US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

October 5, 2014

Incident Code

CI007

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

It was reported by several sources in Hit that Coalition or Iraqi jets struck a number of civilian houses, killing up to 22 persons. Eight children and 3 women were reportedly among the dead. One of those quoted on the event was Nabil Souri, an Iraqi citizen working at Hit hospital, who learned that many

Summary

First published
October 5, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 24
(8 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
43
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 22, 2014

Incident Code

CI019

LOCATION

يت, Hit, hospital and Zohour, Al Anbar, Iraq

Multiple airstrikes reportedly targeted Hit, allegedly leading to significant civilian casualties. News agency Herak reported one eyewitness as saying that five airstrikes had struck the city: “The first targeted outside a hospital building, and the other targeted a house near the mosque. A further air strike targeted a house in the Qadisiyah district, leading to

Summary

First published
November 22, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
9–35
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2020

Incident Code

CS1953

LOCATION

غريبة الشرقية, Ghariba al-Sharqiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One person was reported killed in an alleged US-led Coalition and QSD/SDF joint security operation/landing in Ghariba al-Sharqiya in Deir Ezzor, Syria on November 7th, 2020. Some of the local sources which reported the incident said the person killed was an internally displaced person (IDP), and others described him as an ISIS member. For example,

Summary

First published
November 7, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown, Unknown
Suspected target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2015

Incident Code

CI035

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Centre, Nineveh, Iraq

Citing a police source in the city, NINA claimed that nine civilians were killed and seven injured in an international coalition airstrike: “The source said that ‘the international coalition targeted the homes of civilians which resulted in the killing and injuring of dozens of civilians’… He pointed out that ‘the bodies of the martyrs arrived

Summary

First published
January 28, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(1 child3 women)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI052

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

In an event previously unknown to Airwars, an internal CENTCOM review of a Coalition strike on an ‘ISIL weapons assembly area’ at Hawijah identified a possible issue. According to the report, “ISR imagery showed that an unintentional potential ClVCAS may have occurred. Unidentified and unexpected personnel were seen IVO [in the vicinity of] the detonations.

Summary

First published
March 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2015

Incident Code

CS075

LOCATION

عربيد, A'rbeed, Raqqa, Syria

A reported Coalition strike near the ISIL-occupied village of A’rbeed was said by the Syrian Network for Human Rights to have killed three civilians in a farmhouse – a 43 year old man and his two wives. Two other sites described Coalition strikes in the vicinity, though did not refer to civilian deaths. In February

Summary

First published
June 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 women1 man)
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

July 11, 2015

Incident Code

CI083

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were fresh claims of Coalition-inflicted civilian casualties at Mosul, with 37 non-combatants alleged killed and injured in airstrikes reportedly aimed at disrupting power supplies to the city. According to NINA, the dawn raid “caused a complete interruption of electricity – and some water pumps stopped in the city.” Some hospitals reportedly lost access to

Summary

First published
July 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(3 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Incident Code

CI115

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local and medical sources said that 13 civilians were killed and up to six more injured after Coaliton planes struck their homes in the centre of Mosul, while three more civilians died after a shop was reportedly struck by the Coalition in the west of the city. This report references the event in central Mosul.

Summary

First published
September 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 16
Civilians reported injured
3–6
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

November 10, 2015

Incident Code

CI137

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Rifai (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that 12 primary school children were injured following an alleged Coalition airstrike at Rifai, west of Mosul. No other details are presently available. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions

Summary

First published
November 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 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

January 29, 2016

Incident Code

CS170

LOCATION

دادات, Dadat, Aleppo, Syria

A young child was killed in either a Coalition or a Russian airstrike near Al Dadat, on the road to Jarablus. Ara News blamed the attack on Russia, while Shaam News and Halab Today among others said the US-led Coalition was responsible. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that

Summary

First published
January 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Incident Code

CS190 RS734a

LOCATION

أبو قلقل, Abu Qalqal, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on the town of Abu Kalkal. Opinion was split as to whether the attack was Russian, Coalition or Syrian regime in origin. Daesh-linked Al A’amaq Media, the Syrian Observatory, the Syrian Network, the Syrian Human Rights Committee, Shaam News and al Hall Media all said the attack

Summary

First published
March 13, 2016
Last updated
March 21, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

April 10, 2016

Incident Code

CI223

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al-Bab Al-Gharbi and Ummal, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed Coalition planes struck a home in the Al-Bab Al-Gharbi neighbourhood of Hit in western Anbar, which resulted in the injuring of a family. A later report said two women died in the attack on Ummal neighbourhood. In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non-credible on grounds of

Summary

First published
April 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
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

May 24, 2016

Incident Code

CI241

LOCATION

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Seven civilians were reported killed and 23 injured in two reported alleged Coalition raids. In the first event Coalition aircraft reportedly struck a Daesh security headquarters in the July 17th neighbourhood of Mosul. Iraqi Revolution – which published an aftermath picture showing a massive plume of smoke (right) – said the area around the Almoghaith

Summary

First published
May 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
23
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 12, 2016

Incident Code

CI265

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Two displaced families from Tikrit were reportedly killed in an alleged Iraqi government or Coalition airstrike at Hawijah. Iraqi Spring reported that all members of his family died in the bombing of their house by the Coalition. Another local source claimed a second family was also killed. There was confusion about who might have been responsible

Summary

First published
July 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 31, 2016

Incident Code

CS287

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an attack on Manbij. Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “during a strike against ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was injured after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.” In

Summary

First published
July 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Incident Code

CS307

LOCATION

المزيونة, Mazyoneh, Aleppo, Syria

The VDC listed a 33 year old civilian male as a victim of alleged coalition warplane shelling. His name was given as Taha al Afara. According to Manbij Mother of all the World, Tahal al Afara was killed and “his two brothers Khalaf and Hassan wounded in a coalition strike on his brother’s home in

Summary

First published
September 10, 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS335 TS005b

LOCATION

تل بطال, Tall Btal, Aleppo, Syria

Between 3 and 4 displaced people were reported killed in camps near Tal Btal, a village south of Ra’i in the Aleppo countryside. It was unclear whether Turkey or the Coalition was responsible. Ramaf reported that an attack hit a camp, claiming “the lives of three martyrs and [left] more than fifteen wounded as a

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(0–1 children)
Civilians reported injured
15
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2016

Incident Code

CS350 TS005e

LOCATION

نعمان, Nu'man, Aleppo, Syria

Ten civilians were killed by alleged Turkish or Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of Nu’man, according to local sources. The US-led alliance later denied conducing strikes in the vicinity on this date. An initial report by ISIS-controlled propaganda unit Al A’amaq said that “10 civilians [were] killed in American raids on a group of fuel

Summary

First published
October 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Incident Code

CS366

LOCATION

الكالطة, Qaltah, Raqqa, Syria

Two children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a tractor at Qaltah. The source appeared to be ISIL media arm Al A’amaq. Al Jazeera said five civilians in total died – though suggested some of the deaths occured elsewhere. Qassioun stated that “fighter jets of the international coalition launched a massive air

Summary

First published
November 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS382

LOCATION

العبارة, `Abbarah, Raqqa, Syria

A named mother and child were killed and five civilians injured in a reported Coalition airstrike on al I’bara. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, Khatoun Shawwaz al Hamoud and her young son Hamad died when the Coalition targeted their village. The Syrian Observatory reported that the airstrikes also displaced other civilians from the village.

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2016

Incident Code

CS401

LOCATION

كبش غربي, Kabish Gharbi, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported civilian casualties following an alleged Coalition raid at Khabish Gharbi. According to Smart News, “one civilian was killed and others wounded in coalition raids on the village of Kabish Gharbi north of Raqqa.” In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016,

Summary

First published
December 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

December 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI375

LOCATION

شارع خالد بن الوليد, Mosul, Khalid Bin Al Waleed street / Al Masrif, Nineveh, Iraq

Seven civilians were killed in alleged Coalition strikes, according to local sources. ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq reported that seven people died in a US bombing at Khalid Bin Waleed Street on the eastern side of Mosul. At least three other outlets, including Al Kawaser reported identical reports, using the same language. A local source later named

Summary

First published
December 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI399

LOCATION

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

Five civilians were reported killed, including three children and two women in raids in West Mosul. Shafaaq reported that strikes of unknown origin had that “wrongly” targeted displaced people west of Mosul.  

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Incident Code

CI438

LOCATION

Wadi Hajjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Three civilians were reportedly injured by ISF (or possibly Coalition) mortars according to eyewitness interviews by Amnesty International. A previously unpublished assessment which Amnesty shared with Airwars reads as follows: “On 25 January an ISF mortar [Airwars note: presumed – but possibly US, see below] landed on their house in Wadi Hajjar and caused it

Summary

First published
January 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
3
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

February 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS479

LOCATION

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians were reportedly killed and seven injured in a night time Coaltion strike on al Rahiat near Raqqa. According to Smart News “warplanes bombed, late on Thursday night, the band 17, al Assadiya farm and Al Rahiat, north of Raqqa, killing four civilians, including two women, and injuring seven others, including children, were killed,

Summary

First published
February 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI466

LOCATION

جامع يحيى الطالب, Mosul, Omar al Taleb mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians in an event near Mosul. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with

Summary

First published
February 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS527

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Tabaqa, according to Smart News and the Syrian journalist Mazen Mohammad. Jisr TV reported that the Coalition carried out raids but did not mention any casualties. On April 30th 2017 the Coalition declared the event ‘not credible’, noting: “Feb. 22, 2017, near Tabqah, Syria, via

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS541

LOCATION

جسر الرقة, Old Bridge, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the old bridge in Raqqa, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “Coalition planes launcedh new raids targeting the old Raqqa bridge, destroying large parts of it, in addition to killing the young man Ahmad Saleh al Arab“. According to Step news

Summary

First published
February 27, 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

March 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI514

LOCATION

الدواسة, Mosul, Dawassa area, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents sources said that between 41 and 52 civilians were killed, including 23 children and one woman, and more than 70 injured after Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi government forces struck civilian homes at dawn, at the right side of Mosul. Witnesses told Iraq News that there were “dozens of women and children

Summary

First published
March 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
41 – 52
(23 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
70
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