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

August 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1415

LOCATION

Bedo, Raqqa, Syria

More than one civilian was killed by suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Bedou neighbourhood, Raqqa. Mohamad.othman.7503 posted photographs on Facebook of extensive material destruction on the “health, housing – Hawara School District”, whilst other sources published graphic photographs of civilians who were reported killed. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered later reported on 4th September “The

Summary

First published
August 25, 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 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1418a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strike 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 “Ousama

Summary

First published
August 25, 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

August 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1412

LOCATION

Deir Ezzor, Syria

A woman was named as killed in an airstrike on Deir ez-Zor, though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for her death. The majority of sources blamed either Russia or the regime, however, Hasaka Rasd and Euphrates Post did not apportion blame.  

Summary

First published
August 24, 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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1413

LOCATION

al Der'iya, Raqqa, Syria

An adult male and his youngest daughter were killed in suspected US-led Coalition strikes on al Der’iya neighbourhood, west of Raqqa city. Out of the eleven sources collected two did not specify an actor and referred only to “shelling”, whilst nine sources blamed the US-led Coalition.  

Summary

First published
August 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1413a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, two civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition mortar attack 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 states that “Mohamed

Summary

First published
August 24, 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1411

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 16 civilians died and up to 64 were wounded in alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes in Raqqa between August 23rd and 24th, local media reported. It should be noted that these are general numbers and may encompass other casualty events; moreover, locations of these deaths in Raqqa are currently unclear. Euphrates Post

Summary

First published
August 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 16
Civilians reported injured
60–64
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

August 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1409

LOCATION

Mulla Zaid near Tal Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria

Twelve civilians were reported killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike near the village of Mulla Zaid, close to Tal Jayer town. The dozen people who died were travelling in a vehicle, described as a “closed car” or “van”, when they were hit. Zamanalwasl referred to the victims as displaced people though did not mention

Summary

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

August 23, 2017

Incident Code

CI834

LOCATION

الكرابلة, Mahdi school area of Karabla, Al Anbar, Iraq

Five civilians, including three women, were reported killed following airstrikes on Karabla. In particular, the Mahdi School was said to have been hit. Sources described heavy shelling by warplanes. While the Yagein news agency referred to government aircraft as the perpetrators, it was not clear from other reports who was responsible for the strike, however.

Summary

First published
August 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 women)
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
Suspected belligerent
Iraq Government Forces
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

August 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1410

LOCATION

Tib Al-Hadeeth, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tib Al Hadeeth in the city of Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. No additional details are presently known. In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible, noting “After a review of all available

Summary

First published
August 23, 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 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1408

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On August 23, 2017, six members of the Lafi family were among up to 11 civilians reported killed in air raids on the city of Mayadin, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or even Russia were responsible. Although Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported

Summary

First published
August 23, 2017
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 11
(1–3 children1–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1407

LOCATION

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria

A man was killed and five of his family injured following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Rumaila, Raqqa. According to Hasaka Rasd and Syrianfreearmy, “his wife and four children injured” in the attack. Ahmad Shbli reported an “intensive artillery bombardment” of the Al-Badu, Nahda and Rumaila areas of the city, but made no mention of

Summary

First published
August 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
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

August 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1406

LOCATION

various villages south of Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Airstrikes hit Markada and the villages of Al-Dushisha, Rakhsh, Al-Zaynat and Al-Fadghmi, in the south of Al-Hasaka, according to local sources. The US-led Coalition was alleged to have conducted the strikes. Specific casualty numbers were unknown, however, according to the Al Qaeda-linked group Tahrir Al Sham, which claimed that “the International Alliance launched air raids

Summary

First published
August 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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

August 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1405

LOCATION

الملاهي, near Malahi (amusement park), Raqqa, Syria

A major civilian casualty event in which 40 to 50 or more people reportedly died, and between 60 and 100 people injured, followed US-led Coalition airstrikes in conjunction with artillery shelling, alleged local sources. The offensive targeted the Malahi (Amusement Park) district of Raqqa City and obliterated a four-storey residential building, where more than 40

Summary

First published
August 22, 2017
Last updated
March 24, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40 – 50
Civilians reported injured
60–100
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

August 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1398

LOCATION

السخاني, Sukhani neighbourhood, near Hani mosque, Raqqa, Syria

In a major casualty incident, as many as between 33 and 60 civilians, including many women and children, died following US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al-Sakhani, Raqqa. Almost a year later the US-led alliance accepted responsibility for 33 deaths. According to Baladi, the strike was near the Al-Hani mosque, while Qasioun reported that one of the

Summary

First published
August 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
33 – 60
(12–19 children12–13 women3–8 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
33 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1404

LOCATION

الحديقة البيضا,البدو , Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

A whole family of eight people was reported killed in Raqqa as a result of alleged US-led Coalition strikes. The family were displaced persons from the city of Palmyra. Other civilians were suspected injured following the attack. All sources tracked held the US-led Coalition responsible for the incident. Syrian Press Center said it was “a

Summary

First published
August 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(5 children1–2 women2 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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1403

LOCATION

البدو, Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

In a major casualty event, between 18 and 50 civilians reportedly died and up to 56 more were wounded – many of them women and children – as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa’s Bedo neighbourhood, local media reported. According to Baladi, “20 civilians, including women and children, were killed and dozens of

Summary

First published
August 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 50
(3–19 children1–12 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–56
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 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1401

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and other local sources reported that 78 civilians were killed in alleged US-led Coalition and SDF artillery strikes during the past 24 hours on the city of Raqqa. It is important to note that these are general civilian casualty numbers, and could encompass other civilian casualty entries.

Summary

First published
August 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
78
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

August 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1402

LOCATION

Tawassouiya, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian, named as Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumair, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. There are no other details at this time. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their reported noted: “After review of all available strike records it was determined that more

Summary

First published
August 21, 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 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI833

LOCATION

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that more than 30 civilians were killed in an aerial bombardment on Tal Afar, west of Mosul, Nineveh. A single source, Omara Al Halbusi, blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack, which he claimed destroyed houses and the civilians inside. The other sources tracked by Airwars did not specify any particular faction

Summary

First published
August 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30
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

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1430

LOCATION

Sooq Al-Hall, Raqqa, Syria

Local media reported a family of five, including children and three women, were killed following US-led Coalition airstrikes, near the market in Sooq Al-Hall, Raqqa. The child, Saleh Fawaz Ahmad al Abdullah (pictured), and his family were killed after “Coalition warplane missiles fired on the old al Hal Market area south of Raqqa City” according

Summary

First published
August 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(0–1 children3 women1–2 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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CI832

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an incident near Tal Afar, Iraq. Their January 2018 civilian casualty report noted “During a Coalition strike which killed at least two ISIS members and destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system being prepared to fire it

Summary

First published
August 20, 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.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1400

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Raqqa, Syria. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS weapons cache, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the

Summary

First published
August 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1399

LOCATION

السخاني, Ar Raqqah: Sukhani neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

On January 31st, several local sources reported on the exhumation of the bodies of Mahmoud al-Dalli Abu Riyad (nicknamed Mahmoud al-Iraqi), his wife Suad al-Bayati and his daughter Mariam al-Dalli. According to most reports, the family was killed in a bombing by the “international Coalition”. It is currently unclear at what specific date during the

Summary

First published
August 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1397

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Between 50 and 118 civilians were killed, including many women and children, in the city of Raqqa in the last 48-72 hours. The sources blamed US-led Coalition airstrikes for the significant number of life lost over the short period. According to @AhmadShbli, seven whole families were part of those killed. Smart news agency reported “in

Summary

First published
August 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
50 – 118
Civilians reported injured
60
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

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1394

LOCATION

المرور, Ar Raqqah: Mouroor neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Coalition air raids on Raqqa resulted in the deaths of 9 civilians, including 4 children. The US-led alliance later admitted responsibility for the deaths, following an Amnesty International field investigation. Amnesty researchers interviewed Munira Hashish who lost 18 members of her family, nine of whom were killed in a Coalition air strike. She stated: “It

Summary

First published
August 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
21 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1395

LOCATION

حديقة المرورية, Al Hadika al Mororia, Raqqa, Syria

Local media sources reported that Ghassan al-Shammati was killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrike in Raqqa. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed the US for the attack, whilst Hasaka Rasd referred to “artillery bombardment” as the form of attack. According to Hnoda4474, the victim died “after the bombing by Coalition aircraft in the area of

Summary

First published
August 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1396

LOCATION

دوار النعيم, Naim roundabout, Raqqa, Syria

In a major civilian casualty event, between 23 and 50 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in the Bedo neighborhood of Raqqa, local media reported. However, in May 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed the civilian harm allegations as non-credible, noting “after a review of all available strike records it was determined

Summary

First published
August 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
23 – 50
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1393

LOCATION

Al Sa'a, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported that two civilians died following airstrikes on Raqqa. Ibrahim Ali al-Bakar (born 1954) and his son Khalil Ibrahim al-Bakar (born 1985) were named as the victims. RBSS blamed the US-led Coalition for the incident. According to a Facebook post by Amer Alywy the father and son were killed

Summary

First published
August 19, 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI831

LOCATION

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of five civilians in an event near Tal Afar, Iraq. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS headquarters structure, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.” In July 2019 the Coalition

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI830

LOCATION

Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

As many as 300 civilians were allegedly killed and injured in Tal Afar over three days of shelling. Information on the number of lives lost was retrieved from local medical sources, who said mostly women and children were killed and wounded. According to JBC – which said that 300 civilians were killed across two days

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
150 – 300
Civilians reported injured
150–300
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