Al-Jazeerah: Cross-Cultural Understanding

www.ccun.org

www.aljazeerah.info

News, December 2018

 

Al-Jazeerah History

Archives 

Mission & Name  

Conflict Terminology  

Editorials

Gaza Holocaust  

Gulf War  

Isdood 

Islam  

News  

News Photos  

Opinion Editorials

US Foreign Policy (Dr. El-Najjar's Articles)  

www.aljazeerah.info

 

 

 

Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

Scores of Iraqis Killed in Government Attacks and US Air Strikes on Northern Sunni Provinces

December 1, 2018

Editor's Note:

The following are just examples of news stories about the continuous Iraq war. Daily news stories can be accessed from the news sources listed below and others in the internet.

 

Members of Iraqi government militia fighting against opposition in Diyala,
June 26, 2018
Iraqi refugees return to Tikrit to live in tents after the government forces destroyed their homes during the war, December 30, 2018

 

The following are news stories from the independent Iraqi Arabic news agency, Yaqein ( http://yaqein.net/ ):

***

Hundreds of Iraqi refugee families return to their city of Tikrit, to find that their homes were destroyed during the war, which forced them to live in tents, without services or government protection.

ÚæÏÉ ãÆÇÊ ÇáÚÇÆáÇÊ ÇáäÇÒÍÉ Åáì äÇÍíÉ ÇáÕíäíÉ Ýí ÊßÑíÊ

01 ÏíÓãÈÑ 2018 ¡ íÞíä

ÃÚáä ÇáäÇÆÈ Úä ãÍÇÝÙÉ ÕáÇÍ ÇáÏíä “Úáí ÇáÕÌÑí” Çáíæã ÇáÓÈÊ¡ ÚæÏÉ ãÆÇÊ ÇáÚÇÆáÇÊ ÇáäÇÒÍÉ Åáì ãäÇÒáåÇ Ýí äÇÍíÉ ÇáÕíäíÉ ÇáÊÇÈÚÉ áÞÖÇÁ ÈíÌí ÔãÇáí ÊßÑíÊ. æÞÇá “ÇáÕÌÑí” Ýí ÈíÇäò ÅØáÚÊ Úáíå æÓÇÆá ÅÚáÇã¡ Ãä “ÇáãÆÇÊ ãä ÃåÇáí ÇáÕíäíÉ ÚÇÏæÇ Çáíæã¡ ÈÚÏ ÇáÅÊÝÇÞ ãÚ ÇáÞíÇÏÇÊ ÇáÃãäíÉ Ýí ÚãáíÇÊ ÕáÇÍ ÇáÏíä æÇáÔÑØÉ ÇáãÍáíÉ”.

æÃÖÇÝ¡ Ãä “ãÑÍáÉ ÇáäÒæÍ ÅäÊåÊ¡ ãÈíäÇð Ãäå íÌÈ ÇáÈÏÁ ÈÅÚÇÏÉ ÅÚãÇÑ ÇáãÏíäÉ æÊÚæíÖ ÇóåáåÇ ÇáãÊÖÑÑíä ÌÑÇÁ ÇáÚãáíÇÊ ÇáÚÓßÑíÉ” Úáì ÍÏ Þæáå. áã ÊäÊåí ãÚÇäÇÉ ÇáäÇÒÍíä ÈÚÏ ÇáÚæÏÉ Åáì ãäÇØÞåã ÇáãÓÊÚÇÏÉ¡ ÝÃÛáÈ ÇáÚÇÆáÇÊ ÇáÊí ÊÚæÏ áÇ ÊÌÏ ãÃæì áåÇ¡ ÈÓÈÈ ÊÏãíÑ ÈíæÊåÇ ÌÑÇÁ ÇáÚãáíÇÊ ÇáÚÓßÑíÉ¡ ÝÖáÇð Úä ÅäÚÏÇã ÇáÃãä æÇáÎÏãÇÊ æÇáÊÞÕíÑ ÇáÍßæãí ÇáãÊÚãÏ ãä ÊæÝíÑ Êáß ÇáÎÏãÇÊ¡ ÇáÃãÑ ÇáÐí íÒíÏ ãä ãÚÇäÇÉ Êáß ÇáÚÇÆáÇÊ.

https://yaqein.net/politics/158299  

***

The following are news stories from a pro-Iraqi government website (http://www.iraqinews.com/), which usually reports those who are killed by Iraqi government attacks as Islamic State fighters, implying no civilians were killed by bombing residential neighborhoods:

***

Bomb blast kills senior paramilitary commander, wounds four companions in Diyala

by Mohammed Ebraheem Nov 29, 2018,

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) –

Five Iraqi paramilitary forces, including a senior commander, were killed and wounded Thursday in a bomb explosion northeast of Diyala, a security source from the province said.

Speaking to Baghdad Today news agency, the source said that a senior commander of the 110th brigade of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) was killed while four of his companions were injured when a bomb explosion targeted their armored vehicle on the outskirts of the Hamrin Mountains, 80 km northeast of Baqubah.

The source added that the security forces sealed off the blast scene and launched a probe into the bomb attack.

In January 2015, Iraqi forces announced liberation of Diyala province from Islamic State extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The province has seen months of fighting between Iraqi troops and IS militants especially in the Jalawla and Saadiyah areas in the province’s north and areas near the town of Muqdadiyah.

The surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in over five million internally displaced persons across Iraq and left more than 11 million in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Three Iraqi civilians killed, wounded in bomb attack northeast of Diyala

by Mohammed Ebraheem Nov 28, 2018, 11:57 pm

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) –

security source said on Wednesday that three Iraqi citizens were killed and wounded in a bomb blast in northeastern Diyala.

A booby-trapped motorbike exploded near Abu Sebaa village, 27km northeast of Baqubah, the capital of Diyala province, the source told Baghdad Today news agency.

“The explosion left an Iraqi civilian dead and two others wounded,” added the source, pointing out that the security forces launched a probe into the bomb attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, is responsible for attacks targeting crowded areas, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq.

A total of 69 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 105 injured in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in October 2018, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Former Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi declared the end of military operations against Islamic State in Iraq on December 9, 2017 three years after the militant group captured about a third of Iraq’s territory. On July 10 that year, the former premier had formally declared victory over Islamic State extremists in Mosul, which served as the terrorists’ main urban stronghold.

Islamic State sniper shoots Iraqi soldier dead near Diyala checkpoint

by Mohammed Ebraheem Nov 28, 2018,

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) –

An Islamic State sniper shot on Wednesday an Iraqi soldier dead near a security checkpoint northeast of Baqubah, a security source from Diyala province was quoted as saying.

Speaking to Baghdad Today news agency, the source said that the soldier was on duty near a checkpoint on the outskirts of Abu Karma village, 25km northeast of Baqubah, when he was shot dead.

According to the source, the security forces launched a manhunt at the nearby gardens in search of the IS sniper.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in over five million internally displaced persons across Iraq and left more than 11 million in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The Islamic State group appeared on the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, declaring the establishment of an Islamic “caliphate” from Mosul city. Later on, the group has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings, prompting the U.S. to lead an international coalition to destroy it.

Bomb blast kills Iraqi civilian, wounds two others in Baghdad

by Mohammed Ebraheem Nov 27, 2018,

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) –

An Iraqi civilian was killed and two others were wounded Tuesday in a car bomb blast in Baghdad, a security source was quoted as saying.

“An explosive charge hidden inside a car went off in Al-Shu’ala district in central Baghdad, leaving a civilian dead and two others wounded,” the source told Mawazin News website.

A police force rushed to the blast site and moved the dead body to the forensic medicine department, while the wounded were transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment, according to the source.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in over five million internally displaced persons across Iraq and left more than 11 million in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

A total of 69 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 105 injured in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in October 2018, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Iraqi warplanes kill 13 Islamic State militants in Salahuddin

by Mohammed Ebraheem Nov 26, 2018, 1:50 pm

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) –

As many as 13 fighters of Islamic State, including senior leaders, were killed Monday in an airstrike in the Iraqi province of Anbar.

Qutri al-Obeidi, a senior leader with al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) in Anbar, told the privately-owned Almaalomah website that the Iraqi Air Force targeted a group of Islamic State terrorists in al-Ja’ara area in the desert of Ar-Rutbah, west of Anbar.

“The airstrike left 13 Islamic State militants dead,” al-Obeidi said, adding that senior IS leaders were among those killed in the air raid.

He pointed out that security measures have been intensified to foil any possible terrorist attack in the area.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in Iraq in November 2017 with the recapture of Rawa, a city on Anbar’s western borders with Syria, which was the group’s last bastion in Iraq.

The Islamic State group appeared on the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, declaring the establishment of an Islamic “caliphate” from Mosul city.

Later on, the group has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings, prompting the U.S. to lead an international coalition to destroy it.

11 civilians killed by US-led coalition airstrikes on Deir Ezzor

by Loaa Adel Nov 24, 2018,

Deir Ezzor (SyriaNews) -

11 civilians were killed in air strikes carried out by the international coalition warplanes, on the village of al-Shaf’a in Deir Ezzor, targeting the last hideouts of ISIS in the eastern banks of the Euphrates, SANA News reported on Saturday.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the international coalition warplanes conducted dozens of air raids on the villages of al-Shaf’a, in the southeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, resulting in the killing of 11 civilians and injury of dozens others, in addition to causing a total damage to the houses in the area.

It also added that the casualties include 3 women and 5 children, while pointed out that the numbers of casualties are expected to increase due to the ongoing air strikes on the area and the difficulty of lifting the wounded from the rubble.

Bomb blast kills 2 policemen in Badush northwest of Mosul

by Loaa Adel Nov 24, 2018,

Nineveh (IraqiNews) -

A source in Nineveh Police informed, on Saturday, that two policemen were killed, and another was injured, in a bomb blast in Badush Town, northwest of Mosul.

Captain Eyad Zyad said in a statement that an improvised explosive device exploded, targeting a police patrol, and killed two police officers, while injured another in the town of Badush.

Moreover, he added that the security forces transferred the bodies to the forensic medical department and the injured to the Mosul Hospital, while opened an investigation and launched an operation to search for the perpetrators of the incident.

It is noteworthy that eleven schoolboys were either killed or wounded, on Thursday, when a bomb blast targeted a school bus in a village in al-Shura district, in Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul.

The surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in the displacement of over five million persons across Iraq, while left more than 11 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Security forces kill 14 ISIS militants in Nineveh Province

by Loaa Adel Nov 24, 2018,

Nineveh (IraqiNews) -

The Security Media Center of the Iraqi Federal Ministry of Defense announced, on Saturday, that security forces killed 14 militants belonging to the Islamic State group in Nineveh Province, during the search for sleeper cells in the area.

The center declared that security forces from Nineveh Operations Command, backed by the army aviation and international coalition warplanes, launched an operation to search for ISIS hideouts in the area.

Furthermore, it added that the operation resulted in the killing of 14 terrorists and destroying 3 hideouts, due to the intensive air strikes of the international coalition warplanes.

It is noteworthy that the Military Intelligence Directorate announced, last week, killing a terrorist, known as al-Katkout, who held five important positions in the ranks of the Islamic State group, after engaging with a terrorist group in Sharqat Island, in Salahuddin Province.

Landmine explosion kills two paramilitary forces in Iraq’s Nineveh

by Mohammed Ebraheem Nov 22, 2018,

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) –

Six of the predominantly Shiite paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces were killed and wounded Thursday in a landmine explosion, west of Mosul, their media office was quoted as saying.

“A force from the 15th brigade of Hashd Shaabi was on an inspection mission near Badush Dam in Nineveh to establish security there when one of their armored vehicles was hit by a landmine explosion that was left by Islamic State,” Alghad Press website quoted the media office of Hashd Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) as saying in a statement.

“The explosion left two of them dead and four others wounded,” according to the statement.

Former Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi announced in August 2017 that Nineveh province was fully liberated from Islamic State after the district of Tal Afar was recaptured.

The announcement came after the defeat of the jihadist group in the town of Ayadiya, where the militants had fled to from Tal Afar.

Islamic State militants seized control of much of Nineveh, including the provincial capital of Mosul, in June 2014.

The Iraqi government had launched an operation to retake Tal Afar on 20 August involving some 50,000 personnel from the army, air force, federal police, special forces and the Shia Muslim-led paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces.

11 Iraqi students killed, wounded as bomb blast targets school bus in Mosul

by Mohammed Ebraheem Nov 22, 2018,

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) –

Eleven schoolboys were killed and wounded Thursday when a bomb blast targeted a school bus in Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul, a security source was quoted as saying.

“An explosive charge targeted a bus carrying schoolboys in a village in al-Shura district, south of Mosul, leaving four students dead and seven others wounded,” the source told al-Ahd News Agency.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, is responsible for attacks targeting crowded areas, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in over five million internally displaced persons across Iraq and left more than 11 million in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

A total of 69 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 105 injured in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in October 2018, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

***

The following are news stories from the US Department of Defense website (http://www.defense.gov/News) ,

and US Centcom Press releases (http://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/):

***

Operation Roundup targets ISIS remnants

Release No: 18-115 
November 28, 2018
Release #20181128-01
 
SOUTHWEST ASIA –

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners continue to pursue the lasting defeat of ISIS in designated parts of Iraq and Syria.
 
Operation Roundup, which began May 1 for the defeat of ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley and Iraqi- Syrian border region, has continued to gain ground and remove terrorists from the battlefield through offensive operations coupled with precision Coalition strike support.
 
Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve and its partner forces' operations are exerting pressure on ISIS senior leaders and associates, as well as degrading, disrupting and dismantling ISIS organizational structures throughout Iraq and Syria.
 
Operation Roundup will continue to target ISIS remnants as the Coalition remains committed to the lasting defeat of ISIS to increase peace and stability in the region, and to protect all our homelands from ISIS's terrorist threat.
 
Weekly Strike Summary
 
Nov. 18-24, 2018, CJTF-OIR conducted 185 strikes consisting of 248 engagements in Syria and Iraq.
 
On Nov. 24 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 65 strikes consisting of 86 engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 65 strikes engaged 24 tactical units and destroyed 28 firing positions, eight vehicles, six fighting positons, four supply routes, four IED factories, two buildings, five command and control facilities, two staging areas, one vehicle borne IED, one piece of engineer equipment,  one checkpoint, one weapons cache and one AAA system. 
There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov. 24.
 
On Nov. 23 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 50 strikes consisting of 69 engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 50 strikes engaged seven tactical units and destroyed 27 firing positions, five fighting positions, five supply routes, two vehicle borne IEDs, one armored vehicle, four tunnels, three technical vehicles, four tunnels, one checkpoint, one bunker, and one mortar firing positon. 
 
 There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov. 23.
 
On Nov. 22 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 11 strikes destroyed one supply route, three fighting positions, four firing positions and four technical vehicles.
 
 There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov. 22.
 
On Nov. 21 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 11 strikes engaged two tactical units and destroyed eight supply routes, four tunnels, and one bunker.
 
On Nov. 21 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of six engagements.
 
•             Near Wadi Tubal, five strikes destroyed one underground facility, one tunnel, two supply routes, and one weapons cache.
 
On Nov. 20 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, six strikes destroyed six supply routes.
 
On Nov. 20 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike and one engagement against ISIS targets.
 
•             Near Lake Hamrin, one strike engaged three ISIS tactical units.
 
On Nov. 19 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of nine engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, six strikes destroyed five supply routes.
 
On Nov. 19 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of four engagements.
 
•             Near Al Anbar, one strike destroyed one building.
•             Near Lake Thar Thar, one strike destroyed one cave and one weapons cache.
•             Near Baji, one strike engaged one tactical unit and destroyed one tunnel.
•             Near Wadi Ashai, one strike destroyed two water crafts and one weapons cache was destroyed.
 
On Nov. 18 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 24 military strikes consisting of 35 engagements against ISIS targets.
 
•             Near Hajin, 24 strikes engaged four tactical units and destroyed seven buildings, seven supply routes, four staging areas, two weapons caches, two boats, one checkpoint, one command and control center, and one piece of engineering equipment.
 
On Nov. 18 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of three engagements.
 
•             Near Mosul, two strikes destroyed two buildings and one cave.
 
We received delayed reports for strikes conducted by Coalition military forces on Nov. 16 and 11, and Oct. 28, as follows,
 
On Nov. 16 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of two engagements.
 
•             Near Lake Hamrin, one strike destroyed one cave.
 
On Nov. 11 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement.
 
•             Near Q-West, one strike engaged one tactical unit and destroyed one building.
 
On Oct. 28 in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of five engagements in Iraq that were not reported in the previous release:
 
•             Near Al Anbar, one strike consisting of two engagements destroyed one bunker
•             Near Makhmur Mountains, one strike consisting of three engagements destroyed two buildings
 
Nov. 18-24 there were 106 additional strikes within the MERV that did not originate from Coalition or partner forces.  CJTF-OIR calls for all uncoordinated fires to cease. 

***

Operation Roundup targets ISIS remnants

Release No: 18-113
Release # 2018121-01

SOUTHWEST ASIA –

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners continue to pursue the lasting defeat of ISIS in designated parts of Iraq and Syria.
 
Operation Roundup, which began May 1 for the defeat of ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley and Iraqi- Syrian border region, has continued to gain ground and remove terrorists from the battlefield through offensive operations coupled with precision Coalition strike support.
 
Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve and its partner forces' operations are exerting pressure on ISIS senior leaders and associates, as well as degrading, disrupting and dismantling ISIS organizational structures throughout Iraq and Syria.
 
Operation Roundup will continue to target ISIS remnants as the Coalition remains committed to the lasting defeat of ISIS to increase peace and stability in the region, and to protect all our homelands from ISIS's terrorist threat.
 
Weekly Strike Summary
 
Between Nov. 11 and Nov. 17, CJTF-OIR conducted 168 strikes consisting of 297 engagements in Syria.
 
On Nov. 17 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 37 strikes consisting of 53 engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 37 strikes engaged five tactical units and destroyed 15 buildings, seven supply routes, seven staging areas, four fighting positons, two weapons caches, one media cell, and one tunnel.
 
There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov 17, 2018.
 
On Nov. 16 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 41 engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 22 strikes engaged 14 tactical units and destroyed 11 vehicles, eight supply routes, five buildings, three staging areas, one tunnel, one vehicle borne IED and one media cell. 
 
There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov. 16, 2018.
 
On Nov. 15 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes consisting of 38 engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 19 strikes destroyed five buildings, three supply routes, 11 fighting positions, two mortars, one weapons cache, and one command and control center.
 
There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov. 14, 2018.
 
On Nov. 14 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 26 strikes consisting of 48 engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 26 strikes engaged eight tactical units and destroyed eight buildings, three supply routes, four command and control centers, two weapons caches, three fighting positons, four staging areas, and one tunnel.
 
There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov. 14, 2018.
 
On Nov. 13 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 45 engagements against an ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 24 strikes engaged two tactical units and destroyed three buildings, five supply routes, six weapons caches, one tunnel, one fighting position, two command and control centers, three staging areas, and two observation points.
 
There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov. 13, 2018.
 
On Nov. 12 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 38 engagements against ISIS targets.
•             Near Hajin, 17 strikes engaged 18 tactical units and destroyed 10 buildings, one weapons cache, one tunnel, one command and control center, and two supply routes.
 
There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov. 12, 2018.
 
On Nov. 11, 2018 in Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 23 military strikes consisting of 34 engagements against ISIS targets.
 
•             Near Hajin, 23 strikes engaged 16 tactical units and destroyed nine buildings, two weapons caches, four tunnels, two fighting positions, two supply routes, two command and control centers, one piece of heavy equipment, and one visual observation post.
 
There were no reported strikes conducted in Iraq on Nov.11, 2018.

***

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve

Monthly Civilian Casualty Report

Release No: 18-116

November 29, 2018

Release # 20181129-01

SOUTHWEST ASIA --

The (US-Led) Coalition has worked by, with and through partners since 2014 to defeat ISIS in designated parts of Iraq and Syria, liberating nearly eight million Iraqis and Syrians from ISIS’s brutal rule and reducing its control of territory to approximately one percent of what it previously held.  

CJTF-OIR continues 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 demonstrated, CJTF-OIR is 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 a total of 30,738 strikes between August 2014 and end of October 2018. During this period, based on information available, CJTF-OIR assesses at least 1124 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition strikes since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve. 

In the month of October, CJTF-OIR carried over 206 open reports from previous months and received seven new reports. The assessment of 19 civilian casualty reports have been completed. Out of the 19 completed casualty reports, four reports were determined to be credible and resulted in 10 unintentional civilian deaths.  Two of the reports were determined to be duplicate reports that had previously reported and the remaining 13 reports were assessed to be non-credible. A total of 194 reports are still open.  

Credible Reports

In each of four incidents, the investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict.

1.            On Aug. 06, 2017, near Marqadah, al-Shadadi, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft struck an ISIS truck that had just attacked U.S. forces with rockets. While the munitions were in flight, unfortunately a civilian exited a nearby building and was unintentionally killed in the blast.  The truck was destroyed. 

2.            On Nov. 1, 2017, near Al Qaim, Iraq, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS headquarters. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally killed in the blast. The headquarters was destroyed.    

3.            On Nov. 2, 2017, near Al-Baghouz, Syria, via Airwars report. Coalition aircraft conducted multiple airstrikes targeting identified ISIS personnel and equipment. Unfortunately, during one of the strikes, five civilians were unintentionally killed. 

4.            On Aug. 25, 2018, near Hajin Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS safe house. Unfortunately, one civilian was unintentionally injured, and three were unintentionally killed during the attack. The safe house was destroyed.

Duplicate Reports— Two reports were assessed to be duplicate of another report that have been or are currently being assessed this month.

1.            Sept. 9, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report. It is a duplicate of a report in April 2017 that is still open and being investigated.

2.            Mar. 8, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report.  It is a duplicate of a report that is still open and being investigated. 

Non Credible Reports--After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each civilian casualty report, CJTF-OIR assessed the following 13 reports as non-credible. At this time there is insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in unfortunate civilian casualties.

1. Jan. 8, 2017, near al-Muthanna neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike. 

2. Jan. 25, 2017, near Sahil al-Khashab village, Syria, via Airwars report. After reviewing all the available evidence, the preponderance of the evidence did not indicate that the alleged civilian casualties were caused by Coalition operations.

3. Mar. 8, 2017, near July 17th neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

4. Mar. 9, 2017, near al-Farouk neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

5. Mar. 13, 2017, near Mosul al-Jadid neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

6. Mar. 14, 2017, near Dur al-Resala neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video it, was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

7. Mar. 16, 2017, near the Euphrates Dam, Tabaqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

8. Mar. 19, 2017, near Tabaqah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

9. Apr. 11, 2017, near Anah, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike. 

10. May 8, 2017, near Wadah, Tabaqa, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video it, was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike. 

11. June 27, 2017, near Old Mosul, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information and the strike video, it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike. 

12. July 12, 2018, near an ice factory between Al-Susah and Al-Baghuz Foqani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria, via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. After reviewing all the available evidence, the preponderance of the evidence did not indicate that the alleged civilian casualties were caused by Coalition operations. 

13. Sept. 3, 2018, near Hadithah Lake, Anbar, Iraq, via media report. After a review of available information and the strike video it, was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this strike.

Open Reports-- 194 reports of civilian casualties are still being assessed:

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.            Feb. 22, 2015, near Salima, Syria, via Airwars report.

4.            May 8, 2015, near Tel al Majdal, al-Hassakah, Syria, via Airwars report.

5.            June 7, 2015, near Dali Hasan, Syria, via Airwars report.

6.            June 8, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

7.            June10, 2015, Arbeed, Syria, via Airwars report.

8.            June 19, 2015, Khanaiz, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

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

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

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

13.          June 2, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

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

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

16.          Jan.1, 2017, near Sarmada, Syria, via Airwars report.

17.          Jan. 6, 2017, near Sowaydiya Kabira, Syria, via Airwars report.

18.          Jan. 6, 2017, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria, via Airwars report.

19.          Jan. 7, 2017, near Kasrat Sheikh Al Juma’a (Raqqah), Syria, via self-report.

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

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

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

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

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

25.          Feb. 24, 2017, near Mazir, Kirkuk, Iraq, via Airwars report.

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

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

28.          Mar.17, 2017, near Al Safsaf, Syria, via Airwars report.

29.          Mar. 18, 2017, near Shabhar (Raqqah), Syria, via Airwars report.

30.          Mar. 21, 2017, near Al Jadida, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

31.          Mar. 22, 2017, near al-Yarmouk neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report.

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

33.          Mar. 27, 2017, near Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Syria, via Airwars report.

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

35.          Mar. 30, 2017, near Al Mansoura, Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

36.          Mar. 30, 2017, near al-Zinjili neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

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

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

39.          Apr. 10, 2017, near Sekak (Mosul), Iraq, via Airwars report.

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

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

42.          Apr. 16, 2017, near Al Tabqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

43.          Apr. 16, 2017, near Kabish, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

45.          Apr. 26, 2017, near Debsi Afnan, Syria, via Airwars report.

46.          Apr. 26, 2017, near al-Tabqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

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

49.          May 8, 2017, near Kdeiran, Syria via Airwars report.

50.          May 9, 2017, near Albu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report.

51.          May 10, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

52.          May 11, 2017, near Hamra Balasem, Syria, via Airwars report.

53.          May 12, 2017, near Quriyah, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

55.          May 18, 2017, near Hunaida, Syria, via Airwars report.

56.          May 21, 2017, near Kdeiran, Syria, via Airwars report.

57.          May 21, 2017, near al Salhabiya, Syria, via Airwars report.

58.          May 23, 2017, near Kdeiran, Syria, via Airwars report.

59.          May 23, 2017, near Al Duweir, Syria, via Airwars report.

60.          May 26, 2017, near road between Raqqah and al-Mansoura, Syria, via Airwars report.

61.          May 28, 2017, near Al Hamam, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

63.          May 29, 2017, near Quriyah, Syria, via Airwars report.

64.          June 2, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

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

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

68.          June 7, 2017, near Mahkan, Syria, via Airwars report.

69.          June 8, 2017, near Zanjili neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report.

70.          June 9, 2017 near Dari’ya, Raqqah, Syria via Amnesty International report.

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

72.          June 12, 2017, near saif al-Dawla neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

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

74.          June 13, 2017, near al-Shifa neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report.

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

76.          June 15, 2017 near al-Dar’iya, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

77.          June 15, 2017, near Sharia Jama al Qademeh (Raqqah), Syria via Amnesty International report.

78.          June 16, 2017, near al-Mukhalafat area, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

79.          June 16, 2017, near al-Mansouri Mosque, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

80.          June 17, 2017, near al-Mansour neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

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

82.          June 18, 2017, near Between Two Bridges area, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

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

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

85.          June 20, 2017, near Kasrat Faraj, Syria via Airwars report.

86.          June 21, 2017 near Idikhar Residence, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

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

88.          June 22, 2017 near Al Saa’a neighborhood, Mosul, Iraq via Airwars report.

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

90.          June 23, 2017, near Euphrates River, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

91.          June 24, 2017, near al-Dari’ya, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

92.          June 24, 2017, near al-Hadika al-Bayda, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report

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

94.          June 24, 2017, near Old Bridge, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

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

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

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

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

99.          Jul. 1, 2017 near al-Mashlab neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

100.        Jul. 1, 2017 near Hossain, Dier Ez Zor, Syria via Airwars report.

101.        Jul. 2, 2017 near Al Soor, Syria via Airwars report.

102.        Jul. 3, 2017 near al-Bado neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

103.        Jul. 4, 2017 near Ratlah, Syria via Airwars report.

104.        Jul. 5, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

105.        Jul. 6, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

106.        Jul. 7, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

107.        Jul. 8, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

108.        Jul. 13, 2017, near Hisham Bin Abd al-Malik neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via social media report.

109.        Jul. 13, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

110.        Jul. 14, 2017 near al-Tawas’iyah neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

111.        Jul. 15, 2017 near al Badou, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

112.        Jul. 17, 2017 near Hisham Bin Abd al-Malik neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

113.        Jul. 22, 2017 near Bajari, Syria via Airwars report.

114.        Jul. 23, 2017 near Nazlet Shahata, Syria via Airwars report.

115.        Jul. 28, 2017, near al-Thakana neighborhood, Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

116.        Aug. 2, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

117.        Aug. 4, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

119.        Aug. 6, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

120.        Aug. 6, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

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

122.        Aug. 12, 2017, near Al Mazara’ (Tal Afar), Iraq, via social media report.

123.        Aug. 12, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

124.        Aug. 13, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

125.        Aug. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via media report.

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

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

128.        Aug. 21, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

129.        Aug. 23, 2017 near Al Mayadin, Syria via Airwars report.

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

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

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

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

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

135.        Sept. 5, 2017 near Al Naim (Dawar al Naim), Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

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

137.        Sept. 10, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

138.        Sept. 13, 2017, near Anah and Rawah, Iraq via Airwars report.

139.        Sept. 16, 2017, near Mayadin, Syria, via Airwars report.

140.        Sept. 17, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

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

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

144.        Sept. 23, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

145.        Sept. 27, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via Airwars report.

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

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

148.        Oct. 17, 2017, near Albu Kamal, Syria via self-report.

149.        Oct. 19, 2017, near Albu Kamal, Syria via self-report.

150.        Nov. 8, 2017, near Harizah village, Syria, via Airwars report.

151.        Nov. 8, 2017, near Albu Kamal, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

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

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

155.        Nov. 30, 2017 near Darnaj, Syria via self-report.

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

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

158.        Dec. 9, 2017, near Suwaidin Jazeera, Syria, via Airwars report.

159.        Dec. 10, 2017, near Abu hamam, Syria, via Airwars report.

160.        Dec. 13, 2017, near Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

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

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

164.        Jan.14, 2018 near Hajin, Syria via social media report.

165.        Jan. 20, 2018 near al-Bahrah, Syria via self-report.

166.        Jan. 20, 2018 near al-Kashmah, Syria via self-report.

167.        Jan. 30, 2018, near al-Bahra, Syria, via Airwars report.

168.        Feb. 2, 2018, near al-Bahra, Syria via social media report.

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

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

171.        Feb. 9, 2018, near al-Shafaa, Syria via self-report.

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

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

174.        Mar. 6, 2018, near al-Sha’afah, Syria, via Airwars report.

175.        Mar. 6, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via Airwars report.

176.        Apr. 13, 2018, near Damascus, Syria, via Airwars report.

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

178.        May 10, 2018, near al Baghouz, Syria, via social media report.

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

180.        May 28, 2018, near al-Bagouz, Syria, via Airwars report.

181.        May 31, 2018, near al Baghouz, Syria, via social media report.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

190.        Sept. 30, 2018, near al-Sousa, Syria, via self-report.

191.        Oct. 18, 2018, near al-Sousa, Syria, via social media report.

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

193.        Oct. 24, 2018, near the al-Zuwiyah mosque, Hajin, Syria, via social media report.

194.        Oct. 28, 2018, near Hajin and al-Sha’fa, Syria, via social media report.

http://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/1701240/combined-joint-task-force-operation-inherent-resolve-monthly-civilian-casualty/

***

Share the link of this article with your facebook friends


Fair Use Notice

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

 

 

 

Opinions expressed in various sections are the sole responsibility of their authors and they may not represent Al-Jazeerah & ccun.org.

editor@aljazeerah.info & editor@ccun.org