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

December 26, 2014

Incident Code

CS037

LOCATION

الباب, Aleppo, Syria

An internal CENTCOM review reported unnamed open sources as claiming civilian casualties had occurred as a result of Coalition airstrikes. A provisional review found that there had been no international airstrikes in the vicinity of the city on that date. Airwars researchers later identified coverage from the time of Assad regime attacks on Aleppo on

Summary

First published
December 26, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 45
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 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

December 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS039

LOCATION

جرابلس, Jarabulus, Cultural center, Aleppo, Syria

An 8.30pm coalition bombing raid on Jarablos – a major Islamic State hub – destroyed a cultural centre being used as an ISIL headquarters in the town. According to Aleppo News, “According to activists, the strikes caused great devastation in the building in addition to the destruction of two civilian houses in the vicinity. Witnesses

Summary

First published
December 28, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 women1 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2015

Incident Code

CI027

LOCATION

الفرحانية, Villages of Al-Farhaniya and al-Subaihat, Salah Al Din, Iraq

An airstrike by an unspecified belligerent reportedly killed 12 civilians including women and children, and wounded an additional 23. The deaths occurred during an Iraqi government offensive against Islamic State.

Summary

First published
January 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
23
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

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 11, 2015

Incident Code

CI028

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source claimed that a coalition strike on the town of Qayyarah near Mosul killed and injured “dozens.”  

Summary

First published
January 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2015

Incident Code

CS041

LOCATION

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

Extensive coalition air raids on Islamic State-controlled oil fields reportedly killed four civilian oil workers, according to a number of sources. Local website Step Agency listed what it said were the targets struck: “The alliance planes at dawn today launched more than five raids targeting Islamic State near the town of Abu Kamal in the

Summary

First published
January 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4–5 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2015

Incident Code

CS042

LOCATION

near al-Bo Omar, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In the January 25th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that a civilian casualties allegation near al-Bo Omar had been assessed as non credible: “#1 Jan. 12, 2015, near al-Bo Omar, Syria via regional human rights group report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in

Summary

First published
January 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2015

Incident Code

CS043

LOCATION

حماة, Um al Nayr, Idlib, Syria

A female civilian, a civil engineer, was reported by Syrian Martyrs to have been killed in a Coalition airstrike. Confused reporting placed her death either at Umm Al Nayr near Hama, or at nearby Kaferzita. However, VDC – which named the victim – stated that a 25 year old instead died in an attack by

Summary

First published
January 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2015

Incident Code

CS044

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The website Syrian Martyrs identifies one man it says was killed in a Coalition airstrike near Dayr Ezzawr. He was reported as a resident of Tayana, the village where he was killed. However Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies – which named him – said that although he was from Tayana, he was killed in Al

Summary

First published
January 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS045

LOCATION

الطيانة, Tayyani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An adult civilian male, was reported by a number of sources as killed in a coalition airstrike on his neighbourhood.  

Summary

First published
January 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 19, 2015

Incident Code

CS046

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

An internal CENTCOM review cited reports from the ‘pro-opposition’ Step News Agency that three civilians had died when Coalition missiles struck homes in al-Shaddadi. According to the news site, “two civilian houses were targeted leading to the martyrdom of three from one family and several wounded including women and children.” The Coalition concluded that its

Summary

First published
January 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI029

LOCATION

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

A Canadian airstrike at Kisik Junction was alleged to have killed between 6 and 27 civilians, according to an internal CENTCOM report. The source was an English-speaking peshmerga fighter, who had passed on his concerns to Coalition Special Forces based in Iraq. The Canadian attack had targeted “an ISIL sniper/ HMG [havy machine gun] position

Summary

First published
January 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 27
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 22, 2015

Incident Code

CI030

LOCATION

خزيمة, Aski Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM report identified concerns of civilian fatalities raised by local Nineveh MP Abd al Rahman al-Luwayzi. According to the MP, “Arab families, fleeing the area of Aski Musil were targeted by coalition aircraft, killing or wounding ‘scores of civilians.” The town is situated on the banks of the Tigris River to the north

Summary

First published
January 22, 2015
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

January 22, 2015

Incident Code

CI031

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM report cited a Tweet by an Iraqi “self proclaimed freelance journalist” (identified as Mr Zyad al-Senjary) who had posted a photograph of “a partially-destroyed house and claimed 2 children were killed and several Iraqis injured in a UAV [drone] strike.” An initial CENTCOM inquiry identified 32 total Coalition engagements in Nineveh for

Summary

First published
January 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2015

Incident Code

CI032

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM report cited a Tweet on January 23rd as claiming that 6 members of one family had been killed in a Coalition strike in Anbar province. The identity of the tweeter was redacted in a publicly-released version of the file, though they were described as “Pro-ISIL… reported coalition airstrikes killed 6 family members

Summary

First published
January 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI033

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

The previously-secret CENTCOM file also noted reports by redacted “prominent anti-ISIL Twitter users” that “civilians are being killed in the bombardment.” With so few details to go on, CENTCOM concluded that there was “insufficient evidence to determine date and time of any specific allegation.”

Summary

First published
January 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2015

Incident Code

CS047

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Martyrs website identified a single non-combatant victim of a reported Coalition strike in Aleppo.  He was also named by the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Research which said he was originally from Idlib, though didn’t specify if he was a civilian or a militant. However, all other sources described al Jolani as a

Summary

First published
January 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2015

Incident Code

CI034

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, Nineveh, Iraq

Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported two alleged Coalition airstrikes, killing five and injuring two civilians called Mohammed Mohammed Ahmed and Ebtehalf Mohammed Yosef. The first attack took place at 7.40 AM local time on the highway close to the town of Umm al-Dheban at that time. The second airstrike was at 8.40 AM local time

Summary

First published
January 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
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

January 29, 2015

Incident Code

CS048

LOCATION

الطيانة, Eastern Al Buwaida or Kobane, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A non-combatant civilian male, Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Bkar, from the town of Al Kussair near Homs was reported killed in an airstrike. While Syrian Martyrs attributed the strike to the Coalition, VDC blamed the Assad regime. Other reports were unclear. The location of the man’s death was also confused, given variously as Kobane in

Summary

First published
January 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2015

Incident Code

CS050

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a second alleged incident in the area for this night, it was reported that civilian oil workers died in a Coalition attack. According to Thiqa, “preliminary reports refer to the fall of the martyrs among civilians working in the oil, as well as a number of wounded civilians arrived at the field hospital located

Summary

First published
February 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2015

Incident Code

CS049

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Major coalition air raids on the oil fields around Shadadi reportedly led to the deaths of up to four non-combatants. Residents described a significant attack, with one site reporting: “Among the most prominent oil fields targeted were Al Rawees and Al Howyaziah east of Shadadi. The fires are also still burning in Kabiba close to

Summary

First published
February 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(2 women1–4 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI036

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal post-strike review for CENTCOM of full-motion video revealed a “possible child entering a targeted bunker and then disappearing out of the field of view (FOV) approximately 19 minutes before Strike.” The dynamic strike, conducted by a French Mirage 2000 using a Bu-49 bomb, killed an estimated five enemy fighters. Claims that a child

Summary

First published
February 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2015

Incident Code

CS051

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An internal CENTCOM review cited claims from a redacted Twitter user that “Coalition aircraft killed an entire family in an airstrike on Ar Raqqah ‘in response to the killing of Jordanian pilot Mu’adh al-Kasasibah.’ The allegation was accompanied by an attached photo showing the alleged victims wrapped in white cloth.“ An internal review found that

Summary

First published
February 4, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2015

Incident Code

CS052

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A Jordanian airstrike against an “ISIL weapons compound” – in coordination with the US military – allegedly killed US aid worker and hostage Kayla Mueller, along with up to 30 militants from Islamic State. The US later said that “with the information that we have there’s no evidence of civilians in the target area prior

Summary

First published
February 6, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2015

Incident Code

CS053

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

A coalition airstrike allegedly killed four unnamed civilian males in the vicinity of Al Shadadi, according to VDC. The Step news agency reported multiple coalition strikes in the vicinity: “The Alliance today carried out a number of raids on ISIL targets south of Al Hassakah. Five missiles fell on the city of Shadadi followed by

Summary

First published
February 6, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 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
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2015

Incident Code

CI038

LOCATION

الموصل‎, 100km South of Mosul on ‘Road 1’, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged coalition airstrike struck a vehicle on the road between Mosul and Baghdad, which was carrying Jordanian mosque janitor Ahmed Abdul Aqi [sometimes Baqi], his wife and daughter. All three died in the incident. The driver of the car Ahmed al Azzawi (pictured below) also died according to his family. In a detailed report

Summary

First published
February 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child2 men)
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2015

Incident Code

CS054

LOCATION

كبيبة, Kbeibah, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two oil workers were killed and two others injured in a reported Coalition airstrike on a house used by workers at Kbeibah, according to a number of sources The two dead men were buried at Hadida Cemetery in Hassakah. The Syrian Network for Human Rights published a detailed report on the event: “On Wednesday February

Summary

First published
February 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI039

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Cultural area, Nineveh, Iraq

According to NINA, citing a security source, nine members of a family – including women and children – died after coalition warplanes “bombed a house at dawn in the Althaqafiyah residential complex area in the north of Mosul, suspected of being taking a den or a hideout by Daash terrorists.”  

Summary

First published
February 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(3 children2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident