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

September 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1445a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, 15 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes 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. Only five of the victims were

Summary

First published
September 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(3 children2 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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1439

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Three men were documented as victims of suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City. The specific location of the incident was not reported, though all sources blamed the US-led Coalition. Further information will be added to the entry when it arises.  

Summary

First published
September 3, 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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1440

LOCATION

مسجد الامام النووي, Ar Raqqah: Near Imam Al Nawawi mosque, Raqqa, Syria

Ten civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the Nahdah neighbourhood of Raqqa. Initially only reported on by one source, 3 of the victims were identified: Ahmad Al Tufi, also known as Lattoufi Lattoufi (adult, male), his wife and Layal Ramzi Ahmed Al Tufi (adult, female). During investigations of this event for

Summary

First published
September 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(7 children2 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
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI837

LOCATION

U'boor district of Anbar, Al Anbar, Iraq

A single report from Yaqein claimed the US-led Coalition had conducted an intensive aerial bombardment resulting in 200 civilians killed and injured within a 48 hour period. The specifics of the civilian casualties, including the toll and identity is currently unknown. Yaqein described indiscriminate bombing by the warplanes of the international coalition aircraft, asserting that

Summary

First published
September 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
50 – 100
Civilians reported injured
50–100
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI838

LOCATION

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

Yaqein reported that 22 civilians were killed following alleged airstrikes by the US-led Coalition west of Anbar Province in Al Qaim. According to a local source cited in Yaqein, an airstrike of the international coalition aircraft” targeted the area. In addition to killing 22 people it also allegedly caused considerable material damage.

Summary

First published
September 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
22
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1438

LOCATION

دوار النعيم, Al Naim roundabout, Raqqa, Syria

The citizen journalist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, reported on the death of 14 civilians following alleged “shelling” by the US-led Coalition, near the al Naim roundabout, Raqqa City centre. In a subsequent report, also from RBSS, one man and his wife and his brother. Despite reports reporting that as many as 14 civilians

Summary

First published
September 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 14
(2 children3 women8 men)
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1436

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City on the first day of Eid al-Adha, local media reported. Syrianpc said other people were wounded in the attack. Multiple sources named victims. All sources asserted the US-led Coalition was responsible. No further information is available at present.

Summary

First published
September 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(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
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1437

LOCATION

الرقة‎ , Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

On January 11th 2018, Rami Assaf reported that “news of the martyrdom of the family of Mr. Ahmed Al-Hanan from Muhsin in rural Deir Al-Zour has now been confirmed. They were killed four months ago as a result of the bombing of the International Coalition against the city of Raqqa. Their bodies were found today

Summary

First published
September 1, 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1434

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed after suspected US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqa City. Two of those killed were named by Euphrates Post and Hasaka Rasd. The sources said the two killed were originally from Deir Al-Zour. All sources attributed the deaths to “bombing by the International Coalition”, though no specific location for the deaths was

Summary

First published
September 1, 2017
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

September 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1435

LOCATION

Al Shmeitiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On September 1, 2017, up to seven civilians died in an airstrike on Al Shmeitiya, according to local media. While most sources didn’t identify the belligerent, two reports attributed the event to Russia. In three sequential reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted the deaths of between two and four civilians following airstrikes on

Summary

First published
September 1, 2017
Last updated
June 20, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(1 woman2 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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2017

Incident Code

CS1433

LOCATION

صغير شامية, Sagheer Shamiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On August 31, 2017, at least three civilians died in an airstrike on Zaghir Shamiya, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, Russia or the Syrian Regime were responsible for the event. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that between two and three people were killed

Summary

First published
August 31, 2017
Last updated
June 27, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of injury / death
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI836

LOCATION

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local media reported on the death of civilians following alleged US-Coalition airstrikes on Al Qaiem District. According to Yagein, the aircraft launched two raids targeting residential neighbourhoods and the school of the Eastern Renaissance. The sources added that the bombing caused the destruction of a number of houses which led to deaths and injuries of

Summary

First published
August 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
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

August 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1432

LOCATION

Al Hawaji, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five civilians, including two women and three children, died in airstrikes carried out by unknown aircraft on the al Hawaij village in Deir Ezzor Governorate, alleged local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Euphrates Post listed those killed. The US-led Coalition was not attributed to the attack; sources referred to “bombing by

Summary

First published
August 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children2 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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1431

LOCATION

T2 near Iraqi-Syria border, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to multiple local sources, one adult male died in an alleged Coalition airstrike. A source quoted by the Palmyra Coordination Committee asserted strikes targeted “a civilian car he was travelling near the second station T2 near the Iraqi-Syrian border yesterday.” The source added: “It is worth mentioning that the Coalition announced the targeting of

Summary

First published
August 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1429a

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah: Various neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria

Initially this incident was reported on by several sources as an alleged airstrike or artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in the city of Raqqa, in which eight cilivilians died, including one woman. There was a discrepancy regarding civilians identified in the list. Amjad Ahmed Taha Al-Suwairi, Mohammed Ayman Sweiri and Ahmad Taha Al-Omar Al Suweiri,

Summary

First published
August 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 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
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1428

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One young male civilian was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. The date of the event and his death was unclear, though reporting on August 31st, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said he died “a few days ago”.

Summary

First published
August 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1427

LOCATION

الحديقة البيضا, Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria

Between 12 and 23 civilians were reported killed, and others wounded, following US-led Coalition airstrikes near The White Garden (Hadiqa Bayda) area, in Raqqa City. The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented 12 civilian casualties, whereas the majority of other sources reported 17 or 18 killed, including women and children. The air raid reportedly struck

Summary

First published
August 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 23
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

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

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1425

LOCATION

الأنصار, Ar Raqqah: Ansar mosque, Raqqa, Syria

The death of between one and three people was reported by local media sources, following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on the city of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “documented the death of three people after the bombing of downtown Raqqa by International Coalition aircraft”, though did not provide details of the civilians reported

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(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

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1424

LOCATION

Centre, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that ten civilians – including up to six children and four women and two men from one family – were killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes in central Raqqa City. The strike reportedly struck or targeted a building in which the the Al-Shakran family were sheltering. The family were displaced persons from

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(3–6 children2–4 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1423

LOCATION

Fardous, Raqqa, Syria

Five family members of a ‘Kazakh ISIS fighter’ (a woman, her two sons and one daughter) died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Fardous in Raqqa, according to local media. Smart reported that “a local source told Smart that the family was made up of a woman and three of her children, and including a

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI835

LOCATION

Eyathia, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

A major civilian casualty event took place in Tal Afar district, North West of Mosul, following aerial bombardment, local media reported. Dozens were killed according to witnesses, including entire families of mostly women and children. The local media organisation Kurdistan24 said that as many as 59 families had died in an attack it blamed on

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40 – 150
Civilians reported injured
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, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1421

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two infants were reported killed along with their mother after “bombing” and “shelling” of Raqqa city. A Tweet by @AhmadShibli blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack, however, the majority of other sources did not specify an actor. The city of Raqqa was reportedly “besieged by International Coalition aircraft” at the time of the incident.

Summary

First published
August 27, 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1422

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was reported killed following the “bombing of Raqqa city”. The specific location of the incident is presently unknown. One of the sources, Ahmed Shbili, identified the “International Coalition” as the culprits, while other sources only referred to the general bombardment of the city.

Summary

First published
August 27, 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

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1425b

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Boulil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that a Coalition airstrike struck an ISIS vehicle, killing two young men who had previously been arrested and forced to join ISIS. Two members of ISIS guarding them were also killed in the attack. The source reported that increasing numbers of young men were forcibly

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1419

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A male civilian was killed as a result of US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local media reported. All tracked sources held the US-led Coalition responsible, referring to “bombing by International Coalition aircraft”. Airwars has limited information on the location of the incident.

Summary

First published
August 26, 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

August 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1420

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Civilians were reported killed in a suspected US-led Coalition airstrike on the city of Mayadeen. It remains unclear how many people were harmed in the attack which reportedly struck a vehicle on the outskirts of the town. According to sources, the car was “carrying detainees” of the so-called Islamic State organisation, who were captured for

Summary

First published
August 26, 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
View Incident

Incident date

August 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1418

LOCATION

The National Hospital, Raqqa, Syria

Sources initially reported three people were killed following alleged US-led Coalition air strikes on The National (Al Watani) Hospital in Raqqa. Subsequent reports identified nine victims. Mohammad Jom’a al Taha (b. 1951), an agricultural engineer, and two of his sons, were killed in the offensive. According to sources the family was displaced people from Deir

Summary

First published
August 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2 children1 woman2 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
8 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1416

LOCATION

National Hospital and in the vicinity of Naim roundabout and Al Amasi Street, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Local media reported “artillery shelling” targeted the National Hospital and the vicinity of the roundabout Naim and Al-Amasi Street in Raqqa City. Sources referred to “news of martyrs” but did not list the number or details of alleged civilian casualties. Airwars understands that only the US-led Coalition have access to artillery in Raqqa. See also

Summary

First published
August 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1417

LOCATION

Al Fadaghmi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two or three civilians were killed in alleged US airstrikes close to Al-Fadghami village near Hasaka City. Yusuf Ali al-Shawoush (12 years) and Hassan Ali al-Hamoud (55 years), and one unidentified person, were reportedly shepherds who were herding their flock when the airstrikes hit. According to local sources around 130 sheep were also killed in

Summary

First published
August 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 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
2 named
View Incident