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

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI297

LOCATION

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

On the second day of the offensive to recapture Mosul, Coalition strikes reportedly damaged a medical center in the south of the city leaving several dead, including at least three children. Al Rafidain Network for Human Rights reported that “American” bombings targeted a health center in Hamam al-Alil, south of Mosul. Ahmed Mashal posted that

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
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 attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

November 9, 2016

Incident Code

CI329

LOCATION

حي العسكري, Mosul, Askari, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were killed followed an alleged Coalition strike, according to one local source. Hakaek reported that a family of four were killed in a Coalition strike in Mosul. It said strikes hit their home in the Al Askari neighbourhood. A source told Hakaek that ISIL fighters were not in the vicinity at the time.

Summary

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

date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

CI362

LOCATION

Mosul, near al Salem hospital, Iraq

The Coalition mistakenly hit Iraqi forces during an airstrike near al Salem hospital in Mosul, according to some local sources. Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that the Coalition mistakenly targeted” government forces near Salam Hospital in the southeast of Mosul. And Sputnik News claimed that US Air Force bombs left 90 Iraqi military members dead

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

January 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI396

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Up to eighteen people were killed and 24 injured – mostly women and children – in government and Coalition airstrikes, in Al Qaim, Anbar province. Yaqein reported the incident and added – quoting local sources – that “the raids focused on the areas of Karabila and Saada east of the city, and resulted in the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
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

January 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI428

LOCATION

الصديق الثانيه, Mosul, 7 Nisan (April) or Baysan, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that six civilians were killed and eight injured due to Coalition airstrikes on Baysan neighborhood, in the northeast of Mosul. Relatives of the dead later said that eight had in fact died, all from the family of Qasan Abdul Kadir and including four children. According to Yaqein and News of Iraq, the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
8
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

March 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI497

LOCATION

سوق الشعارين, Mosul, Sha'aren market, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 18 persons were either killed or injured, including children and women, after airstrikes reportedly struck the Sha’aren market and mills area in western Mosul. Iraq News reported “the deaths of four people and the injuring of 14 others including women and children, following an aerial bombardment on the Sha’aren market and

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
14
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

March 10, 2017

Incident Code

CI529

LOCATION

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Local press and residents, as well as al-Amaq (ISIL) press sources, said that Coalition shelling had targeted several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul, especially near apartments in Al-Yarmouk neighbourhood, with munitions equipped with controversial White Phosphorus. No civilian casualties were reported. Iraqi Spring posted a video on Facebook of al-Amaq agency [ISIL], showing

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

March 20, 2017

Incident Code

CI563

LOCATION

حي الفاروق, Mosul, New Bab/ Farouq, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source reported that 55 civilians were killed by “military operations” in New Bab and Farouq neighborhoods in the west of Mosul. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
55
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

April 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI628

LOCATION

سحاب, Mosul, al-Saha and al-Sham gate, Nineveh, Iraq

A single local source reported that over thirty civilians, including women and children, were killed in Coalition airstrikes on al-Saha and al-Sham neighbourhoods in West Mosul. Other sources reported that in total 73 civilians were killed and 200 wounded after three days of bombing by the international Coalition and Iraqi forces.

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30
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

April 23, 2017

Incident Code

CI661

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

A single local source reported that dozens of civilians were killed and injured after Coalition airstrikes allegedly hit Tal Afar city, West of Mosul. According to Yaqein, “dozens of civilians were killed and wounded on Monday in a raid by coalition warplanes in the district of Tal Afar west of the city of Mosul, the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 24
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

May 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI695

LOCATION

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Islah al Zirai, Nineveh, Iraq

Two local sources reported that three children and their mother were killed after a either an airstrike or rocket attack hit their house in Islah Al Zerae neighborhood, in West Mosul. The Nineveh Media Centre reported that “Local source confirmed the martyrdom of three children and their mother when a rocket attack targeted their house.”

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 woman)
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

June 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI777

LOCATION

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Four named brothers and other family members were killed in an attack in Old Mosul. News of Iraq named four brothers – Othman, Bakr, Omar and Ali – who it said were killed along with “their entire family” by government shelling. See also incident CI778.

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 men)
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

date

July 12, 2017

Incident Code

CI809

LOCATION

القليعات, Al Qaliat, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that despite the recapturing of Mosul by the US-backed Iraqi army, Coalition airstrikes continued to target ISIL positions in Al Qaliat on the outskirts of the city. Ninawa Media Center reported that there were ‘many’ wounded civilians, including women and children, in the area. However, it was not clear airstrikes caused this.

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 attackers
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

date

September 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI841

LOCATION

Abassi, Kirkuk, Iraq

At least 12 and as many as dozens of civilians were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Abbasi, Huweija in the Tamim province. According to Al-Rafiden the Coalition launched 17 raids on the Huweija area. The Coalition was accused by the outlet of a bombardment on the city, that killed and wounded dozens

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 24
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 attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

October 31, 2017

Incident Code

CI873

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz (near al-Qaiem, Iraq), Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later announced the injuries of two civilians in an event near al Qaim. Their June 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike destroyed Daesh headquarters, two civilians were unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

November 19, 2014

Incident Code

CI018

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

The FBI informed CENTCOM internally on November 21st 2014 that a source had alleged the deaths of “41 Yezidi captive females killed in a strike on a named OBJ IVO [objective in the vicinity of] Mosul.” The closest strike, number 999, was identified by CENTCOM as having taken place some 3.2km from the site of

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
41
(41 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

March 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI050

LOCATION

تل كيف‎, Telkaif, Nineveh, Iraq

Eight civilians including three women were claimed by NINA to have been killed in a coalition airstrike on Telkaif, 20km north of Mosul. A dozen militants also reportedly died in the attack.  

Summary

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

date

July 11, 2015

Incident Code

CI083

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were fresh claims of Coalition-inflicted civilian casualties at Mosul, with 37 non-combatants alleged killed and injured in airstrikes reportedly aimed at disrupting power supplies to the city. According to NINA, the dawn raid “caused a complete interruption of electricity – and some water pumps stopped in the city.” Some hospitals reportedly lost access to

Summary

Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(3 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

date

September 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI116

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 20 civilians were reported killed and up to 31 injured after Coalition (or possibly Iraqi) aircraft allegedly hit the Sunni Wafq state religious affairs building adjacent to one of the largest mosques in Mosul. Aircraft reportedly targeted a meeting of senior Islamic State figures at the Waqf site, which has been taken over

Summary

Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 29
(2 children3 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
16–34
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 attacker
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

date

December 1, 2015

Incident Code

CI148

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple civilian casualties were claimed in Qayyarah after the Coalition was accused of bombing civilian houses in the town. Face Iraq reported that seven children and an elderly woman died in the event, which it said destroyed six houses in the vicinity of the Khader mosque (which some sources said had also been destroyed). Three

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
(0–7 children0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
10
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 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI180

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

The Iraqi Spring Media Centre claimed that “Coalition fighters” had struck civilians in north-west Ramadi, killing 13 civilians and injuring a further 18. Particular news described the alleged Coalition strike as ‘retaliatory’ though gave no further details while noting that there was also significant material damage to civilian houses in the area. Responding to a

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
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

March 31, 2016

Incident Code

CI212

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed Coalition aircraft struck the Haswa and Jumeila neighbourhoods in Fallujah at around 9.30pm, hitting civilian homes and causing the deaths of five civilians including two children, and the wounding of seven more civilians. Al Sharqiya published the most detailed report, saying that Coalition aircraft strikes “resulted in the deaths of five people,

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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, Unknown
Named victims
7 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

date

August 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI276

LOCATION

الموصل, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were reported killed and 24 injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mosul, as the battle for the ISIL-occupied city intensified. No additional details are presently known. See the following report. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

CI308

LOCATION

طوبزاوة, Tubzawa, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source reported that An adult civilian male killed followed an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Tubzawa. According to a single source, Mr Shihab’s two sons Younis aged 7 and Mustafa aged 2 years old were also severely injured in the incident – and were being treated in the intensive care unit at Irbil

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 attacker
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

date

November 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI340

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Airport and Gizlani camp, Nineveh, Iraq

In January 2017 the Coalition issued a statement denying responsibility for alleged civilian casualties in Mosul six weeks earlier. Nov. 15, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike, the Coalition noted. A senior official later informed Airwars that the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

December 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI373

LOCATION

أحياء النور والفلاح والقدس شر, Mosul, Northeast, Nineveh, Iraq

More than a dozen civilians – and possibly more than 40 – were reported killed in eastern Mosul. Yaqein reported that 15 civilians were killed by a missile on the east side of Mosul, all from the same family – though a source it cited put the death toll lower, at 12. It did not

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 40
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

January 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI407

LOCATION

حي الضباط, Mosul, Dhubat / Officers, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that three named civilians were killed after alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted near a medical centre in the Officers neighbourhood near the Fourth Bridge. Mosul Ateka named Dr. Mohammed Tayyip ِِAl Leyla, former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and his wife, Dr. Fatima Alhyial and their young daughter as victims of the

Summary

Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman1 man)
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 attacker
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

date

January 26, 2017

Incident Code

CI441

LOCATION

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 20 civilians were killed and 17 injured – mostly women and children – in Coalition airstrikes on residential areas at the right side of Mosul. Several sources reported that “US strikes” had targeted the neighbourhoods of Dawasa and Farouk, western Mosul.

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
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

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CI476

LOCATION

near Mosul, Iraq, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an “NGO report”. According to the Coalition report: “71. Feb. 22, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that

Summary

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

date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI508

LOCATION

حي المطاحن, Mosul, Al-Matahin / Mills, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 40 civilians were killed and more than 76 injured, mostly children and women, in Coalition airstrikes on the Station, Mills and Fatah neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul. While Iraqi Spring Media Center blamed the US for carrying out the raids (and posted several graphic images of children

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
36 – 40
(7 children)
Civilians reported injured
76–84
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