Military Reports

Military Reports

UK MoD for May 24, 2015 – May 25, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

May 25, 2015

Sunday 24 May saw a Reaper in the same area [Anbar province] destroy an ISIL armoured vehicle which was in close combat with Iraqi forces with a Hellfire and then provided surveillance support to four successful strikes by coalition aircraft on ISIL buildings and a bulldozer which had been packed with explosives for an attack on the Iraqi troops.

Report Date

May 25, 2015

Sunday 24 May saw a Reaper in the same area [Anbar province] destroy an ISIL armoured vehicle which was in close combat with Iraqi forces with a Hellfire and then provided surveillance support to four successful strikes by coalition aircraft on ISIL buildings and a bulldozer which had been packed with explosives for an attack on the Iraqi troops.

Incident Code

CS070

Incident date

May 24, 2015

Location

أبو شاخات, Abu Sheikhat, Al-Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.6486405, 39.7386003 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Kurdish ground offensive backed by Coalition strikes reportedly killed six civilians in Abu Sheikhat and Tal Nass villages, to the west of Ras al-Ain.

Among those reported killed at Abu Sheikhat were a young female child and three non combatant men.

At nearby Tal Nass village, Adalah also alleged that two children were killed and one wounded from the Al Mir’i family, after an airstrike targeted an ISIL bulldozer.

Zaman reported that a number of civilians had been caught in Coalition strikes after failing to flee the village, for fear that surrounding areas remained occupied by ISIL.

In a rare reference to potential civilian casualties in an incident, the Coalition blamed at least some civcas on the destruction of an ISIL vehicle-borne IED, noting that “Kurdish fighters reported an ISIL VBIED detonation which resulted in an undetermined number of civilians injured in the area.”

Yet two years later, the Coalition claimed there was insufficient evidence of civilian harm: “May 24, 2015, near Abu Sheikhat, 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.”

Airwars has requested additional information form the Coalition, and continues to assess this event as likely.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Eid al-Hawiye
Adult male killed
Fatima Mohammad
Child female killed
Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al Sarrai
Adult male killed
Eid Al-Ahmad Al Sarrai
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ 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 Abu Sheikhat, 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

For May 23rd-24th 2015, the Coalition noted that “Near Al Hasakah, nine airstrikes struck two large and three small ISIL tactical units, destroying eight ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL vehicles, an ISIL tank and an ISIL armored vehicle.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR for May 23, 2015 – May 24, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

May 24, 2015

May 24th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 23, and 8 a.m., May 24, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes using attack, bomber and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 17 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“The Coalition is continuing to target Daesh support zones throughout the battlespace,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR Chief of Public Affairs. “Striking explosives and weapons manufacturing facilities will advance the pressure on Daesh military capacity.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, nine airstrikes struck two large and three small ISIL tactical units, destroying eight ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL vehicles, an ISIL tank and an ISIL armored vehicle.

• Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

• Near Baghdadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

• Near Al Qaim, two airstrikes struck an ISIL homemade explosive manufacturing facility, destroying an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL buildings and two ISIL heavy machine guns.

• Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL weapons manufacturing facility and an ISIL defensive position, destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL building and an ISIL tank.

• Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL artillery piece, an ISIL armored personnel carrier, an ISIL armored vehicle, and 15 armored vehicles, two armored personnel carriers and two other support vehicles located in ISIL controlled territory.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL buildings, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL artillery piece.

• Near Tal Afar, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL mortar position, destroying three ISIL heavy machine guns and four ISIL fighting positions.

Report Date

May 24, 2015

Report Summary

  • 28 total strikes
  • 11 in Syria
  • 17 in Iraq

Report Summary

  • 28 total strikes
  • 17 in Iraq (2499 – 2515)
  • 11 in Syria (1607 – 1617)

Confirmed Actions

US, Canada

May 24th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 23, and 8 a.m., May 24, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes using attack, bomber and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 17 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“The Coalition is continuing to target Daesh support zones throughout the battlespace,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR Chief of Public Affairs. “Striking explosives and weapons manufacturing facilities will advance the pressure on Daesh military capacity.”

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

Syria

May 24, 2015
Syria: 11 strikes
Iraq: 17 strikes
Near Al Hasakah, nine airstrikes struck two large and three small ISIL tactical units, destroying eight ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL vehicles, an ISIL tank and an ISIL armored vehicle.
Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

Near Baghdadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
Near Al Qaim, two airstrikes struck an ISIL homemade explosive manufacturing facility, destroying an ISIL vehicle.
Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL buildings and two ISIL heavy machine guns.
Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL weapons manufacturing facility and an ISIL defensive position, destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL building and an ISIL tank.
Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL artillery piece, an ISIL armored personnel carrier, an ISIL armored vehicle, and 15 armored vehicles, two armored personnel carriers and two other support vehicles located in ISIL controlled territory.
Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL buildings, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL artillery piece.
Near Tal Afar, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL mortar position, destroying three ISIL heavy machine guns and four ISIL fighting positions.

Canadian MoD for May 23, 2015 – May 24, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

May 24, 2015

On 23 May 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position east of Mosul using precision guided munitions.

Report Date

May 24, 2015

On 23 May 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position east of Mosul using precision guided munitions.

Canadian MoD for May 22, 2015 – May 23, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

May 23, 2015

On 22 May 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position southeast of Mosul using precision guided munitions.

Report Date

May 23, 2015

On 22 May 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position southeast of Mosul using precision guided munitions.

CJTF–OIR for May 22, 2015 – May 23, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

May 23, 2015

May 23rd 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 22, and 8 a.m., May 23, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five airstrikes using attack, bomber and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 22 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“The Coalition struck Daesh across the depth of our operations area,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “The cumulative effects of operational and tactical-level targeting are impacting Daesh fighting capacity.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL tank and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL semi-truck.

• Near Kobani, one airstrike struck a large ISIL large tactical unit, destroying six ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Tadmur, one airstrike destroyed six ISIL anti-aircraft artillery systems and an ISIL artillery piece.

Iraq

• Near Al Asad, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

• Near Bayji, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL command and control facility, an ISIL structure and an ISIL VBIED.

• Near Fallujah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Haditha, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL structure and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL fighting position.

• Near Makhmur, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL mortar system.

• Near Mosul, four airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL checkpoint, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL building.

• Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying multiple heavy machine guns, two ISIL VBIEDs, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL fighting position, and three armored vehicles and a tank in ISIL controlled territory.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL buildings and an ISIL heavy machine gun.

• Near Tal Afar, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL buildings and two ISIL fighting positions.

Report Date

May 23, 2015

Report Summary

  • 27 total strikes
  • 5 in Syria
  • 22 in Iraq

Report Summary

  • 27 total strikes
  • 22 in Iraq (2477 – 2498)
  • 5 in Syria (1602 – 1606)

Confirmed Actions

US, UK, Canada

May 23rd 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 22, and 8 a.m., May 23, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five airstrikes using attack, bomber and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 22 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“The Coalition struck Daesh across the depth of our operations area,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “The cumulative effects of operational and tactical-level targeting are impacting Daesh fighting capacity.”

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

Syria

May 23, 2015
Syria: 5 strikes
Iraq: 22 strikes
Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL tank and an ISIL vehicle.
Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL semi-truck.
Near Kobani, one airstrike struck a large ISIL large tactical unit, destroying six ISIL fighting positions.
Near Tadmur, one airstrike destroyed six ISIL anti-aircraft artillery systems and an ISIL artillery piece.

Iraq

Near Al Asad, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
Near Bayji, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL command and control facility, an ISIL structure and an ISIL VBIED.
Near Fallujah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
Near Haditha, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL structure and an ISIL vehicle.
Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL fighting position.
Near Makhmur, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL mortar system.
Near Mosul, four airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL checkpoint, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL building.
Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying multiple heavy machine guns, two ISIL VBIEDs, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL fighting position, and three armored vehicles and a tank in ISIL controlled territory.
Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL buildings and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
Near Tal Afar, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL buildings and two ISIL fighting positions.

UK MoD for May 22, 2015 – May 23, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

May 23, 2015

In the west of the country, Reapers continued to provide overwatch to the Iraqi forces in Anbar province. On Friday 22 May, a Reaper successfully engaged terrorists burying improvised explosive devices next to a road. The aircraft then supported a strike mounted by coalition fast jets on an ISIL-held building.

Report Date

May 23, 2015

In the west of the country, Reapers continued to provide overwatch to the Iraqi forces in Anbar province. On Friday 22 May, a Reaper successfully engaged terrorists burying improvised explosive devices next to a road. The aircraft then supported a strike mounted by coalition fast jets on an ISIL-held building.

CJTF–OIR for May 21, 2015 – May 22, 2015
Original
Annotated

Report Date

May 22, 2015

May 22nd 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 21, and 8 a.m., May 22, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five airstrikes using attack and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 15 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Daesh continues harassing attacks against the Peshmerga near Sinjar,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “The KSF, enabled by the Coalition, repeatedly repel these attacks.”

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

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL VBIED.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, two airstrikes struck two ISIL wellheads.

* Near Kobani, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

* Near Al Asad, two airstrikes destroyed five ISIL buildings.

* Near Haditha, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.

* Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL tunnel systems, an ISIL motorcycle, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL cache.

* Near Ramadi, five airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying five ISIL armored vehicles, two ISIL tanks, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL armored personnel carrier, three ISIL IEDs, five abandoned tanks, two abandoned armored personnel carriers and two abandoned armored vehicles.

* Near Sinjar, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL buildings, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL mortar system.

Report Date

May 22, 2015

Report Summary

  • 20 total strikes
  • 5 in Syria
  • 15 in Iraq

Report Summary

  • 20 total strikes
  • 15 in Iraq (2462 – 2476)
  • 5 in Syria (1597 – 1601)

Confirmed Actions

US, UK

May 22nd 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 21, and 8 a.m., May 22, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five airstrikes using attack and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 15 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

May 22, 2015
Syria: 5 strikes
Iraq: 15 strikes

“Daesh continues harassing attacks against the Peshmerga near Sinjar,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “The KSF, enabled by the Coalition, repeatedly repel these attacks.”

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

Syria

Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL VBIED.
Near Dayr Az Zawr, two airstrikes struck two ISIL wellheads.
Near Kobani, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

Near Al Asad, two airstrikes destroyed five ISIL buildings.
Near Haditha, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.
Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL tunnel systems, an ISIL motorcycle, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL cache.
Near Ramadi, five airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying five ISIL armored vehicles, two ISIL tanks, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL armored personnel carrier, three ISIL IEDs, five abandoned tanks, two abandoned armored personnel carriers and two abandoned armored vehicles.
Near Sinjar, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL buildings, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL mortar system.