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

October 18, 2018

Incident Code

CS1811

LOCATION

السوسة , al Soussa: Home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Aaliyya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least 9 and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed, described as women and children of Iraqi origin, following a reported Coalition airstrike on the home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Soussa. The event may be confused in some media and social media reports with one or two nearby additional civilian harm

Summary

First published
October 18, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 15
(4 children2 women)
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

October 1, 2018

Incident Code

CS1802

LOCATION

مسجد الهشيم السوسة , Al Soussa: al Hashim mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that the US-led Coalition bombed the al Hashim mosque in al Soussa. However, it was unclear whether the 29 to 33 people reported killed were civilians or members of ISIS. The Step News Agency said that the strike was carried out at dawn on October 1st, while the Syrian Network for Human

Summary

First published
October 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 33
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, 2018

Incident Code

CS1876

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Shaafa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

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

Summary

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

Incident date

February 17, 2019

Incident Code

CS1900a

LOCATION

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria

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

Summary

First published
February 17, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2017

Incident Code

TS057 CS455

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and 15 civilians died including two children and two women and 16 more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Al Bab, Syria, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Turkey or the US-led Coalition were responsible. Al Bab 24 said that “Al Bab city was exposed to a

Summary

First published
January 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 15
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
16
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2019

Incident Code

CS1920

LOCATION

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In a three hour operation between midnight and dawn in the al Katef neighborhood in the city of Al Shahil, at least five people were killed. Most local sources that reported on the incident claimed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible, with air support from the International Coalition. According to the Syrian Network for

Summary

First published
May 8, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2014

Incident Code

CI001

LOCATION

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

According to the German news agency DPA, the first known civilian victims of US bombing in the campaign occurred on August 16th, eight days into the air war. According to DPA, witnesses informed the agency’s reporter that “11 civilian were killed by a US airstrike when they chased [ISIL] fighters in Sinjar but its rockets

Summary

First published
August 16, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
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

July 16, 2019

Incident Code

CS1924

LOCATION

الطكيحي, Al Takihi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources alleged that the International Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carried out an airstrike that struck the home of ISIS leader Ragheb Hussein al-Hindoura at dawn, and claimed that the airstrike killed between 10 to 15 relatives in the house adjacent to Hassan’s house and wounded others. The dead and wounded relatives were reported

Summary

First published
July 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
Civilians reported injured
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
Belligerents reported killed
0–5
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2014

Incident Code

CI015

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Witnesses from Al-Qaim alleged that coalition airstrikes targeted a civilian house at midnight, killing a father and his three children and leaving the wife with severe injuries. The man’s name was given as Mohammed Hammad Alhialy. This may or may not be related to an incident cited by the United Nations in its quarterly report

Summary

First published
November 5, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2019

Incident Code

CS1892a

LOCATION

الباغوز, near al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the Coalition conceded the injuring of a civilian in a strike near Baghouz. According to the report, “January 25, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh tunnel entrance. Regrettably, one

Summary

First published
January 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
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
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 5, 2015

Incident Code

CS040

LOCATION

معرحطاط, Ma`arr Hitat, Idlib, Syria

The Syrian Martyrs website, lists one civilian male as a victim of a coalition strike. It is unclear whether he was killed in his home town of Ma’ar Hatat in Idlib or in Raqqa. However, the original listing in Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies lists him as a militant from Idlib – and reports

Summary

First published
January 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2022

Incident Code

CS1976

LOCATION

سجن الصناعة, Al Sina'a Prison, Al Hassakah, Syria

Between January 20th and January 26th 2022, Islamic State militants (ISIS) attempted to take control of Al-Sina’a prison in Gweran neighbourhood in Al-Hasakah, Syria. The prison, managed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), by some reports held between 3000 to 5000 individuals associated with ISIS, including “hundreds” of so-called ‘Cubs of the Caliphate’ – the

Summary

First published
January 20, 2022
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
Civilians reported injured
1–10
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
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
Known belligerent
Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
24–374
Belligerents reported injured
2–200
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2015

Incident Code

CS058

LOCATION

الجيسي, Al Jesse, Al Hassakah, Syria

It was reported that a coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Al Hassakah had killed three unnamed civilians: “The car was bombed while it was on the bridge of a village near the town [of Al Hassakah] which led to the death of three civilians, displaced from the city of Tal Hamis,” according to Thawrah.

Summary

First published
February 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

May 6, 2015

Incident Code

CS066

LOCATION

الغرة, Al-Gharah, Al Hassakah, Syria

A 65-year old man was killed in an alleged Coalition strike according to two separate investigations by international news organisations. According to his son Ahmed, Mr Hassan was walking to work in his village when shrapnel from a Coalition strike punctured his heart and leg and killed him: “He didn’t support any group,” Hassan told

Summary

First published
May 6, 2015
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

June 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI079

LOCATION

حديثة, Haditha, Al Anbar, Iraq

In a previously unknown case, CENTCOM reported on January 15th 2015 that US aircraft injured or possbily killed two or more civilians after an attack on an ISIL tactical unit and vehicles: According to the statement: “On June 29, 2015, near Haditha, Iraq, during strikes against one ISIL tactical unit and two ISIL vehicles, it

Summary

First published
June 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 30, 2015

Incident Code

CS108

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five members of one family including three children were killed in a reported 1.30am Coalition strike on the Syria-Iraq border, according to two sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted the following: “Suspected US-led coalition warplanes carried out several raids after midnight on places around Aysha hospital and other places around the city of

Summary

First published
July 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
17
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2015

Incident Code

CS126

LOCATION

جديد عقيدات, Jadid Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Six civilians were reported killed and 10 injured in either a Coalition or Assad regime airstrike. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Six civilians were killed including children while no less than 10 others were wounded by the aerial bombardment by the U.S led coalition warplanes in Jadid Akidat in the eastern countryside

Summary

First published
September 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–13
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, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI126

LOCATION

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

A civilian taxi was reportedly destroyed in a Coalition airstrike at Kisik Junction north west of Mosul, killing up to eight civilians including two children and a woman. A girl reportedly survived the attack. The event, described as an evening airstrike, led to the deaths of a number of named victims. The Coalition has confirmed striking

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2 children1 woman2 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
2 named
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

January 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS163

LOCATION

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Raqqa, Syria

Eight children and three women were widely reported killed, in what most sources claimed to be a Coalition airstrike. While Raqqah is Being Slaughtered and Radio Alkul did not attribute the attack, the Syrian Observatory blamed the Coalition: “Eight children and three citizen women were killed in a bombing by the international coalition’s warplanes on

Summary

First published
January 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 12
(8 children3 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

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI193

LOCATION

الفتحة, Fatha, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were reported killed and two injured during an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Fatha north of Mosul according to Al Araby, which said the bodies were transfered to a local morgue. No additional information is presently available. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2016

Incident Code

CS225

LOCATION

الشبالي, Shabali, Aleppo, Syria

Syrian News Desk reported that four civilians from one family were killed and six others injured in alleged Coalition strikes on Shabali. The media opposition activist Ahmed Mohammed, told the news organisation that “the air force targeted the village with two raids. One of them hit a house, killing a woman and her three children,

Summary

First published
June 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(4 children1 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

July 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS248

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

The Islamic State-controlled media agency Al A’Amaq reported that a woman was killed and her young daughter injured in a Coalition drone strike on central Manbij. No other sources are presently known. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in

Summary

First published
July 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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

July 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS257

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

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

Summary

First published
July 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2016

Incident Code

CI269

LOCATION

حي البكر, Hit, Bakir, Al Anbar, Iraq

An unspecified number of civilians was reported killed and injured during alleged Coalition airstrikes at Hit. According to the Iraqi Spring Media Centre, Coalition aircraft have struck the Bakir and Mahboubiya neighbourhoods in Hit in western Anbar, resulting in deaths and injuries. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition

Summary

First published
July 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS331

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a likely separate incident to the one listed above, the Coalition reported the following in its February 2017 civilian casualty report: “Oct. 6, 2016, near Al Shadadi, Syria, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”  

Summary

First published
October 6, 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

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

CI308

LOCATION

طوبزاوة, Tubzawa, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source reported that An adult civilian male killed followed an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Tubzawa. According to a single source, Mr Shihab’s two sons Younis aged 7 and Mustafa aged 2 years old were also severely injured in the incident – and were being treated in the intensive care unit at Irbil

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS361

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A man was killed in Raqqa by a Coalition strike, according to one local source. RBSS reported that a “young man” named Ammar Omar al Dakmawi was killed in a Coaltion raid on Raqqa. VDC identifed him as a civilian.  

Summary

First published
November 7, 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

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI344

LOCATION

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq

More than 20 civilians were killed or wounded in Mosul following the alleged coalition airstrike, according to local sources. An initial report from ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq said that 7 people died and 14 injured in a Coalition bombing on the Al Tanak neighbourhood of Mosul. Other outlets released similar figures. Iraqi Spring Media Center blamed

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
14
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 29, 2016

Incident Code

CS400

LOCATION

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians were reported killed and between 8 and 12 injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Rahiat. In a detailed report, Syria News said that “two children and their parents were killed and 12 other civilians were injured after midnight, due to international coalition targeting of al Rahiat village under the control of

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
8–12
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