Military Reports

Military Reports

Canadian MoD for July 29, 2015 – July 30, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

July 30, 2015

On 29 July 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position northwest of Haditha using precision guided munitions.

Report Date

July 30, 2015

On 29 July 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position northwest of Haditha using precision guided munitions.

UK MoD for July 29, 2015 – July 30, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

July 30, 2015

The following day [July 29th 2015], Tornado GR4s patrolling in northern Iraq hit a terrorist mortar team with a Paveway.

Report Date

July 30, 2015

The following day [July 29th 2015], Tornado GR4s patrolling in northern Iraq hit a terrorist mortar team with a Paveway.

CJTF–OIR for July 28, 2015 – July 29, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

July 29, 2015

July 29th 2015 – On July 28, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three airstrikes using fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.
The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

  • Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
  • Near Idlib, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

  • Near Al Huwayjah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
  • Near Bayji, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL VBIED.
  • Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL structure.
  • Near Haditha, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
  • Near Mosul, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL tunnel entrance.
  • Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL structure and an ISIL fighting position.
  • Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL mortar position.
  • Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL fighting position…

Separately, on July 28 near Salqin, Syria, U.S. military forces conducted one airstrike against a network of veteran al-Qaida operatives, sometimes called the “Khorasan Group,” who are plotting external attacks against the United States and our allies. The airstrike struck a tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

Report Date

July 29, 2015

Report Summary

  • 3 total strikes
  • 2 in Syria
  • 1 in Iraq

Report Summary

  • 14 total strikes
  • 11 in Iraq (3490 – 3500)
  • 3 in Syria (2210 – 2213)

Amendments

  • +1 in Syria

Confirmed Actions

US, UK

July 29th 2015 – On July 28, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three airstrikes using fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

July 28, 2015
Syria: 2 strikes
Iraq: 1 strikes

The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions. Near Idlib, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

Near Al Huwayjah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle. Near Bayji, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL VBIED. Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL structure. Near Haditha, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle. Near Mosul, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL tunnel entrance. Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL structure and an ISIL fighting position. Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL mortar position. Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL fighting position…
Separately, on July 28 near Salqin, Syria, U.S. military forces conducted one airstrike against a network of veteran al-Qaida operatives, sometimes called the “Khorasan Group,” who are plotting external attacks against the United States and our allies. The airstrike struck a tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

UK MoD for July 28, 2015 – July 29, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

July 29, 2015

The next RAF strike was on Tuesday 28 July, when a Reaper, once more supporting Iraqi forces in the western province of Anbar, spotted an ISIL armoured vehicle; it was destroyed by a direct hit from a Hellfire.

Report Date

July 29, 2015

The next RAF strike was on Tuesday 28 July, when a Reaper, once more supporting Iraqi forces in the western province of Anbar, spotted an ISIL armoured vehicle; it was destroyed by a direct hit from a Hellfire.

Danish MoD for July 28, 2015 – July 29, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

July 29, 2015

Notes

Reports 10 new missions dropping 15 bombs [c 5 strikes] at Nineveh, Salah al Din and Anbar provinces

De danske F-16-fly, der er udsendt som bidrag til Operation Inherent Resolve, har siden seneste opdatering 21. juli fløjet 10 missioner og anvendt 15 bomber.

Missionerne, som de danske fly har deltaget i, har været offensive, og de danske fly har i den forløbne periode primært deltaget i missioner i Ninawa, Salah Al Din og Al Anbar provinserne. Målene for bomberne har været fjendtlige våbenstillinger, bygninger og materiel anvendt af ISIL.

De danske fly har fløjet Close Air Support-missioner (CAS), hvor flyene er indsat som luftstøtte til styrker på landjorden. Her vil flyene patruljere over et bestemt område, hvorefter de vil kunne blive indsat af koalitionen, når der er behov for støtte. Luftstøtten vil variere afhængig af, hvad der er behov for. Det kan både dreje sig om overvågningsopgaver og bombninger af mål.

På de missioner, hvor de danske F-16 ikke har anvendt våben, har de bidraget med overvågning og indhentning af efterretninger. På sådanne overvågningsmissioner er flyene dog altid klar til at anvende våben, hvis der er behov for det.

Siden første mission den 16. oktober 2014, har det danske bidrag i alt fløjet 440 missioner og anvendt 383 bomber. Alle de danske bomber er præcisionsstyrede, hvilket vil sige, at de styres mod deres mål ved hjælp af enten laser eller GPS.

Report Date

July 29, 2015

Notes

Reports 10 new missions dropping 15 bombs [c 5 strikes] at Nineveh, Salah al Din and Anbar provinces

De danske F-16-fly, der er udsendt som bidrag til Operation Inherent Resolve, har siden seneste opdatering 21. juli fløjet 10 missioner og anvendt 15 bomber.

Missionerne, som de danske fly har deltaget i, har været offensive, og de danske fly har i den forløbne periode primært deltaget i missioner i Ninawa, Salah Al Din og Al Anbar provinserne. Målene for bomberne har været fjendtlige våbenstillinger, bygninger og materiel anvendt af ISIL.

De danske fly har fløjet Close Air Support-missioner (CAS), hvor flyene er indsat som luftstøtte til styrker på landjorden. Her vil flyene patruljere over et bestemt område, hvorefter de vil kunne blive indsat af koalitionen, når der er behov for støtte. Luftstøtten vil variere afhængig af, hvad der er behov for. Det kan både dreje sig om overvågningsopgaver og bombninger af mål.

På de missioner, hvor de danske F-16 ikke har anvendt våben, har de bidraget med overvågning og indhentning af efterretninger. På sådanne overvågningsmissioner er flyene dog altid klar til at anvende våben, hvis der er behov for det.

Siden første mission den 16. oktober 2014, har det danske bidrag i alt fløjet 440 missioner og anvendt 383 bomber. Alle de danske bomber er præcisionsstyrede, hvilket vil sige, at de styres mod deres mål ved hjælp af enten laser eller GPS.

Netherlands MoD for July 28, 2015 – July 29, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

July 29, 2015

Notes

Reports 10 new missions and “several” weapons dropped

De Nederlandse F-16’s, actief in de strijd tegen ISIS, vlogen meer dan 10 missies waarbij verschillende keren wapens werden ingezet. Ze vielen uiteenlopende doelen aan, zoals een wapenfabriek, vuurposities en voertuigen van ISIS-strijders. In Bagdad en het Midden-Oosten kregen Nederlandse militairen uit handen van de Amerikaanse Defensieminister Ashton B. Carter een herdenkingsmunt voor hun inspanningen in de strijd tegen ISIS.

In Erbil startte de training van een nieuw Peshmerga-bataljon. In Bagdad begon een nieuwe Iraakse lichting aan de commando-opleiding.

Report Date

July 29, 2015

Notes

Reports 10 new missions and “several” weapons dropped

De Nederlandse F-16’s, actief in de strijd tegen ISIS, vlogen meer dan 10 missies waarbij verschillende keren wapens werden ingezet. Ze vielen uiteenlopende doelen aan, zoals een wapenfabriek, vuurposities en voertuigen van ISIS-strijders. In Bagdad en het Midden-Oosten kregen Nederlandse militairen uit handen van de Amerikaanse Defensieminister Ashton B. Carter een herdenkingsmunt voor hun inspanningen in de strijd tegen ISIS.

In Erbil startte de training van een nieuw Peshmerga-bataljon. In Bagdad begon een nieuwe Iraakse lichting aan de commando-opleiding.

Incident Code

CS107

Incident date

July 28, 2015

Location

كفرهند, Kafr Hind, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.08287, 36.42899 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A US targeted air strike (possibly by drone) aimed at four al-Nusra Front suspects traveling in a vehicle also killed up to 10 civilians including six children. The US has admitted three deaths in the event.

Reporting at the time was somewhat confused. Some sources said a vehicle was wrongly targeted killing four civilians. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted ‘the reported death of civilians who happened to be in the area during the airstrike’ on a senior al-Nusra figure. Activists named two militants killed as Abu Jalmoud Aalkamdasi and Abu Obeida Al Yemeni.

Following an investigation, the Syrian Network concluded that the strike had killed eight civilians: “The [ISIL] vehicle was near a fuel shop and hence a fuel tank exploded and 8 civilians were killed including 6 children.”

Exactly one year after the event, CENTCOM released the following statement: “On July 28, 2015, near Idlib, Syria, during a strike on a senior Khorasan Group advisor, it is assessed that three civilians were killed and one vehicle destroyed when their vehicle appeared in the target area after the Coalition aircraft released its weapon.”

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

The incident occured at 15:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Rahman Mohamad Ali al-Faraj
14 years old male killed
Ahmad Mohamad Ali al-Faraj
16 years old male killed
Ahmad Mousa Alloush
16 years old male killed
Mohammad Ali al-Atrash
21 years old male killed
Ali Bashar Kassab
9 years old male killed
Shahed Hamdou
5 years old male Displaced from al Kintar town in Jisr al Shoughour suburbs killed
Firas Hamdou
8 years old male Displaced from al Kintar town in Jisr al Shoughour suburbs killed
Moustafa Houran
28 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (6 children2 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 (9) [ collapse]

  • Map showing the exact location of the strike. [Via: SN4HR August 11th, 2015 report]
  • Ten civilians reportedly died when this fuel station was caught in a US airstrike on July 28 2015 (via SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of a US targeted strike in Syria on July 28 which killed at least 4 civilians (via Shaam News)
  • Smoke rising from the location of the strike. [Via: SN4HR August 11th, 2015 report]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic: An image of one of the bodies charred as a result of the alleged coalition strike in Kafr Hind. [Via: SN4HR August 11th, 2015 report]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic: unidentified body parts charred as a result of the strike on Kafr Hind. [Via: SN4HR August 11th, 2015 report]
  • Image of the Al Nusra Front car that was burnt and destroyed in the strike. [Via: SN4HR August 11th, 2015 report]
  • Image of the al Nusra Front car that was hit in the strike, killing 4 al Nusra operatives in addition to up to 10 civilians standing by. [Via: SN4HR August 11th, 2015 report]
  • Video showing the aftermath of the strike on the Al Nusra car in Kafr Hind. [via : Bilalo Bilal youtube account]

Geolocation notes

Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village as 36.08387, 36.4262

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
    3
  • Stated location
    near Idlib, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SBV685962
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 28, 2016

  • On July 28, 2015, near Idlib, Syria, during a strike on a senior Khorasan Group advisor, it is assessed that three civilians were killed and one vehicle destroyed when their vehicle appeared in the target area after the Coalition aircraft released its weapon.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

The US has confirmed an airstrike targeting al-Nusra on July 28th 2015: “Separately, on July 28 near Salqin, Syria, U.S. military forces conducted one airstrike against a network of veteran al-Qaida operatives, sometimes called the “Khorasan Group,” who are plotting external attacks against the United States and our allies. The airstrike struck a tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (6 children2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (11) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR for July 27, 2015 – July 28, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

July 28, 2015

July 28th 2015 – On July 27, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted nine airstrikes using fighter, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 23 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Coalition forces in coordination with the GoI continue to strike Daesh in multiple locations throughout Iraq and Syria daily,” said Col Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “Our 20 airstrikes in Ramadi over the past four days are assisting the Iraqi Security Forces to isolate the city and degrade Daesh’s ability to maneuver their forces.”

The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, seven airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL staging position, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL motorcycle and an ISIL structure.

• Near Aleppo, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, seven ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL bunker.

Iraq

• Near Al Qaim, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint.

• Near Bayji, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and terrain denying ISIL a tactical advantage and destroyed two ISIL buildings.

• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL structures.

• Near Haditha, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL structures.

• Near Makhmur, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed 19 ISIL fighting positions, 10 ISIL tunnels and three ISIL vehicles.

• Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Ramadi, six airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL excavator, two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL resupply truck, an ISIL mortar position, an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapon, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL structure.

• Near Sinjar, five airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and two ISIL staging areas and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL heavy machine gun, five ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL light machine gun.

• Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.

Report Date

July 28, 2015

Report Summary

  • 32 total strikes
  • 9 in Syria
  • 23 in Iraq

Report Summary

  • 32 total strikes
  • 23 in Iraq (3467 – 3489)
  • 9 in Syria (2201 – 2209)

Confirmed Actions

US

July 28th 2015 – On July 27, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted nine airstrikes using fighter, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 23 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Coalition forces in coordination with the GoI continue to strike Daesh in multiple locations throughout Iraq and Syria daily,” said Col Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “Our 20 airstrikes in Ramadi over the past four days are assisting the Iraqi Security Forces to isolate the city and degrade Daesh’s ability to maneuver their forces.”

The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

July 27, 2015
Syria: 9 strikes
Iraq: 23 strikes
Near Al Hasakah, seven airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL staging position, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL motorcycle and an ISIL structure.
Near Aleppo, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, seven ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL bunker.

Iraq

Near Al Qaim, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint.
Near Bayji, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and terrain denying ISIL a tactical advantage and destroyed two ISIL buildings.
Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL structures.
Near Haditha, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL structures.
Near Makhmur, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed 19 ISIL fighting positions, 10 ISIL tunnels and three ISIL vehicles.
Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.
Near Ramadi, six airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL excavator, two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL resupply truck, an ISIL mortar position, an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapon, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL structure.
Near Sinjar, five airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and two ISIL staging areas and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL heavy machine gun, five ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL light machine gun.
Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.
  • A US B-1B Lancer after refueling over the Middle East, July 2015 (USAF/ Staff Sgt. Sandra Welch)
    A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer departs after refueling from a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker from the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron over Southwest Asia during a mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, July 23, 2015. OIR is the military intervention against Daesh. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sandra Welch)