US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

date

June 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI743

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported more than twenty civilians died – mostly children and women – after artillery shelling and/or an airstrike hit their houses in Zanjili neighbourhood, West Mosul. Among the victims were eleven members of one family. Most sources blamed Iraqi government forces for the shelling, while others did not say who was responsible. Local

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

date

September 10, 2017

Incident Code

CI843

LOCATION

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to a number of sources, civilian casualties were occurred following alleged Coalition actions at Al Qaim – although reporting was confused. A number of sources reported government attacks on Anah and Rawah, coupled with Coalition air or possible guided missile strikes at Al Qaim, western Anbar province. According to a subsequent report by Yaqin,

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 attackers
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

date

February 7, 2018

Incident Code

CI875

LOCATION

المخيسة, Al Mikhisa village, Diyala, Iraq

There were reports that two civilians were killed and two injured by airstrikes in Al Mikhisa village, east of the Abu Sayda district. Local sources told Airwars that two of the deceased civilians may have been farmers. All reports mentioned that airstrikes targeted the “orchards” or “the farms” in the village. None however provided any

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2–4 men)
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

January 23, 2015

Incident Code

CI032

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM report cited a Tweet on January 23rd as claiming that 6 members of one family had been killed in a Coalition strike in Anbar province. The identity of the tweeter was redacted in a publicly-released version of the file, though they were described as “Pro-ISIL… reported coalition airstrikes killed 6 family members

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

August 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI096

LOCATION

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

The monitoring site Iraq Body Count reported seven civilians killed at Sinjar. While these were described as Daesh fighters in reports, IBC classifies all those aged under 18 as children. At least one of those killed in the alleged airstrike was described as aged 15. In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition classed the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

October 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI129

LOCATION

تل كيف‎, Tel Kepe (Tel Kayf), Nineveh, Iraq

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq reported that seven people died when a minbus was struck in an airstrike near Mosul. According to UNAMI, “At 10h30 a.m. on 20 October, seven civilians were killed – including three women and two children – and one was seriously wounded when the minibus in which they were

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(2 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

date

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI161

LOCATION

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th (Medical centre), Nineveh, Iraq

Reuters reported that “About 20 people, including at least 12 civilians, were killed on Monday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, in two air strikes that destroyed houses believed to be used by Islamic State militants, six eyewitnesses and a medical source said.” According to the international news agency, “The two strikes happened within

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 20
(4 children2 women1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
17–50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

date

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI193

LOCATION

الفتحة, Fatha, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were reported killed and two injured during an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Fatha north of Mosul according to Al Araby, which said the bodies were transfered to a local morgue. No additional information is presently available. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

April 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI225

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources reported that one civilian was killed and four injured after an oil refinery in northern Mosul was hit by allegedly Coalition aircraft. One source described the civilians as the ‘owners’ of the refinery.  

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

September 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI289

LOCATION

كبيسة, Kabaisa, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, according to a Coalition report, Sept. 19, 2016, near Kabaisa, Iraq: Report indicated civilians in a house were killed, but the only strike in the area that day was on a moving vehicle in a remote area. Given reported British actions in the near region that day, Airwars

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

November 4, 2016

Incident Code

CI321

LOCATION

الكندي, Mosul, Kindi, Nineveh, Iraq

Members of several families were killed by bombings in Mosul, according to one local report. Mosul Eye reported that members of three families were killed due to “bombardment” in Al-Kindi and Al-Kafa’at Al Thinita neighbourhoods of Mosul. The houses ISIL used are now empty, Mosul Eye clarified. The residents are the victims. Mosul Eye, however, did not

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI354

LOCATION

راوة, Rawa [exact location], Al Anbar, Iraq

At least 10 members of one family were reported killed by an alleged Coalition raid, according to local sources. Iraqi Spring reported that a man, a woman and 8 children from a single family were killed by a Coalition attack on civilian homes in Rawa. Several other outlets also reported between 9-10 dead from the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
(8–9 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
Named victims
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

date

January 3, 2017

Incident Code

CI388

LOCATION

دوميز, Mosul, Domiz, Nineveh, Iraq

Five civilians were killed and four injured in the Domiz neighbourhood of Mosul, according to local media. A local source told Shafaaq news that an “unidentified warplane” opened fire from its on-board machine gun in the neighbourhood in south-east Mosul. The story was also reported by Nineveh Media Center, confirming the death of five and

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

date

January 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI420

LOCATION

العربي, Mosul, Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq

An Iraqi military source said that Coalition airstrikes bombed three civilian houses, killing 12 civilians and injuring 18 others in Al Arabi neighborhood, northeast of Mosul. Alghad.tv cited a statement published by Turkish state news agency Anatolia, speaking of “about five airstrikes on three houses in the Arabi neighborhood” carried out by the international Coalition.

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
18
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

CI489

LOCATION

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq

Eleven civilians died in a mortar strike by an unspecified party on al Tanak neighbourhoopd, according to eyewitnesses. Amnesty shared the following field report with Airwars: “Family: 2 boys and 4 girls and his wife. Mother in law – unharmed but taken to hospital where she died having suffered a heart attack Mother – unharmed.

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 12
Civilians reported injured
6–7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces, Unknown
View Incident

date

March 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI521

LOCATION

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source, the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights, reported that 11 civilians from one family died in a Coalition airstrike on Tammuz 17. Iraqi military intelligence issued a statement saying the Coalition had targeted senior ISIL leaders in the area: “The US-led coalition led by the United States killed three senior leaders of the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

March 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI554

LOCATION

السرجخانة, Mosul, Third street behind Fathi al Ali mosque., Nineveh, Iraq

At least thirteen civilians were reported killed and 17 injured in air and artillery strikes on a number of West Mosul neighbourhoods. Iraqi Spring Media Centre said reported the “Killing of 13 civilians, mostly women and children, and 17 wounded as a result of air and artillery bombardments of several districts of the right side

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 50
Civilians reported injured
17–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

CI587

LOCATION

دكة بركة, Mosul, Dakat Baraka, Nineveh, Iraq

City reports including MNN said that Mohamed Ismail Younis, a local swimming coach, was killed by mortar fire along with two more civilians. Shafaaq said that the mortar hit his home in the Dakat Baraka neighbourhood. The sources did not say who carried out the shelling, though said that Mr Younis and two others died.

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

date

April 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI653

LOCATION

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Relatives reported that four or more members of the Al-Fakhri family were among those who died after airstrikes hit their house in Old Mosul. Iraqi Spring Media Centre reported: “Eyewitnesses reported that nine civilians from two families were killed in aerial bombardment of coalition forces and artillery. The government forces targeted residential houses in the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(1 woman3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

date

May 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI687

LOCATION

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Residents and local media sources said that Iraqi or Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces hit Al Walaa school, in the 17 July neighbourhood in West Mosul. This reportedly led to the death of up to 81 civilians – of whom 18 were children – and left 86 civilians injured. The school was said

Summary

Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
69 – 81
(18 children29 women)
Civilians reported injured
60–86
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

date

May 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI721

LOCATION

حي النجار, Mosul, Al-Najjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Two local sources reported that an entire family was killed and another family was severely injured as a result of airstrikes on their houses in Najjar neighborhood, in West Mosul. Iraqyoon Agency reported that the entire family of Nashwan Salem was killed in airstrikes that hit their house near Saada area, in Najjar neighborhood. It

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

date

June 10, 2017

Incident Code

CI756

LOCATION

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources said that more than 13 members from one family were “scattered under the rubble” of their houses in Shifa neighborhood, in the centre/ west of Mosul. Unidentified aircraft had allegedly hit the houses. Sawlf Ateka, a local Facebook group, said that Abdullah al-Mazouri had died in the raids (see photo below). In

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

date

June 29, 2017

Incident Code

CI790

LOCATION

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press sources said that at least 80 civilians were killed and others injured – mostly children and women – after shelling and airstrikes hit their houses near the Al Nouri Mosque in the ongoing battle for the liberation of Old Mosul. Half of the civilians died as a result of air strikes,

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40 – 82
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

August 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI822

LOCATION

العباسية, Al Abbasiyah, Kirkuk, Iraq

According to a local report, civilians were killed followed airstrikes on Salah ad Din Province. Yaqein reported that a number of civilians were killed as a result of ongoing attacks by government forces and international coalition aircraft. The report also cited militias fighting in the area and said that indiscriminate and heavy shelling had killed

Summary

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 attackers
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

date

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

CI854

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local press sources said that dozens of civilians were killed following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Qaem district, west of Anbar during a major offensive by ISF. According to Yagein, residential neighbourhoods of the district were targeted resulting in the death of civilians. Yagein held the Coalition responsibly. Anbar News said houses of the Al

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View 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

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 attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

February 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI043

LOCATION

الكرمة, Garma, near Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Seven civilians from one family – including young children – were killed and 8 injured when a house was allegedly struck by a coalition aircraft. However other sources attributed the attack to an artillery assault by the Iraq Army. The dead were later named by the Iraqi Spring Centre. Seven additional people were named as

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 20
(2 children4 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
Named victims
14 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

date

June 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI075

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Rifai and Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq

Iraqi news agency NINA claimed that multiple Coalition airstrikes on the city of Mosul killed 23 people and injured a further 21. Citing an ‘anonymous security source’ the news agency reported that “Around 23 civilians were killed, including ten women and eight children, and 21 injured in the coalition bombing” which included the neighbourhoods of

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
23
(8 children10 women)
Civilians reported injured
21
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

September 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI108

LOCATION

جزيرة الخالدية, Khalidiya island, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged Coalition strike at Khalidiya island, to the east of Ramadi, reportedly killed seven civilians including two cildren. Thirteen people were also reported injured, described as ‘mostly women and children.’ A Coalition report issued in December 2016 stated the following: “After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each alleged civilian casualty

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

November 16, 2015

Incident Code

CI140

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Between 7 and 12 civilians were reported killed following an alleged Coalition strike on the Directorate of Agriculture in Mosul. A further 28 to 39 people were reported injured. The incident took place in the Al Faisaliah area of eastern Mosul, and according to reports, most if not all of those killed had no links

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 18
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
28–39
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident