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

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

CS158

LOCATION

تشرين, Tishreen, Aleppo, Syria

In a previously unknown casualty event, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike at Tishreen near Manbij. According to the official release, “On Dec. 24, 2015, in Tishreen, Syria, near Manbij, during a strike on two ISIL fighters in a vehicle, it is assessed that one civilian

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS425

LOCATION

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

A major US airstrike on an al Nusra Front headquarters – a unilateral action – killed a significant number of militants. However, up to 26 Free Syrian Army prisoners held in the building were also reported killed, along with three children. The US admitted responsibility for just one civilian death three years later. Fatah al

Summary

First published
January 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
Al Qaeda/HTS
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1517

LOCATION

near As Safiyah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another in an event near As Safiyah, Syria. Their February 2018 civilian casualty report noted, “The Coalition conducted a strike which destroyed a bridge across a canal being used by Daesh to move vehicle-borne

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
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

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI491

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources said that three civilians were killed when Coalition airstrikes targeted Al Qa’im district, in the west of Anbar province. A senior official unofficially told Airwars the strike was conducted by Belgium. On April 30th 2017 the Coalition accepted responsibility: “Feb. 27, 2017, near Al Qaim, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS

Summary

First published
February 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
Civilians reported injured
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

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1525

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one civilian was killed with perhaps four or more additional casualties after a Coalition airstike near Al Hana hospital in Abu Kamal, according to local media. While a number of sources didn’t identify the culprit, at least two attributed the incident to the US-led Coalition. In July 2018 the alliance accepted responsibility for

Summary

First published
September 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS604

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another in an event near Al-Thawarah, Tabqah. Their January 2018 civilian casualty report noted “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS weapons facility and headquarters reportedly under ISIS control for almost two years,

Summary

First published
March 21, 2017
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

June 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1119

LOCATION

الصور, Al Soor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Eight civilians, including a child, were killed and “many” others were wounded in Al Soor in northern Deir Ezzor following airstrikes allegedly carried out by the Coalition, local sources reported. Sharqiya Voice and Al Jisr TV reported that the strikes hit a shopping area of the city, which were believed to have targeted the “consumer

Summary

First published
June 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Incident Code

CS298

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the death of a civilian in an attack on Manbij. Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “during a strike against an ISIL artillery firing position, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its

Summary

First published
August 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI586

LOCATION

Mosul, Matahin, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Mosul, Iraq. The June 2017 civilian casualty report noted, “March 28, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike to crater roads used by ISIS VBIEDs against Iraqi Security Forces, it was assessed that one civilian was

Summary

First published
March 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI752

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed the death of a civilian in an incident near Mosul in June 2017. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian, not observed near the target

Summary

First published
June 7, 2017
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

June 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1125

LOCATION

الرافقة, Ar Rafiqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian during an attack on ISIS heavy equipment. The location given is in the residential neighbourhood of Ar Rafiqah, in the old city of Raqqa. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted, “During a strike on an ISIS heavy

Summary

First published
June 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1697

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died and nine others were wounded in artillery or air strikes on Hajeen, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Awwad Zayed Hussein al Zayed was killed by Syrian regime artillery shells”. The victim was also named by DE24

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI723

LOCATION

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Mosul. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after the munition

Summary

First published
May 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS342

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

During an airstrike on a vehicle in Idlib the Coalition killed one man and reportedly injured four more civilians. The Coalition later admitted responsibility for the one death. According to Step News, “One person was dead and 4 civilians wounded in a car explosion in the city of Idlib after it was targeted by an

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1196

LOCATION

حارة ﺟﺎﻣﻊ ﺍﻟﺒﺼﺮﺍﻭﻱ, al Basrawo mosque area, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male was killed by a declared Coalition bombing of the Al Basrawo neighbourhood of Raqqa on July 13, 2017, local sources reported. Most sources who reported the incident alleged that the US-backed SDF militias were responsible. But there was confusion: Alraqqa Ahluna initially said the victim died in an “SDF bombing”, but subsequently

Summary

First published
July 13, 2017
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1400

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Raqqa, Syria. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS weapons cache, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the

Summary

First published
August 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2016

Incident Code

CI206

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the death of a civilian in an airstrike near Qayyarah. Their November 2016 report noted: “near Qayyarah, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.” The event occurred near the beginning of operations to liberate Qayyarah

Summary

First published
March 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS905

LOCATION

السباهية, Al Sabahiya, Raqqa, Syria

Al Raqqa Truth and the Syrian Network for Human Rights named one victim of a reported Coalition airstrike on the Al Sabahiya area of Raqqa. The victim was also named by Raqqa24 which blamed the Coalition. However, RFS reported that artillery had led to the death of an unspecified number of civilians. It didn’t identify

Summary

First published
June 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1298

LOCATION

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike to suppress an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Coalition officials told Airwars that this

Summary

First published
July 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1325

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an event not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition self-reported a civilian harm event in July 2018, noting that it had unintentionally killed a civilian on a motorbike in the city centre of Raqqa. According to the report, “August 3, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions,

Summary

First published
August 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2019

Incident Code

CS1901a

LOCATION

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In its monthly civilian harm report issued January 3rd 2020, the US-led Coalition conceded a self-reported civilian harm event in al Baghouz Fawqani on this date which killed one civilian. The event was previously untracked by Airwars. As the CJTFOIR report noted, “March 2, 2019, in Baghouz Faqwani, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an

Summary

First published
March 2, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

January 11, 2016

Incident Code

CI175

LOCATION

بنك الرشيد, Mosul, Al Rasheed Bank in Zuhoor, Nineveh, Iraq

At least two civilians and as many as seven were killed, and five injured, in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on an ISIS-controlled bank in central Mosul. The attack was aimed at destroying millions of dollars of terror cash – with US officials prepared to accept up to 50 civilian casualties to achieve their objective, according

Summary

First published
January 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS306

LOCATION

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM reported on 13 September 2016 that non-combatants may have been killed or injured after a non-ISIL vehicle strayed into a strike kill box. “In a strike on Sep. 7, near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, on an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove

Summary

First published
September 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI654

LOCATION

الثورة, Mosul: Thawra neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple sources reported that more than 90 civilians died in a major incident in Al Thawra (Revolution) neighbourhood in Old Mosul. As Reuters noted, “Dozens of civilians were killed on Saturday by air strikes targeting homes in the Thawra district on the western side of Mosul, a neighborhood declared by Iraqi forces restored overnight by

Summary

First published
April 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
90
(1 child3 men)
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
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1280

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian near Abu Kamal, Syria. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Since the target of the strike was a building,

Summary

First published
July 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS1363

LOCATION

Al Na'im area, Raqqa, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that there had been an “escalation of civilian martyrs” following alleged artillery shelling on the Na’im area of Raqqa. This was later confirmed to have been a US airstrike. Raqqa News Post for example reported at the time: “#Urgent : # Ar Raqqa The fall of artillery shells on the area

Summary

First published
August 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
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

August 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS293

LOCATION

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Coalition airstrikes on ‘ISIL oil tankers’ reportedly resulted in the death of a civilian driver and the injuring of others. In September 2020, the Coalition admitted that a strike had been conducted on August 11th 2016 against Daesh equipment, killing one civilian and injuring at least one other. According to the Syrian Observatory, “Coalition warplanes

Summary

First published
August 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1688

LOCATION

غرانيج / درنج, Daranj (possibly غرانيج Granij), Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child died in a Coalition airstrike according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported “a child died on December 3rd, due to wounds sustained from International Coalition warplanes which fired missiles on Darnaj village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs on December 1, 2017″. In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility

Summary

First published
December 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
Unknown
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS209

LOCATION

دابق‎, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria

A 6-year old girl was reported killed in an alleged Coalition raid on the town of Dabiq, though the alliance has denied responsibility. VDC has named the victim as Sara al Naser. In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying that it conducted no strikes nearby that day:

Summary

First published
May 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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