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

February 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI195

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed that at least 13 and as many as 46 civilians from ‘ISIS families’ – including children and women – were killed when their bus was bombed between Qayarrah and Shura south of Mosul as it was trying to cross the Iraqi-Syrian border. The bodies were reportedly transferred to the Forensic Medicine institution

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 46
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

April 5, 2016

Incident Code

CS197

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

A former Syrian table tennis champion and national coach named as Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban was reported by VDC as having died “Due to coalition air force’s shelling.” The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria later published a detailed obituary: “The teacher Mukhles Khreiban was martyred yesterday on Tuesday evening in the province of

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
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

May 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS211

LOCATION

دابق‎, Dabiq, thread making workshop, Aleppo, Syria

One or more civilian non-combatants were reported killed – and at least two others injured – after an alleged Coalition air raid on the village of Dabiq. Step News, citing an Islamic State source – said seven civilians were also injured in the event. Another source said the civilian casualties occurred when a workshop for

Summary

First published
May 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
7
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

June 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI252

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to various local sources reported that an alleged Coalition shelled the Hasi area of Fallujah, leading to the death of six families, two of whom were killed while trying to leave Fallujah. Al Fallujah Online said 10 people died, including four women and three children, and that 13 others were wounded, including five children and four

Summary

First published
June 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(3 children4 women1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
13
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

July 8, 2016

Incident Code

CS252

LOCATION

تل السمن, Tal al Samin, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition night raid on the village of Tal al Samin. According to Local Civil Defence of Syria, “Coalition planes launched a raid last night on the village of Tal Al Samin south of the town of Ain Issa, which led to the death of two civilians –

Summary

First published
July 8, 2016
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Incident Code

CS280

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition (or possibly Assad regime) airstrike on a fuel truck also killed two civilians and injured two more, according to reports. According to Al Hall, “Two civilians were killed and two others wounded, on Sunday afternoon, bombed by warplanes on the road in the Mayadeen desert east of Deir al-Zour). Abu Omar (a

Summary

First published
July 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS299

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

The United States self-reported that one of its airstrikes in the vicinity of Raqqa may have killed civilians. The incident appears to correlate with a number of reported attacks on the city that day. In a press release issued August 24th, CENTCOM noted: “A strike yesterday on an ISIL weapons facility near Ar Raqqah, Syria,

Summary

First published
August 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
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

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

CS327 TS005

LOCATION

الثلثانة, Taltanah, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 19 civilians including 3 children were killed – and as many as 41 people injured – when airstrikes hit the village of Al Thaltanah. Multiple reports initially assigned blame to the Coalition or Turkish forces. However, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition conceded it had injured one civilian in the event. The Syrian

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 19
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
41
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Named victims
11 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

CI306

LOCATION

تل كيف‎, Tel Kepe (Tel Kayf), Nineveh, Iraq

Eight members of the same family were killed followed an alleged Coalition strikes, according to local sources. Multiple local outlets reported that 8 civilians – all members of the same family – were killed on October 24th in Tel Kepe, a town less than 15km north of Mosul. Yagen identified the father of the family

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(7 children1 man)
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS376

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported that an unspecified number of civilian casualties were caused by a Coalition strike on al Tabaqa. According to Smart News, “A number of civilians died and wounded on Wednesday-Thursday night due to aerial bombing of the international coalition on Tabaqa city in the western countryside of Raqqa.” No other details are

Summary

First published
November 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

CI353

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an alleged incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition noted in January 2017 that Nov. 28, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: No Coalition strikes were conducted on structures in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties. A senior official later informed Airwars that the alleged incident had come to light as

Summary

First published
November 28, 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

December 12, 2016

Incident Code

CI370

LOCATION

حي الفلاح, Mosul, al Falah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to survivors, eight civilians died in a reported 2 pm following an alleged Coalition strike on Hay al Falah. Buzzfeed journalist Mike Giglio met with survivors in Mosul in early 2017. he provided this account to Airwars: Eight civilian relatives of Nawal Fathi Khala, born 1954, also known as Um Ghassan. Leg wounds to

Summary

First published
December 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
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
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI393

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Fatih, Nineveh, Iraq

Fourteen people including women and children were killed, and 15 wounded by Coalition strikes in the Garage and Fatih areas, according to local reports. Several outlets, including Iraqi Spring Media Center, reported that 14 people, “mostly women and children” were killed and an additional 15 wounded by Coalition raids in eastern Mosul.  

Summary

First published
January 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
15
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 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS437

LOCATION

دبسي عفنان, Debsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria

Between two and four civilians including a child were alleged killed in a Coalition airstrike on Debsi Afnan, according to some local sources. Al Natek reported that four non-combatants died in a Coalition strike. And the Syrian Network said “at least two civilians including a child died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Debsi

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–4
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS451

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian woman was killed following air raids by an unidentified belligerent on Raqqa city. According to LCCSY and other, “Mrs. Dalal Zare’ al Haj Ta’ama was martyred following raids on the city. The martyr is from Deir Ezzor province.”  

Summary

First published
January 20, 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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI448

LOCATION

Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in April that a self-assessment had concluded no civilian casualties had occured in a February 4th action at Mosul. According to the report: “Feb. 4, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that

Summary

First published
February 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS495

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Heavy Coalition airstrikes on al Tabaqa resulted in at least one civilian death, according to multiple reports. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered said that “several missiiles fell near Omar al Mukhtar school in al Tabaqa” killing one child and injuring two or more. According to Step News “B52s launched ten air strikes targeting points in al

Summary

First published
February 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS519

LOCATION

between Hazima & al Abb'ara, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, the Smart news agency, reported that “In the northern countryside, warplanes launched raids on the two villages of Hazima and al A’bbara which led to the death of one civilian and wounding three, one of them in a critical condition.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
February 21, 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

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS537

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Fardous/ paradise area, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians died and 12 others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to a single source, Smart news agency. Smart reported: “According to local sources the raids targeted the automated bakery at al Ferdos in the Paradise neighbourhood and Saif al Dawla street. Medical sources said that the raids resulted in

Summary

First published
February 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI508

LOCATION

حي المطاحن, Mosul, Al-Matahin / Mills, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 40 civilians were killed and more than 76 injured, mostly children and women, in Coalition airstrikes on the Station, Mills and Fatah neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul. While Iraqi Spring Media Center blamed the US for carrying out the raids (and posted several graphic images of children

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
36 – 40
(7 children)
Civilians reported injured
76–84
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

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI528

LOCATION

حي الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source told Airwars’ Iraq-based field researcher that three of his family members died in the Farouk neighbourhood of Mosul, after Coalition airstrikes allegedly targeted their house at 3pm in the afternoon while they were praying. The family member provided Airwars with the names of the casualties, his father and his two brothers.  

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS578

LOCATION

الجينة, Al Jina, Aleppo, Syria

A unilateral US drone strike on a mosque complex near al Jina town killed between 37 and 62 civilians according to multiple reports and eyewitness statements. While the US has admitted it carried out the attack, officials have claimed that al Jina’s Omar Ibn al Khattab mosque where the casualties occurred was not targeted in

Summary

First published
March 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
37 – 62
(5–15 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
100
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
28 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS595

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Multiple locations, Raqqa, Syria

In the third reported event at Tabaqa on March 20th, five civilians died and nine were injured in an airstrike in Tabaqa, though it was unclear from reports who was responsible. According to the Smart news agency, “five civilians were killed and nine others were injured on Monday evening following raids targeting the market car

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS613

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians died and ten more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a mosque in Tabaqa, according to local media. Alfayha reported that “a Coalition warplane shelled near Fatima mosque in the Maghniya neighbourhood after Friday Prayers and killed five civilians and wounded 10 more. The death toll is likely to increase.” Smart

Summary

First published
March 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10
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

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS636

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria

Eight civilians from one family – displaced from Maskanah – died when an alleged Coalition airstrike hit their car in Mansoura, according to local sources. According to Jisr TV, six civilians from the same family died. Syria News Desk also reported: “The opposition media activist Mohammed Othman from al-Raqqa countryside told the Syria News Agency

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
13
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS658

LOCATION

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, Khelafa and Syriapc, five civilians including three children died and three others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ratla village and Al Akeirshi village. The injured were reportedly treated at a nearby field hospital. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
April 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS672

LOCATION

الكالطة, Qaltah, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that one civilian was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Al Kalta. Revolutionary Forces of Syria said he died when his home was struck. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

First published
April 7, 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

April 12, 2017

Incident Code

CI634

LOCATION

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later denied a social media claim that it had caused civilian casualties at Anah. According to its June report “April 12, 2017, near Annah, Iraq, via social media: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

Summary

First published
April 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS708

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Al Tabaqa, Raqqa, Syria

In a second reported incident for the day, a single source, Smart News Agency, reported “warplanes targeted the Mohammed Al-Faris school in Al Tabaqa, killing two prisoners, one prisoner from SDF and the other a civilian, and wounding five others.” Smart said it was unable to identify the victims. A local source reported prisoners were

Summary

First published
April 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 24, 2017

Incident Code

CI664

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

According to local sources, 22 civilians died and 48 were injured in air raids on several neighbourhoods in West Mosul. While Al Jazeera (referring to an ISIL source) and a tweet by @aisha_iq95 said the Coalition was responsible, other sources spoke both of Coalition and Iraqi forces aircraft carrying out the airstrikes.

Summary

First published
April 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
22
Civilians reported injured
48
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