US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

December 30, 2015

Incident Code

CI171

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged Coalition strike at Hit in Anbar resulted in the deaths of four named civilians. Hit News reported that Coalition strikes hit the area around the Khaled Saadoun mosque and a nearby industrial district “resulting in the deaths of a number of innocent citizens.” In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports,

Summary

First published
December 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2–4 men)
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 30, 2015

Incident Code

CI170

LOCATION

حي سومر, Mosul, Sumer, Nineveh, Iraq

Ten civilian prisoners were reportedly killed in an alleged 5 am Coalition strike on Mosul which targeted the Nineveh provincial council building. According to A3Maq, “international coalition aircraft launched at dawn on Wednesday several raids in which some 20 rockets were fired, The aircraft targeted the marriage contracts office, the Office of the Ombudsman and

Summary

First published
December 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
31
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI169

LOCATION

العربي, Mosul, Arabi and Cairo petrol station, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged Coalition strike on two Daesh positions in western Mosul also reportedly led to an unspecified number of civilian casualties. According to NRN News, vehicles used by Daesh to transport oil were destroyed in a 1pm strike, killing about 15 militants. But the attack also destroyed the ‘Cairo’ gas station, which in turn damaged

Summary

First published
December 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

December 27, 2015

Incident Code

CI168

LOCATION

حي المثنى, Mosul, al-Muthanna, al-Masaref, al-Tahrir, and al-Qadisiyah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to single source the National Iraqi News Agency, 12 civilians died and 11 were “severely wounded” in Coalition airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of al-Muthanna, al-Masaref, al-Tahrir, and al-Qadisiyah, north of Mosul. MNN cited Kurdish official Ghyath Surja as saying the Coalition had carried out a targeted strike on a vehicle at al-Muthanna, though did

Summary

First published
December 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI166

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

Military aircraft – which some sources described as the Coalition’s – reportedly killed five civilians in a Christmas Day strike. According to Al Rafidain the attack could have been the work either of the Iraq Army or the Coalition, noting that “army aviation commander Hamid al-Maliki also confirmed that army helicopters carried out a raid

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
20
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

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI167

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, General hospital, Al Anbar, Iraq

Fallujah’s General Hospital was cited as reporting that seven people were killed – including five children and one woman – following an alleged Coalition airstrike. Three women and a child were also said to have been injured. However, the Iraqi Spring Media Center did not attribute the incident to any party. And artillery sheling of

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4
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

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

CI165

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

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

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI163

LOCATION

Keseir, Iraq

Six civilians were reportedly killed and three injured – all children and women – after Coalition jets allegedly bombed their house in Keseir village east of Mosul.

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children2 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
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI164

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

A Coalition strike, possibly by drone, killed five civilians after a missile was said to have hit a restaurant in 17 Street in Ramadi. On June 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “Dec. 21, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on ISIS fighters, it was assessed that

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
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

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI162

LOCATION

حي الوحدة, Mosul, Wahida, Nineveh, Iraq

In the second of three claimed incidents in Mosul on this date, it was reported that 17 civilians – including four women and five children – were killed in an alleged Coalition strike in the Wehda and Methak neighbourhoods east of Mosul. However, there was some doubt regarding the incident, with NRN News reportedly denying

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(5 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
9
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

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI161

LOCATION

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th (Medical centre), Nineveh, Iraq

Reuters reported that “About 20 people, including at least 12 civilians, were killed on Monday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, in two air strikes that destroyed houses believed to be used by Islamic State militants, six eyewitnesses and a medical source said.” According to the international news agency, “The two strikes happened within

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 20
(4 children2 women1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
17–50
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

December 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI160

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Amid heavy airstrikes on the city of Fallujah, at least four children were among up to eight people reported killed when a home was struck in an alleged Coalition attack. According to Al Fallujah News, those killed were a father, mother and their six children. News Fallujah Now, citing “medical sources at Fallujah General Hospital”

Summary

First published
December 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(4–6 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2015

Incident Code

CI159

LOCATION

شارع السكلات, Hit, Alscalt Street, Al Anbar, Iraq

It was reported by several sources that the Coalition struck Hit city, resulting in the injury of eight civilians including three children and two women. According to the local site Hit News, an airstrike struck a militant vehicle carrying weapons, ammunition and food, injuring civilians in the immediate vicinity. The Coalition has confirmed targeting an

Summary

First published
December 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2015

Incident Code

CI157

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Three professors from the University of Mosul were among four civilians and a Daesh official reported killed in an alleged Coaliton airstrike. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, Salah Mohammed Afri, responsible for student affairs, “was killed along with two [or three] professors appointed by Daesh to the Faculty of Dentistry at the University

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(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

December 13, 2015

Incident Code

CI158

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were single-source claims that 19 civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on Mosul. Citing local residents, the National Iraqi News Agency claimed that “international coalition aircraft bombed residential compounds in the Hadbah area east of Mosul, killing 19 civilians including six women and four children, and wounding six others.” However Airwars’ own sources in

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(4 children6 women)
Civilians reported injured
6
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

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

CI156

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

A family of five including three children was killed in a US airstrike on the Albothiab Island area of Ramadi. The deceased, the Kazem family, were later named by Al Fallujah News. CENTCOM confirmed the casualty event on April 22nd 2016, noting: “On Dec. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike on ISIL personnel

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Incident Code

CI155

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Road between Ramadi and Rutba, Al Anbar, Iraq

Eight civilians – including a senior veterinarian and his wife – were reported killed when three vehicles were hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike, as they travelled on the road between Ramadi and Rutba. Dr. Ahmed Hamid Al-Jumaily (pictured) – the director of a major veterinary hospital in Anbar – was killed along with his

Summary

First published
December 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children2 women2 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

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI154

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

One child was reported killed and three civilians injured in an alleged Coalition strike at Mosul. Mosul Nawen and Iraqi Spring claimed the attack was carried out by a drone, on the east side the city (‘left bank’). In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
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

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI153

LOCATION

الشركة, Ramadi, Sharika, Al Anbar, Iraq

Four civilians were reported killed and 17 injured in an alleged Coalition or Iraqi strike on the centre of Ramadi. According to FaceIraq, the source of the claim appeared to be Sputnik News, which itself reproted that “According to Iraqi security sources, who asked not to be named, a Coalition strike on the ‘Company’ area

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
17
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

December 7, 2015

Incident Code

CI151

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that eleven civilians were killed including two children – with three doctors injured – after Coalition aircraft allegedly bombed two health centers in Aski Mosul and Baduish villages in Mosul. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in these strikes

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
(2 children)
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

December 7, 2015

Incident Code

CI152

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged Coalition airstrike on the Thubat district of Fallujah reportedly killed a young girl named as Ayesha Wadhah, and also wounded two other children named as Tabarek Wadhah (who lost a hand) and her brother Osama Wadhah. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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, Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2015

Incident Code

CI150

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Warrar, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed that at least five civilians – mostly children and women from two displaced families – were killed and six to 12 wounded after an aerial bombing of their home in the Warrar area of Ramadi. Al Samaria quoted what it said was an anonymous source in the Daesh-occupied city: “Two missiles from

Summary

First published
December 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1–4 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–12
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

December 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI037

LOCATION

حميدات, Humaidat, Nineveh, Iraq

Two children were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the town of Hemidiat to the west of Mosul. According to Shafaqna and others, the strike hit the commercial district of the town: “The death of two children has beeen reported from an aerial bombardment by international Coalition aircraft west of Mosul. Early detection of

Summary

First published
December 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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

December 2, 2015

Incident Code

CI149

LOCATION

راوة, Rawa, Al Anbar, Iraq

At least one civilian was alleged killed in a claimed Coalition airstrike at Rawa. According to Heet News a market and civilian homes were among the structures hit. Most media placed the death toll at one, though some reports claimed fatalities were as high as seven. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led

Summary

First published
December 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
Civilians reported injured
6
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

December 1, 2015

Incident Code

CI148

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple civilian casualties were claimed in Qayyarah after the Coalition was accused of bombing civilian houses in the town. Face Iraq reported that seven children and an elderly woman died in the event, which it said destroyed six houses in the vicinity of the Khader mosque (which some sources said had also been destroyed). Three

Summary

First published
December 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
(0–7 children0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

November 26, 2015

Incident Code

CI147

LOCATION

جامع خالد بن الوليد, Fallujah, near Khalid Bin Al Waleed mosque, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources in Fallujah alleged that Coalition aircraft bombed a house with three families inside near Khalid Bin Al Waleed mosque, killing at least 12 and wounding six more – mostly children and women. The reported 11.30pm airstrike caused multiple casualties, with many victims buried under a collapsed building. The Baghdad Centre for Human Rights

Summary

First published
November 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 17
(8 children2 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
18 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI146

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A high-ranking officer with the Iraq Army was the reported source for a highly contested claim – most likely Daesh propaganda – that French aircraft had bombed a school in Mosul, allegedly killing 28 pupils. According to German news agency DPA, Brigadier-General Thanon Sabawi from the Second Division of the Iraqi Army claimed that “French

Summary

First published
November 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28
Civilians reported injured
5
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 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI145

LOCATION

أبو جربوعة, Abu Jarbua, Nineveh, Iraq

According to Iraqi MP Salim Jumah, five civilians from the Shabakian tribe were killed including three children and a woman, after Coalition aircraft allegedly bombed their house in Abu Jarbua village in Bashiqa, east of Mosul. Speaking to NRN News, the local Shabak Party MP called for compensation for those killed and naming them. In

Summary

First published
November 24, 2015
Last updated
March 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI144

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

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

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI143

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

At least ten civilians were reported killed and 13 or more injured, after a Coalition strike at 8.30am which targeted a Daesh IED facility also reportedly hit a next-door dairy factory in Mosul. According to the local Nineveh Reporters’ Network, the attack “killed all elements of the organization [Daesh] who were inside the booby-trapping plant,

Summary

First published
November 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 13
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
13–28
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