US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

April 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI678

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that it could not assess the credibility of an NGO report indicating civilian casualties in the vicinity of Mosul. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “April 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details

Summary

First published
April 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

May 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS778

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

At least five civilians, including two women, were reportedly killed and 11 more were injured in Tabaqa in what appears to be shelling by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by airstrikes carried out by the Coalition. One member of ISIL was also reportedly killed and several more were injured, according to Smart News Agency.

Summary

First published
May 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
11
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, Syrian Democratic Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS798

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadeen, according to a single source. The Shaam News Network was the only source pointing directly towards the Coalition, reporting that “international coalition planes launched an air strike targeting an arms factory belonging to IS in the city of Mayadeen, which led to the explosion

Summary

First published
May 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 women1 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS826

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In a major casualty incident, up to 73 civilians including 15 children and six women died and up to 120 others were wounded airstrikes on Abu Kamal, according to local media. The majority of the victims were reportedly displaced people. Conflicting sources blame the US-led Coalition and the Iraqi air force. Additionally, one source attributed

Summary

First published
May 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
60 – 73
(12–15 children6 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
24–120
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
27 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS844

LOCATION

علي الغانم, Ali Al Ghanem, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed and four were injured – in addition to two members of ISIL – in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Ali Al Ghanem village, 50km east of Raqqa, according to local reports. Two sources, Draas News Agency and Smart News Agency, reported that the Coalition was responsible. Meanwhile, the remainder of the sources

Summary

First published
May 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
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

May 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS869

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah - Deir Ezzor road, Raqqa, Syria

A taxi driver was killed by an airstrike, according to local reports. The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that a man was killed by unidentified warplanes on a road near Deir Eizzor. The report said he was a driver. HRO also named him, as did Euphrates Post, which identified him as a taxi driver. That

Summary

First published
May 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

May 31, 2017

Incident Code

CS895

LOCATION

أبو شجرة, Abu Shajara, Raqqa, Syria

One woman was injured in a Coalition airstrike on Abu Shajara, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS). Qasioun reported that “Syrian forces took control of the villages of al-Sahl, al-Hawrah, Abu Shajra, al-Barouda, and al-Baraka” and that this “came in the wake of clashes between the two sides, in conjunction with the artillery

Summary

First published
May 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS921

LOCATION

فوج الأطفائية, Fire Brigade roundaout, Raqqa, Syria

Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at the fire station roundabout in Raqqa, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. Sources reported that the three men were firefighters. According to Syrian Mirror, “The Coalition also targeted the fire brigade roundabout in the city, which resulted in the fall of three firefighters working in

Summary

First published
June 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS950

LOCATION

مفرق الجزرة, Al Jazra junction, Raqqa, Syria

Three civilians including two children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Jazra junction, according to local media. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of a young girl named Rama Mohammed al-Hammad and the wife of Ahmed Yahya al-Hammad in air raids on Jazra junction. It didn’t say who was responsible, however, the

Summary

First published
June 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS979

LOCATION

شارع القوتلي, Al Kuwati street, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, “the SDF shelled several neighbourhoods in the city with artillery shells, mortars and rockets killing eight civilians, including three children and their mother, in Al-Quwatli Street and east of the Post Center.” Sharqiya Voice reported that “YPG militia” used “mortars” on Al Quwatli street, but made no mention of

Summary

First published
June 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(0–3 children0–1 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1035

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was killed following alleged ‘SDF’ shelling into Raqqa city. The victim was named as Mohammed al Kasbah by a number of sources and a photo of him was provided. Four of five of the sources who reported the incident alleged that the US-backed SDF was responsible. However, only the Coalition reports using

Summary

First published
June 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1059

LOCATION

منطقة العبارات النهرية, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria

Three or four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on boats/ferries on the Euphrates River, according to local media. Both Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and Hasaka Rasd blamed the US-led Coalition. Besides the three named victims, there was reportedly another unidentified civilian victim who was working on the river ferry. According to RFS,

Summary

First published
June 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child2 men)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1089

LOCATION

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria

Six or more civilians were reportedly killed alongside members of ISIL in the Al Rumaila neighbourhood of Raqqa following artillery fire allegedly carried out by the US-backed SDF militia or the Coalition. Smart News Agency alleged that the SDF was responsible. However Airwars understands that the militia does not have artillery capability and that if

Summary

First published
June 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(1 woman)
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 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1118 RS2311

LOCATION

دبلان, Dablan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 60 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Dablan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the event, with allegations against the Coalition, Russia and the Syrian regime. The pro-regime source, Damas Press, put the death toll at 40 and blamed the

Summary

First published
June 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21 – 60
(5 children2–5 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–60
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
22 named, 7 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI797

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Local medical sources reported that civil defense teams had pulled as many as 74 bodies from the rubble in Zanjili neighbourhood (West/Old Mosul). The civilians had died as a result of different kinds of shelling on their houses. Airwars researchers contacted local medical sources, who said a total number of 74 civilians were killed. This

Summary

First published
July 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
74
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

July 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI804

LOCATION

مكاوي, Makkawai, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

A father and son died as a result of being buried under the rubble in Makkawi, Old Mosul, reported Nineveh Media Center, following likely Coalition airstrikes. Four families in total were trapped under the rubble, but Iraqyoon News Agency reported that most were still alive. The families were believed to be trapped in the basement

Summary

First published
July 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
16–36
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, 2017

Incident Code

CS1194

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten civilians reportedly died in up to 25 alleged airstrikes by the Coalition in different areas of Al Mayadin, according to local media. Multiple sources reported Coalition airstrikes in Al Mayadin. Step News Agency reported that the Coalition had intensified strikes on Al Mayadin, but had no reports on the “size of losses”. According to

Summary

First published
July 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
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 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1223

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported the death of one civilian following an “aerial bombardment”. It didn’t say who was responsible. The victim was also named by Raqqa rwb , however, the report was a carbon copy of the one published by RBSS.

Summary

First published
July 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1256

LOCATION

نزلة شحادة, Ar Raqqah: Nazlah Shahadah/Furat neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Three civilians, displaced from Palmyra, died in an airstrike on Nazlet Shahata according to local media. Only one source, @PalmyraRev1, explicitly blamed the Coalition. Other sources referred only to “bombing” and did not identify the culprit. In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible

Summary

First published
July 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 women)
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1286a

LOCATION

ساحة شماس, Ar Raqqah: North of Shammas Square, Raqqa, Syria

A family of 15, including eight children and three women, died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa, according to local sources. Reports – all of which pointed towards the US-led Coalition – named the victims as the Al-Zanna family. According to SHRC, they were displaced from the city of Tadef in

Summary

First published
July 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(8 children3 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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
15 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1313

LOCATION

مقلة, Muqla, banks of Euphrates, Raqqa, Syria

Several civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on boats on the Euphrates river near the village of Makla, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame for the casualties. According to Sound and Picture, “Coalition aircraft targeted civilian boats along the banks of the

Summary

First published
August 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1341

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Bouliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian male died in an airstrike on al Boulial, however, there was uncertainty regarding the date of his death. On August 9th, Euphrates Post reported “a resident of the town of Al-Boulial, died of wounds he sustained as a result of airstrikes on the water crossing in the town several days ago.” Mohsen and

Summary

First published
August 6, 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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1426

LOCATION

Tarif, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One named civilian died and others were wounded in airstrikes on Tarif in the western suburbs of Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Assad regime or Russia were to blame. Step News Agency blamed the Coalition and said that white phosphorous was used. It

Summary

First published
August 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI840

LOCATION

Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local media reported that an unidentified aircraft carried out an airstrike on a residential district in Rawa, killing up to seven civilians and wounding three more. Yaqin was the only source to attribute responsibility, blaming Iraqi forces, There was shelling by government aircraft targeting residential areas in the district of Rawa, west of Anbar, killing

Summary

First published
September 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
Civilians reported injured
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

September 10, 2017

Incident Code

CI842

LOCATION

Huwaija, Kirkuk, Iraq

A single source reported the injuring of civilians following an alleged attack by the US-led Coalition on the district of Huwaija. The source, Iraqi News, said the aerial bombardment by international coalition aircraft targeted residential neighbourhoods and that their sources confirm the injury of civilians. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

First published
September 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1490 RS2438

LOCATION

الزباري, Al Zabari, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two woman died and eight other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on a school which was housing displaced people in Al Zabari, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia carried out the strike. According to Syrian Press Center, “an air strike targeted a girls’ school

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
8
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1541

LOCATION

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, Deir Ezzor 24, said that one civilian was killed following strikes by unknown aircraft on the house of Farouk al Mashouk – known as the ‘Mufti’s house’ – which was being used by Daesh as a prison. The correspondent said the raid had resulted in the death of the prisoner Laith Allawi

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1575

LOCATION

near Al Hadin, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event near Al Hadin, Syria. Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike which killed a high-level ISIS leader, destroyed one ISIS vehicle it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.” In

Summary

First published
October 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS1606

LOCATION

Diriyah, Raqqa, Syria

Five members of one family died in Raqqah city following alleged “shelling” according to local reports. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, four of their children survived and “were taken to a house on the main road at the junction between Hitteen farm and Rabi’at al Atfal. No sources apportioned blame. Raqqa is Being

Summary

First published
October 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman1 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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1636

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Up to five civilians, including one child and three women, were reportedly killed by an alleged Coalition strike at some point during the Raqqa Campaign, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported. The first report was made by RBSS who reported

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
March 23, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child3 women1 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident