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

August 16, 2014

Incident Code

CI001

LOCATION

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

According to the German news agency DPA, the first known civilian victims of US bombing in the campaign occurred on August 16th, eight days into the air war. According to DPA, witnesses informed the agency’s reporter that “11 civilian were killed by a US airstrike when they chased [ISIL] fighters in Sinjar but its rockets

Summary

First published
August 16, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
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 24, 2014

Incident Code

CI002

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Al Shuhadaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local news service Al Sumaria claimed that “11 civilians from one family” died after coalition airstrikes hit the village of al Qayyarah south of Mosul on the morning of August 24th. Other sources, placing the death count slightly lower at 8-9 killed, reported that the attack had been carried out by a helicopter, possibly a

Summary

First published
August 24, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 11
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

September 3, 2014

Incident Code

CI003

LOCATION

الوحدة, Mosul, Al Wahda, Nineveh, Iraq

A reported aerial bombardment (at 2200hrs local time) near an ISIL HQ east of Mosul, allegedly left up to seven members of the same family dead and injured in the al-Wadha Street area. At least three women were reported killed and a man and child injured. While Baghdad TV attributed the strike to US aircraft,

Summary

First published
September 3, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(3 women)
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 5, 2014

Incident Code

CI004

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Houses neighboring the Turkish Consulate, Nineveh, Iraq

Sources in the city claimed that an airstrike carried out at approximately 10pm in the vicinity of the Turkish consulate in Mosul had killed Ridwan Akram, his wife and their child. According to a commemorative Facebook page, the family had only recently returned after three months in Turkey when they died. While a number of

Summary

First published
September 5, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2014

Incident Code

CI005

LOCATION

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM review identified potential civilian casualties from a Coalition airstrike in “northern Iraq.” The only location for this date which matches is Sinjar. The incident was not previously tracked by Airwars. According to a declassified CENTCOM document, “A review of FMV from a RECOIL feed revealed unknown individuals moving into a target area

Summary

First published
September 14, 2014
Last updated
April 11, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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 23, 2014

Incident Code

CS001

LOCATION

كفردريان, Kafr Daryan, Idlib, Syria

On the first night of US airstrikes in Syria, the United States carried out a sequence of attacks on the Al Qaeda-affiliated Khorasan Group (part of the al-Nusra Front.) For the only recorded occasion during the allied air war, the US deployed Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike targets in the vicinity of Aleppo. Locals also

Summary

First published
September 23, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 18
(5 children5 women4–6 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
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
13 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2014

Incident Code

CS002

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that six unnamed civilian males were killed in a Coalition airstrike on Al Hassakah. It said it had obtained the news via the Syrian Network for Human Rights, though that original report cannot presently be traced. In July 2017 the Coalition classed the event as Non-Credible, saying there was too

Summary

First published
September 25, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(6 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2014

Incident Code

CS003

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that three named men were killed in a Coalition airstrike. On its summary page Syrian Martyrs listed the trio as civilians. However, their individual pages describe them as fighters. According to a video tribute, Akta’a was an opponent of the Assad regime who had also fought the Kurds in Syria’s

Summary

First published
September 26, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(0–3 men)
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2014

Incident Code

CI006

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Tahrir, Nineveh, Iraq

“Seven civilians including two children” were reported by two local news agencies as being killed in a coalition airstrike in the eastern part of Mosul, in al-Tahrir Street. Alternatively, the Baghdad Centre for Human Rights claimed that two separate coalition strikes – in the Fadhiliyah and Ba’shika neighbourhoods of Mosul – killed four civilians each.

Summary

First published
September 26, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children)
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

September 27, 2014

Incident Code

CS004

LOCATION

الفدغمي, Fadghami, Al Hassakah, Syria

Six male civilians, all cousins were killed in the village of Al Fadghami, Al Hassakah “as a result of Coalition strikes” it was reported. Local activist Siraj al Hasskawi published details of the event on the day: “At 10:30 on Friday morning the Western/Arab alliance jets committed a massacre against six unarmed civilians and wounded

Summary

First published
September 27, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(6 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS005

LOCATION

الجسر العتيق, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An alleged early morning coalition airstrike hit a small plastics factory on the Old Bridge Road in Ar Raqqah, the headquarters town of Islamic State in Syria. The strike reportedly killed the factory site’s young night watchman (or alternatively the owner). In what may be a separate incident in the city, the Syrian Martyrs website

Summary

First published
September 28, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1–2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS006

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Report of one civilian death as a result of coalition strike. Currently one source only. In July 2017 the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible based on no evidence of civilian harm: “After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find

Summary

First published
September 28, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS007

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

The US (possibly with Jordan and/or the UAE) bombed grain silos near Manjib. While CENTCOM insisted that the grain facilities were occupied by Islamic State forces, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that only civilians – workers at the silos – had been killed, although militants were also wounded. According to the Syrian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS008

LOCATION

جرابلس, Road between Manbij and Jarabulus (Road 216), Aleppo, Syria

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a coalition airstrike “on Islamic State buildings” killed “several” civilians who were being held captive, as well as five Islamic State militants. The full translated quote from SOHR reads as follows: “Also at least five members of the Islamic State were killed and others wounded following a

Summary

First published
September 28, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Suspected target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
5
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2014

Incident Code

CS009

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A number of sources including the Syrian Martyrs website reported that a woman was killed in a Coalition airstrike on Ar Raqqah. She was reported as being a resident of the city. The3 Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also reported her death fropm Coalition actions – though said this occured on September 24th: ” Fawzia

Summary

First published
September 29, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2014

Incident Code

CI007

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

It was reported by several sources in Hit that Coalition or Iraqi jets struck a number of civilian houses, killing up to 22 persons. Eight children and 3 women were reportedly among the dead. One of those quoted on the event was Nabil Souri, an Iraqi citizen working at Hit hospital, who learned that many

Summary

First published
October 5, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 24
(8 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
43
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2014

Incident Code

CS010

LOCATION

حمام, Hamam, Raqqa, Syria

A number of sources named Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho.as a victim of a coalition strike on a village near Raqqah. Some of the sources mention another male [listed by Airwars as CS011] but it’s not clear if the incidents are linked. One of the sources claimed that both males were in fact ISIS members –

Summary

First published
October 7, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2014

Incident Code

CS011

LOCATION

سلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria

A number of sources reported that a named civilian male as being killed in a coalition strike on Slouk near Ar Raqqah. The sources mention another male [CS010] but it’s not clear if the incidents are linked. One of the sources claims both males were ISIL members but the rest of the sources say they

Summary

First published
October 7, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2014

Incident Code

CI008

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

According to an unidentified international news agency cited in Foreign Policy, there were unconfirmed reports of possible civilian casualties at Mosul after coalition aircraft heavily targeted the city – though the agency was unable to verify further given the security situation: “We were never able to confirm it.” Perhaps linked to the above, CENTCOM noted

Summary

First published
October 8, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2014

Incident Code

CI009

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM review identified potential civilian casualties from a Coalition airstrike on an ‘ISIL checkpoint’ west of Ramadi, which appears to have been carried out by Australian aircraft. According to the internal CENTCOM document, “On reviewing WSV [weapon system video] from AUS F18F” – an Australian Super Hornet – “it was apparent that a

Summary

First published
October 8, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2014

Incident Code

CS012

LOCATION

كۆبانی, Kobanî, Aleppo, Syria

A Kobanî official reported that a civilian – an 87 year old woman – and six Kurdish fighters from the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) died in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in the besieged city.It was also reported that two hospitals in the town had been destroyed. According to Sky News Arabia, Kurdish sources said that

Summary

First published
October 15, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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

October 16, 2014

Incident Code

CS013

LOCATION

كبيبة, Kabiba, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a major night time coalition air raid targeting oil facilities used by Islamic State, five civilians including a 7- or 10-year old boy were reported killed. The dead were later named by various sources. In a detailed report on the event, SN4HR later noted: “Those civilians are from Kabiba town and they work on

Summary

First published
October 16, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
6
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Incident Code

CI010

LOCATION

عوينات, Awinat, Nineveh, Iraq

According to news agency NINA, a “US air strike on the village of Aouinat northwest of Mosul killed five civilians, according to a source in forensic medicine in Mosul.” The Al Rafidain website (in a report dated ten days after the event) placed the death toll higher at between 10 and 20, saying two houses

Summary

First published
October 17, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
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 17, 2014

Incident Code

CS014

LOCATION

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An airstrike on a gas station near the Konoco gas refinery reportedly killed between three and four civilians. A subsequent investigation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights later noted: “Around 7:00pm the international alliance warplanes targeted a gas station and an oil well in Deir Ezzor countryside which is located near Khasham town. the

Summary

First published
October 17, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(4 men)
Civilians reported injured
11
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Incident Code

CI011

LOCATION

البوعجيل, Bojeel, Salah Al Din, Iraq

Reports claimed that Coalition strike hit a mosque during Friday prayers in the town of Al Bojeel, to the east of Tikrit.  

Summary

First published
October 17, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2014

Incident Code

CS015

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

A single source, the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies, claims that one civilian, from Al Shadadi, Hasaka, in a coalition airstrike.

Summary

First published
October 18, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2014

Incident Code

CS016

LOCATION

المريعية, Mrey'iya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Damascus Centre for Human Rights two civilian males – both members of the same family – died in an airstrike on the village of Al Maya’iya. Syrian Martyrs also named the two victims, while the DinSyr twitter feed reported “Hamza Ahmad al-Abd Al Jalil Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Jalil. Their bodies were identified among

Summary

First published
October 18, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(0–2 men)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 25, 2014

Incident Code

CI012

LOCATION

حاج علي, Hajj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq

Two civilians were reported by medical sources in the city to have been “accidentally killed” in an airstrike on a “Daesh stronghold in Qayyarah, Mosul“. However the Wameedh Sabah blog reported a security source as saying that the casualties were inflicted by an Iraq Army airstrike. Up to 81 alleged militants were also reported killed

Summary

First published
October 25, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

October 26, 2014

Incident Code

CI013

LOCATION

عوينات, Uwaynat, Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that coalition air raids resulted in the deaths of between 10 and 20 civilians in a village 110km northwest of Mosul called Aouinat. Al Rafidain reported: “Press sources in Mosul confirmed that the bombing, which targeted the village of Aouinat killed ten civilians and destroyed at least two houses. The forensic medicine

Summary

First published
October 26, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 20
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS017

LOCATION

سلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria

An internal Coalition report, citing web sources, noted claims that civilian casualties had been alleged at Slouk “on a strike on some grain silos.” The aircraft was likely to have been a US armed drone, due to the Hellfire missile used. An initial investigation concluded that there had been no civilians injured: “The only strike

Summary

First published
October 28, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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