photos via Facebook)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle travelling from Mosul to Baghdad, at approximately “100 km South of Mosul.” Coordinates for 100 km South of Mosul on ‘Road 1’ (the main route between Mosul and Baghdad) are: 35.462108, 43.067723

  • Map showing ‘Road 1’ between Mosul and Baghdad, with a 100 km radius marked in red.

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Point coordinates taken, West of Al Shirqat ( الشرقاط‎ )

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    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
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLE246260
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 26, 2018

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

No public report from CJTF-OIR for February 7th-9th appears to match this incident.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS052

Incident date

February 6, 2015

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

A Jordanian airstrike against an “ISIL weapons compound” – in coordination with the US military – allegedly killed US aid worker and hostage Kayla Mueller, along with up to 30 militants from Islamic State. The US later said that “with the information that we have there’s no evidence of civilians in the target area prior to the coalition strike taking place.”

ISIS later sent Kayla’s family photographic proof of her death, which was then shared with the US intelligence community for analysis. According to White House spokesman Josh Earnest, the information “did not allow them to reach a conclusion as to the precise cause of her death.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights later claimed that ISIL suffered major losses in the attack, which was in retaliation for the burning to death of a captured Jordanian pilot: “At least 30 jihadists, and certainly more, were killed in coalition raids on Friday against positions and depots sheltering military vehicles and tanks, east and west of the city of Raqqah.”

Internally, CENTCOM reported that “Jordan officially denied the allegation,” adding that “Analysis of photographs indicates individual was unlikely killed by airstrikes.” Claims that the Coalition had killed Mueller were therefore dismissed as “Not credible. No further inquiry required.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Kayla Jean Mueller
Adult female American aid worker held hostage by ISIS killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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,

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The building allegedly targeted by the coalition in which the American aid worker Kayla Jean Mueller was held by ISIS. ISIS said she was killed in the strike which took place 'during Friday prayer' on 6th February 2015. [Via: pro ISIS website called Releases for the Islamic State]
  • The building allegedly targeted by the coalition in which the American aid worker Kayla Jean Mueller was held by ISIS. ISIS said she was killed in the strike which took place 'during Friday prayer' on 6th February 2015. [Via: pro ISIS website called Releases for the Islamic State]
  • The building allegedly targeted by the coalition in which the American aid worker Kayla Jean Mueller was held by ISIS. ISIS said she was killed in the strike which took place 'during Friday prayer' on 6th February 2015. [Via: pro ISIS website called Releases for the Islamic State]

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
    Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Alleged Jordanian airstrike, but Jordan officially denied it.

Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
  • position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Alleged Jordanian airstrike, but Jordan officially denied it.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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,

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS048

Incident date

January 29, 2015

Location

الطيانة, Eastern Al Buwaida or Kobane, Homs or Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

34.993798, 40.548059 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A non-combatant civilian male, Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Bkar, from the town of Al Kussair near Homs was reported killed in an airstrike.

While Syrian Martyrs attributed the strike to the Coalition, VDC blamed the Assad regime. Other reports were unclear. The location of the man’s death was also confused, given variously as Kobane in Aleppo governorate, or eastern al Buwaida, near Homs.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year, the Coalition assessed the event as ‘non credible’, noting that “January 29, 2015, in Tayyani, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2794/CS048 37SFU413734”

Coalition officials also provided Airwars with a geolocation to within 100 metres of the area reviewed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Bkar.
Adult male He is originally from al Buwaida al Sharqiya in Homs, reported killed in Kobani, Aleppo according to VDC in regime shelling killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ 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
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Tayyani, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU413734
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition

  • January 29, 2015, in Tayyani, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2794/CS048 37SFU413734

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Five coalition airstrikes are confirmed for the vicinity of Kobane for January 28th-29th 2015: “Near Kobani, five airstrikes struck an ISIL fighting position, three ISIL tactical units, and a large ISIL unit.” An additional two strikes are confirmed for January 29th-30th: “Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck two ISIL staging positions and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and one ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Incident Code

CI029

Incident date

January 21, 2015

Location

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.4618824, 42.6849747

Airwars assessment

A Canadian airstrike at Kisik Junction was alleged to have killed between 6 and 27 civilians, according to an internal CENTCOM report. The source was an English-speaking peshmerga fighter, who had passed on his concerns to Coalition Special Forces based in Iraq.

The Canadian attack had targeted “an ISIL sniper/ HMG [havy machine gun] position on the roof of a building within an ISIL-occupied compound, which correlates with the alleged report.”

A Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) spokesman told Airwars in August 2015 that Canada’s own investigation of the incident – which involved reviewing video and strike records – had concluded there was no case to answer: “The review uncovered no evidence of civilian casualties. Furthermore, it was re-confirmed that the target was a valid military objective from which ISIS was firing a heavy machine gun at Iraqi Kurdish troops. The area in question is still within ISIS held territory.”

Reuters reported on the airstrikes at the time (naming the town as Kiske) but made no mention of civilian deaths. The Kurdish regional Government also later claimed that 200 ISIL fighters had died in a successful peshmerga assault on the town which had begun on January 21st.

Canada had been singled out by Airwars in August 2015 as the most transparent member of the international Coalition. Even so, CAF took more than eight months to publicly admit to possible civilian casualties at Kisik Junction. The Globe and Mail has also reported that Defence Minister Jason Kenney was “never made aware” of the allegations.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 27
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Grab from a Reuters video detailing the Iraqi assault on Kisik Junction, January 21 2015

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
    Kisik JuNtion, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 1, 2015

  • Peshmerga soldier alleged that between 6 and 27 civilians were killed on 21 Jan as a result of a coalition strike IVO Kisik JuNtion. A Canadian strike (CF18) struck an ISIL sniper/HMG position on the roof of a building within an ISIL-occupied compound, which collates with the alleged report. … under the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) there are no obligations for the CAF to conduct an investigation. CAF assessed as N.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

COALITION-ASSESSED CASUALTY INCIDENT

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 27
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]