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

May 10, 2018

Incident Code

CS1748a

LOCATION

Khatuniya, Al Hassakah, Syria

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Khatuniya. The Pentagon later reported this to have been a US action. According to CJTFOIR’s June 2019 civilian casualty report: “Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed

Summary

First published
May 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2018

Incident Code

CS1747

LOCATION

القصر, Al Qasr village, Al Hassakah, Syria

According to local sources, at least 13 and up to 30 civilians were killed and “tens of others” were injured in airstrikes on al Qasr village, also known as al Fadel, near the Syrian-Iraqi border in the Tal al Jayer area of al Hassaka governorate. Reports identified both the Coalition and the Iraqi air force

Summary

First published
May 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
24 – 30
(5–14 children3–5 women7 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–20
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
Named victims
31 named, 5 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 19, 2018

Incident Code

CS1746

LOCATION

سوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that two civilians were killed as a result of ‘SDF shelling’ on the town of Al Soussa at night. A number of sources identified the two casualties as Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger and Alia Mohammed Hilal who, according to a tweet by Deir Ezzor 24, were hit by “missile shelling” from SDF forces stationed at “the

Summary

First published
April 19, 2018
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 19, 2018

Incident Code

CS1644

LOCATION

حارة البدو, Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that two civilians were killed as a result of SDF shelling on the town of Al Soussa at night. A number of sources identified the two casualties who, according to a tweet by Deir Ezzor 24, were hit by “missile shelling” from SDF forces stationed at “the Omar oil field”. A tweet

Summary

First published
April 19, 2018
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 17, 2018

Incident Code

CS1745

LOCATION

Al Sarajiya village near Abu Hamda, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local sources reported on the deaths of up to eleven civilians as a result of strikes carried out by Coalition helicopters in an area east of the city of Al Shadadi. According to Euphrates Post “a massacre” took place after a bombardment on a prison in the town of Abu Hamda. The report put the

Summary

First published
April 17, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 11
Civilians reported injured
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

Incident date

April 14, 2018

Incident Code

CS1744

LOCATION

العاليات, Al A’liat village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to two sources, three civilians were killed in an airstrike on the village of Al-A’liat in the Soussa district of Deir Ezzor governorate on April 14th. Smart News and Fresh Online reported that an ISIS HQ in the village of Al A’liat near al Soussa was targeted by the Coalition. A local source told

Summary

First published
April 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

April 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1742

LOCATION

Damascus, Syria

According to a single source, four civilians were killed in US-led bombardments on Al Barzah Scientific Research Facility in Damascus. The strikes – confirmed as carried out by US, British and French aircraft – were not mentioned in the Coalition strike report for the week, indicating that these may have been unilateral actions. Al Sura

Summary

First published
April 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1743

LOCATION

Him Shanshar military installation, Homs, Syria

Three civilians were credibly reported injured as a result of British strikes on a military compound West of the city of Homs “in the early hours of Saturday”. The United States, France and the US declared that they had participated in the strikes in Damascus and Homs. In its own regular strike reports the Coalition

Summary

First published
April 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
3
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

April 9, 2018

Incident Code

CS1741

LOCATION

تل الجاير, Tal al Jayer area, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local sources reported the death of a male civilian as a result of an alleged Coalition military action in the vicinity of Tal al Jayer, east of the city of Shaddadi in the southern countryside of Hasakah governorate. An Al-Khabour correspondent stated that helicopters engaged in a “landing operation” near the Al Sheikh fuel station,

Summary

First published
April 9, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2018

Incident Code

CI876

LOCATION

Al Qanus Island, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

In an event not tracked by Airwars at the time, in July 2018 the Coalition self-reported that it had accidentally killed one civilian and injured a second in an action near Qayarrah. According to the report, “April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and

Summary

First published
April 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3384

LOCATION

حزارين, Hazarin, Idlib, Syria

The Russian air force allegedly bombed the village Hazarin in the Idlib countryside According to Shaam, “Russian aircraft launched heavy air strikes caused the fall of martyrs and wounded in the cities and towns of Ariha and Khan Sheikoun and Urma Al Jouz and Al  Qanba and Kafr Lata and Hazarin and Hamdiyah and Ma’aret

Summary

First published
April 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2018

Incident Code

CS1740

LOCATION

البوكمال, Near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In a previously unknown event, the UK for the first time admitted that its forces caused civilian harm during an airstrike against so-called Islamic State. In a written statement to Parliament on May 2nd, UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson MP stated that “one civilian was unintentionally killed,” when a UK Reaper drone

Summary

First published
March 26, 2018
Last updated
April 4, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
UK Military
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2018

Incident Code

CS1739a TS282a

LOCATION

تل حميس, Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli, Al Hassakah, Syria

Multiple sources reported that Turkey carried out airstrikes on SDF positions in Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli. However, other outlets also stated that this was not the case and that the US-led Coalition conducted strikes on homes which reportedly held family members of ISIS. However, no casualty estimates were given. The Shaam News Network,

Summary

First published
March 18, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1739

LOCATION

.السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported on the shelling of Al Soussa on March 8th, which allegedly resulted in “a number of civilian casualties”. According to 7al, the same shelling that targeted Hajin had also struck al Soussa in the countryside of Abu Kamal, killing or injuring a number of civilians. The site noted the following: “The

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1738

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two local sources reported “several civilian casualties” including fatalities as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on ISIS at Hajin. According to 7al the bombardment had targeted an ISIS HQ “killing six elements inside three of them Moroccan nationals,” later adding that the same shelling had caused civilian casualties near “the entrance of the city”.

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2018

Incident Code

CS1737

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to three sources, a married couple was killed in an alleged March 6th Coalition airstrike on Hajin. According to the reports, the couple originally came from the town of Mushin, Deir Ezzor. Reports did not overtly specify whether both casualties were non-combatant civilians. However, they did mention the “martyrdom” of the couple. Deir Ezzor 24

Summary

First published
March 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
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

March 6, 2018

Incident Code

CS1736

LOCATION

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four families of Tajik nationality were reportedly killed as a result of airstrikes on the town of Al Sha’afa, according to local sources. All reports stated that the non combatant victims were related to members of so-called Islamic State. Although the sources implied that women and children were harmed by the bombardments, no names, photos

Summary

First published
March 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 16
(2 children2 women)
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

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

CS1735

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A young man, identified as Omar Mohammed Ali Al Dakhoul, originally from Al Bu Ammru, was killed in an airstrike on the town of Al Baghouz, according to three local sources. None of the reports however specified on which date the bombardment took place, only mentioning that the man was killed “days ago”. Statements by

Summary

First published
March 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

CS1734

LOCATION

قرية عفرة, Afra Al Barjari Village, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local sources reported that up to two civilians were killed and between one to four seriously injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Afra al Barjari, on the evening of March 2nd. Multiple sources identified some of the adult male victims. The civilians were said to have been in their car when

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–4
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

S1537a

LOCATION

الشعفة, al-Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Deaths and injuries were reported when the US-led Coalition allegedly struck a field hospital in Al-Shaf’a in Deir Ezzor on March 2nd, 2018. The hospital attacked was named by local sources as Nabd Al-Hayat. Syriamap reported “Airstrikes by the International Coalition to Defeat ISIS put the hospital completely out of service leading to several deaths

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Incident Code

CS1733a

LOCATION

Near al Shaafah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike at Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to be a US action. According to the OIR report, “March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah,

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

CS1733

LOCATION

الصفاوي, Al Safawi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Multiple sources stated that three or six civilians, including a seven-year-old child, were killed in an airstrike on a vehicle in the town of Al Safawi in the countryside of southern Al Hasakah on February 28th. Most local sources reported that the victims all came from the same family and were killed when driving in

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1 child)
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

CS1732

LOCATION

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa: Al-Kashma district, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 10 and 30 civilians were reported killed and “dozens” injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sha’afa. Most sources stressed that many of the victims were women and children. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented the deaths of 22 civilians, including 9 children and 7 women and stressed that

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 30
(2–9 children2–7 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2018

Incident Code

CS1731

LOCATION

الشفعة, Al Sha’fah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars monitors, in May 2018 the Coalition said that it had assessed a self-report of potential civilian harm at al Shafaa – though had concluded there were no non combatant casualties. As the official report noted, “February 26, 2018, near al Sha’fah, Syria, via self-report. After a review of

Summary

First published
February 26, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2018

Incident Code

CS1729

LOCATION

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local reports by Euphrates Post, alleged Coalition air raids targeted “a residential complex in district 24” of the town of Al Sha’afa. The sources stated that there were civilian casualties as a result, but did not specify a specific number. These sources were apparent carbon copies of each other. However, according to two Sana

Summary

First published
February 25, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 29
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2018

Incident Code

CS1730

LOCATION

ظهرة العلواني, Zahret Al Alwni, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that 10 to 25 civilians had been killed and dozens wounded as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Zahret Al Alwni – an IDP camp located between Al Sousse and Al Sha’afa. Most sources reported that 16 non combatants had died. According to most reports, the victims of the airstrike

Summary

First published
February 25, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 25
(7 children6 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
Named victims
4 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

CS1727

LOCATION

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 8 and 25 civilians reportedly died and as many as “dozens” were injured as a result of a claimed Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Sha’afa. An Abu Kamal local later told Al-Hail that the bombardment had wounded “mostly women and children”. Orient News carried the most detailed report, noting that “Local sources

Summary

First published
February 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 25
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

CS1728

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to a single source, alleged Coalition strikes on the city of Hajin killed one civilian and injured seven others. The report from Al Hal News stated that in addition to damaging houses, the bombardment “led to the death of a young man and the wounding of seven others”. Although Airwars researchers did not identify

Summary

First published
February 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2018

Incident Code

CS1726

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Twelve civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin on February 21st. Sources reported that “several missiles” struck the town 50 kilometers northwest of Abu Kamal. Sana, the Syrian state media outlet, initially reported on the incident quoting local sources as confirming the death of 12 civilians – and stressing that the

Summary

First published
February 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Incident Code

CS1725

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin / Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 12 and 16 civilians, including 5 children and 6 women were allegedly killed and “dozens” wounded in a Coalition airstrike on the city of Hajin on February 19th. However some sources, like Deir Ezzor24, stated that the airstrike in fact took place in Al Bahra, a town near Hajin. According to the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
February 19, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 16
(5 children6 women)
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
16 named, 2 families identified
View Incident