Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS196

Incident date

April 4, 2016

Location

كنان سلطان, Kinan Sultan, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.506922, 40.721781 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian water worker was reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Kinan Sultan.

According to Balad News, “A source confirmed that Coalition aircraft targeted drinking water tankers which led to the martyrdom of the citizen Ayman Khader Al Ali, who works on water transport in the southern rural areas Hassakah.”

In their February 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 the allegation provided insufficient information on the timing and location of the strike to make a determination.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ayman Khader Al Ali
Adult male Works on water transport in the southern rural areas Hassakah. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the southern countryside of Hassaka (الحسكة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.506922, 40.721781. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • April 4, 2016, in Hasakah, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2928/CS196 No MGRS Given

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The Coalition reported for April 3rd-4th 2016 that “Near Al Hasakah, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI211

Incident date

March 31, 2016

Location

Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

The Al Najmawi family’s flour mill in Granary Street, eastern Mosul was struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike, leading to casualties among the civilian workers inside.

Qoraish reported that the attack took place at the 10.30am local time, with two strikes approximately five minutes apart. It claimed there were no Daesh forces present.

NRN News said one person civilian died his uncle – factory director was injured along with three other workers.

In their February 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 incident occured at 10:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Salah Riyad Haj Saeed Al Najmawi
Adult male killed
Ghassan Al Najmawi
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The picture of Salah Riyad Haj Saeed Al Najmawi, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike on the flour mill in Mosul, on March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Coalition strike on flour mill in Mosul, on March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
  • An image reveals the destruction that followed an alleged Coalition strike on flour mill in Mosul, on March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
  • The aftermath of airstrike shows an ISIS fighter in the flour mill that was reportedly hit by a Coalition strike, Mosul, March 31, 2016 (via NRN News).
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
  • MGRS coordinate
    38SLF380253
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • March 31, 2016, in Mosul, 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. 2917/CI211 38SLF380253

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 30th-31st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, eight strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL bed down location, two ISIL safe houses, an ISIL fighting position, and suppressed two ISIL mortar firing positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI210

Incident date

March 30, 2016

Location

يت, Hit, Qalqa neighbourhood, Anbar, Iraq

Geolocation

33.6425, 42.821944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Coalition airstrike on the Qalqa neighbourhood of Hit resulted in 20 civilians reportedly injured, and one child was killed.

According to Hit News, the home of gas seller Lutfi Abu was also hit.

News of Iraq quoted what it said was a local source: “Warplanes of the international coalition bombed residential areas behind Hit general hospital… the bombing destroyed a number of civilian houses, and led to the martyrdom and wounding of 20 civilians.”

In its monthly casualty report for July 2017, the Coalition noted two allegations for Hit, both of which it dated to March 31st 2016 (see also I180a). It stated for Qaiqa that “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes near the Fallujah that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

Given the available evidence for this report including heavy strikes on Hit that day, Airwars has requested co-ordinates from the Coalition to better understand for which vicinity it conducted its assessment.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bakir Hassan Nadir
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 30th-31st 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Hit, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL safe house and destroyed two ISIL supply caches, 15 ISIL rockets, three ISIL bunkers, and an ISIL tunnel.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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

CI209

Incident date

March 27, 2016

Location

وادي حجر, Wadi Hajar (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.32061, 43.12801 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four children were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Wadi Hajar to the south of Mosul, as a major military offensive to clear Nineveh of Daesh continued.

According to NRN News, jets from the US-led alliance targeted the Daesh-held village which also led to civilian casualties.

Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes near Qayyarah that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there was no UK involvement” in the alleged event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising from scene of a reported Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)
  • Another picture shows smoke rising from the scene of a reported Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)
  • An image shows an injured child followed an alleged Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)
  • An image shows an injured child followed an alleged Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)
  • An image shows an injured child followed an alleged Coalition strike at Wadi Hajar, March 27th (via NRN News)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 26th-27th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun position, an ISIL anti-air artillery piece and two ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL mortar position and two ISIL tactical units”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS744

Incident date

March 26, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949949, 39.007363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center named two civilians, Zahra Fihan, and her son Mohammad Abdullah al-Rashed, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Raqqa.

The victims were also named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, which blamed Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zahra Fihan
Age unknown female killed
Mohammad Abdullah al Rashed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS743

Incident date

March 26, 2016

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One unidentified civilian male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Activists told Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes targeted a bus carrying passengers from Damascus to Deir ez-Zor “near the third stop near Palmyra, which led to the death of one civilian and several wounded.” Syriapost1 and 00zabadani also reported a Russian strike on a bus.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI207

Incident date

March 25, 2016

Location

Mosul, Tanak neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Local residents told Airwars researchers that two entire families – 21 people in total – died as a result of alleged Coalition air strikes on their house in Tanak neighbourhood in East Mosul, on March 25th 2016. This was reported in an interview with two witnesses, Jassim Khalaf and Mohammed Sabri, on June 11th 2017. The witnesses told Airwars that eight people belonged to the family of Ahmad Al Ehemed. Thirteen other victims were relatives of Mohamed Fathi Mosa.

In their February 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English
    • English
    • English
    • English
    • English

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
    38SLF260229
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020

  • March 25, 2016, in Mosul, 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. 2915/CI207 38SLF260229

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 26th-27th 2016, the Coalition reported that “Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun position, an ISIL anti-air artillery piece and two ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL mortar position and two ISIL tactical units”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (3) [ collapse]

    • English
    • English
    • English
    • English
    • English
    • English

Incident Code

CI204

Incident date

March 22, 2016

Location

Mosul, University of Mosul residencies, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.3810326, 43.1546992 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a fresh day of reported Coalition airstrikes on Mosul University, local sources said three university professors and some of their families were killed and many other civilians wounded, after jets hit academic residences. Up to 15 Daesh fighters also reportedly died.

Heavy Coalition activity above the city was reported from dawn onwards. Yagen was among the news outlets reporting that strikes on “professors’ residences” killed eight civilians. Radio Zuhor claimed that “One university professor recognized his wife from her hand only, specifically a wedding ring, after her body was torn to shreds.”

ARA News reported an eyewitness within Mosul as saying that “dozens of Daesh elements have been killed in an intense aerial bombardment by Coalition aircraft targeting the University of Mosul – where the organization responded by using anti-aircraft from inside residential neighbourhoods, while indifferent to the consequences.”

Multiple sources published five victim names, included their families members. Most of the victims were professors that are working at the University or staff members.

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition deemed the incident non-credible due to insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “Mar. 22, 2016, 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.”

Based on available evidence, Airwars continues to assess this event as Fair – and has requested additional clarification from the Coalition.

This strike was the subject of a 2023 investigation by NOS, Nieuwsuur and NRC, in collaboration with Airwars, which revised its location to the following coordinates: 36.382227, 43.137122.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Dr. Ziad
Adult male (via Radio Zuhor) killed
The wife of Dr. Ziad
Adult female (via Radio Zuhor) killed
Chile 1
Child (via Radio Zuhor) killed
Chile 2
Child (via Radio Zuhor) killed
Chile 3
Child (via Radio Zuhor) killed

Family members (3)

Professor Dr. Dhafer Ramadan Al Badrani
Adult male (via Radio Zuhor) killed
The wife of Professor Dr. Dhafer Ramadan Al Badrani
Adult female (via Radio Zuhor) killed
Daughter. Dr Al Badrani
female (via Radio Zuhor) killed

The victims were named as:

Professor Fadia Muwaffaq al-Hayali
Adult female killed
Qusay Muthafar Jalaleddin
Adult female killed
Haitham
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 11
  • (2–4 children3–6 women3–4 men)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Professor Dhafer Ramadan Al Badrani, reported killed in alleged Coalition strike on Mosul March 22nd (via Bashar al Talib)
  • An image of the victim Qusay Muthafar Jalaleddin, jurisdiction and professor of the Arabic language and Arabic literature, killed in an alleged coalition airstrike on Mosul (via Ein al Mosul news)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building struck in the vicinity of the University of Mosul (جامعة الموصل). In 2016, Airwars listed the location of the strike at the following coordinates: 36.3810326, 43.1546992. A 2023 report by NOS, Nieuwsuur and NRC, in collaboration with Airwars, revised the location of the strike to the following exact coordinates: 36.382227, 43.137122.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

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

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

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near 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

For March 22nd-23rd 2016, the Coalition reports that “Near Mosul, three strikes [1 French] struck an ISIL headquarters, an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL assembly area and an ISIL vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 11
  • (2–4 children3–6 women3–4 men)
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]