US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

March 17, 2019

Incident Code

CS1911

LOCATION

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that US-Coalition air-and artillery strikes resumed after 24-hours of calm and struck Al-Baghouz camp in the evening of March 17th. According to Syrian regime affiliated news outlet SANA, the Coalition shelled the camp and its surroundings. Step News added that the shelling was conducted by “French artillery and SDF militia” which targeted

Summary

First published
March 17, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 12
(5 children7 women)
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS167 CS147

LOCATION

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Violations Documentation Center and others, six civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in the vicinity of the Aisha hospital in Al Bukamal. According to Deir Ezzor 24, eight rockets or missiles were launched on the town. However, the Syrian Observatory has attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition.

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1258a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly as killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report stated that

Summary

First published
July 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Artillery
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

September 14, 2014

Incident Code

CI005

LOCATION

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM review identified potential civilian casualties from a Coalition airstrike in “northern Iraq.” The only location for this date which matches is Sinjar. The incident was not previously tracked by Airwars. According to a declassified CENTCOM document, “A review of FMV from a RECOIL feed revealed unknown individuals moving into a target area

Summary

First published
September 14, 2014
Last updated
April 11, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2019

Incident Code

CS1889a

LOCATION

Ash Shajilah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians near Ash Shajilah, Syria. This was later confirmed to be a US-only civilian harm event. In its July 2019 civilian casualty report the Coalition noted the following: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians

Summary

First published
January 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2014

Incident Code

CS022

LOCATION

سعلو, Sillu, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two non-combatant males were reported killed in a coalition airstrike on the village of Sa’alo.

Summary

First published
November 7, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2015

Incident Code

CS043

LOCATION

حماة, Um al Nayr, Idlib, Syria

A female civilian, a civil engineer, was reported by Syrian Martyrs to have been killed in a Coalition airstrike. Confused reporting placed her death either at Umm Al Nayr near Hama, or at nearby Kaferzita. However, VDC – which named the victim – stated that a 25 year old instead died in an attack by

Summary

First published
January 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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 Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 28, 2022

Incident Code

CS1980

LOCATION

ذيبان, Thiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one man was killed and another was arrested during a joint airdrop operation carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Coalition on March 28, 2022. Sources were conflicted as to whether the man killed was a militant or a civilian. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Syrian Democratic Forces

Summary

First published
March 28, 2022
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
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
Geolocation
Town
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2015

Incident Code

CI045

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to Reuters, a coalition airstrike which killed 17 Islamic State militants also caused the deaths of 9 non-combatants: “The hospital source in al-Qaim, a town on the Euphrates River, said nine civilians were killed and 29 militants were wounded in the strike by the U.S.-led coalition which is bombing Islamic State targets in Iraq

Summary

First published
February 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 12
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 20, 2015

Incident Code

CS069

LOCATION

التوامة, Tawama, Aleppo, Syria

According to Al Jazeera and others, a Coalition strike on the al Nusra Front at al Tawama destroyed a number of civilian buildings, killing as many as seven inhabitants. Fifteen alleged militants – most described as ‘Turks’ – also died in the attack which reportedly struck two separate locations in the village. According to Sana

Summary

First published
May 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 11
(1 child)
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

August 6, 2015

Incident Code

CI090

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

There were claims that a Coalition strike at ar Rutbah destroyed a family home in the Askari neighbourhood owned by Yaseen Al-Hiti and Jamal Raheem Uda Al-Kubeisi – who were both reported killed along with Mr al-Hiti’s wife Zia and one or two of their children – one a daughter also named Zia. A further

Summary

First published
August 6, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–2 children1 woman1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
8–10
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2015

Incident Code

CS127

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two women, sharing the same surname, al-Naji, were reported by a single source as having been killed in a Coalition strike at Raqaa. They are listed as originally from Talbissa is Homs. No other details about this even are presently known. In its monthly civilian harm assessment report for November 2019 – published on January

Summary

First published
September 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI129

LOCATION

تل كيف‎, Tel Kepe (Tel Kayf), Nineveh, Iraq

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq reported that seven people died when a minbus was struck in an airstrike near Mosul. According to UNAMI, “At 10h30 a.m. on 20 October, seven civilians were killed – including three women and two children – and one was seriously wounded when the minibus in which they were

Summary

First published
October 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(2 children3 women)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Incident Code

CI152

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged Coalition airstrike on the Thubat district of Fallujah reportedly killed a young girl named as Ayesha Wadhah, and also wounded two other children named as Tabarek Wadhah (who lost a hand) and her brother Osama Wadhah. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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, Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

CI176

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

On October 27th 2017 the Coalition published an assessment of a civilian casualty event dated January 12th 2016, naming Airwars as the source of reporting. The Coalition’s report stated: “1. Jan. 12, 2016, near Al Qa’im, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information, it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
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

February 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS182

LOCATION

Bahssa, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilian males named as Ahmad Salem Al A’tiya and Issa Turky Al Sulayman died in an alleged Coalition strike on a car in the village of Al Bahsa, west of al Shadadi. Al Jazeera also noted the event: “In Hassakah northeast Syria, activists reported the fall of two dead and several wounded in air

Summary

First published
February 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2016

Incident Code

CI216

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In the third reported civilian casualty event of the day, seven civilians from the same family including children and women were reported killed after Coalition jets allegedly targeted an ISIL-occupied house but missed, instead striking the next door house. The attack reportedly took place in the Engineers neighbourhood of west Mosul, and the Daesh militants

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
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

May 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS210

LOCATION

احتيملات, Ahtemlat, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians including up to 5 children died in a reported night time Coalition strike at Ahtemlat in Aleppo governorate. Graphic images showed the bodies of at least two infants being recovered. According to the Syrian Observatory, “SOHR activists were informed that no less than 4 IS including a commander were killed by aerial bombardment

Summary

First published
May 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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 13, 2016

Incident Code

CI250

LOCATION

الشرقاط, Al Shirqat, Salah Al Din, Iraq

Local sources claimed a whole family was killed after Coalition warplanes allegedly destroyed their house in the Sharqat region. News of Iraq reported that the Coalition allegedly bombed civilian homes in Sharqat, resulting in the destruction of a house and the deaths all of the family members inside it. A video posted by Daesh propagandists

Summary

First published
June 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 13
(2 children4 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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI263

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

A single source claimed that Coalition strikes in the vicinity of Hawijah killed five non-combatants and injured an additional 12 people. A number of homes were reportedly damaged in the incident. No additional information is presently known.

Summary

First published
July 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS278

LOCATION

النواجة, Al Nawaja, Aleppo, Syria

As many as 22 civilians were reported killed at the village of al Nawaja, as the Coalition-supported offensive continued. However the Coalition later denied responsibility for the incident, noting that “the JCTF did not conduct any strikes in that geographic location.” According to one source, “al Nawaja village is divided into two neighbourhoods. The eastern

Summary

First published
July 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 22
(2 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 23, 2016

Incident Code

CI281

LOCATION

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Hadba and Zuhoor, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed that the Coalition struck allegedly Hadbah and Zuhoor neighbourhoods in Mosul resulting in up to 10 deaths and additional injuries among other civilians. However US-led alliance has informed Airwars that We can confirm that no Coalition strikes were conducted in Mosul between August 22nd and August 24th. According to Yaqein, the international airline

Summary

First published
August 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 10
Civilians reported injured
7–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Incident Code

CS325 TS004

LOCATION

دابق‎, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria

Between 5 and 8 civilians were reported killed in a Coalition or unilateral Turkish airstrike at Dabiq. According to LCCSY, “eight civilians from one family, mostly women and children, were martyred due to International Coalition warplanes shelling  #Dabiq village in the northern countryside.” Shaam News also said eight died – which it claimed included 5 children

Summary

First published
October 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(5 children3 women)
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, Turkish Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 22, 2016

Incident Code

CI304

LOCATION

بخديدا (Bakhdida), Qaraqosh, Nineveh, Iraq

The Coalition announced in December 2016 it was conducting an assessment of a possible civilian casualty event: Currently, three reports received in October are still being assessed… Oct. 22, 2016, near Qaraqosh and Hasana, Iraq. On January 2nd 2017 a new Coalition report noted: No Coalition strikes were conducted on structures in the geographic area

Summary

First published
October 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
0–1
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, 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 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI341

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, East neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Shelling killed and wounded civilians in eastern Mosul, according to local sources. Iraq News Center reported shelling from both ISIL and government forces affected civilians in eastern Mosul. Zyaad Al Senjary posted that the mutual bombardment had resulted in a massive number of casualties among civilians. Rudaw TV meanwhile reported that ten civilians were killed,

Summary

First published
November 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(4 children1 woman1 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, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2016

Incident Code

CS413 TS020

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Twelve civilians were killed and up to 30 injured at al Bab in what local sources claimed was a ‘Coalition’ strike, but which may have been a result of Turkish-ISIS fighting. Al A’maq, ISIS’s media wing, reported “12 dead and 30 injured, most of them women and children, following violent Turkish shelling with more than

Summary

First published
December 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(6 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
20–30
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, Turkish Military
Named victims
8 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI391

LOCATION

حي الميثاق, Mosul, Al-Mithaq, Nineveh, Iraq

Five members of the same family were killed when a Coalition airstrike hit a house in Al Mithaq, according to local sources. Sualif Maslawiah Aneefa posted that five members of Khalid Mustafa Abu Wadah’s family were killed when bombs struck his home as ISIL fighters hid inside, preventing the family from leaving. The post identified

Summary

First published
January 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 women1–2 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI412

LOCATION

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Al-Hadba, Nineveh, Iraq

A local sources claimed Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling targeted the Hadbah neighbourhood northeast of Mosul had killed “dozens of civilians.” This took place after ISIL reportedly targeted Iraqi forces with three bombed cars during the afternoon. Ajel Al Mosul spoke of “heavy” and “indiscriminate” airstrikes. It also reported that an “air strike targeted a

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
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

January 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI434

LOCATION

القوسيات, Mosul, Alqosjat, Nineveh, Iraq

Press sources said that 34 civilians, including 21 children and a woman, were killed after airstrikes and artillery shelling targeted the neighborhoods on the left side of Mosul. A local hospital doctor told Alaraby that “nine dead [bodies] just arrived at the hospital, while the others are still under the rubble”.  

Summary

First published
January 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
34
(21 children1 woman)
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