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

March 9, 2016

Incident Code

CI200

LOCATION

العصرية, Asriya, Al Anbar, Iraq

In a major mass casualty incident, 69 civilians were reported killed and 100 injured after alleged Coalition or possibly Iraq government aircraft allegedly struck the village of Asriyah. All of the victims were said to be from the Al Bojaber tribe. According to al Rafidain and other sources, fifteen of those killed were said to

Summary

First published
March 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
69
(10 children10 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
100
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 9, 2016

Incident Code

CI222

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

The Coalition conducted several night raids on telephone exchanges and reportedly the Babylon Bank in Mosul, which resulted in the deaths of at least six and as many as 67 civilians. In November 2016 the US initially admitted to killing one civilian in the attack, noting that “during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit,

Summary

First published
April 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 67
Civilians reported injured
9–38
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

December 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS038

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

In one of the the worst known incidents of mass civilian casualties reportedly caused by coalition bombings, at least 51 non-combatants were killed when aircraft struck an Islamic State local headquarters, which was also being used as a temporary prison. Somewhere between 150 and 400 people were being held by ISIL on petty charges at

Summary

First published
December 28, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
51 – 65
(2–4 women30 men)
Civilians reported injured
20
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
31 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1686

LOCATION

الشعفة, al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 65 civilians including 20 or 21 children and nine women died in a major casualty event in al Sha’afa, local media reported. There was one allegation against the US-led Coalition, and also Egypt. The majority of sources blamed Russia, with @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH saying that a family of 10 were among those killed. Euphrates Post,

Summary

First published
November 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
42 – 65
(20–21 children9 women9–12 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–36
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
Named victims
42 named, 7 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

CS217

LOCATION

كلجبرين, Kaljibrin, Aleppo, Syria

A fierce battle for the town of Kaljibrin left up to 39 civilians dead – with both Daesh and the Coalition blamed for the fatalities. So-called Islamic State launched a major assault on Kaljibrin, later releasing a video in which it boasted of capturing weapons there. However Coaltion aircraft then reportedly struck at Daesh forces

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28 – 65
(18–21 children4 women6 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
28 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 30, 2015

Incident Code

CS065

LOCATION

بئر محلي, Jubb Mahli (Ber Mahli), Aleppo, Syria

In one of the worst reported incidents in nine months of bombings by the US-led Ccoalition, 64 civilians were said to have died in an attack on the village of Ber Mahli near Sareen – the majority of them women (19) and children (32). It remains disputed as to whether the village was partly or

Summary

First published
April 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
64
(32 children19 women13 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
64 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

June 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1118 RS2311

LOCATION

دبلان, Dablan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 60 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Dablan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the event, with allegations against the Coalition, Russia and the Syrian regime. The pro-regime source, Damas Press, put the death toll at 40 and blamed the

Summary

First published
June 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21 – 60
(5 children2–5 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–60
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
Named victims
22 named, 7 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2015

Incident Code

CI073

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Reports claimed that a second major airstrike in a matter of days struck the town of al-Hawijah south of Kirkuk, killing many non-combatants at the marketplace and a nearby bridge. A related peshmerga offensive against Islamic State was reported in the area. Video images show the devastated market area, with many areas left burning. Almost

Summary

First published
June 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 60
Civilians reported injured
24–80
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, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1398

LOCATION

السخاني, Sukhani neighbourhood, near Hani mosque, Raqqa, Syria

In a major casualty incident, as many as between 33 and 60 civilians, including many women and children, died following US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al-Sakhani, Raqqa. Almost a year later the US-led alliance accepted responsibility for 33 deaths. According to Baladi, the strike was near the Al-Hani mosque, while Qasioun reported that one of the

Summary

First published
August 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
33 – 60
(12–19 children12–13 women3–8 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
33 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2018

Incident Code

CS1812

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa: Ammar bin Yasser moque, al Boubadran village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least 10 and as many as 60 civilians were reported killed  by the US-led Coalition after a strike or strikes hit the Ammar bin Yasser mosque in Al Boubadran village near al Soussa. The event may have been confused in some media and social media reports to one or two additional nearby civilian harm

Summary

First published
October 18, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 60
(2–5 children)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 31, 2017

Incident Code

CS1310

LOCATION

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to SANA on August 1st, the official Syrian news agency, “US coalition planes killed 60 civilians in raids on villages and towns in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour during the past few hours.” However, Euphrates Post “noted that the news reported by the media of the regime is totally untrue”.

Summary

First published
July 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
60
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 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI589

LOCATION

المشاهدة, Mosul, Al-Mashada, Nineveh, Iraq

Locals said that up to 60 civilians were killed after residential houses in the Mashahda area in old Mosul were accidentally struck. Coalition airstrikes, an Iraqi missile and artillery were all blamed. Iraqyoon reported that 12 civilians were killed in a “mistaken air strike” that destroyed four homes. Al Jazeera put the death toll at

Summary

First published
March 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 60
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

November 11, 2018

Incident Code

CS1833

LOCATION

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 10 and as many as 60 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Kashma, according to local media. Airstrikes were carried out in Al Shaafa and Al Kashma around the same time, and most sources reported on a combined number of civilian casualties as a result of airstrikes in both places. The airstrikes

Summary

First published
November 11, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 60
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 11, 2018

Incident Code

CS1832

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 20 and as many as 60 non-combatants died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sha’afa, according to local media. A number of sources including Baladi News and the Syrian Unified Observatory, reported that the airstrikes hit both the towns of Al Sha’afa and Al Kashma, killing mostly civilians including women and children. According

Summary

First published
November 11, 2018
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 60
(9–13 children8–12 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
View Incident

Incident date

April 22, 2017

Incident Code

CI658

LOCATION

17 تموز, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that 59 civilians, including women and children, were killed and dozens were injured after Coalition airstrikes and shelling on 17 July neighbourhood, as well as on Old Mosul and a health centre in Oreibi neighbourhood, all in West Mosul. It was said that more than seven houses were destroyed “over the heads

Summary

First published
April 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
59
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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 5, 2018

Incident Code

CS1722

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that between 17 and 59 civilians were killed in the village of Al Sha’afa. According to a tweet by @syrians, most of the casualties were women and children. The US military has admitted to killing two civilians in the attack. Radio al Kul and Free Deir Ezzor both stated specifically that 17

Summary

First published
February 5, 2018
Last updated
May 1, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 59
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2018

Incident Code

CS1779

LOCATION

السوسة و الباغوز, Ice factory, between Al Soussa and al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that between 28 and 58 civilians were killed and up to 45 injured as a result of alleged Coalition or associated Iraqi strikes on an “ice factory” in the Deir Ezzor countryside. According to a correspondent for Step News, Coalition aircraft “launched five successive air strikes”, hitting an ice processing plant called

Summary

First published
July 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28 – 58
(6–12 children6–12 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
25–45
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

September 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI106

LOCATION

الصينيه, Senjah, Salah Al Din, Iraq

A mass casualty incident was reported in Iraq, with at least 43 civilians killed and a further 68 injured, after aircraft were said to have bombed the Senyah region north west of Bayji. The target appeared to have been a former Iraq Army logistics base, while those killed were living nearby in tin shacks. Locals

Summary

First published
September 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
43 – 58
Civilians reported injured
68–70
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 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI504

LOCATION

New Mosul neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq

An eyewitness, Ghania Hassan – resident of the al-Jadida (New Mosul) neighborhood – told Foreign Policy that more than 56 civilians were killed after a Coalition missile hit a house where they were gathered, reportedly forced to by ISIL combattants. The eyewitness account as written down by Sam Kimball, Foreign Policy: “If they stopped the

Summary

First published
March 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
56
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS609

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a major casualty incident, between 44 and 56 named civilians reportedly died and up to 55 others were wounded in a Coalition airstrike on an automated bakery in the Al Thani neighbourhood of Tabaqa, according to local sources. The US-led alliance later conceded seven deaths in the event. Their September 2018 civilian casualty report

Summary

First published
March 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
44 – 56
(14 children9–10 women)
Civilians reported injured
30–55
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
56 named, 7 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI645

LOCATION

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that Coalition and Iraqi government warplanes carried out airstrikes on Zanjili and other neighbourhoods in West Mosul, killing and wounding dozens. Iraqyoon and Yaqein spoke of more than 100 dead and wounded in the various western neighbourhoods of the city. Several other sources reported (possibly based on an ISIL press statement): “55

Summary

First published
April 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
24 – 55
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
24–50
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

October 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1583 RS2590

LOCATION

البوكمال الباغوز , Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In what has been described as a “massacre” between seven and 55 civilians died, and “dozens” were left injured, following suspected airstrikes on the Al Bagouz water crossing, between Bagouz village and Abu Kamal city, on the northern bank of the Euphrates river. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the

Summary

First published
October 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 55
(7 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Incident Code

CI563

LOCATION

حي الفاروق, Mosul, New Bab/ Farouq, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source reported that 55 civilians were killed by “military operations” in New Bab and Farouq neighborhoods in the west of Mosul. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
55
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI516

LOCATION

حي الصمود, Mosul, Sumud, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press sources said that eleven civilians were killed and more than 40 people were still under the rubble after a Coalition airstrike targeted the Sumud Quarter near the main generator. The Telegraph interviewed several witnesses, who reported: “The planes waited until one of the Daesh walked out into the street and then

Summary

First published
March 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 55
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI639

LOCATION

تل خيمة, Tel Kheimeh near Badoosh, Nineveh, Iraq

In a major alleged incident, two interviewees reported that up to 55 civilians died in an Iraqi or Coalition airstrike and ground-based machine gun fire as they attempted to flee ISIS control. The following unpublished field report was shared by Amnesty International with Airwars: “Interviewee 1: ‘I’m from Tel Kheimeh, a small village, around one

Summary

First published
April 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
55
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

March 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI585

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifai, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 19 civilians were killed and 22 injured when airstrikes hit the neighborhood of the Agrarian Reform (Islah Al Zeraei) and the neighborhood of Rifai, in West Mosul. It is unclear who carried out the raids. Yaqein spoke of both “military operations by the combined forces”, “military aircraft and the International Alliance.”

Summary

First published
March 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19 – 53
Civilians reported injured
22–56
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

November 17, 2018

Incident Code

CS1840

LOCATION

قرية ابوالحسن(البقعان جزيرة)ة , Abo Al Hassan (al-Buqa'an Jazeera), East of Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 15 and 53 civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike with “heavy shelling” on the village of Abo Al Hassan, east of Hajin in the Deir Ezzor governorate, according to locals. Sources claimed that the death toll would rise due to the difficulty in getting civilians out of the rubble. This was reportedly

Summary

First published
November 17, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 53
(17 children12 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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
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

Incident date

August 31, 2019

Incident Code

CS1928

LOCATION

كفرجالس, Kafr Jalis, Idlib, Syria

In an airstrike confirmed by CENTCOM, US forces struck what it reported to be an Al-Qaeda command center in northern Idlib. Local sources reported that the US strike struck a military headquarters belonging to “Ansar Al-Tawhid” in the town of Kafr Nabil, but added that civilian houses were struck nearby as well, resulting in a

Summary

First published
August 31, 2019
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
22 – 29
(6 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
22
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
22 named
Belligerents reported killed
14–51
Belligerents reported injured
23
View Incident