US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

November 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1676

LOCATION

ابو حمام, Abu Haman, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Euphrates Post, the Syrian Democratic Forces carried out an artillery bombardment on Abu Hamam. It said that there had been civilian casualties but didn’t specify a number. Al Qouriya Media Center provided some more detail. It reported that “artillery shelling targeted a family from al-Qouriya, the family of Hussein al-Ali al-Sayer al-Hamad.

Summary

First published
November 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 15, 2018

Incident Code

CS1772

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians, including women and children, were allegedly killed and several others injured by a Coalition airstrike on Al Soussa. Sound and Picture reported “three martyrs” and several wounded. Smart News quoted local activists who also mentioned a tally of three civilians killed after a Coalition raid targeted the “residential neighbourhoods in the town of

Summary

First published
June 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1–2 children1–2 women)
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

September 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1375 CS319

LOCATION

البصيرة, al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between four to 20 civilians were reported killed and 12 or more injured after an alleged Coalition, Russian or Assad regime strike at al Basira, according to local media. A photograph published by Euphrates Post showed what appeared to have been a major strike in a built up area of the town. And a video

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 20
(3 children3 women)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 15, 2018

Incident Code

CS1836

LOCATION

البوبدران, Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a residential area and reportedly killed between eight and 23 civilians, in what local sources described as “a massacre”. According to Sana News, 23 civilians died as a result of the airstrike. Step News  and Euphrates Post reported that a total of 20 people died. Step added that 17 belonged

Summary

First published
November 15, 2018
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 23
(8–14 children3–4 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
27 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2018

Incident Code

CS1876

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Shaafa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike killed and injured a number of civilians on the morning of December 21st. Although some sources reported that the incident took place on December 20th (when another similar incident occurred) the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights distinguished the two as separate events. Local sources reported the killing of 27 people, mostly

Summary

First published
December 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 27
(8 children)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2019

Incident Code

CS1900a

LOCATION

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria

Bread salesman Abdul Razzaq Mohammed from the village of Abu Juba was heading to work passing through Hadaj village when he was allegedly shot and hit by Coalition machine gun fire during Coalition operations in the village. Local sources reported he died of the injuries sustained in the strike. No other details are known at

Summary

First published
February 17, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

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

June 24, 2020

Incident Code

CS1948

LOCATION

الطريق بين بنش ادلب, Road between Idlib and Binnish, Idlib, Syria

A civilian was reportedly killed in alleged US-led Coalition or Turkish drone strikes on the road between Idlib city and Binnish, Idlib governorate, on June 24th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib told Smart New Agency that “an ammunition drone had targeted a Santa Fe car with missiles and destroyed

Summary

First published
June 24, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
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, Turkish Military
Suspected target
Other
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2022

Incident Code

CS1989

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians, including a woman and a child, were reportedly injured in declared British drone strikes on the city of al-Bab on December 20, 2022. An alleged member of ISIS was also injured in the operation. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a Yemeni person was severely injured by a drone

Summary

First published
December 20, 2022
Last updated
March 29, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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.
Known belligerent
UK Military
Known target
ISIS
Geolocation
Exact location (other)
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS168 CS146

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Reports indicated that Coalition aircraft had killed up to ten civilians in Raqqa in an evening strike. According to local monitors Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently, seven were killed and eight injured after a civilian fuel facility was bombed in the Brigade 17 area of the city. A graphic video by Daesh propagandists Al A’maq

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 10
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, 2014

Incident Code

CS006

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Report of one civilian death as a result of coalition strike. Currently one source only. In July 2017 the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible based on no evidence of civilian harm: “After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find

Summary

First published
September 28, 2014
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS039

LOCATION

جرابلس, Jarabulus, Cultural center, Aleppo, Syria

An 8.30pm coalition bombing raid on Jarablos – a major Islamic State hub – destroyed a cultural centre being used as an ISIL headquarters in the town. According to Aleppo News, “According to activists, the strikes caused great devastation in the building in addition to the destruction of two civilian houses in the vicinity. Witnesses

Summary

First published
December 28, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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
View Incident

Incident date

May 26, 2015

Incident Code

CS072

LOCATION

رأس العين, Road between Al I'dwania and Raja’an, Al Hassakah, Syria

A number of sources reported that a “civilian car” was struck “on the road between Al I’dwania and Raja’an,” near Al Hassakah, killing a family of four. Those killed were described as a man, his wife, mother and daughter – all from the village of Raja A’an in Ras al-Ain.  

Summary

First published
May 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child2 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2015

Incident Code

CS104

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Nahiyat Sereen near Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A reported Coalition airstrike at 3.45pm killed up to seven civilians including two children, at Nahiyat Sereen near Aleppo. One young victim, Mohammad Jassen Al Abou Rakan, was decapitated in the incident, with graphic images of his body widely distributed on social media. Islamic State later published a propaganda video of the event, including interviews

Summary

First published
July 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
5
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 targets
Al Qaeda/HTS, ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS139

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

An adult male was killed in a reported Coalition strike at Sukhna. While he was described as a civilian by one source, all others reported that he was in fact a combatant. The VDC has named Sabri Abd al Wahab al Ozbaki as a civilian victim of what it says was “coalition air force’s shelling.”

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2016

Incident Code

CS184

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two adult civilian males named as Adnan Abd al-Wahab al-Bonaia al-Jasem and Ahmad Dalf al-Saleh were reported killed in al Mayadeen in an alleged Coalition airstrike. No additional details are presently known. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
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

June 1, 2016

Incident Code

CS221

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Ten named civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes on the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of Raqqa. According to the local Civil Defence, “four civilians were martyred due to successive airstrikes by coalition warplanes on Mashlab neighbourhood according to local source.” The Syrian Observatory reported 10 civilian deaths from airstrikes in Al Mashlab and elsewhere in

Summary

First published
June 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(2 women)
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
14 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS257

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

As intense Coalition airstrikes and ground actions against Manbij continued, reports of civilian casualties continued to grow. However reporting remained very confused. Five civilians were reported killed either by a sniper or by Coalition strikes. Manbij Agency for Documentation named the dead. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition

Summary

First published
July 11, 2016
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Incident Code

CS328

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

According to a Coalition report issued in December 2016, on “(11.) Oct. 5, 2016, near Aleppo, Syria: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.” Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilians killed or injured in Aleppo governorate on this date.

Summary

First published
October 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS360

LOCATION

لقطة, Lakta, Raqqa, Syria

At least 7 civilians were killed by by a Coalition airstrike, according to an ISIL-controlled outlet. ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq reported that “international coalition planes” targeted two homes in Lakta, “and killed at least seven civilians.” Thus far, Al A’amaq is the only source that references this incident specifically. However, other monitors and outlets, including the

Summary

First published
November 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

CS395

LOCATION

الرطبة, Al Rutba, Raqqa, Syria

Two unnamed civilians were reported killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Rutba. According to Shaam News, “two civilians were martyred by the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on al Rutba village north of Raqqa.” Al Araby al Jadid also reported that “Civilians were killed and wounded in raids by the international coalition

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS428

LOCATION

الضبعان, Dabaan, Raqqa, Syria

At least two civilians were killed in a reported Coalition airstrike on Dabban village in Raqqa governorate. According to the Syrian Observatory, “the international coalition’s warplanes bombed places in Dabaan area in the countryside of Al-Raqqah, and confirmed information about the death of two people.” ISIL also said that “two people were killed in an

Summary

First published
January 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
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

January 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS465

LOCATION

Western countryside of Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported the death of one civilian in an alleged Coalition strike. According to the Syrian Observatory, “SOHR documented the death of a person from the southeastern countryside of Homs, he was killed in bombing by warplanes of the International Coalition on areas in the western countryside al-Raqqah city.” No additional details are

Summary

First published
January 30, 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
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS500

LOCATION

سويدية صغيرة, Sweidah Sagheer, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, LCCSY, reported that 14 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Suweida village, though the source didn’t identify who was responsible for the raid. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS533

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the grain silos area in Al Tabaqa, according to local sources. Front of Raqqa Revolution and Sounandpicture said that the two victims were workers at the silos. All sources alleged that this was a Coalition strike.  

Summary

First published
February 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS566

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian died and three were injured in an alleged Coalition air strike on Al Mansoura town, according to a single source. Smart News said that warplanes “likely” belonging to the Coalition “launched raids on the burners for oil [primitive oil refineries] near the town of Mansoura [24 km west of the city of Raqqa]

Summary

First published
March 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS631

LOCATION

مضر, Mudar, Raqqa, Syria

Almanar, Syrialive54 and Sy_reporter claimed that Coalition jets killed eight civilians and wounded “many more” in an airstrike on Mudar. Other sources also put the death toll at eight, but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.  

Summary

First published
March 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
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

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS665

LOCATION

حويجة السواقي, Howeija Al Sawaki, Raqqa, Syria

According to local sources, five civilians including a woman and a child died when the boat they were in near the town of Howeija al-Suwaki was struck. A report by Glasswire cited Raqqa24 and RaqqaSL which blamed the Coalition. However, it also reported that “a spokesperson for the US-led coalition told Grasswire that it ‘does

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS699

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqa, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Alexandria in Tabaqa, according to local sources. Ahmad-Alshibli named two victims – killed by unidentified “warplanes and heavy machine guns”. The victims were additionally named by Q_Alenzy and Step News Agency, which also blamed the Coalition.

Summary

First published
April 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS732

LOCATION

الفلاحة, Felaha, Raqqa, Syria

One adult male was killed in an airstrike on the Felaha area behind Rabia’a school in Raqqa, according to local sources. R.Tahrir.Alsham and the Shaam News Network reported that a “bulldozer” or “trucks” were struck by “a military drone” killing the driver. The sources didn’t identify the culprit or say whether the driver was a

Summary

First published
April 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident