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 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

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1391

LOCATION

البياطرة, al Bayatra, Raqqa, Syria

The death of a young man, named Ali Ismail al-Mu’idi, was reported by local media. His death followed an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike on the city of Raqqa. No other details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
August 19, 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 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1392

LOCATION

Al Thakana, Raqqa, Syria

One person was killed in alleged US-Coalition airstrikes, al Thakana neighbourhood, Raqqa city. Reports of his death arose only twenty days after the incident. Dchrs said he died due to “indiscriminate shelling of coalition forces”, whilst Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently accused the Coalition of “bombing…on the barracks neighbourhood”. No additional details are available at

Summary

First published
August 19, 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 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1390

LOCATION

Dashisa, Al Hassakah, Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death of two people following alleged US-led Coalition strikes in Al-Dashisha in southern Hasaka. According to the single source, “a man and his wife, were killed by bombing by warplanes believes to be related to the International Coalition”.

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI828

LOCATION

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local media sources reported on the death of an unknown number of civilians following alleged airstrikes on Anah district in Anbar Province. The head of the district council, Abdul Karim al-Ani, called on the government to stop the shelling because it targets the homes of unarmed civilians and has led to deaths and injuries. All

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI829

LOCATION

القائم, Qaem, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local media sources reported on the death of an unknown number of civilians, after alleged airstrikes on Qeam district in Anbar Province. The head of the district council, Abdul Karim al-Ani, called on the government to stop the shelling because it targets the homes of unarmed civilians and has led to deaths and injuries. All

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1388

LOCATION

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

One man, named as Omar al-Kafri, was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition strike in Raqqa, local sources said. It was reported by Raqqa r_w_b that Omar al-Kafri was struck nearby “the house of his family, beside the Al Hadika Al Bayda while distributing water from the well he had dug with his neighbours”. All

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1389

LOCATION

Al Jazza'a, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a major civilian casualty incident, between 15 and 41 people reportedly died following an alleged US-led Coalition strike on Al Jazza’a [or al-Helo] village. The civilians were leaving Asr prayer at the village mosque when they were hit, local media sources reported. According to Hasaka Rasd and multiple other sources, “the village was not

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21 – 41
(3 children2 men)
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
Named victims
11 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1387

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One man named Mohammed Khair Chalwan was killed in an alleged airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Ahmad Shbli directly blamed the Coalition for his death, while other sources referred to an “aerial bombardment”.  

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(24–1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1386

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Abdul Rahman Samer Akl (b.1997), a second year medical student from Deir ez-Zour, was killed whilst trying to aid the wounded in the city of Raqqa, local media reported. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, this was a result of “aerial bombardment by Coalition aircraft”, with the majority of other sources also blaming the

Summary

First published
August 18, 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 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI827

LOCATION

Akashat, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local press and other sources reported on the death of three civilians, all from the same family, in airstrikes on Al Rutba, 420 km west of Baghdad. According to Amad Al-Dulaimi, the mayor of Ar Rutba, the family was killed following a bomb dropped by an unknown aircraft. Sahafaty News also quoted the mayor who

Summary

First published
August 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1385

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Local media sources reported on the death of up to 46 civilians and 60 others wounded following suspected Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa over the previous 48 hours. According to a report by the Thiqa Agency the “shelling focused on civilian homes and residential neighbourhoods”. These are general numbers and it is likely that they will

Summary

First published
August 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
39 – 46
(3–11 children2–9 women)
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 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1384

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

The death of Ayman Abdul Razzaq al-Suwaif and five members of his family, was reported by multiple local media sources. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack. No additional details including the neighbourhood location are presently known.  

Summary

First published
August 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1382

LOCATION

الملاهي, Malahi, Raqqa, Syria

In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 20 civilians reportedly died following alleged US-led Coalition attacks on the Malahi area in Raqqa. The Coalition later confirmed having unintentionally killed three and injured nine in this strike. Local media reported on the death of 15 or more civilians after “Muawiya bin Abi Sufian” school was

Summary

First published
August 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1383 ISSY001

LOCATION

الشجرة, Al Shajra, Daraa, Syria

Up to 27 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Shajra in western Daraa. According to Daraa Martyrs Documentation Center, 32 “mostly civilians” were killed when positions of Jaish Khalid bin Walid, a Salafi jihadist group, were targeted. The report claimed that the Coalition launched a long-range missile, which “targeted the

Summary

First published
August 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 27
(1 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, Israeli Military
Suspected target
Other
Belligerents reported killed
5
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1381

LOCATION

الجميلي, Jamili Street, Raqqa, Syria

One man, identified by the Syrian Human Rights Committee as Saeed Mohammad Nashif was killed in alleged air or artillery strikes on the Jamili District of Raqqa, according to local sources. Activists who spoke to Smart News said that a civilian was killed by “artillery shelling of the Syrian Democratic Forces on the city’s Jumaili

Summary

First published
August 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1380

LOCATION

Mu'awiya school/Mal'ab Al-Aswad area, Raqqa, Syria

Thirty civilians including up to 13 children and three women from three families died and dozens more were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling on Raqqa, according to local sources. Reports said that the entire Al-Sayer Al-Enezi family died in the strike – along with multiple members of other families. There was, however,

Summary

First published
August 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30
(4–13 children2–3 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–36
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
22 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1442

LOCATION

23 Shubat Street, Centre, Raqqa, Syria

Ten civilians from one family, including six women and two children, were reported killed following airstrikes by the US-led Coalition according to local sources. Reports said the strikes hit a residential building in the city of Raqqa in which the family were located, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named the victims. Syrianpc said an unknown

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(6 children3 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

August 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1379 RS2390

LOCATION

زباري, Al Zabari, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian male was killed in an airstrike on Al-Zabari, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia was to blame for the raids. There were no reports of wounded civilians. Sharqya Voice, Saud Sbekhan and Alarby blamed the Coalition. But according to the

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1378 RS2389

LOCATION

صبيخان, Subikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources said that up to six civilians were killed and up to ten more wounded in airstrikes on the town of Subikhan in the countryside of Eastern Deir Ezzor. It was unclear which party was culpable for this civilian casualty event. At present, two out of sixteen sources hold the US-led Coalition responsible, two

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1377

LOCATION

Wahda, Nahda and Bedu areas, Raqqa, Syria

Between 14 and 17 people were killed, and 30 to 74 injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local media said. According to reports, the neighbourhoods of “Wahda and Nahdha and the Bedu” were targeted. Raqqa24 tweeted that the civilian deaths were a result of “bombing by Coalition aircraft” and SANA, the Syrian Arab News

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 17
(5 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
30–74
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 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1376

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Local media reported that Mrs Khatoon Abdul Wahab Al – Khader Al – Fahad, the wife of the late Haj Mustafa Al Daham Al Badran, died on August 20th from wounds sustained in an alleged Coalition airstrike on August 16th.  

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1375

LOCATION

شارع معتز, West of Mu'Taz Street, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 30 civilians including women and children died and dozens more were wounded in a Coalition airstrike on the area west of Al-Mu’taz Street in Raqqa, according to local media. The Coalition later confirmed having unintentionally injured two civilians in this strike. All sources attributed the event to the US-led Coalition, with a number

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 30
(6–13 children5–6 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–36
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
Named victims
12 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1379a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

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

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1375b

LOCATION

Raqqa: West of Mu'taaz street, Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one woman was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in the area west of Al-Mu’taz street in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1374

LOCATION

Al Meshrab, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four to six civilians were killed in alleged airstrikes in the town of Al-Mesrab in the Western suburb of Deir Ezzor, according to local media. Sources initially reported only the death of Saleh al-Hamad al-Saud. However the number of fatalities later rose to at least four. The event was described by the Euphrates Post as

Summary

First published
August 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1 woman)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1373

LOCATION

Baladi Stadium and Muawiya School District, Raqqa, Syria

Between six and ten people were reported killed including 2 or more children, in an “aerial bombardment” on the city of Raqqa. At present nearly all of the sources allege that the US-led Coalition was responsible for the incident. Significant material destruction was caused to the Baladi Stadium area and the School District of Muawiya

Summary

First published
August 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(2 children1 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
View Incident

Incident date

August 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1375a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, 11 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. The family names Thalji and Sueri

Summary

First published
August 15, 2017
Last updated
March 24, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
(2 women2 men)
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 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1372

LOCATION

Central neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources said that 23 civilians were killed and 60 injured after alleged US-led Coalition strikes targeted neighbourhoods of Raqqa. Sound and Picture reported that the “SDF militia” had engaged in the offensive during the daytime with “intensive artillery”, whilst the US-led Coalition conducted airstrikes in the night. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has

Summary

First published
August 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
23
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
50–60
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1372b

LOCATION

al-Badu, Raqqa, Syria

In this single-source event, a family of five, including two children and one woman, were killed as alleged Coalition airstrike hit a house in which the family had sought shelter in, in al-Badu, Raqqa, Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality, reported. Amnesty’s field researcher reported that the family was

Summary

First published
August 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children1 woman2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident