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

May 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI714

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “On 15 May, an airstrike targeting passing ISIL vehicles damaged a civilian house in the ISIL-controlled al- Rifae neighbourhood of western Mosul, killing five civilians, including two women and a child, and wounding 11 others, including

Summary

First published
May 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

June 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI747

LOCATION

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Lakash, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source told Airwars’ Iraq-based field researcher that two of his family members died in the Bab Lakash neighbourhood of Mosul, after Coalition airstrikes allegedly targeted their house at 3pm in the afternoon while they were praying. The family member provided Airwars with the names of the casualties.

Summary

First published
June 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI815

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Residents and press sources said that 13 civilians were killed and others injured by alleged Coalition airstrikes which reportedly targeted houses in the Qaim district, west of Anbar. Yaqein reported: Coalition aircraft bombed areas in the city of Qaim (350 km west of Ramadi), causing extensive damage, a press source said in a statement. The

Summary

First published
July 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
(1 child2 women2–3 men)
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
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI847

LOCATION

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq

A single source reported on the death of a family following an aerial bombardment on the residential areas of Anah, west of Anbar province. The source said a woman and a girl died. However, the exact number of the family member was unclear. The US-led Coalition was not identified as a possible culprit, nor was

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 11
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–11
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2014

Incident Code

CI003

LOCATION

الوحدة, Mosul, Al Wahda, Nineveh, Iraq

A reported aerial bombardment (at 2200hrs local time) near an ISIL HQ east of Mosul, allegedly left up to seven members of the same family dead and injured in the al-Wadha Street area. At least three women were reported killed and a man and child injured. While Baghdad TV attributed the strike to US aircraft,

Summary

First published
September 3, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(3 women)
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 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI036

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal post-strike review for CENTCOM of full-motion video revealed a “possible child entering a targeted bunker and then disappearing out of the field of view (FOV) approximately 19 minutes before Strike.” The dynamic strike, conducted by a French Mirage 2000 using a Bu-49 bomb, killed an estimated five enemy fighters. Claims that a child

Summary

First published
February 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI068

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, near Bahauddin mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

Summary: A devastating airstrike on the Mosul neighbourhood of Rifai reportedly killed numerous non-combatants and injured up to 150 people. Among those killed in the event was Ayman al Hayali (who ran a clothing shop) and his family, including his wife and young son. Other sources claimed that 5 women and at least 3 children

Summary

First published
May 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 50
(2–3 children1–5 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
30–150
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

September 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI100

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source, NINA, alleged that the Coalition had killed 13 civilians during airstrikes on ISIS targets in the south of Mosul city. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, “33 civilians were martyred and wounded, including women and children, following aerial bombardment by the international Coalition which targeted residential areas in the south of Mosul,

Summary

First published
September 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
(7 children5 women)
Civilians reported injured
20
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

Incident date

November 4, 2015

Incident Code

CI133

LOCATION

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

Five non-combatants were reportedly killed and four more injured after an alleged Coalition airstrike hit a home at Hammam al-Alil. According to NINA, “international Coalition aircraft bombed residential neighborhoods in the Hamam al-Alil area, and the shelling resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including a child, and the wounding of four others.” A Daesh

Summary

First published
November 4, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

CI165

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

During a fierce air and ground assault on the Daesh-occupied city of Ramadi, local sources said that airstrikes had targeted the Jazeerat Al-Khalidiya area northeast of Ramadi, resulting in eight civilian deaths and 12 injuries, most of them women and children.

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
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

June 30, 2016

Incident Code

CI261

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

The second sequence of Coalition and Iraqi strikes on a major vehicle convoy (see June 29th) again destroyed hundreds of vehicles. But civilian casualties were again feared. Iraqi Revolution reported in the early hours of June 30th the martyrdom and wounding of dozens of displaced families between Tarrah and Ramadi island, after the government and

Summary

First published
June 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
12
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

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

CI293

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Dawassa area, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed a Coalition targeted the Al Dawwasa area south of Mosul, resulting in 3 to 7 civilian deaths and 11 injuries. Citing a local source, Al Araby said: the air strike targeted the al Dawwasa area (south of Mosul), which targeted some residential buildings in the area. The source said seven civilians were

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
Civilians reported injured
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

December 1, 2016

Incident Code

CI358

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Fifteen civilians were reported killed and 8 wounded in an alleged Coalition raid, according to local sources. Yaqein said that 15 civilians, including women and children, were killed in a Coalition strike that hit homes. Iraqi Spring Media Center also reported that 15 civilians were killed and that 8 were injured. They too blamed the

Summary

First published
December 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
8
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 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI392

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources told Mosul Ateka that 26 civilians from four families were killed when their home was bombed by Coalition strikes. There are no additional accounts of this alleged incident at the moment.  

Summary

First published
January 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI424

LOCATION

حي الضباط, Mosul, Dhubat / Officers, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that ‘hundreds of civilians’ were killed or injured due to Coalition airstrikes and shelling with artillery and missiles, which targeted the ‘Police and other neighborhoods’ in the East and North of Mosul. News of Iraq said 17 civilians were killed in two separate incidents in the Dhubat (Police) district of Mosul. It

Summary

First published
January 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI459

LOCATION

معمل طحين العكلات, Mosul, Aeklam flour mill near Shaam Gate, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up 16 persons were killed and ten others injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted the ‘Aeklat’ flour mill at the right side of Mosul. Iraqi Spring reported that the raids took place close to Sham Gate. Ajel Al Mosul said that the “airstrike that targeted a house in a flour mill at

Summary

First published
February 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 16
(3 children3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI493

LOCATION

near Al Qa’im, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars the Coalition assessed that it didn’t harm civilians: “72. Feb. 27, 2017, near Al Qa’im, Iraq, via social media report: After review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

Summary

First published
February 27, 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 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI525 CS562

LOCATION

السنجك, Sanjak, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources said that an airstrike targeted ISIL members on the Iraq-Syria border, which also resulted in the death of a civilian woman. Unusually, the incident was attributed to both sides of the border. Geolocation by Airwars volunteer Christiaan Triebert (see map below) has concluded that they are almost certainly the same incident. On the

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI559

LOCATION

الموصل الجديدة/الآبار, New Mosul/Abar, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Locals reported the deaths of 46 civilians including 28 children and 18 men and women with 80 others injured – mostly children and women – by different kind of shelling in many neighborhoods of Old Mosul. At least 26 bodies reportedly reached the local forensic medicine hospital. Iraq News Center spoke of two dozen civilians

Summary

First published
March 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
46 – 47
(28 children)
Civilians reported injured
80
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 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI657

LOCATION

الحضر, Hatra, Kayrawan and Balij, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source reported that about twenty civilians died when Iraqi forces, “backed by the Popular Populist militia and the US-led Coalition” launched an attack on Hatra, Qayrawan and Balij, South of Mosul, in Nineveh province.

Summary

First published
April 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI691

LOCATION

الاقتصاديين, Mosul, Itkisadeen/ Economist, Nineveh, Iraq

Residents and local media sources said that one civilian was killed and three others were injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted ISIL positions in Iktisadeen (Economists) neighborhood in West Mosul. Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook page) reported that Mahmud Yassin Mahmood al-Mawla was killed after the raids hit houses next to his.

Summary

First published
May 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(0–1 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI725

LOCATION

near Mosul, Iraq, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “112. May 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and

Summary

First published
May 19, 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

June 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI794

LOCATION

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Local press and resident sources said that dozens to hundreds of civilians, including the bodies of ‘hundreds of children and women’, were under the rubble in various areas in Old Mosul. Heavy shelling and air strikes had allegedly hit their homes. Local media provided striking accounts of streets filled with dead bodies, and called for

Summary

First published
June 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 100
Civilians reported injured
24–100
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 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI858

LOCATION

Al Qaim, plaster factory, Al Anbar, Iraq

Two sources alleged the US-led Coalition conducted air raids on Al Qaim west of Anbar province, resulting in 87 civilians killed. However, there was some confusion about the status of the vehicles reportedly struck. Local sources who spoke to Yaqein said aircraft targeted an area near the plaster factory in the province. It initially alleged

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
87
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2016

Incident Code

CI294a

LOCATION

Shora village near Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Following the New York Times Magazine’s Uncounted investigation, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event in Shora, a village near Qayyarah, Iraq. According to reporters Azmat Khan and Anand Ghopal, “Mohammad Mansour Abdullah’s house was next to the home of an Army Officer who fled Shora when ISIS took over. An

Summary

First published
October 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 4, 2014

Incident Code

CI014

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged coalition airstrike reportedly hit a market at Al Qaim in western Anbar, killing at least 3 people and injuring up to 35. Two of the victims were named as as Mohamed Ahmed and Ahmed Munir Khitab. Significant damage was reported at the scene. However, the coalition denies carrying out any airstrike in the

Summary

First published
November 4, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 15
(0–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
14–35
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
37 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI047

LOCATION

الجمهورية, Fallujah, Jamhouriya, Nineveh, Iraq

Aircraft bombed a primary school and a hospital in the Jamhouriya neighbourhood of Fallujah, reportedly killing up to 12 civilians and injuring 9. Local media reported that children were among the dead, including 11-year old Suhaib Jassem Batawi. According to Arabi21, the attack was the work of the Iraq Air Force and had killed three

Summary

First published
March 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 12
(1–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
4–9
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

June 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI079

LOCATION

حديثة, Haditha, Al Anbar, Iraq

In a previously unknown case, CENTCOM reported on January 15th 2015 that US aircraft injured or possbily killed two or more civilians after an attack on an ISIL tactical unit and vehicles: According to the statement: “On June 29, 2015, near Haditha, Iraq, during strikes against one ISIL tactical unit and two ISIL vehicles, it

Summary

First published
June 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI144

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident which may relate to incident CI143 – or was unknown to Airwars – the Coalition announced in January 2017 that it was investigating a possible civilian casualty event near Manbij almost 14 months earlier. According to the statement “five reports of civilian casualties received in November are still being assessed… Sept. 20,

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
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
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