US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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
text search
2864 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

CI580

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Location

باب سنجار, Mosul, Bab Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.347347, 43.1225932 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that an unspecified number of civilians were killed or injured after airstrikes targeted Bab al-Sinjar neighbourhood, in west Mosul.

Two sources blamed the Coalition, while others did not identify who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 25th-26th the Coalition publicly noted: ” Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four mortar positions, two tactical vehicles, a supply cache, and a sniper weapon system; damaged 11 supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS663

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.882222, 39.048611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported the death of “an old man” and the injuring of five other civilians following an airstrike on Ratla. The source did not identify the culprit, noting that the injured were taken to a field hospital.

No further details are currently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Ratlah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 4th-5th, the Coalition reported: “Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; and destroyed three fighting positions, three vehicles, a mortar system, a rocket system, and an excavator.”
For April 5th-6th, the Coalition reported: "Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIS vehicle."

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI625

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

Mosul, Sekak, Iraq

Airwars assessment

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on November 30th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” by Human Rights Watch. According to the Coalition report, “April 10, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via Human Rights Watch organization: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.”

The Coalition shared the location of this assessed strike with Airwars. The location was stated as the Sekak neighbourhood in Mosul. This matches the location of a separate strike reported by Airwars (I489), also assessed as non-credible in the April 2017 civilian casualties report.

The strike was assessed as non credible based on the claim that “no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” However, the Coalition reported multiple strikes in Mosul that day.

No additional details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Nov 30, 2017

  • After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 9th-10th the Coalition publicly stated: “Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, five mortar systems, three medium machine guns, and a vehicle; damaged 22 supply routes; and suppressed four mortar teams.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS694

Incident date

April 15, 2017

Location

مزرعة يعرب, Mazra'at Yarub, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.977858, 38.872622 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians from the same family died and two others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit homes in the village of Mazra’at Yarub, according to local sources which all blamed the Coalition.

According to Smart News, “Five civilians from one family were killed in most likely coalition air strike on a village west of the city of Raqqa, north of Syria, a local source told the Smart correspondent on Saturday night. The source added that the aircraft targeted the houses of civilians in the village of Mazra’at Yarub, in Mansoura district (35 km from the city of Raqqa), which is controlled by the Islamic State, killing the family members.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mazra’at Yarub (مزرعة يعرب), Raqqa governorate, for which the coordinates are: 35.977858, 38.872622.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mazra’at Yarub, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties. (1330)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 14th-15th: “Near Raqqa, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and a weapons cache. Near Tabqa, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.“

For April 15th-16th: ” Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed an ISIS bridge, and damaged an ISIS supply route. Near Tabqah, 11 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units, destroyed seven fighting positions and an ISIS vehicle.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI657

Incident date

April 21, 2017

Location

الحضر, Hatra, Kayrawan and Balij, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

35.469167, 42.453611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that about twenty civilians died when Iraqi forces, “backed by the Popular Populist militia and the US-led Coalition” launched an attack on Hatra, Qayrawan and Balij, South of Mosul, in Nineveh province.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reported of the incident mention Hatra ( الحضر ), Qayrawan ( القیروان ) and Balij ( بلیج ), South of Mosul in Nineveh province. The generic coordinates for Hatra Subdistrict are  35.469167, 42.453611. The generic coordinates Qayrawan area are 36.1567681, 42.0361151. Possible coordinates for Balij village are 36.9249886, 41.4392281.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 20th-21st: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units, destroyed 11 rocket-propelled grenade systems, seven fighting positions, six VBIEDs, five mortar systems, three VBIED facilities, a weapons cache, a medium machine gun and an ISIS staging area; damaged 11 ISIS supply routes, four fighting positions; and suppressed two mortar teams and ISIS tactical unit.”

Iraq Government Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iraq Government Forces
  • Iraq Government Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS736

Incident date

April 26, 2017

Location

Northern Raqqa countryside, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Airwars assessment

Al Raqqa Truth and the Raqqa News Network reported the death of one man in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the northern Raqqa countryside.

No further details are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Al-Faris
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Al-Faris, from Raqqa, died in alleged Coalition strikes in the north eastern countryside, April 26th (via Al Ragga Truth)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in northern Raqqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 28, 2017

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility. (1380)

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 25th-26th, the Coalition reported no strikes at Raqqah though noted that “Near Tabqah, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; and destroyed four fighting positions and a fuel truck.“
For April 26th-27th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a front-end loader, a fighting position, and a mortar team.”
The Coalition later reported: "Near Tabqah, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions"

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CI678

Incident date

April 30, 2017

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.34585235, 43.09857692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that it could not assess the credibility of an NGO report indicating civilian casualties in the vicinity of Mosul. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “April 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Airwars had previously been unaware of such a report, and has been unable to locate any related public report.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Mosul, Iraq
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jul 7, 2017

  • The report contained insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For April 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Mosul, six strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed two mortar systems, a vehicle, a fighting position, a VBIED, a tactical vehicle, and an ISIS staging area; damaged seven ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an artillery system.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    US-led Coalition

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS778

Incident date

May 7, 2017

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five civilians, including two women, were reportedly killed and 11 more were injured in Tabaqa in what appears to be shelling by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by airstrikes carried out by the Coalition.

One member of ISIL was also reportedly killed and several more were injured, according to Smart News Agency. Mohab Nasser of the Tabaqa Media Center made no mention of casualties in his report, but claimed that the Coalition was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
  • The aftermath of alleged Coalition raids on Tabaqa, May 7th (via Mohan Nasser - stills originally from Al A'amaq video)
CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient information on the time and location
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Tabqah, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 25, 2018

  • The report contains insufficient information of the time location and details to assess its credibility.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For May 6th-7th the Coalition reported: “Near Tabqah, nine strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed four fighting positions, two tactical vehicles, a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It later added that “Additionally, three strikes were conducted in Syria on May 6th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a supply cache.”

For May 7th -8th the Coalition reported: "Near Tabqah, 15 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed eight fighting positions and a vehicle" It later added "Additionally, three strikes were conducted in Syria on May 6th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a supply cache."

It later added "Additionally, two strikes were conducted in Syria on May 7th that closed within the last 24 hours. Near Tabqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position."

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]