US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Iraq
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS598

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Al Badiya school, Raqqa, Syria

In a major casualty incident at least 40 civilians died (and as many as 420 according to some claims) with dozens more injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the al Badiya school in Mansoura, which was said to have housed up to 100 displaced families. Coalition commander Lt General Townsend later denied that the

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40 – 420
(16 children15 women10 men)
Civilians reported injured
50–56
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
75 named, 15 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1468

LOCATION

نزلة شحادة, Nazlah Shahadah/Furat neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported on major numbers of civilian casualties following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqa city’s Nazlat Shahada area during an SDF offensive. Baladi News said people who have just left the city of Raqqa alleged “more than 400 bodies” under the rubble of buildings, “mostly in the Nazlah Shahada and the industrial” area.

Summary

First published
September 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
24 – 400
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI551

LOCATION

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al Jadida / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

The Coalition admitted responsibility for the deaths of  between 105 and 141 civilians in an airstrike on a house in West Mosul’s al Jadida area on March 17th (event CI550). However, locals have claimed that as many as 230 or even 520 civilians were killed in the catastrophic event at al Jadida – though these

Summary

First published
March 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
125 – 370
Civilians reported injured
25
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2019

Incident Code

CS1912

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As the SDF sought to take control of Al-Baghouz, the last ISIS territorial stronghold in Syria, local sources reported on what was referred to as a significant “massacre” in which between 160 and 300 civilians including 45 children were alleged killed by Coalition airstrikes according to local sources. However, Central Command has only admitted to killing

Summary

First published
March 18, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 300
(1–45 children)
Civilians reported injured
8
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
16
View Incident

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI812

LOCATION

الميدان, Al Maydan, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

A number of local sources reported that 300 civilians were killed and 400 more were wounded – said to be mostly women and children – following alleged Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes in the Al Maydan neighbourhood of Mosul. All four sources who reported the deaths alleged that both the Coalition and the Iraqi government

Summary

First published
July 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
300
Civilians reported injured
400
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

July 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI802

LOCATION

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

A number of local sources claimed that more than 1,000 civilians had been killed or wounded over a week-long period as a result of alleged Coalition and Iraqi government bombardment of Old Mosul over recent days. However further details were sparse. Iraq News Center reported that the number of civilian casualties buried under the rubble

Summary

First published
July 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
300
Civilians reported injured
700
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2017

Incident Code

CI746

LOCATION

الشفاء والزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili and Shifa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that more than 300 civilians were killed during two days of fighting in Zanjili and Shifa neighborhoods, in West Mosul. The loss of life was reportedly caused by ISIL shooting on fleeing civilians, as well as by airstrikes carried out by Iraqi Forces and the international Coalition. Sawlf Ateka Facebook page quoted

Summary

First published
June 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
250 – 300
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
106
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces, ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI830

LOCATION

Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

As many as 300 civilians were allegedly killed and injured in Tal Afar over three days of shelling. Information on the number of lives lost was retrieved from local medical sources, who said mostly women and children were killed and wounded. According to JBC – which said that 300 civilians were killed across two days

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
150 – 300
Civilians reported injured
150–300
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2019

Incident Code

CS1903

LOCATION

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that the Coalition had renewed shelling on Al Baghouz after midnight on March 3rd 2019. One of the shells allegedly struck an ammunition depot that caused a large explosion in the camp. According to one local source, Hamah.Now, up to 250 civilians were killed and wounded in the event. In a tweet,

Summary

First published
March 3, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 250
(2–25 children2–25 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–250
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS1603

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Multiple local sources said that over 240 civilians had been killed and large numbers wounded in the past four days, allegedly by aircraft and airstrikes of the US-led Coalition. Sharqiya Voice estimated that 250 were killed in a 48 hour period, though all other sources alleged the slightly lower toll occurred over four days. Please

Summary

First published
October 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
240 – 250
Civilians reported injured
20–50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI697

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

A doctor reported to local media that up to 300 civilians had been killed and wounded in 48 hours of heavy fighting in West Mosul Farid Orfali, a doctor at a German field hospital on the western Mosul border, had told Alaraby news that “more than 300 civilians have been killed and wounded, and we

Summary

First published
May 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
100 – 250
Civilians reported injured
100–250
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS273

LOCATION

التوخار كبير, Tokhar Kabir, Aleppo, Syria

In what may have been the single greatest loss of life from a Coalition action in the first two years of its war against Daesh, between 78 and 203 civilians were reported killed in a catastrophic event at the village of Tokhar – the scene of a number of other recent civilian fatalities from alleged

Summary

First published
July 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
78 – 203
(25–71 children7–29 women)
Civilians reported injured
30
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
95 named, 12 families identified
Belligerents reported killed
85
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI522

LOCATION

حي المعلمين, Mosul, al Mua'lmen/ Teachers, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press sources said that more than 200 bodies were still under the rubble and on the streets after Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces targeted the area close to “Syed Jamal” mosque in the Teachers district and other neighbourhoods in the West of Mosul. @Sonawa1 reported on Twitter: “A huge explosion

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
50 – 200
Civilians reported injured
50–200
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI738

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that up to 200 civilians were killed and dozens wounded after airstrikes hit their houses in Zanjili neighbourhood (West Mosul) at dawn. Omar Al Halbusi said on Facebook that the victims were mostly women and children, and that their bodies were still under the rubble. @NinevehIraq reported on Twitter that Mohammed Bassil

Summary

First published
May 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 200
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI772

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West (Shifa and Zanjili), Nineveh, Iraq

Colonel Talal Najm al-Hamdani, from the Directorate of Civil Defense of Nineveh, said that about 200 bodies had been recovered over a 48 hour period in different parts of West Mosul. In an interview with Al Araby al Jadeeda, Colonerl al-Hamdani estimated that as many as 4,000 bodies remained under the rubble of West Mosul

Summary

First published
June 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
200
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI824

LOCATION

الشرقاط, Al Shirkat, Salah Al Din, Iraq

According to Yaqein report, 170 people including both ISIS fighters and civilians were killed as a result of airstrikes carried out by the Iraqi Air Force and possibly the Coalition. Al Yaqein also reported that a large number of civilian houses had been hit in strikes on al-Shirkat. Alsumaria, citing a security source said that an

Summary

First published
August 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 170
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI835

LOCATION

Eyathia, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

A major civilian casualty event took place in Tal Afar district, North West of Mosul, following aerial bombardment, local media reported. Dozens were killed according to witnesses, including entire families of mostly women and children. The local media organisation Kurdistan24 said that as many as 59 families had died in an attack it blamed on

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40 – 150
Civilians reported injured
30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI550

LOCATION

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al Jadida / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In the highest confirmed civilian casualty event of the war against ISIL, at least 105 and as many as 141 non-combatants were later confirmed by the Coalition as having been killed in a US airstrike on a house in West Mosul’s al Jadida area. At least 137 bodies were reportedly recovered from the scene. Locals

Summary

First published
March 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
105 – 141
(22 children5 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
12 named, 7 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI510

LOCATION

الدواسة, Mosul, Dawassa area, Nineveh, Iraq

Local and press sources said between 64 and 130 civilians were killed in total and many others injured by different kind of bombing during the Iraqi offensive to control the governmental compound in Dawassa at the right side of Mosul. Mosul Eye reported that “the number of civilian casualties today has risen to more than

Summary

First published
March 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
64 – 130
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI467

LOCATION

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 130 civilians were killed and 78 injured after Coalition airstrikes and/ or Iraqi artillery had struck many residential buildings in Al-Shafaa (Shifa) in West Mosul. The Coalition has confirmed causing 10 deaths. Press sources had told Yaqein that “the retaliatory shelling by aircraft and artillery by government forces had,

Summary

First published
February 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30 – 130
(7 children3 men)
Civilians reported injured
78
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI364

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

At least 60 civilians were killed and as many as 100 injured in a series of airstrikes in al Qaim, according to reports. However, the alleged Coalition later denied responsibility. Iraqi Spring Media Center said that 60 civilians were killed and 100 injured in an Iraqi government bombing that targeted al Qaim. A report posted

Summary

First published
December 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
60 – 120
(21 children13 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
100
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1480

LOCATION

IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A major civilian casualty incident allegedly took place at an IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Eastern Deir Ezzor countryside. Al Yaqeen reported about 100 displaced people were killed, mostly women and children, following an alleged aerial bombardment by the US-led Coalition at the camp (pictured). However this was contested – with Euphrates Post asserting that

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
100 – 120
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1397

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Between 50 and 118 civilians were killed, including many women and children, in the city of Raqqa in the last 48-72 hours. The sources blamed US-led Coalition airstrikes for the significant number of life lost over the short period. According to @AhmadShbli, seven whole families were part of those killed. Smart news agency reported “in

Summary

First published
August 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
50 – 118
Civilians reported injured
60
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 12, 2017

Incident Code

CI708

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources and Al’Amaq [ISIL press agency] reported that up to 108 civilians were killed and 265 were wounded due to artillery shelling and airstrikes by the international Coalition, the Iraqi Joint Forces and popular militia over a number of days. A medical source had told Yaqein Agency in a press statement that “108

Summary

First published
May 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30 – 108
Civilians reported injured
265
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces, Iraq Irregular Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 25, 2017

Incident Code

CI732

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq

Medical sources reportedly told the ISIL press agency that 101 civilians were killed and 199 others were injured as a result of airstrikes carried out by the Coalition and Iraqi forces on West Mosul neighbourhoods during the previous five days. Presently no further details are known.

Summary

First published
May 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
101
Civilians reported injured
199
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2018

Incident Code

CS1859

LOCATION

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a building which appeared to be in use as a Daesh prison at dawn on Wedneday November 28th. Reports on the number of civilian casualties varied widely between six and 100 civilians. RT reported that six civilians died in the attack, whereas other sources such as Baladi News and Horrya

Summary

First published
November 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 100
Civilians reported injured
50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1338

LOCATION

بلدة الكشكية, Kashkiyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Over one hundred child soldiers were killed in an alleged US-led Coalition strike on a training camp of the so-called Islamic State organisation, according to multiple sources. A report by Euphrates Post said, “The coalition warplanes attacked an [ISIS] camp in the town of al-Kashkiya in al-Sha’atiyat district, on the house of Rahim al Thalaj

Summary

First published
August 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 100
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI856

LOCATION

Mutaybayjah, Salah Al Din, Iraq

Local media outlet Yagein claimed that hundreds were killed and wounded following alleged US-Coalition strikes on Metebija, in the east of Salahadin province. The Iraq Spring Media Center also alleged the Coalition conducted raids in the area, though it did not refer to civilian casualties. A source who spoke to Yagein claimed: the Coalition aircraft bombed

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 100
Civilians reported injured
0–100
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 13, 2017

Incident Code

CI709

LOCATION

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Residents and local press said that up to 100 civilians were killed and dozens wounded after Coalition airstrikes and guided missiles allegedly hit multiple locations in and around Anah town, in Anbar province, on a Saturday evening. Noor Al Mustafa Dawood reported that “the bombing continued with more than four airstrikes and four missiles directed

Summary

First published
May 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
24 – 100
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI794

LOCATION

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Local press and resident sources said that dozens to hundreds of civilians, including the bodies of ‘hundreds of children and women’, were under the rubble in various areas in Old Mosul. Heavy shelling and air strikes had allegedly hit their homes. Local media provided striking accounts of streets filled with dead bodies, and called for

Summary

First published
June 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 100
Civilians reported injured
24–100
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident