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

Incident date

February 24, 2017

Incident Code

CI480

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local and press sources claimed that nine civilians were killed and more than twenty wounded in an airstrike conducted by planes of the US-led Coalition on Al Qa’im City. According to Yaqein “a news source said that Coalition forces launched intensive raids on the city of Qaim, western Anbar province, killing nine civilians. The source

Summary

First published
February 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
22–35
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 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI512

LOCATION

Mosul, Souq al-Sha’areen neighborhood, Nineveh, Iraq

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “In the morning of 5 March, an airstrike targeted an ISIL post in the ISIL—controlled residential area of the Souq al-Sha’areen neighbourhood, in central Mosul. Sources reported that a civilian home was hit, killing seven civilians,

Summary

First published
March 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI545

LOCATION

Mosul, Hermat, Iraq

Local eyewitnesses reported the deaths of 25 civilians following an air or artillery strike on the hermit area of West Mosul. An unpublished Amnesty International field investigation was shared with Airwars: ““On the street we were staying, in my uncle’s house, three houses were levelled by one attack, around 12pm on 15 March. I don’t

Summary

First published
March 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
(2 children2 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Incident Code

CI578

LOCATION

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source said that many women were killed or injured after a Coalition helicopter struck a flour shop where they were working at the time. This took place in Zanjili neighborhood in the west of Mosul. See also incident CI581.

Summary

First published
March 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI611

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

The Mayor of Rutba city, Imad al-Dulaimi, told local media that eight people, including four children from the same family, were killed in airstrikes on the Seven Km neighbourhood in the western part of Rutba city in Anbar province. According to Yaqein “Dulaimi said in a press statement that ‘a military aircraft bombed civilian houses

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(4 children)
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Incident Code

CI644

LOCATION

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later denied a social media claim that it had caused civilian casualties at Anah. According to its June report “April 16, 2017, near Annah, Iraq, via social media: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Summary

First published
April 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 29, 2017

Incident Code

CI676

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifai, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents reported on Facebook that four civilians were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Rifae neighborhood in West Mosul. Bab Al Toob (local Facebook group) said that the two brothers Rami Adel Said and Ahmed Adel Said were among the victims in Rifae. Iraqyoon Agency and Ninawa Media Center put the total death toll

Summary

First published
April 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 men)
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI711

LOCATION

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

Two local sources reported that heavy shelling with mortars, artillery and missiles hit the 17 July neighbourhood in West Mosul. The violence reportedly led to the death of Alaa Abdel Moneim Hussein al-Nuaimi – also called Abu ‘Ala – who was married and had three children. He died after a mortar landed on his house

Summary

First published
May 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2017

Incident Code

CI745

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that six members of the same family were killed after airstrikes struck their home in Zanjili neighborhood, in West Mosul. Iraqyoon Agency reported that it was the family of As’ad Younis Majid al-Rawi. The news agency also said that the family was displaced – they had fled from al-Midan to Zanjili neighbourhood.

Summary

First published
June 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2017

Incident Code

CI781

LOCATION

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Al Jadida, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that eight civilians were killed as a result of mortar shelling on the market of liberated New Mosul neighbourhood. This happened near the Al-Taibat restaurant and next to the Fathi Al-Ali mosque in New Mosul neighborhood, in the western part of the city. It is presently unclear who was responsible for the

Summary

First published
June 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
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
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

July 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI813

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources reported that 13 civilians were killed in addition to 8 ISIL fighters following alleged Coalition airstrikes on residential areas within the district of Al Qa’im in western Anbar Province, next to the Iraqi-Syrian border. All three sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details were available.

Summary

First published
July 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
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 13, 2017

Incident Code

CI845

LOCATION

Anah and Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq

A single source, Yaqin, alleged the US-led Coalition conducted airstrikes in the areas of Anah and Rawah, Anbar province resulting in civilian harm. According to the report, airstrikes and/ or artillery strikes resulted in civilians casualties and caused physical damage. The report noted that an unknown number of people were injured and civilian homes damaged.

Summary

First published
September 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 14, 2018

Incident Code

CI877

LOCATION

السفينة و حويجة, Mashraq village, Nineveh, Iraq

According to local reports, airstrikes targeted villages south of Mosul on the morning of May 14th and resulted in considerable damage – and injured between two and five civilians. The Coalition later conceded injuring 13 civilians in the event. Yaqein quoted a local source that stated that “An aircraft believed to be an American fired

Summary

First published
May 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
13
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

August 16, 2014

Incident Code

CI001

LOCATION

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

According to the German news agency DPA, the first known civilian victims of US bombing in the campaign occurred on August 16th, eight days into the air war. According to DPA, witnesses informed the agency’s reporter that “11 civilian were killed by a US airstrike when they chased [ISIL] fighters in Sinjar but its rockets

Summary

First published
August 16, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
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 26, 2015

Incident Code

CI034

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, Nineveh, Iraq

Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported two alleged Coalition airstrikes, killing five and injuring two civilians called Mohammed Mohammed Ahmed and Ebtehalf Mohammed Yosef. The first attack took place at 7.40 AM local time on the highway close to the town of Umm al-Dheban at that time. The second airstrike was at 8.40 AM local time

Summary

First published
January 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI066

LOCATION

الرمانة, Roumana, Al Anbar, Iraq

Four coalition strikes allegedly hit the village of Roumana near al Qaim, in Anbar province. According to the Baghdad Center for Human Rights, an unspecified number of non-combatants died in the event. Islamic State may have been the source for those claims, which it made on one of its websites.  

Summary

First published
April 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 30, 2015

Incident Code

CI098

LOCATION

أربيل, Near Irbil, Erbil, Iraq

Three or four possible civilians were reported killed in an airstrike in northern Iraq, carried out by two Danish F-16s which each dropped a 500lb GBU-12 bomb. The possible error was discovered after a Danish review of cockpit video: “In some parts of the footage showing four people and a vehicle, there were acts being

Summary

First published
August 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

CI131

LOCATION

المحلبية, Mahalabiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Four people from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike, after missiles hit a civilian home. While a number of outlets reported the incident there are no more details presently available. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this

Summary

First published
October 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI163

LOCATION

Keseir, Iraq

Six civilians were reportedly killed and three injured – all children and women – after Coalition jets allegedly bombed their house in Keseir village east of Mosul.

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(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

February 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI195

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed that at least 13 and as many as 46 civilians from ‘ISIS families’ – including children and women – were killed when their bus was bombed between Qayarrah and Shura south of Mosul as it was trying to cross the Iraqi-Syrian border. The bodies were reportedly transferred to the Forensic Medicine institution

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 46
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

April 17, 2016

Incident Code

CI227

LOCATION

حلبسة, Halabisa, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed that Coalition aircraft struck homes in an afternoon attack on Halabsa village west of Fallujah, killing six civilians and injuring another 12 or more, “most of them children and women.” News Fallujah pictured a young survivor of the event, noting: “Yousif Mushtak Talib Al Halbusi : His mother was killed and his

Summary

First published
April 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(1 child2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
8–18
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI259

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed that families of ISIS members and other civilians were killed or wounded after Iraqi government and Coalition aircraft targeted Daesh convoys fleeing Fallujah to Ramadi Island. According to the US military blog War Is Boring, Between 9:00 and 10:00 at night on June 28, Iraqi military intelligence detected the movement of numerous

Summary

First published
June 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
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
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Incident Code

CI291

LOCATION

كراج الشمال, Mosul, ISIS court in North Garage, Nineveh, Iraq

Two sources reported that 11 civilians killed followed alleged coalition jets targeted ISIS court in Mosul. The media office of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Mosul, Ghayath al-Surji, said, The international coalition aircraft bombed, at dawn today, ISIS Sharia court inside a residential neighbourhood at Karaj, in central Mosul, killing 11 civilians who

Summary

First published
September 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
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

November 5, 2016

Incident Code

CI323

LOCATION

حمام العليل, Mosul, Hamam al Alil subdistrict, Nineveh, Iraq

The UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: On 5 November, airstrikes hit two houses in Hamam al-Alil City resulting in the houses collapsing. Twenty-three civilians, including children, were reportedly trapped inside. In the evening of the same day, two children, one seriously

Summary

First published
November 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
23
(3 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI356

LOCATION

الصناعة, Mosul, industrial district, Nineveh, Iraq

According to one or two sources reported that civilians were killed or injured by targeting industry neighbourhood inside Mosul followed the alleged Coalition airstrikes. Other sources said the casualties occurred were amongst ISIL fighters. No additional details are presently known. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI390

LOCATION

حي المزارع, Mosul, Mazari / Farms, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source said that a named civilian, Imad Ahmed, was killed in the bombing of Farms district, north of Mosul. No other details were known at the time. On March 4th the Coalition confirmed that it had killed civilians that day in Mosul in two incidents. An official later confirmed to Airwars that the

Summary

First published
January 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI523

LOCATION

العامل, Mosul, Amil, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press sources said that dozens of civilians were killed or injured and many were still under rubble, after reported Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces targeted Amil neighborhood, west of Mosul. Iraqi Spring reported that “the government forces shelled their homes in Amil neighborhood at the right side of Mosul after

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 24
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI557

LOCATION

Mosul, Risala, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “March 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report:After a review of available information and strike video it

Summary

First published
March 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI589

LOCATION

المشاهدة, Mosul, Al-Mashada, Nineveh, Iraq

Locals said that up to 60 civilians were killed after residential houses in the Mashahda area in old Mosul were accidentally struck. Coalition airstrikes, an Iraqi missile and artillery were all blamed. Iraqyoon reported that 12 civilians were killed in a “mistaken air strike” that destroyed four homes. Al Jazeera put the death toll at

Summary

First published
March 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 60
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
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

April 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI622

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Rifai and 17 July, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling hit Rifai and 17 July neighbourhoods in West Mosul, killing and injuring an unspecified number of civilians. Iraqi Spring Media Center and Urgent Mosul News blamed the Iraqi government, though none of the other sources said who was responsible. Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook page) reported that

Summary

First published
April 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident