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

| Feb. 13, 2020

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.

The Coalition conducted 34,763 strikes between August 2014 and the end of December 2019. During this period, based on information available, CJTF-OIR assesses at least 1,370 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition actions since the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve.

We follow a rigid targeting process for all of our strikes to ensure strict adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict while attempting to avoid collateral damage. Every accidental loss of life is tragic, and it will remain our goal to take all feasible precautions to avoid putting civilians in danger in our pursuit of a ruthless enemy.

In the month of December, CJTF-OIR carried over 82 open reports from previous months and received 41 new reports. CJTF-OIR completed 45 civilian-casualty allegation assessment reports. Out of the 45 completed casualty allegation reports, three reports were determined to be credible and resulted in 11 unintentional civilian deaths. CJTF-OIR assessed the remaining 41 reports as non-credible and one was a duplicate of a previous report. Seventy-nine reports are still open, including three that CJTF-OIR had previously closed but reopened due to the availability of new information.

The results of each investigation of an allegation will fall into one of two categories, either "credible" or "non-credible." An assessment of "credible" means that our team investigated the allegation and determined that, based on available evidence, more likely than not, the death was the result of Coalition action. A "non-credible" evaluation means that the information we have to assess the allegation, using our available resources, cannot determine, to the standard of "more likely than not", that the death was the result of Coalition action. There could be a number of reasons for this, to include no corroborating strikes at that time or that location, there was insufficient evidence to support the allegation, or there is simply insufficient or overly vague data in the allegation itself.

It is important to note that while the Coalition has a substantial quantity of data at its disposal to investigate every claim, we welcome any information from any source that will enable us to determine the truth. Furthermore, we routinely reopen closed investigations based on new information that might help us attain more accurate results.

Credible Reports: In the three incidents assessed as credible in December, the investigations assessed that the CJTF-OIR 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 strikes to reduce the risk of harm to civilians. Numeric Key: [CJTF-OIR Allegation Number] / [Non-Governmental Organization Allegation Number] [Grid Coordinate]. The Military Grid Reference System coordinates specified in these reports are derived from the general location of the strike area.

1. Nov. 7, 2015, in Qayyarah, Iraq, via New York Times report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed and one other unintentionally wounded as a result of the strike. 2348 38SLE453619

2. Sept. 4, 2017, in Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition forces conducted multiple strikes against Daesh facilities. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of these strikes. 2147/S1262 37SEV004796

3. Sept. 18, 2017, in Mrashda, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh facility. Regrettably, six civilians were unintentionally killed as a result of the strike. 2205/S1332 37SFU773204

Non-Credible Reports: After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each civilian casualty report, CJTF-OIR assessed the following 41 reports as non-credible. At this time there is insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition action resulted in civilian casualties. Numeric Key: [CJTF-OIR Allegation Number] / [Non-Governmental Organization Allegation Number] [Grid Coordinate]. The Military Grid Reference System coordinates specified in these reports are derived from the original allegation source.

1. Nov. 7, 2014, near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria via Syrian Network for Human Rights 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. 1815 37SFU681648

2. Dec. 28, 2014, in Jarabulus. 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. 2389/CS039 37SDA117751

3. Sept. 5, 2015, in Anah al Jadidah, Iraq, 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. 2887/CI102 37SGU746075

4. Jan. 7, 2016, in Hit, Iraq, 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. 2890/CI173 38SKC985246

5. Jan. 9, 2016, in Ayn ‘Isa, 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. 2899/CS164 37SDA880265

6. Jan. 11, 2016, in Suluk, 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. 2900/CS165 37SEA114499

7. Jan. 18, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 2901/CS166 37SEV008784

8. Jan. 20, 2016, in Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2891/CI180 38SLC407010

9. Jan. 21, 2016, in Abu Teban, Iraq, 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. 2893/CI182 38SLC130107

10.Jan. 21, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, 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. 2892/CI181 38SLF352248

11.Jan. 27, 2016, in Shadadi, 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. 2902/CS168 37SFV558915

12.Jan. 28, 2016, in Ajajah, 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. 2903/CS169 37SFA537090

13.Jan. 29, 2016, in Dabat, 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. 2904/CS170 37SDA049548

14.Feb. 4, 2016, in Hit, Iraq, 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. 2894/CI184 38SKC987237

15.Feb. 10, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, 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. 2895/CI187 38SLF369212

16.Feb. 13, 2016, in Mahalabiya, Iraq, 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. 2896/CI188 38SKF940159

17.Feb. 15, 2016, in Maarat al Numan, 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. 2905/CS174 37SBV898472

18.Feb. 17, 2016, in Al Hazim, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2906/CS176 37SFA927293

19.Feb. 17, 2016, in Tal Al Jayer, 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. 2907/CS176a 37SFV890897

20.Feb. 17, 2016, in Hit, Iraq, 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. 2897/CI191 38SKC985246

21.Feb. 18, 2016, in Dashisha, 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. 2908/CS179 37SFV949909

22.Feb. 18, 2016, in Marqadah, 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. 2909/CS178 37SFV600594

23.Feb. 18, 2016, in Jareer, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2920/CS180 No MGRS Given

24.Feb. 18, 2016, in Fatha, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2898/CI193 No MGRS Given

25.Feb. 25, 2016, in Qayyarah, Iraq, 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. 2910/CI195 38SLE457628

26.Feb. 25, 2016, in Al Mayadin, 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. 2921/CS184 37SFU317758

27.March 2, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 2923/CS187 37SEV008784

28.March 7, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2911/CI198 38SLF344215

29.March 7, 2016, in Hit, Iraq, 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. 2912/CI199 38SKC985246

30.March 10, 2016, in Khusham, 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. 2924/CS188 37SFV174073

31.March 15, 2016, in Bab Laksh, Iraq, 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. 2914/CI201 38SLF323232

32.March 18, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 2926/CS191 37SEV006783

33.March 19, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 2925/CS192 37SEV008784

34.March 24, 2016, in Raqqah, 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. 2927/CS193 37SEV008784

35.March 25, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, 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. 2915/CI207 38SLF260229

36.March 26, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, 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. 2916/CI208 38SLF293239

37.March 31, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, 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. 2917/CI211 38SLF380253

38.March 31, 2016, in Fallujah, Iraq, 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. 2918/CI212 38SLB867909

39.April 4, 2016, in Hasakah, Syria, via Airwars report. The allegation provided insufficient detail to identify a specific date, time, or location to search for corroborating Coalition action. 2928/CS196 No MGRS Given

40.April 6, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq, 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. 2919/CI218 38SLF293239

41.Jan. 9, 2017, in Mosul, Iraq, via New York Times and 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. 816/CI407 38SLF342233

Duplicate Reports: The following report was found to be a duplicate of previously assessed Coalition actions.

1. Nov. 20, 2015, in Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. The Coalition actions identified in this allegation are duplicates of those in allegations 275 (duplicate of allegation 210 [Credible, 24 civilians unintentionally killed, published Dec. 1, 2016], published Feb. 2, 2017) and 276 (Credible, four civilians unintentionally killed and two unintentionally wounded, published April 1, 2017). 2860/CI144 38SLF293239

Corrections to previous reports: the following is a correction to a previously published CIVCAS report.

1. In the CIVCAS report for the month of November 2019 published Jan. 2, 2020, the grid location for non-credible allegation 47 (2780) should read 37SFU377757.

Open Reports: CJTF-OIR is still assessing 79 reports of civilian casualties.

1. Jan. 11, 2015, near Deir Ez Zor, Syria, via Airwars report.

2. June 18, 2015, near Khanez Village, Syria, via Airwars report.

3. July 15, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

5. Aug. 29, 2015, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

6. Sept. 1, 2015, near Makhul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

7. Sept. 3, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report.

8. Sept. 5, 2015, near Anah al Jadidah, Iraq, via Airwars report.

9. Sept. 9, 2015, near Al-Thawrah, Syria, via Airwars report.

10.Sept. 13, 2015, near Ma’adan, Syria, via Airwars report.

11.Sept. 20, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

12.Sept. 27, 2015, near Hit, Iraq, via Airwars report.

13.Sept. 27, 2015, near Duquq, Iraq, via Airwars report.

14.Sept. 27, 2015, near Jala’a, Syria, via Airwars report.

15.Oct. 2, 2015, near Hawijah, Iraq, via Airwars report.

16.Oct. 22, 2015, near Baloum, Syria, via Airwars report.

17.Nov. 24, 2015, near Jarbua, Iraq, via Airwars report.

18.Dec. 30, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

19.Dec. 30, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

20.Dec. 30, 2015, near Hit, Iraq, via Airwars report.

21.Jan. 1, 2016, near Thaiyala, Iraq, via Airwars report.

22.Feb. 27, 2016, near Ays al Arus, Syria, via Airwars report.

23.March 9, 2016, near Asriya, Iraq, via Airwars report.

24.March 12, 2016, near Abu Qalqal, Syria, via Airwars report (previously closed, but reopened due to new information).

25.April 5, 2016, near Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

27.Jan. 6, 2017, near Al-Ziraei, Iraq, via media report (previously closed, but reopened due to new information).

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

29.March 27, 2017, near Sarmada, Idlib, via Airwars report.

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

31.June 6, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

32.June 9, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

33.June 9, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

34.June 9, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

35.June 13, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

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

37.June 21, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

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

39.July 4, 2017, near Tal al-Jayer, Syria, via Human Rights Watch.

40.July 7, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

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

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

43.Aug. 1, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

44.Aug. 1, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

45.Aug. 10, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

46.Aug. 14, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

47.Aug. 15, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

48.Aug. 16, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

49.Aug. 16, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

50.Aug. 19, 2017, near Al-Helo, Syria, via Human Rights Watch.

51.Aug. 22, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

52.Sept. 5, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

53.Sept. 10, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

54.Sept. 23, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

55.Sept. 25, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

56.Sept. 27, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

57.Oct. 3, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

58.Oct. 3, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

59.Oct. 8, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Amnesty International report.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

68.June 4, 2018, near Al-Helo, Syria, via Human Rights Watch.

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

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

71.Jan. 3, 2019, near Al-Shafah, Syria, via social media report (previously closed, but reopened due to new information).

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

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

74.Feb. 11, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via social media report and Airwars report.

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

76.March 13, 2019, near al-Baghouz, Syria, via Airwars report.

77.March 18, 2019, near al-Baghouz Fawqani, Syria, via self-report.

78.Aug. 31, 2019, near Kafr Jasil, Syria, via Airwars report.

79.Nov. 22, 2019, near Diban, Syria, via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights report.

To see the Arabic version: CJTF-OIR Press Release-20200213-02-CIVCAS

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