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Press Release | April 25, 2019

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve Monthly Civilian Casualty Report

CJTFOIR

April 25, 2019
Release # 20190425--01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Since the beginning of operations in 2014, the Coalition and partner forces have liberated nearly 110,000 square kilometers (42,471 square miles) from Daesh, eliminating their self-proclaimed territorial caliphate and freeing 7.7 million people from Daesh oppression. The Coalition will continue to work with partner forces to deny Daesh any physical space and influence in the region as well as deny Daesh the resources they need to resurge.

We continue to employ thorough and deliberate targeting and strike processes to minimize the impact of our operations on civilian populations and infrastructure. This process includes thorough review and vetting of each target package prior to a strike and another review after that strike. Our regular strike reports make our activities publicly accessible, and our monthly publication of civilian casualty reports makes our civilian casualty assessments similarly accessible to the public.

As we have demonstrated, we are willing to consider new civilian casualty allegations as well as new or compelling evidence on past allegations to establish accountability based on the best available evidence.

The Coalition conducted 34,464 strikes between August 2014 and end of March 2019. During this period, based on information available, CJTF-OIR assesses at least 1291 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition strikes since the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve.

In the month of March, CJTF-OIR carried over 146 open reports from previous months and received seven new reports. CJTF-OIR completed 31 civilian-casualty allegation assessment reports; including two that had been previously closed but were reopened with the availability of new information. Out of the 31 completed casualty allegation reports, 11 reports were determined to be credible and resulted in 34 unintentional civilian deaths. One of the reports was determined to be a duplicate report and the remaining 19 reports were assessed to be non-credible.  One hundred and twenty two reports are still open, including three that had been previously closed but were reopened due to the availability of new information.

Credible Reports--In these 11 incidents, the investigation assesses that the Coalition took all feasible precautions and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict. Coalition forces work diligently to be precise during the planning and execution of airstrikes to reduce the risk of harm to civilians.

 

1. June 19, 2015, near Khanaiz village, north of Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians, and possibly a third, in passing vehicles (a bongo truck and a three-wheeled motorcycle) were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strike. 

2. Jan. 7, 2017, near Kasrat Sheikh Al Juma’a, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on Daesh terrorists in a vehicle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and another unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. 

3. May 28, 2017, near Al Hamam, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a suspected Daesh weapons cache. Regrettably, the strike on an associated target building unintentionally resulted in the deaths of three civilians. 

4. June 2, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike against hostile forces at a Daesh checkpoint. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strike.  

5. July 1, 2017, near Hossain, Dier ez Zor, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a Daesh command structure. Regrettably, five civilians were unintentionally killed due to the proximity of the strike locations.  

6. July 13, 2017, near Hisham Bin Abd al-Malik neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted two strikes on a Daesh hostile fighting position. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed and two more were unintentionally wounded due to the proximity of these strikes. 

7. July 15, 2017, near al Badou, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft engaged four Daesh defensive fighting positions near the Hospital of Modern Medicine. Regrettably, 13 civilians were unintentionally killed and eight civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the target location. 

8. July 22, 2017, near Bajari, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft struck an identified Daesh mortar firing position. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and three more were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike. 

9. Dec. 13, 2017, near Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a Daesh operative. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and one civilian was unintentionally wounded due to the proximity of the strike.  

10. Jan. 20, 2018, near al-Khashmah, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted multiple engagements against Daesh forces. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the targets. 

11. Oct. 31, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted one strike on a Daesh improvised explosive device factory. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the impact point. 

Duplicate Reports-- One report was assessed to be a duplicate of another report that has previously been assessed.

1. Jan. 25, 2017, near Sihal al-Khashab village, Syria, via social media report and Airwars report. Allegation originally received 25 January 2017 and closed due to insufficient information. Allegation was re-opened upon receipt of new information but was subsequently closed March 2019 as a duplicate allegation.

Non Credible Reports-- After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each civilian casualty report, CJTF-OIR assessed the following 19 reports as non-credible. At this time there is insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.

1. Nov. 10, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 

2. Jan. 1, 2017, near Sarmada, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 

3. May 23, 2017, near Kdeiran, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

4. May 26, 2017, near road between Raqqah and al-Mansoura, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

5. June 20, 2017, near Kasrat Faraj, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

6. June 24, 2017, near al-Dari’ya, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

7. July 3, 2017, near Dakat Barka, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report (previously closed, but the CIVCAS cell reopened it due to new information). After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.

8. July 3, 2017, near al-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

9. July 5, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

10. July 14, 2017, near al-Tawas’iyah neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 

11. Aug. 6, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

12. Aug. 12, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

13. Aug. 23, 2017, near Al Mayadin, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

14. Sept. 5, 2017, near Al Naim (Dawar al Naim), Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

15. Sept. 16, 2017, near Mayadin, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.   

16. Nov. 8, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

17. Jan. 30, 2018, near al-Bahra, Syria, via Airwars report. After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.  

18. Feb. 5, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via self-report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties. 

19. Feb. 12, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via social media report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.  

Open Reports-- CJTF-OIR is still assessing 122 reports of civilian casualties:

1. Nov. 7, 2014, near Al-Tanak Oilfield, Syria, via Syrian Human Rights Network report.

2. Dec. 28, 2014, near Jarabulus, Syria, via Airwars report.

3. Aug. 24, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

4. Oct. 30, 2015, near Qayyarah, Iraq, via media report.

5. Nov. 7, 2015, near Qayyarah, Iraq, via media report.

6. Dec. 24, 2015, near Manbij, Syria, via self-report.

7. June 1, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

8. Sept. 22, 2016, near Qayyarah, Iraq, via media report.

9. Oct. 13, 2016, near Qayyarah, Iraq, via media report.

10. Jan. 3, 2017, near Sarmada, Syria, via social media report (previously closed, but the CIVCAS cell reopened it due to new information).

11. Jan. 6, 2017, near Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report.

12. Jan. 11, 2017, near Saraqib, Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report.

13. Jan. 14, 2017, near Al Mayadin, Syria, via Airwars report.

14. Jan. 17, 2017, near Baysan neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via social media report (previously closed, but the CIVCAS cell reopened it due to new information).

15. Jan. 26, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

16. Feb. 3, 2017, near Sarmin, Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report.

17. Feb. 10, 2017, near Hatra, Iraq, via Airwars report.

18. Mar. 8, 2017, near Al Karamah, Syria via Airwars report.

19. Mar. 11, 2017, near Al Karamah, Syria, via Airwars report.

20. Mar. 23, 2017, near al-Yarmouk neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via self-report.

21. Mar. 25, 2017, near Al Mayadin, Syria, via Airwars report.

22. Mar. 27, 2017, near Sarmada, Idlib, via Airwars report.

23. Apr. 5, 2017, near al-Shafa neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

24. Apr. 7, 2017, near Hamra Ghanim, Syria, via Airwars report.

25. Apr. 11, 2017, near al-Yarmouk neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

26. Apr. 11, 2017, near al-Sahab neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

27. Apr. 19, 2017, near al-Thawra neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. 

28. Apr. 28, 2017, near al-Tabaqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

29. May 6, 2017, near Mayadin, Syria, via Airwars report.

30. May 9, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report.

31. May 13, 2017, near Between two Bridges, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

32. May 28, 2017, near Al Mansoura, Syria, via Airwars report.

33. June 3, 2017, near Hawi al Hawa, Syria, via Airwars report.

34. June 3, 2017, near al Jisr al Qadim, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

35. June 4, 2017, near Abu al Naital, Syria, via Airwars report.

36. June 10, 2017 near Euphrates River, Syria via Amnesty International report.

37. June 12, 2017, near al-Tib al-Hadeeth area, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

38. June 13, 2017 near Kasrat Sheikh Jum’ah Syria, via Airwars report.

39. June 17, 2017, near Hawijah al-Swafi, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

40. June 18, 2017, near al-Firdous neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

41. June 18, 2017, near al-Meshahda neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

42. June 21, 2017, near Amn al-Dawlah neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

43. June 23, 2017, near al-Saa’a neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report.

44. June 23, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria via Airwars report (previously closed, but the CIVCAS cell reopened it due to new information).

45. June 24, 2017, near Adnan al-Maliki school, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

46. June 26, 2017, near Al Mayadin, Syria via Airwars report.

47. June 26, 2017, near Euphrates River, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

48. June 27, 2017, near Euphrates River, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

49. June 30, 2017, near Al Dashaisha, Syria via Airwars report.

50. July 2, 2017, near Al Soor, Syria via Airwars report.

51. July 13, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

52. July 23, 2017, near Nazlet Shahata, Syria via Airwars report.

53. Aug. 5, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

54. Aug. 11, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

55. Aug. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

56. Aug. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

57. Aug. 23, 2017, near Karabla, al Qaiem, Iraq via Airwars report.

58. Aug. 23, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

59. Sept. 4, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

60. Sept. 5, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via media report.

61. Sept. 17, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report.

62. Sept. 18, 2017, near al Mrashdah village, Albu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report.

63. Sept. 18, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

64. Sept. 19, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

65. Oct. 10, 2017, near Deir Ez Zor, Syria via self-report.

66. Oct. 13, 2017, near Husaybah, al Qaiem, Iraq via Airwars report.

67. Oct. 17, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria via self-report.

68. Nov. 14, 2017, near al-Hawaij village, Syria, via Airwars report.

69. Nov. 26, 2017, near Daranj, Syria, via Airwars report.

70. Nov. 28, 2017, near El Qata, Syria, via self-report.

71. Dec. 1, 2017, near Granij, Syria, via Airwars report.

72. Dec. 5, 2017, near al-Jarthi, Syria, via Airwars report.

73. Dec. 10, 2017, near Abu Hamam, Syria, via Airwars report.

74. Dec. 22, 2017, near Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report.

75. Dec. 25, 2017, near Kharayij, Syria, via self-report.

76. Dec. 29, 2017, near al-Bahra, Syria, via Airwars report.

77. Feb. 2, 2018, near al-Bahra, Syria, via Airwars report.

78. Feb. 6, 2018, near al-Shafaa, Syria, via self-report.

79. Feb. 28, 2018, near al-Sha’fah village, Syria, via Airwars report.

80. Mar. 2, 2018, near al-Bajari, Syria, via Airwars report.

81. May 10, 2018, near al Khatuniyah, Syria, via self-report.

82. May 27, 2018, near al-Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report.

83. May 31, 2018, near al-Soussa, Syria, via Airwars report.

84. June 12, 2018, near Hassoun al-Basha village, Syria, via Airwars report.

85. June 13, 2018, near al-Sousa, Syria, via Airwars report.

86. June 21, 2018, near al-Sha’fah, Syria, via Airwars report.

87. July 16, 2018, near Deir Ezzor, Syria, via self-report.

88. July 22, 2018, near al-Sousa, Syria, via social media report.

89. Aug. 1, 2018, near Ash Shajlah, Syria, via self-report.

90. Aug. 23, 2018, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report.

91. Oct. 20, 2018, near al-Sousa, Syria, via social media report.

92. Nov. 12, 2018, near Hajin, via social media report 93. Nov. 14, 2018, near Abu Kamal and Al Baghouz, via social media report.

94. Nov. 17, 2018, near Abu al-Hasan, Syria, via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights report.

95. Nov. 25, 2018, near Al- Sha’fa, Syria, via social media report.

96. Nov.29, 2018, near Al-Sha’fa, Syria, via social media report.

97. Nov. 29, 2018, near Al-Kashma, Syria, via social media report.

98. Dec. 10, 2018, near al-Kashmah, Syria, via social media report.

99. Dec. 12, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via self-report.

100. Dec. 12, 2018, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report.

101. Dec. 20, 2018, near al-Shafaa, Syria, via social media report.

102. Jan. 04, 2019, near al-Shafaa, Syria, via self-report.

103. Jan. 05, 2019, near al-Mrashdah, Syria, via self-report.

104. Jan. 10, 2019, near al-Shajlah, Syria, via self-report.

105. Jan. 10, 2019, near al-Susah, Syria, via self-report.

106. Jan. 18, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Abu Kamal, Syria, via social media report.

107. Jan. 20, 2019, near al-Shajlah, Syria, via self-report.

108. Jan. 22, 2019, near al-Shajlah, Syria, via social media report.

109. Jan. 23, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via social media report.

110. Jan. 25, 2019, near al-Baghouz Fawqani, Syria, via self-report.

111. Jan. 25, 2019, near al-Mrashdah, Syria, via self-report.

112. Feb. 6, 2019, near al-Busayrah, Syria, via self-report.

113. Feb. 10, 2019, near Omer Oil fields, Syria, via media report and Airwars report.

114. Feb. 11, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via social media report.

115. Feb. 12, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via social media report.

116. Mar. 2, 2019, near al-Baghouz Fawqani, Syria, via self-report.

117. Mar. 10, 2019, near Qayyarah-West Airfield, Iraq, via media-report.

118. Mar. 11, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via social media report.

119. Mar. 14, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via media report.

120. Mar. 17, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via social media report.

121. Mar. 18, 2019, near al-Baghouz Fawqani, Syria, via self-report.

122. Mar. 20, 2019, near Anbar province, Iraq, via self-report.

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