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

October 5, 2014

Incident Code

CI007

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

It was reported by several sources in Hit that Coalition or Iraqi jets struck a number of civilian houses, killing up to 22 persons. Eight children and 3 women were reportedly among the dead. One of those quoted on the event was Nabil Souri, an Iraqi citizen working at Hit hospital, who learned that many

Summary

First published
October 5, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 24
(8 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
43
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI040

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, multiple neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a single source, local eyewitness claimed one unnamed civilian was killed and five others were severely injured after the coalition allegedly bombed several areas in Makhmoor, south of Mosul  

Summary

First published
February 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

June 8, 2015

Incident Code

CI072

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Zuhour and other neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

In January 2016, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq reported that it had learned of a major civilian casualty incident in Mosul on June 8th 2015, though had been unable either to verify the claim or attribute responsibility to any party: “On 8 June, local sources reported that an airstrike in Mosul, Ninewa, caused

Summary

First published
June 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 23
(7–8 children9–10 women)
Civilians reported injured
13–21
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

September 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI105

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

A reported evening airstrike by a drone or other Coalition aircraft at Hawijah was said to have killed five civilians and injured a further seven or more people. Al Amaaq, the media wing of ISIS, reported the “Killing [of] five civilians and wounding of seven others in the bombing by a US aircraft in the

Summary

First published
September 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
7–12
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

Incident date

November 10, 2015

Incident Code

CI137

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Rifai (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that 12 primary school children were injured following an alleged Coalition airstrike at Rifai, west of Mosul. No other details are presently available. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions

Summary

First published
November 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI169

LOCATION

العربي, Mosul, Arabi and Cairo petrol station, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged Coalition strike on two Daesh positions in western Mosul also reportedly led to an unspecified number of civilian casualties. According to NRN News, vehicles used by Daesh to transport oil were destroyed in a 1pm strike, killing about 15 militants. But the attack also destroyed the ‘Cairo’ gas station, which in turn damaged

Summary

First published
December 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI201

LOCATION

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Laksh, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said at least four and as many as 13 civilians were killed and 25 injured including children and women after alliance jets struck residential apartments used by displaced people in the Alaymen district of eastern Mosul. The National Iraqi News Agency reported: “residents said that international coalition aircraft bombed a residential compound belonging

Summary

First published
March 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 18
(3 children5 women)
Civilians reported injured
5–30
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2016

Incident Code

CI265

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Two displaced families from Tikrit were reportedly killed in an alleged Iraqi government or Coalition airstrike at Hawijah. Iraqi Spring reported that all members of his family died in the bombing of their house by the Coalition. Another local source claimed a second family was also killed. There was confusion about who might have been responsible

Summary

First published
July 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident 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

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

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

First published
November 9, 2016
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 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

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

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

First published
December 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

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

First published
January 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

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

First published
January 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

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

First published
February 22, 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 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

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI540

LOCATION

دور موظفي السكك, Mosul, Dur al Sekak, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press source said that five family members were killed in an airstrike targeting their house near the railway. They used to live together in the same house in Dur Al Sekak at the right side of Mosul. It is unclear which aircraft carried out the attack. Shafaaq News reported that the bombing

Summary

First published
March 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child1 woman1 man)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2017

Incident Code

CI574

LOCATION

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local medical sources reportedly claimed that three employees at a Mosul hospital in Shifa neighbourhood were killed when a missile hit the hospital. Shafaaq reported that “A medical source told Ashqaf News that a mortar landed near the first aid hall in the hospital, killing three medical personnel and damaging the hospital.” Another local blog

Summary

First published
March 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI607

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that twenty civilians were killed and six injured, among them many children, at Tal Afar west of Mosul. All claimed that the US or the Coalition was responsible, although Iraq Air Force aircraft had also struck the town. Iraqi Spring Media Center posted several graphic photos, picturing the aftermath of the strikes

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
6
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 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI640

LOCATION

ريحانة, Rayhana, Al Anbar, Iraq

Two local sources reported that nine civilians were killed and others injured after Coalition airstrikes allegedly hit Rayhana village near Anah, in Anbar province. The exact number of wounded was not determined. Yaqein placed the village 210 km west of Ramadi.

Summary

First published
April 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
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
View Incident

Incident 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

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

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

First published
May 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

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

First published
May 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

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

First published
June 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

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

First published
July 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

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

First published
September 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

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

First published
October 31, 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

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

First published
November 19, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
41
(41 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

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

First published
March 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

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

First published
July 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident