US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

November 22, 2018

Incident Code

CS1846

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike that targeted the souk (market area) in Hajin, killed between 14 and 20 civilians according to local media, in what was described as “another massacre”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that at least 19 people were killed, including five ISIS fighters and 14 civilians, including five children and three women.

Summary

First published
November 22, 2018
Last updated
March 9, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 20
(5–9 children3–8 women1 man)
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
Belligerents reported killed
5
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS1187

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Twenty civilians, including women and children, were killed and 30 more were injured in a series of alleged Coalition airstrikes on Abu Kamal in eastern Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Multiple sources blamed the Coalition, putting death counts at either four or five non-combatants. Euphrates Post also reported that the first strikes at 11am hit

Summary

First published
July 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(1–2 children2–4 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
30
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
20 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2019

Incident Code

CS1879

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to sources on the ground, alleged Coalition air and artillery fire targeted a house which ISIS was reportedly using, killing several ISIS members in addition to a number of civilians. According to the official Al Shaafa Facebook page, one of the shells landed on the house of Al-Hamad Al-Ali, killing both him and Ibrahim Al-Hasan. His

Summary

First published
January 2, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 20
(1–5 children1–5 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–70
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 9, 2018

Incident Code

CS1828

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 20 civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Shaafa, according to sources on the ground. Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “many” civilians had died in the strike – and blamed the Coalition. Al Shaafa Official put the death toll at 20, again pointing to the US-led alliance – and adding that

Summary

First published
November 9, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 20
Civilians reported injured
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

August 28, 2016

Incident Code

CS300 TS002

LOCATION

جب الكوسا, Jeb el Kussa, Aleppo, Syria

Twenty people were reported killed and 50 injured after clashes at Jeb el Kussa, south of Jarabulus. According to Al Alam “these people fell during battles between militants and extremist groups backed by Turkey and the so-called “democratic forces of Syria” and armed groups backed by America. The Syrian Observatory confirmed casualties in the ranks of

Summary

First published
August 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
50
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 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI569

LOCATION

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Laksh, behind Watan school, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source said that twenty civilians, including women and children, were killed by airstrikes and/ or indiscriminate shelling on the area behind Watan school in Bab Laksh neighbourhood in West of Mosul, on the evening of March 21st-22nd. A family member later posted: “My wife moved to God (passed away) – the daughter of

Summary

First published
March 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(1 child3 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS720 CS188

LOCATION

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least two civilians including a girl and a woman died in airstrikes on the town of Khusham. While the majority of the sources allege that this was a Coalition incident, other reports say Russia was responsible. According to Free Deir Ezzor, Russian raids targeting oil fields in Khusham killed two civilians displaced from Qaryatain,

Summary

First published
March 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 20
(1–8 children1 woman)
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 belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Incident Code

CS1709

LOCATION

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Twenty civilians were said to have died in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Granij, according to some local media. The high end claim appeared to have originated with ISIS. According to Euphrates Post, “a number of civilians were killed as a result of air strikes likely belonging to the International Alliance aimed at the town of

Summary

First published
January 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS736 CS191

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Between 15 and 20 civilians including up to eight children and five women died in airstrikes on Ar Raqqah, according to multiple local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one source suggesting the warplanes responsible may have belonged to the

Summary

First published
March 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 20
(3 children3 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
25–40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition, US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2015

Incident Code

CS078

LOCATION

سلوك, Slouk, Raqqa, Syria

Two or three alleged Coalition incidents were clustered together in most news reports: the killing of a family of five at Slouk; the death of a child near Ma’adan; and up to 15 further civilian deaths in other airstrikes in the vicinity. According to SOHR, “international coalition aircraft last night carried out several strikes in

Summary

First published
June 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 20
(1 child2 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

June 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI248

LOCATION

سومر و العربي والزهور ودنه دان, Mosul, East neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source said 20 civilians were killed or injured along with three Daesh fighters after Coalition jets allegedly targeted four neighbourhoods in central Mosul. A single source, Yaqein, said the strikes took place in the evening. Among those targeted was a Daesh ’emir’ from Morocco, whose white Hyundai was destroyed. But civilian casualties were

Summary

First published
June 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 20
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI657

LOCATION

الحضر, Hatra, Kayrawan and Balij, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source reported that about twenty civilians died when Iraqi forces, “backed by the Popular Populist militia and the US-led Coalition” launched an attack on Hatra, Qayrawan and Balij, South of Mosul, in Nineveh province.

Summary

First published
April 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS873

LOCATION

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria

At least 17 civilians – reportedly displaced persons – were killed when buses transporting them were hit by Coalition airstrikes according to local reports. The Syrian Observatory reported that 18 people were killed in Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of al-Kasrat, of whom at least 10 members of ISIS. The Observatory said that some attacks

Summary

First published
May 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 20
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
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

July 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI795

LOCATION

النبي جرجيس, Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources quoted witnesses as saying that an entire family – consisting of nine people – died after airstrikes hit their houses in the Nabi Jarjis area of Old Mosul. Iraq News and others said that there were women and children among the dead. The sources did not say who had carried out the

Summary

First published
July 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 20
(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

December 9, 2016

Incident Code

CS410 TS019

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

At least thirteen civilians were reported killed and eight injured in either a Turkish or Coalition airstrike on al Bab. The Coalition later denied responsibility. Al Jazeera – citing ISIS – said two families were among 13 dead civilians after multiple “Turkish airstrikes” on the city. The Syrian Observatory said that “no less than 12

Summary

First published
December 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 20
(7 children4 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
12
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
Named victims
12 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2018

Incident Code

CS1793

LOCATION

Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 23 civilian non combatants – including 18 women who were reportedly the wives of ISIS fighters on external missions – died along with seven ISIS guards in an alleged Coalition airstrike on an ISIS-held house (and perhaps others) in al Sha’afa, according to sources on the ground. One source added that a child

Summary

First published
August 26, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 20
(1 child18 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
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 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI502

LOCATION

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 20 civilians were killed and 18 injured, mostly children and women, after Coalition airstrikes allegedly targeted a residential building in Al-Shafaa (Shifa) neighborhood in western Mosul. Some sources quoted ISIL media reporting this incident. Others said local press sources provided the information. Most reports blamed the US specifically for the raids.

Summary

First published
March 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1375 CS319

LOCATION

البصيرة, al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between four to 20 civilians were reported killed and 12 or more injured after an alleged Coalition, Russian or Assad regime strike at al Basira, according to local media. A photograph published by Euphrates Post showed what appeared to have been a major strike in a built up area of the town. And a video

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 20
(3 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
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

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

First published
June 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2015

Incident Code

CI158

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were single-source claims that 19 civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on Mosul. Citing local residents, the National Iraqi News Agency claimed that “international coalition aircraft bombed residential compounds in the Hadbah area east of Mosul, killing 19 civilians including six women and four children, and wounding six others.” However Airwars’ own sources in

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(4 children6 women)
Civilians reported injured
6
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

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI414

LOCATION

المالية, Mosul, Maliyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that Coalition airstrikes bombed a house in Maliyah neighborhood, at the left side of Mosul during an operation to retake it. Up to 17 civilians were killed and five others injured, mostly women and children from the same family who were inside the house at the time of the strike. Iraqyoon spoke

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 19
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
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

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS431

LOCATION

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as 19 civilians died following reported Coalition airstrikes on an oil market in central Khisham. The Euphrates Post initially reported six civilian deaths though later raised this to 14 civilians killed: “Coalition aircraft targeted the oil market in the town today with several raids. The first raid – at dawn – did not

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 19
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI763

LOCATION

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Al-Taqwa Mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

Eight Iraqi police were accidentally injured and one or two killed following an airstrike, according to multiple sources. According to Yaqein, “a government source said in a statement that ‘the fourth regiment of the Ninewa Emergency Police headed to support the federal police in the area of ​​Wadi Akab in west Mosul, adding that as

Summary

First published
June 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(12–19 children1 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 31, 2016

Incident Code

CI270

LOCATION

كلية العلوم الاسلامية, Mosul, Faculty of Islamic Sciences at the University of Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

According to multiple reports, alleged night time or dawn Coalition strikes on homes in the vicinity of the Technical Institute and the Faculty of Islamic Sciences at the University of Mosul resulted in nearly 20 civilian fatalities. NRN said many civilian casualties from the brutal strikes came when fragments of the destroyed buildings struck nearby bystanders

Summary

First published
July 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 19
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1498 RS2457

LOCATION

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Nine to 19 civilians, including an “entire family,” died following airstrikes on Mahkan, about 45km southeast of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US- led Coalition and others to Russian warplanes. There were no reports of wounded. According to Ortas, Coalition aircraft

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 19
(7 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI425

LOCATION

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, al-Jadid, Nineveh, Iraq

A UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “In the afternoon of 14 January, airstrikes reportedly targeted the house of an ISIL local leader in the Mosul al Jadida neighbourhood of western Mosul. The attack resulted in the collapse of the targeted house

Summary

First published
January 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(4 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

CS327 TS005

LOCATION

الثلثانة, Taltanah, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 19 civilians including 3 children were killed – and as many as 41 people injured – when airstrikes hit the village of Al Thaltanah. Multiple reports initially assigned blame to the Coalition or Turkish forces. However, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition conceded it had injured one civilian in the event. The Syrian

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 19
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
41
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
11 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2016

Incident Code

CS337

LOCATION

الغازلي, Al Ghazli, Raqqa, Syria

The home of a local sheikh was bombed during a lunch party, killing as many as 20 civilians, according to local sources. Though most reports point to this being a Coalition action, one other blames the regime while a further report alleges that Russia was responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently initially reported that at

Summary

First published
October 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 19
(5 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2018

Incident Code

CS1849

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 10 and 19 civilians were reported killed as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike at al Sha’afa. According to a tweet from @addouniatv, 10 civilians died resulting from the attack.  @DeirEzzor24 and Free Deir Ezzor Radio reported that as many as 18 civilians died. Most other sources put the death toll at 11 civilians,

Summary

First published
November 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 19
(5 children3 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