Military Reports

Military Reports

CJTF–OIR for June 18, 2015 – June 19, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

June 19, 2015

June 19th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq June 18. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 13 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Overnight, the coalition continued to strike Daesh crude oil collection points in Syria,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “Attacking Daesh revenue generation activities remains a priority for the coalition.”

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

Syria

• Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL vehicles.

• Near Al Hasakah, one airstrike struck an ISIL weapons manufacturing building.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, four airstrikes struck three ISIL crude oil collection points.

• Near Tal Abyad, five airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL mortar system.

Iraq

• Near Al Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage, destroying an ISIL weapons cache.

• Near Bayji, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL bunkers and an ISIL fighting position.

• Near Fallujah, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.

• Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL rocket firing position and an ISIL structure, destroying an ISIL excavator, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL rocket and an ISIL tank.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL heavy machine guns and four ISIL structures.

Report Date

June 19, 2015

Report Summary

  • 24 total strikes
  • 11 in Syria
  • 13 in Iraq

Report Summary

  • 24 total strikes
  • 13 in Iraq (2866 – 2880)
  • 11 in Syria (1788 – 1798)

Confirmed Actions

US, Canada

June 19th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq June 18. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 13 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Overnight, the coalition continued to strike Daesh crude oil collection points in Syria,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “Attacking Daesh revenue generation activities remains a priority for the coalition.”

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

Syria

June 19, 2015
Syria: 11 strikes
Iraq: 13 strikes
Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL vehicles.
Near Al Hasakah, one airstrike struck an ISIL weapons manufacturing building.
Near Dayr Az Zawr, four airstrikes struck three ISIL crude oil collection points.
Near Tal Abyad, five airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL mortar system.

Iraq

Near Al Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage, destroying an ISIL weapons cache.
Near Bayji, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL bunkers and an ISIL fighting position.
Near Fallujah, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.
Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.
Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL rocket firing position and an ISIL structure, destroying an ISIL excavator, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL rocket and an ISIL tank.
Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL heavy machine guns and four ISIL structures.

Canadian MoD for June 18, 2015 – June 19, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

June 19, 2015

On 19 June 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi Security Forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck two ISIS fighting positions, one northwest of Mosul and another in the vicinity of Sinjar, using precision guided munitions.

Report Date

June 19, 2015

On 19 June 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi Security Forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck two ISIS fighting positions, one northwest of Mosul and another in the vicinity of Sinjar, using precision guided munitions.

French MoD for June 18, 2015 – June 19, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

June 19, 2015

Notes

19 new sorties, with 7 strikes against ground targets

La force Chammal poursuit ses missions de renseignement et de reconnaissance armée en étroite collaboration avec les autres pays de la coalition. L’activité aérienne hebdomadaire s’est traduite par 19 sorties aériennes et 7 frappes contre des objectifs au sol.

Cette semaine, la force Chammal a réalisé sa 150e frappe contre le groupe terroriste Daech. Au-delà des frappes, les missions aériennes de renseignement conduites par les aéronefs quotidiennement sont primordiales. Elles ne sont pas seulement un préalable nécessaire aux missions de frappes : elles sont à elles seules fondamentales pour cartographier l’adversaire et analyser son comportement en coordination avec nos alliés. Le produit de ces missions est exploité en synergie au sein de la coalition.

A Bagdad, une partie des militaires qui armaient le détachement de formation a été relevée le 16 juin. Ce détachement poursuit les formations spécifiques dispensées aux stagiaires de l’Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS) et de la 6e division irakienne. D’autres cours vont prochainement débuter notamment pour former les futurs moniteurs de l’ICTS.

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 2014, l’opération Chammal mobilise 700 militaires. Elle vise, à la demande du gouvernement irakien et en coordination avec les alliés de la France présents dans la région, à assurer un soutien aérien aux forces irakiennes dans la lutte contre le groupe terroriste autoproclamé Daech. Le dispositif complet est actuellement structuré autour de douze avions de chasse de l’armée de l’Air (six Rafale et six Mirage2000D), d’un avion de contrôle aérien E3F et d’un avion de patrouille maritime Atlantique 2.

Report Date

June 19, 2015

Notes

19 new sorties, with 7 strikes against ground targets

La force Chammal poursuit ses missions de renseignement et de reconnaissance armée en étroite collaboration avec les autres pays de la coalition. L’activité aérienne hebdomadaire s’est traduite par 19 sorties aériennes et 7 frappes contre des objectifs au sol.

Cette semaine, la force Chammal a réalisé sa 150e frappe contre le groupe terroriste Daech. Au-delà des frappes, les missions aériennes de renseignement conduites par les aéronefs quotidiennement sont primordiales. Elles ne sont pas seulement un préalable nécessaire aux missions de frappes : elles sont à elles seules fondamentales pour cartographier l’adversaire et analyser son comportement en coordination avec nos alliés. Le produit de ces missions est exploité en synergie au sein de la coalition.

A Bagdad, une partie des militaires qui armaient le détachement de formation a été relevée le 16 juin. Ce détachement poursuit les formations spécifiques dispensées aux stagiaires de l’Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS) et de la 6e division irakienne. D’autres cours vont prochainement débuter notamment pour former les futurs moniteurs de l’ICTS.

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 2014, l’opération Chammal mobilise 700 militaires. Elle vise, à la demande du gouvernement irakien et en coordination avec les alliés de la France présents dans la région, à assurer un soutien aérien aux forces irakiennes dans la lutte contre le groupe terroriste autoproclamé Daech. Le dispositif complet est actuellement structuré autour de douze avions de chasse de l’armée de l’Air (six Rafale et six Mirage2000D), d’un avion de contrôle aérien E3F et d’un avion de patrouille maritime Atlantique 2.

Netherlands MoD for June 18, 2015 – June 19, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

June 19, 2015

Notes

Netherlands announces it has extended mission mandate in Iraq to October 2016

Het huidige mandaat voor de Nederlandse deelname aan de strijd tegen ISIS loopt tot 1 oktober aanstaande en is nu verlengd tot 1 oktober 2016. “Meer dan ooit is onze interne veiligheid verbonden met externe veiligheid”, aldus minister Bert Koenders (Buitenlandse Zaken). “Dat is de reden waarom Nederland zijn internationale verantwoordelijkheid neemt en daarnaast inzet op een versterkte politieke strategie in Irak.”

Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert: “Deze brute terroristische organisatie is een aanslag op alles waar wij voor staan”. Volgens haar is voortgezette militaire inzet, als onderdeel van een bredere politieke strategie, dan ook hard nodig. “De methoden en handelingen van ISIS zijn onacceptabel. Onmenselijk en een regelrechte schending van de fundamentele rechten van de mens”, aldus de ministers.

Na 1 oktober [2015] aanstaande zet Nederland de deelname aan de luchtcampagne tegen ISIS voort met 4 F-16’s, ondersteund door ongeveer 200 militairen. Verder blijft Nederland met 130 militairen Iraakse strijdkrachten en Peshmerga trainen. Ook is het voornemen om met België te gaan samenwerken. Onder voorbehoud van politieke besluitvorming neemt België de Nederlandse inzet vanaf juli 2016 over voor de duur van een jaar.

Report Date

June 19, 2015

Notes

Netherlands announces it has extended mission mandate in Iraq to October 2016

Het huidige mandaat voor de Nederlandse deelname aan de strijd tegen ISIS loopt tot 1 oktober aanstaande en is nu verlengd tot 1 oktober 2016. “Meer dan ooit is onze interne veiligheid verbonden met externe veiligheid”, aldus minister Bert Koenders (Buitenlandse Zaken). “Dat is de reden waarom Nederland zijn internationale verantwoordelijkheid neemt en daarnaast inzet op een versterkte politieke strategie in Irak.”

Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert: “Deze brute terroristische organisatie is een aanslag op alles waar wij voor staan”. Volgens haar is voortgezette militaire inzet, als onderdeel van een bredere politieke strategie, dan ook hard nodig. “De methoden en handelingen van ISIS zijn onacceptabel. Onmenselijk en een regelrechte schending van de fundamentele rechten van de mens”, aldus de ministers.

Na 1 oktober [2015] aanstaande zet Nederland de deelname aan de luchtcampagne tegen ISIS voort met 4 F-16’s, ondersteund door ongeveer 200 militairen. Verder blijft Nederland met 130 militairen Iraakse strijdkrachten en Peshmerga trainen. Ook is het voornemen om met België te gaan samenwerken. Onder voorbehoud van politieke besluitvorming neemt België de Nederlandse inzet vanaf juli 2016 over voor de duur van een jaar.

  • A Netherlands F-16 refuels over the Middle East (Dutch MoD)

Incident Code

CS080

Incident date

June 18, 2015

Location

تل أبيض, Tall Abyad, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.691373, 38.949966 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two women were reported by a single source, the Syrian Observatory, as having been killed in a “Coalition airstrike” in the countryside around Tal Abiyad.

In July 2017 the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “Jun. 18, 2015, near Tal Abyad, Syria, 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.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ 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
    a:1:{i:0;s:21:"insufficient_evidence";}
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Tal Abyad, Syria
    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

Multiple coalition strikes were confirmed in the vicinity. For June 17th-18th 2015, the coalition noted: “Near Tal Abyad, four airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL excavator.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS081

Incident date

June 18, 2015

Location

Road between Suluk and Ar Raqqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

36.2451039, 39.0351105 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were reported killed by the coalition when the car they were traveling in was struck.

According to SOHR, the vehicle was hit on the road between Ar Raqqah and Suluk. Sira Press reported: “Activists stressed that all those who were in the car were unarmed civilians and there were four of them and that aircraft targeted them near the town of Khaneez, which led to the martyrdom of everyone in the vehicle.“

Sira Press also claimed that the coalition “also targeted a primitive oil refinery east of the village of Alhderatt [south east of Ain Issa], even though the refinery belongs to civilians who have nothing to do with Daesh.”

In what may be a related incident, the Violations Documentation Centre named a civilian male as having been killed in ‘Coalition shellnig’ at Suluk, though gave the date of death as June 19th.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Mohaisen al-Khalifeh
Adult male VDC lists him as a civilian from Boulial and killed in a coalition strike on Suluk in Raqqa

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 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]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an area in the vicinity of the village of Khaneez (خنيز or خنيزر جنوبي), on the road between Suluk (سلوك) and Ar Raqqah, known as Route 6. The coordinates for the area on Route 6 that is West of the village of Khaneez (خنيز) are: 36.2451039, 39.0351105

  • Map showing Route 6 and the village of Khaneez (خنيز)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

Multiple coalition strikes were confirmed in the vicinity. For June 17th-18th 2015, the coalition noted: “Near Tal Abyad, four airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL excavator.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 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]

CJTF–OIR for June 17, 2015 – June 18, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

June 18, 2015

June 18th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq June 17. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six airstrikes using bomber, attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Daesh fielded terrorist forces were the focus of today’s strikes,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “This enables our ground force partners to operate from a tactical advantage.”

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

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, one airstrike destroyed two ISIL tunnel systems.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL vehicle.

* Near Tal Abyad, four airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL excavator.

Iraq

* Near Baghdadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL vehicle.

* Near Al Huwayjah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL vehicle.

* Near Bayji, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL pontoon bridge.

* Near Fallujah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL rocket rails and an ISIL bunker.

* Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck multiple defensive obstacles and fighting positions.

* Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL buildings and an ISIL excavator.

* Near Tal Afar, five airstrikes [3 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL bunker and land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage, destroying two ISIL buildings, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL VBIED.

Report Date

June 18, 2015

Report Summary

  • 22 total strikes
  • 6 in Syria
  • 16 in Iraq

Report Summary

  • 22 total strikes
  • 16 in Iraq (2852 – 2867)
  • 6 in Syria (1782 – 1787)

Confirmed Actions

US, UK

June 18th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq June 17. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six airstrikes using bomber, attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Daesh fielded terrorist forces were the focus of today’s strikes,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “This enables our ground force partners to operate from a tactical advantage.”

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

Syria

June 18, 2015
Syria: 6 strikes
Iraq: 16 strikes
Near Al Hasakah, one airstrike destroyed two ISIL tunnel systems.
Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL vehicle.
Near Tal Abyad, four airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL excavator.

Iraq

Near Baghdadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL vehicle.
Near Al Huwayjah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL vehicle.
Near Bayji, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL pontoon bridge.
Near Fallujah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL rocket rails and an ISIL bunker.
Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck multiple defensive obstacles and fighting positions.
Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL buildings and an ISIL excavator.
Near Tal Afar, five airstrikes [3 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL bunker and land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage, destroying two ISIL buildings, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL VBIED.

UK MoD for June 17, 2015 – June 18, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

June 18, 2015

On Wednesday 17 June, Tornado GR4s from RAF Akrotiri flew to north-western Iraq [Tal Afar] to provide close air support for peshmerga operations in the area. The GR4s took over from another coalition flight, which had already conducted successful air strikes in the area, and our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit three more terrorist positions which had opened fire on the Kurdish forces, including two ISIL heavy machine-gun teams.

Report Date

June 18, 2015

On Wednesday 17 June, Tornado GR4s from RAF Akrotiri flew to north-western Iraq [Tal Afar] to provide close air support for peshmerga operations in the area. The GR4s took over from another coalition flight, which had already conducted successful air strikes in the area, and our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit three more terrorist positions which had opened fire on the Kurdish forces, including two ISIL heavy machine-gun teams.