[CENTCOM] Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Monthly Civilian Casualty Report

PRESS RELEASE | Feb. 22, 2018
Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Monthly Civilian Casualty Report
CJTFOIR

Feb. 22, 2018

Release # 20180222-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

SOUTHWEST ASIA — During the month of January the Coalition and our partners continued the fight to ensure the lasting defeat of Daesh. The Coalition and our partners have liberated over 98% of the area formerly controlled by Daesh, and have liberated 7.7 million Iraqis and Syrians once held under brutal Daesh rule. However, much work still needs to be done to ensure the lasting defeat of the terrorist, criminal organization.

In January the Iraqi Security Forces demonstrated proficiency and professionalism in providing security for Iraqi Army Day and Iraqi Police Day without incident. Iraqi forces continue to take the fight to Daesh terrorists hiding among the people of Iraq. The ISF conducted multiple operations to secure their country, people and borders. The security they provide enables the international community to support non-military stabilization operations and assist in the return to normal life for the Iraqi people who have hope for a better life after Daesh.

Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition partners continued operations to destroy remnants of Daesh in Syria. SDF’s successes and continued efforts to remove terrorists from the battlefield and deny Daesh safe haven have been a benefit to the world, preventing the regional and global spread of a hateful ideology that actively seeks to target our homes and our populations. This was demonstrated when a significant precision strike, involving exhaustive intelligence and observation to confirm Daesh concentrations and ensure no civilian casualties, killed between 145-150 Daesh terrorists in the Middle Euphrates River Valley Jan. 20.

The SDF’s presence in Syria continues to reap dividends as they detain terrorists trying to escape the region. Early in January, the SDF were instrumental in removing two of Daesh’s most violent terrorists from the battlefield as they tried to flee.

In the month of January, CJTF-OIR carried over 406 open reports of possible civilian casualties from previous months and received 195 new reports resulting from Coalition strikes (artillery or air) in support of partner force operations to defeat Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

During this period, the Coalition completed the assessment of 116 reports: 102 were assessed to be

non-credible, 10 were assessed to be duplicates of previous reports, and four were assessed to be credible, resulting in 10 unintentional civilian deaths. To date, based on information available, CJTF-OIR assesses at least 841 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition strikes since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve. A total of 485 reports are still open.

The Coalition conducted a total of 29,070 strikes between August 2014 and January 2018. During this period, the total number of reports of possible civilian casualties was 2,015. The total number of credible reports of civilian casualties during this time period was 218.

After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each civilian casualty report, CJTF-OIR assessed the following 102 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.

A finding of non-credible in many cases indicates a lack of evidence. “Non-credible” is not intended to deny the possibility that a CIVCAS incident occurred, nor is it intended as a comment on the credibility on the source of the allegation.

1. June 19, 2016 near Al Jisr al Jadid, Syria via Airwars 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.

2. Dec. 23, 2016 near Sweida Sagheed, Syria. 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.

3. Jan. 30, 2017 near Al Tabqa, Iraq via Airwars 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.

4. March 22, 2017 near Al Thawrah, Syria via Airwars 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.

5. April 4, 2017 near Thawra, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

6. April 4, 2017, near the near Tal Afar, Iraq 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.

7. April 9, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq 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.

8. April 19, 2017near Mosul, Iraq via human rights organization 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.

9. April 20, 2017 near Al Thawra, Iraq 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.

10. April 28, 2017, near Dajah, Iraq 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.

11. May 5, 2017 near Raqqah, 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.

12. May 8, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there was insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

13. May 9, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq 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.

14. May 11, 2017 near Markada, 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.

15. May 13, 2017 near Anah, Iraq 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.

16. May 19, 2017 near Shifa, Iraq 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.

17. May 25, 2017 near Zinjili, Iraq 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.

18. May 30, 2017, near Zanjili, Iraq 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.

19. June 9, 2017 Al Tayara, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

20. June 10, 2017, near Shifa, Iraq via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

21. June 12, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

22. June 13, near Burak, Syria, via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

23. June 13, 2017, near Bokros Tahtani, Syria via Airwars 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.

24. June 13, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars 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.

25. June 14, 2017, near Ziban, Syria via Airwars 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.

26. June 14, 2017 near Al A’jli, Syria via Airwars 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.

27. June 14, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria via Airwars 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.

28. June 14, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

29. June 14, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars 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.

30. June 14, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars 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.

31. June 14, 2017, near Dakat Barak, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility. (I576)

32. June 14, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars 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.

33. June 15, 2017 near Abu Kamal, Syria via Airwars 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.

34. June 15, 2017 near Al Ferdous, Syria via Airwars 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.

35. June 15, 2017, near Hatla, Syria via Airwars 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.

36. June 16, 2017, near Kasrat Juma’a, Syria via Airwars 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.

37. June 17, 2017 near Al Qouriya, Syria via Airwars 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.

38. June 18, 2017 near Tal al Za’er, Syria via Airwars 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.

39. June 18, 2017 near Al Jalal, Syria via Airwars 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.

40. June 18, 2017 near Al Hadika, Syria via Airwars 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.

41. June 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq via self-report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

42. June 18, 2017 near Al Qaim, Iraq via Airwars 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.

43. June 19, 2017, near Al Toubb, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

44. June 19, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars 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.

45. June 19, 2017 near Al Tabani, Syria via Airwars 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.

46. June 20, 2017, near Al Basira, Syria via an Airwars 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.

47. June 20, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars 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.

48. June 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

49. June 21, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars 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.

50. June 22, 2017 near Ratlah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

51. June 22, 2017 near Raqqah, Iraq via Airwars 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.

52. June 23, 2017 near Kasrat Faraj, Syria via Airwars 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.

53. June 23, 2017 market near Mheimdeh, Syria via Airwars 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.

54. June 24, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq via social media 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.

55. June 24, 2017 Raqqah, Syria via social media 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.

56. June 24, 2017 near Madan, Syria via Airwars 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.

57. June 25, 2017 near Al Soussa, Syria via Airwars 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.

58. June 26, 2017 near Al Jisr al Jadeed, Syria via Airwars 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.

59. June 26, 2017 near Al Rumeila, Syria via Airwars 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.

60. June 26, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

61. June 26, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

62. June 26, 2017 farm near Kasrat Afnan, Syria via Airwars 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.

63. June 26, 2017 Al Mayadin, Syria via Airwars report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no civilian casualties were caused in this strike.

64. June 26, 2017 near Ayyash, Syria via Airwars 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.

65. June 26, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

66. June 27, 2017 near Khazraj, Iraq via Airwars 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.

67. June 27, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

68. June 27, 2017 in Raqqah, Syria via Airwars 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.

69. June 27, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

70. June 27, 2017 near Al Qadissiya, Syria via Airwars 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.

71. June 27, 2017 near Al Taybah, Syria via Airwars report. A coalition airstrike did not cause a civilian casualty as the result of a strike.

72. June 27, 2017 near Janat, Syria via Airwars 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.

73. June 28, 2017 near Al Salhiya, Syria via Airwars 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.

74. June 28, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars 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.

75. June 28, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars 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.

76. June 28, 2017 near Al Mayadin, Syria via Airwars 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.

77. June 29, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

78. June 29, 2017 near Al Toob, Syria via Airwars 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.

79. June 29, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

80. June 29, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

81. June 29, 2017 near Makhan, Syria via Airwars 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.

82. June 29, 2017 near Mrat, Syria via Airwars 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.

83. June 30, 2017 near Farouk, Iraq via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

84. June 30, 2017 Mosul, Iraq via other government agency report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

85. June 30, 2017 near Abu Hammam, Syria via Airwars 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.

86. June 30, 2017 near Kasrat Muhammed Ali, Syria via Airwars 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.

87. June 30, 2017 near Ukayrishah, Syria via Airwars 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.

88. July 1, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

89. July 2, 2017 near Al Kasrat, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

90. July 3, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

91. July 4, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

92. July 5, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq via media 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. 38SLF316240

93. July 7, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

94. July 18, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

95. July 28, 2017 near Tal Afar, Iraq via web 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.

96. July 31, 2017 near Rawa, Iraq 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.

97. July 31, 2017 near Tal Afar, Iraq via social media 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.

98. Sept. 11, 2017 near Rawah, Iraq 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.

99. Oct. 18, 2017 near Abu Kamal, Syria via self-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.

100.Oct. 26, 2017 near Al Qaim, Iraq via self-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.

101.Dec. 30, 2017 near Tal al-Zahab, Syria via social media 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.

102. Jan. 10, 2018 near Kharayij, Syria via web report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Ten reports were assessed to be duplicates of other reports that have been or are currently being assessed this month.

1. March 9, 2017 near Al Karama, Syria via Airwars report is a duplicate of an open allegation awaiting assessment.

2. April 27, 2017 near Debsi Afnan, Syria via Airwars report is a duplicate of an open allegation awaiting assessment.

3. June 9, 2017 near al-Dar’ia, Syria via human rights organization report is a duplicate of an open allegation awaiting assessment.

4. June 14, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report is a duplicate of an open allegation awaiting assessment.

5. June 14, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report is a duplicate of an open allegation awaiting assessment. This is the same allegation as number 4 duplicate from this report.

6. June 24, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report. This report is a duplicate of a credible report in the September 2017 civilian casualty report.

7. June 28, 2017 near Al Tayyana, Syria via Airwars report. This report is a duplicate of a credible report in the August 2017 civilian casualty report.

8. June 28, 2017 near Al Soor, Syria via Airwars report. This report is a duplicate of a credible report in the November 2017 civilian casualty report.

9. June 30, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report. This report is a duplicate of a credible report in the September 2017 civilian casualty report.

10. Dec. 1, 2017 near Al Burham, Syria via self-report is a duplicate of an open allegation awaiting assessment.

Although the Coalition takes extraordinary efforts to strike military targets in a manner that minimizes the risk of civilian casualties, in some incidents casualties are unavoidable. Four reports were assessed to be credible resulting in the unintentional death of 10 civilians. The Coalition also added one unintentional civilian deaths from past reports previously excluded from the count.

A credible assessment means it is more likely than not a Coalition strike resulted in a civilian casualty. In each of the incidents below, 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 unfortunately occurred.

1. Oct. 16, 2016 near Al Baghouz desert, Syria via Airwars report. During a coalition attack that destroyed Daesh controlled trucks and fuel tankers it was assessed that five civilians were