Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS1733a

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Location

Near al Shaafah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.58024, 40.93739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike at Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to be a US action.

According to the OIR report, “March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.”

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this event to within 100 metres. This placed the event within Al Shaafah itself.

In May 2020 in its annual report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to be a US civilian harm event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table from DoD's annual civilian harm report to Congress, May 2020, listing additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria conceded for 2018.

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    Near al Shaafa
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU777282
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 16, 2019
  • March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result of this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On March 1 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against Daesh targets.

Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed a Daesh motorcycle and two weapons caches.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, les opérations se poursuivent. Les objectifs demeurent de défaire les dernières poches terroristes en Syrie et de sécuriser le territoire irakien. Poursuite des combats en Syrie En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes poursuivent leur effort contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie présentes sur les rives orientales de l’Euphrate, l’une située autour de Dashisha le long de la frontière avec l’Irak et l’autre dans la vallée de l’Euphrate à proximité d’Abou Kamal, autour de la ville d’Hajin. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, conduisant une vingtaine d’opérations par semaine, les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent la sécurisation du territoire. Ces opérations se concentrent autour des principales agglomérations, mais aussi dans le désert de l’Anbar où de nombreuses caches terroristes ont été récemment décelées et détruites. Retour progressif des réfugiés en Irak En Irak, la situation des populations civiles revient progressivement à la normale. Au cours des deux dernières semaines, principalement dans la province de Ninive, environ cent trente mille personnes déplacées ont rejoint leurs localités d’origine. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes En fin de semaine dernière, la Task Force Narvik a terminé un stage de quatre semaines au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Ce stage s’est déroulé du 6 février au 1er mars et a permis de former aux techniques d’infiltration une vingtaine de soldats irakiens appartenant à l’Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS), unité d’élite des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Les principaux savoir-faire transmis ont été la lutte contre les IED, le combat en zone urbaine, les techniques d’infiltration et de reconnaissance dans la profondeur et le secourisme au combat. La Task Force Wagram en appui des opérations de sécurisation La Task Force Wagram poursuit son appui aux opérations de sécurisation menées par les forces de sécurité irakiennes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, quatre missions de tirs ont été réalisées (2 missions d’interdiction et 2 missions d’éclairement – bilan du 28 février au 6 mars). Depuis le début de sa mission, la TF Wagram, a réalisé 1629 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations L’activité des forces aériennes françaises engagées dans l’opération Chammal se concentre sur l’appui aux forces démocratiques syriennes combattant dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Dans ce cadre, les aéronefs engagés dans l’opération Chammal ont réalisé cette semaine 30 sorties aériennes orientées sur l’appui renseignement aux forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 28 février au 6 mars). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 7845 sorties / 1443 frappes / 2233 objectifs neutralisés.

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 07-03-2018 | 12:00 Irak en Oost-Syrië In de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS ondersteunden Nederlandse F-16’s grondtroepen tijdens 10 missies. Dat gebeurde boven de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië en de Iraakse provincie Al Anbar. Er werden geen wapens ingezet. Nederlandse instructeurs startten in Irak nieuwe cursussen aan Peshmerga, waaronder het beveiligen van grote gebieden en bataljonsstaf- en infanterietrainingen. De militairen verzorgen de opleidingen samen met collega’s van partnerlanden. In het trainingscentrum Menila ontvingen meer dan 50 cursisten een certificaat voor een voltooide cursus. Een Nederlands chirurgisch team opereert in een Amerikaans role 2 hospitaal in westelijk Irak. Het team werkt nauw samen met Britse medici.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Incident Code

CS1732

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa: Al-Kashma district, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.57888, 40.93441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 30 civilians were reported killed and “dozens” injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sha’afa. Most sources stressed that many of the victims were women and children.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented the deaths of 22 civilians, including 9 children and 7 women and stressed that the toll was expected to rise due to the critical situation some of the injured civilians were in.

Deir Ezzor 24 tweeted that airstrikes had targeted the “Al Kashma district” of Al Sha’afa – later mentioning that more than ten civilians were harmed by the bombardments. Most sources specifically reported that 17 or 26 civilians were killed, with Free Deir Ezzor Radio even reporting “more than 30 martyrs, mostly women and children, as a result of US air strikes at dawn today”.

One activist, who declined to be named, told Smart News reporters that the civilian casualties may be ISIS family members as “the town’s families had left more than a month ago.” This was echoed by tweets from @QSD_Jabha and @Norsforstudies, as well as a Baladi report stating that – according to so-called Islamic State itself – 30 civilians were killed in Al Sha’afa.

In its monthly civilian casualty assessment for September 2019 – published on November 15th – the alliance classed the event as ‘non credible’, asserting that “After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.”

Coalition officials confirmed to Airwars that their review was a match for this event, and provided coordinates for the area assessed to within 100 metres.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • (2–9 children2–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'News of the massacre of more than 10 martyrs, including children and women, as a result of the bombing of an aircraft believed to belong to the International Alliance'

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
    Near al Shafah
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU774280
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 15, 2019
  • February 28, 2018 near Al Shafah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was determined that, more likely than not, civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition action.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For February 28th, the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 28 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of four engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged two Daesh tactical units and destroyed a Daesh supply route and a Daesh-held building.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Wednesday 28 February – Typhoons attacked two Daesh armoured vehicles in eastern Syria, and cratered a road to prevent it being used to move supplies or truck-bombs…Royal Air Force aircraft continued to fly daily armed reconnaissance patrols over eastern Syria, but the next air strikes did not occur until Wednesday 28 February. One flight of Typhoons delivered attacks with Paveway IVs against two Daesh armoured vehicles spotted by the Syrian Democratic Forces to the north-east of Abu Kamal, with one of the weapons being accurately delivered through cloud against a target which the aircrew could not themselves see. A second Typhoon flight conducted Paveway attacks on a key road in the area, cratering it to prevent the terrorists from moving equipment along it, particularly heavy truck-bombs.

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For Feb 28th to March 6th, France reports 30 air sorties providing intelligence support to SDF forces engaged on the ground. No strikes were conducted. Task Force Wagram continued its support for security operations carried out by the ISF in the Euphrates Valley. This week, four shooting missions were carried out (2 interdiction missions and 2 illuminance missions.)

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, les opérations se poursuivent. Les objectifs demeurent de défaire les dernières poches terroristes en Syrie et de sécuriser le territoire irakien. Poursuite des combats en Syrie En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes poursuivent leur effort contre les dernières poches de Daech en Syrie présentes sur les rives orientales de l’Euphrate, l’une située autour de Dashisha le long de la frontière avec l’Irak et l’autre dans la vallée de l’Euphrate à proximité d’Abou Kamal, autour de la ville d’Hajin. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, conduisant une vingtaine d’opérations par semaine, les forces de sécurité irakiennes poursuivent la sécurisation du territoire. Ces opérations se concentrent autour des principales agglomérations, mais aussi dans le désert de l’Anbar où de nombreuses caches terroristes ont été récemment décelées et détruites. Retour progressif des réfugiés en Irak En Irak, la situation des populations civiles revient progressivement à la normale. Au cours des deux dernières semaines, principalement dans la province de Ninive, environ cent trente mille personnes déplacées ont rejoint leurs localités d’origine. ACTIVITÉ DE LA FORCE Formation au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes En fin de semaine dernière, la Task Force Narvik a terminé un stage de quatre semaines au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Ce stage s’est déroulé du 6 février au 1er mars et a permis de former aux techniques d’infiltration une vingtaine de soldats irakiens appartenant à l’Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS), unité d’élite des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Les principaux savoir-faire transmis ont été la lutte contre les IED, le combat en zone urbaine, les techniques d’infiltration et de reconnaissance dans la profondeur et le secourisme au combat. La Task Force Wagram en appui des opérations de sécurisation La Task Force Wagram poursuit son appui aux opérations de sécurisation menées par les forces de sécurité irakiennes dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine, quatre missions de tirs ont été réalisées (2 missions d’interdiction et 2 missions d’éclairement – bilan du 28 février au 6 mars). Depuis le début de sa mission, la TF Wagram, a réalisé 1629 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations L’activité des forces aériennes françaises engagées dans l’opération Chammal se concentre sur l’appui aux forces démocratiques syriennes combattant dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Dans ce cadre, les aéronefs engagés dans l’opération Chammal ont réalisé cette semaine 30 sorties aériennes orientées sur l’appui renseignement aux forces locales engagées au sol (bilan du 28 février au 6 mars). Aucune frappe n’a été réalisée. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 7845 sorties / 1443 frappes / 2233 objectifs neutralisés.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 30
  • (2–9 children2–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1724

Incident date

February 9, 2018

Location

قرية البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.73418, 40.77497 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In its monthly casualty report of 30th August 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in an event not previously tracked by Airwars. This was later identified as a likely French airstrike – thougfh Paris has refused to confirm or deny this.

According to the official report, “February 9, 2018, near al-Bahrah village, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-held building, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a motorcycle entered the impact area moments before the strike.”

The Coalition later supplied Airwars the Military Grid Reference System coordinates for the strike, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

While local sources did not make mention of this specific event, media outlets did report clashes in al Bahra around the same time. Ennabaladi noted that “battles are taking place today in the villages of al Bahra, Hajin and al Shaafa, following the advance of SDF during the past few days and its control of the town of Granij amid repeated attacks by the organization [ISIS].”

Syrian Free Army reported Coalition aircraft targeting “a group of members of the Islamic state” on the outskirts of al Bahra but said that this took place on February 8th.

In March 2020, Airwars and Liberation and De Morgen published a joint investigation revealing that France was refusing to accept responsibility for civilian harm in this event – despite all other allies ruling themselves out.

After confirming receipt from Airwars in June 2019 of details of possible French civilian casualty events, the defence ministry then ceased communication – refusing to answer all subsequent emails.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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
    Previously unknown
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near al-Bahrah village, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU625450
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 30, 2018
  • February 9, 2018, near al-Bahrah village, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-held building, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a motorcycle entered the impact area moments before the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For 9th February the Coalition reported: “On Feb. 9 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of seven engagements against Daesh targets. Near Abu Kamal, three strikes [1 British] engaged three Daesh tactical units and damaged a Daesh-held building.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 9 February – Tornados destroyed two Daesh buildings, whilst a Reaper struck a group of terrorists firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces….On Friday 9 February, a Reaper provided surveillance support to a series of coalition air strikes on terrorist targets, and conducted an attack with a Hellfire missile against a group of extremists who were firing upon the Syrian Democratic Forces. A Tornado flight also carried out successful attacks on two Daesh-held buildings. ‘

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

Between Feb 7th-13th, France reports 26 air sorties, during which two strikes were made in the Abu Kamal sector in support of the SDF fighting the last pockets of ISIS in the Euphrates Valley. .The Wagram Task Force continues its support for security operations in the Euphrates Valley. This week a fire mission was carried out for the benefit of the Iraqi security forces.

‘OPÉRATION CHAMMAL SITUATION MILITAIRE DU THEATRE Sur le théâtre irako-syrien, les opérations se poursuivent. Les objectifs demeurent de : défaire les dernières poches terroristes résiduelles en Syrie ; sécuriser les territoires récemment libérés en Irak. Poursuite des combats en Syrie En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS) poursuivent leurs efforts contre les dernières poches Daechies présentes sur les rives orientales de l’Euphrate. Poursuite des actions de sécurisation en Irak En Irak, les opérations de sécurisation se poursuivent sur l’ensemble du territoire, en particulier le long de la frontière irako-syrienne, autour de Kirkouk et dans le secteur des monts Hamrim. ACTIVITES DE LA FORCE La Task Force Wagram en appui des opérations de sécurisation La Task Force Wagram poursuit son appui aux opérations de sécurisation menées dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Cette semaine (bilan du 7 au 13 février), une mission de tirs d’interdiction a été réalisée au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Depuis le début de sa mission, la TF Wagram a réalisé 1618 missions de tirs. Les bases aériennes en Jordanie et aux EAU en appui des opérations Cette semaine, l’activité aérienne a permis d’assurer des missions de renseignement et d’appui au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes et des forces démocratiques syriennes. Elle a donné lieu à 26 sorties aériennes (bilan du 7 au 13 février) au cours desquelles deux frappes ont été réalisées dans le secteur d’Abu Kamal en appui des forces démocratiques syriennes combattant les dernières poches de Daech dans la vallée de l’Euphrate. Bilan total depuis le 19/09/14 : 7762 sorties / 1437 frappes / 2225 objectifs neutralisés.’

Dutch Military
  • English
    /
    Original

For February 7th-13th, the Netherlands report its F16s attacked ISIS fighters and a logistic storage facility near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor. Jets supported ground troops in 8 missions, including in the Al Anbar province, Iraq. Only weapons deployed in two missions.

‘Weekoverzicht Defensieoperaties Nieuwsbericht | 14-02-2018 | 12:00 Nederlandse F-16’s vielen ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen ISIS-strijders en een logistieke opslagplaats aan. Dat gebeurde in de omgeving van Abu Kamal in de provincie Deir Al Zour in Oost-Syrië. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 7 tot en met 13 februari 2018. De jachtvliegtuigen hielpen de grondtroepen, ook boven de Iraakse provincie Al-Anbar, tijdens 8 missies. Bij 2 werden wapens ingezet. Nederland strijdt boven Irak en Oost-Syrië in coalitieverband tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS.’

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI874a

Incident date

January 27, 2018

Location

البغدادي , Al Baghdadi, Anbar, Iraq

Airwars assessment

Eight people including a woman and six police officers were reported killed and 20 others including two women severely injured in an alleged US-led Coalition strike on Al Baghdadi, west of Anbar province on January 27th, 2018, according to multiple local sources. Reports said that the strike “mistakenly struck a gathering of local security forces”, also killing five policemen and the director of al-Baghdadi district, Sharhabil al-Obeidi, and the police chief Colonel Colonel Salam al-Obeidi.

11 of those killed and injured belong to two families.

Dotmsr reported: “An Iraqi official announced that eight people were killed, most of them security forces, and about 20 others were wounded, including a senior officer after, an attack by an international coalition aircraft mistakenly struck a gathering of local security forces in the town of al-Baghdadi in the western Anbar province.

“The official, who asked not to be named, said that eight people, including a police intelligence officer Baghdadi and five policemen and two civilians were killed after the bombing by International Alliance aircraft in the town center”.

Altaghier.tv said that an American helicopter carried out the raid, killing “seven people and wounding 20 more”.

According to Yaqein, “US aircraft bombed a convoy of vehicles belonging to the popular crowd militia west of Anbar province, killing about 20 people, including the director of al-Baghdadi district, Sharhabil al-Obeidi, and the police chief Colonel Colonel Salam al-Obeidi.” The source add that the helicopter struck the convoy as it was “headed to the house of Sheikh Al-Obeid of the Sheikh Maadi al-Obeidi tribe, 90 km west of Ramadi.”

Mahmood Abdulkhaliq reported that an arrest was carried out as a house was raided…Iraqi Security Forces and police then arrived at the scene, and then one of the US aircraft launched a bombing on the site, which led to the death and wounding about 27 civilians and security forces, including the director of the district and the director of police Baghdadi.”

Almaalomah added that “Angry residents in Anbar province expressed their disapproval and dismay at the criminal operation of the US Air Force, which resulted in the death and wounding of more than 20 people, while calling on the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Haider Abadi to refer the attacking force to the international judiciary.

Mohammed al-Obeidi called on all to “condemn these acts and refer the American soldiers who committed these foolish acts to international courts “.

Local sources said the following got killed in the attack: Ghajban Naji Saadoun, Haidar Sadek Karim Makhlaf, Gheith Natik kareem, Ahmed Karim Makhlaf, Makhlaf Natik Kareem, Tahrir Mahmood, Maraw Mdi Kerb, Col.Salm Al Obeidi (Abdul Salam Al Obeidi). 

The Joint Operation Command’s Communication Unit said that the Command requested an investigation into what happened in that attack.

 

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male injured
Age unknown male injured
Adult male Died later because of his injuries. Other sources named him Salam Abdullah Ahmed Fahed killed
Age unknown male injured
Age unknown The commander of the second group, a popular crowd injured
Age unknown male Not clear whether this is the same as Abdul Salam ObaidiDirector of Police Baghdad injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (6 other civilian non-combatants)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–8

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Images shared by Naynawa Alghad in the aftermath of a US led coalition airstrike on a gathering of local security forces in al-Baghdadi, Al Anbar, Iraq on January 27th, 2018.
  • Images shared by Naynawa Alghad in the aftermath of a US led coalition airstrike on a gathering of local security forces in al-Baghdadi, Al Anbar, Iraq on January 27th, 2018.
  • Aftermath of an alleged US-led coalition airstrike on a gathering of local security forces in al-Baghdadi, Al Anbar, Iraq on January 27th, 2018.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

Clarification: The Joint Operations Command has received accurate intelligence about the presence of a terrorist leader, Kareem'Abat Ali al-Sammarid, in a house in al-Baghdadi district to meet with a terrorist cell preparing to carry out operations against security forces and citizens. On the basis of this information, a force from the 8th Infantry Brigade was immediately assigned and air support from the International Alliance aircraft to raid the scene, arrest the wanted terrorist, and after the raid and arrest of the terrorist Karim Afat Ali Al-Samramd. During the search and collection of evidence, A neighboring house, which was called to respond quickly and then withdrew to the headquarters of the departure of the force and on the way back, a group of gunmen was observed without coordination with the force in charge of duty, where they targeted aircraft holding the force was carried out at 0200 hours on Saturday 27 January 2018 Wu Hut Joint Special Operations Command to open an investigation of the incident and bring you details later.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (6 other civilian non-combatants)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–8

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1715a

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Location

البحرة, Barah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.75317, 40.771 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Barah. The UK later confirmed this was an RAF strike.

In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS fighter operating a motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result.”

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

In March 2020, Airwars and the BBC published an investigation revealing that the UK was refusing to accept responsibility for civilian harm in this and two other events – despite confirming that the RAF had conducted the strikes.

Senior MoD officials revealed that they were insisting upon ‘hard facts’ when determining casualties – an almost impossible bar to surmount, and at odds with the US-led Coalition’s own ‘balance of probabilities’ approach.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Barah, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU621471
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 28, 2019
  • January 20, 2018, near Bahrah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS fighter operating a motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as a result.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Jan. 20 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 19
engagements against ISIS targets.
 Near Abu Kamal, 12 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed two
fighting positions, a staging facility, a VBIED, three weapons caches, two ISIS
headquarters, an ISIS motorcycle, an ISIS construction vehicle and an ISIS-held
building.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1701a

Incident date

December 24, 2017

Location

near Kharayij, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.35092, 40.71575 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of three civilians in an event near near Kharayij, Syria.

In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted “Coalition aircraft conducted strikes on a Daesh weapons storage facility and Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strikes.”

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

In May 2020, the Pentagon confirmed this to have been a US military action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    3
  • Stated location
    near Kharayij, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU578024
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2019
  • Dec. 24, 2017, near Kharayij, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted strikes on a Daesh weapons storage facility and Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strikes.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

On Dec. 24 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of six
engagements against ISIS targets.
- Near Abu Kamal, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed a heavy
machine gun and three ISIS vehicles.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Known target
    ISIS

Incident Code

CS1688

Incident date

December 1, 2017

Location

غرانيج / درنج, Daranj (possibly غرانيج Granij), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.91808, 40.58189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child died in a Coalition airstrike according to local media.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported “a child died on December 3rd, due to wounds sustained from International Coalition warplanes which fired missiles on Darnaj village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs on December 1, 2017″.

In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event noting” Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.” The Coalition additionally provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box. Eleven months later this was declared to have been a US action.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights made no mention of civilian casualties but confirmed that the SDF had gained control of Daranj.

However, two other sources (Marsad Al Sharqiya and Obaidahalabdull) reported that the victim died in the town of Granij.

Other sources reported that the SDF had taken control of Daranj.

In May 2020, in its annual civilian harm report to Congress, the Pentagon declared this to have been a US military action.

The incident was first reported on December 1, 2017 at 2:00 pm by .

The victims were named as:

Adult male (via @obaidahalabdull) killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image shows destruction in a building following an alleged coalition strike on Daranj (via step agency)
  • Table from May 2020 Pentagon report to Congress, conceding additional US civilian harm events in Iraq and Syria during 2017.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention two possible locations: the village of Darnaj (درنج), for which the coordinates are: 34.9244444,40.5791667; and the village of Garnij/Kharanij (غرانيج), for which the coordinates are: 34.7588889,40.7611111 Prior to the release of the MGRS for this incident, Airwars geolocated this incident to the nearest village at 34.9245045, 40.5793762. In June 2019 the Coalition released the MGRS for this incident: 37SFU445651.

  • A geographic image of the villages of Darnaj (درنج) and Garnij/Kharanij (غرانيج)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

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
    Other
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Stated location
    near Daranj, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU445651
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2019
  • Dec. 1, 2017, near Daranj, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 30th-December 1st: ” Near Abu Kamal, five strike engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed an ISIS fighting position, a tactical vehicle and an explosive hazard.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Known target
    ISIS

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1649 ISSY002

Incident date

October 23, 2017

Location

سحم الجولان, Sahm al Jolan, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.781247, 35.935592 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of up to seven civilians, including three women and two children, and up to ten ISIS affiliated militants from Jaish Khalid bin al Walid, as a result of either Coalition or Israeli airstrikes on Sahm al Jolan.

The Daraa Martys Documentation Office reported Coalition airstrikes on Sahm al Jolan, “where two consecutive missiles targeted a residential neighborhood in the town of Sahm al Jolan”. According to the report, the neighbourhood in the western Dara’a countryside was under the control of the “Khalid Bin Al Waleed Army”. The office documented “7 martyrs”, including two women and two children, as well as a number of wounded individuals in addition to three fighters who were also killed in the attack.

Hayat News and RT both reported 10 fighters killed and identified Israeli jets as the culprit instead of the Coalition. Both reports noted that in addition to the ten fighters, two women who were believed to be wives of militants were killed. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also attributed the strikes to Israel but quoting them, Jewish Press reported that “there was no concrete evidence indicating Israel had carried out the attack”.

Sahm al Jolan listed two unidentified children “killed after an attack by an international coalition aircraft on the town”. Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office was the only source who had identified by name a civilian casualty. According to a center report of October 28th, Sabah Ibrahim al-Masalmeh “died of her wounds after being hit by a raid by the international coalition aircraft on the town of Sahm al Jolan”.

In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, 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.

The victims were named as:

Sabah Ibrahim al-Masalmeh صباح إبراهيم المسالمة
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–10

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sahm al Jolan (سحم الجولان), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.781247, 35.935592. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    36SYB749310
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 9, 2020
  • Oct. 23, 2017, in Sahm al Jolan, Syria, 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. 3163/CS1649 36SYB749310

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For both October 22nd-23rd and October 23rd-24th the Coalition did not publicly report any strikes in the Dara’a governorate.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 attackers
    US-led Coalition, Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    ISIS
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3–10

Sources (8) [ collapse]