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

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI672

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Several sources reported that seven civilians died and thirteen were wounded as a result of an airstrike – with sources so far not identifying who carried out the strike. Yaqein noted, however, “that the areas in the West of Anbar province have been exposed for days to military operations fought by the Joint Forces and

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
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, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

date

May 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI707

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq

Residents of West Mosul and local press sources reported that a named civilian – Khaled Nafie Hassan – was killed by mortar shelling on his house in Rifai neighbourhood, West Mosul. He used to work as a health worker/ nurse. It is unclear who was responsible for the raids. Moreover, Ahrar Ninawa (local Facebook group)

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 man)
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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

date

May 31, 2017

Incident Code

CI741

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili and Shifa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that more than twenty civilians were killed or injured after air strikes and artillery shelling hit their homes in Zanjili and Shifa neighborhood, in West Mosul. So far all sources blamed Joint Forces – a reference to both Iraqi and Coalition actions. A source had told Alaraby news that “the Iraqi forces

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 84
(27 children31 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–103
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

January 22, 2015

Incident Code

CI030

LOCATION

خزيمة, Aski Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM report identified concerns of civilian fatalities raised by local Nineveh MP Abd al Rahman al-Luwayzi. According to the MP, “Arab families, fleeing the area of Aski Musil were targeted by coalition aircraft, killing or wounding ‘scores of civilians.” The town is situated on the banks of the Tigris River to the north

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI061

LOCATION

فايده, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq

An airstrike on the village of Fadiliya near Bashiqa, north of Mosul, killed between 5 and 11 civilians according to reports. NINA, citing a peshmerga source, said that three Daesh militants and 11 non-combatants died in a coalition strike. In contrast Arb-q cited a security source as saying that an unidentified airstrike had killed “five

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 11
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

August 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI094

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source, NINA, reported that a Coalition strike on a house at Hamam al-Alil, near Mosul “led to the martyrdom of all the family that inhabited consisted of nine members, including three children and a woman.“ As NINA noted: “Local residents told the National Iraqi News Agency that the international coalition aircraft bombed a

Summary

Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(3 children1 woman)
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

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI127

LOCATION

القوسيات, Alqosjat, Nineveh, Iraq

In what may be a separate incident or confused reporting (see also the Kisik Junction report for this date) there were reports of a family of eight or nine killed at Alqosjat – an event said to have killed a woman and two children. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(2 children1 woman)
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

December 16, 2015

Incident Code

CI159

LOCATION

شارع السكلات, Hit, Alscalt Street, Al Anbar, Iraq

It was reported by several sources that the Coalition struck Hit city, resulting in the injury of eight civilians including three children and two women. According to the local site Hit News, an airstrike struck a militant vehicle carrying weapons, ammunition and food, injuring civilians in the immediate vicinity. The Coalition has confirmed targeting an

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

CI191

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to multiple local sources, a Coalition or Iraqi government aircraft struck the Sina’i, Bakir and Jame’iya neighbourhoods in Hit district, western Anbar, resulting in the deaths of 2 or 3 civilians and the injuring of 5 more. Daesh-linked Al A’amaq said the strikes were the work of the Coalition. The Iraqi Spring Media Center

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
Civilians reported injured
5
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 10, 2016

Incident Code

CI223

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al-Bab Al-Gharbi and Ummal, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed Coalition planes struck a home in the Al-Bab Al-Gharbi neighbourhood of Hit in western Anbar, which resulted in the injuring of a family. A later report said two women died in the attack on Ummal neighbourhood. In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non-credible on grounds of

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

June 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI255

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

One local source, Iraqi Revolution, said six civilians including four children were killed after the Coalition allegedly targeted the Aleiadiayah region north of Tel-Afar west of Mosul. No further details are currently available. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm

Summary

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

date

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI287

LOCATION

راوة, Rawa , Al Anbar, Iraq

Two families including children were reported killed following a Coalition and Iraq government aircraft allegedly struck Rawa in a nighttime strike near the town’s Haji Osman mosque. According to News of Iraq, names of four victims have been listed. Reporting for this event and that below (at Akashat and Saada) remains confused. Given reported British

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children2 men)
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

date

November 4, 2016

Incident Code

CI319

LOCATION

الكندي, Mosul, Kindi, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a single local report, a father and his daughter were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes. Mosul Eye reported that 2 civilians (father and his daughter) have been killed in US-led coalition airstrikes in Al-Kindy neighbourhood, on the eastern bank of Mosul.  

Summary

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

date

January 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI385

LOCATION

Mosul, Mushirfan, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “(2.) Jan. 2, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in

Summary

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

date

February 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI453

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources said that seven civilians were killed and many others injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted the city of Al Qa’im, in the west of Anbar province. While two sources blamed the Coalition for the raids, Al Mayadeen Alhadath (Facebook) said “planes of [the] Iraqi forces were committing a massacre in the bombing of the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known attacker
US-led Coalition
Suspected attacker
Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

date

March 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI519

LOCATION

Mosul, Dur al Resala, Nineveh, Iraq

Nine members of a family were reported killed in an airstrike in ‘early to mid March’ including four children and three women. Amnesty International has published the following account: “Witnesses told Amnesty International that in early-mid March (they could not be certain of the exact date), a warplane hit two houses in al-Risala neighbourhood, near

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(4 children3 women1 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, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

date

March 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI552

LOCATION

Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “March 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were

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 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI585

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifai, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 19 civilians were killed and 22 injured when airstrikes hit the neighborhood of the Agrarian Reform (Islah Al Zeraei) and the neighborhood of Rifai, in West Mosul. It is unclear who carried out the raids. Yaqein spoke of both “military operations by the combined forces”, “military aircraft and the International Alliance.”

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19 – 53
Civilians reported injured
22–56
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 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI618

LOCATION

17 تموز, Mosul, 17 July, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that three named family members were killed and their daughter injured on the morning of April 8th, after an airstrike reportedly struck their house in West Mosul. They also reported a “number of wounded”. Yaqein said a “wrong” Coalition airstrike killed three and wounded two of the same family in West Mosul

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman2 men)
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, Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

date

April 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI651

LOCATION

near Mosul, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” by Human Rights Watch. According to the Coalition report, “83. April 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: After a review of available information it was

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

May 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI719

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources reported that a family of four brothers and their uncle, as well as a man with his son, and a woman, were killed in Rifae neighborhood after missiles and airstrikes hit the area. The raids took place in the street near the Mufti Mosque, in front of the medical clinic, and near

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1 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, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

date

June 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI788

LOCATION

خزرج, Mosul, Khazraj, Nineveh, Iraq

A local residents’ Facebook page and local press reported that Abdel Fattah Jassim Al-Sharifi died after a ‘random’ bombing on Khazraj district in Old Mosul. Al-Sharifi used to be the owner of the library Bassam in Najafi Street. No further details are presently known.  

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

date

August 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI820

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

According to local sources said that civilians were killed or injured in alleged Coalition and Iraqi force airstrikes on Tal Afar city, west of Mosul. Tal Afar news agency reported that the aerial bombardment has continued in Tal Afar for the third day in a row. Civilians were confirmed dead, and the source said that

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected attackers
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

CI852

LOCATION

Karabla, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local press said a number of civilians were killed following airstrikes on Karabla in Qaem district, west of Anbar province. It was alleged by sources that the strikes killed a number of owners of car maintenance shops after they targeted the industrial district. The US-led Coalition was not blamed for the attack, however, nor were

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 man)
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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

date

March 24, 2019

Incident Code

CI878

LOCATION

الرطبة, Rutba, Al Anbar, Iraq

A girl was reported killed and a man injured when an airstrike was carried on a house in Al-Oudan district, north of Rutba, Anbar province, Iraq. The airstrikes were believed to be carried out by American forces. The other members of the family were reportedly arrested but the reason remains unknown. In July 2019 the

Summary

Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 attacker
US-led Coalition
View Incident

date

October 8, 2014

Incident Code

CI008

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

According to an unidentified international news agency cited in Foreign Policy, there were unconfirmed reports of possible civilian casualties at Mosul after coalition aircraft heavily targeted the city – though the agency was unable to verify further given the security situation: “We were never able to confirm it.” Perhaps linked to the above, CENTCOM noted

Summary

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