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

August 16, 2014

Incident Code

CI001

LOCATION

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

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

Summary

First published
August 16, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2019

Incident Code

CS1924

LOCATION

الطكيحي, Al Takihi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

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

Summary

First published
July 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–5
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2014

Incident Code

CI015

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

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

Summary

First published
November 5, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2019

Incident Code

CS1892a

LOCATION

الباغوز, near al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

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

Summary

First published
January 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 5, 2015

Incident Code

CS040

LOCATION

معرحطاط, Ma`arr Hitat, Idlib, Syria

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

Summary

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

Incident date

January 20, 2022

Incident Code

CS1976

LOCATION

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

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

Summary

First published
January 20, 2022
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
Civilians reported injured
1–10
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known belligerent
Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
24–374
Belligerents reported injured
2–200
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2015

Incident Code

CS058

LOCATION

الجيسي, Al Jesse, Al Hassakah, Syria

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

Summary

First published
February 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 6, 2015

Incident Code

CS066

LOCATION

الغرة, Al-Gharah, Al Hassakah, Syria

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

Summary

First published
May 6, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI079

LOCATION

حديثة, Haditha, Al Anbar, Iraq

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

Summary

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

Incident date

July 30, 2015

Incident Code

CS108

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

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

Summary

First published
July 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
17
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2015

Incident Code

CS126

LOCATION

جديد عقيدات, Jadid Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

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

Summary

First published
September 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–13
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI126

LOCATION

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

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

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2 children1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2015

Incident Code

CI150

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Warrar, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed that at least five civilians – mostly children and women from two displaced families – were killed and six to 12 wounded after an aerial bombing of their home in the Warrar area of Ramadi. Al Samaria quoted what it said was an anonymous source in the Daesh-occupied city: “Two missiles from

Summary

First published
December 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1–4 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS163

LOCATION

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Raqqa, Syria

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

Summary

First published
January 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 12
(8 children3 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI193

LOCATION

الفتحة, Fatha, Nineveh, Iraq

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

Summary

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

Incident date

June 8, 2016

Incident Code

CS225

LOCATION

الشبالي, Shabali, Aleppo, Syria

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

Summary

First published
June 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS248

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

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

Summary

First published
July 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS274

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

A report on August 5th 2016 by local blogger Hathifa al Yaman Abu al Majd claimed that approximately 15 civilians had died in a Coalition strike two weeks earlier, with their bodies still buried under rubble. “American Alliance planes – around 15 days ago – committed a massacre against three families opposite al Fatah mosque

Summary

First published
July 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI278

LOCATION

الجوسق, Mosul, Al-Jawsaq, Nineveh, Iraq

As many as 19 civilians reportedly died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Jissag near Mosul. Up to nine children and five women were said to be among the dead. Yaqein reported the deaths of a woman and her four children in what was described as a Coalition strike. The Iraqi Spring Media Centre also

Summary

First published
August 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 19
(4–9 children1 woman)
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

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

CI302

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, girls' school, Nineveh, Iraq

The Russian Military General Staff claimed that a Coalition airstrike on a girls’ school south of Mosul killed a number of civilians. According to Sputnik News, The Russian General Staff said that more than 60 civilians were killed and 200 others were injured during air strikes launched by the international coalition led by the United

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
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

November 4, 2016

Incident Code

CI319

LOCATION

الكندي, Mosul, Kindi, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a single local report, a father and his daughter were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes. Mosul Eye reported that 2 civilians (father and his daughter) have been killed in US-led coalition airstrikes in Al-Kindy neighbourhood, on the eastern bank of Mosul.  

Summary

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

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI339

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

At least ten civilians were killed by strikes in Anbar province, according to local sources. Yaqein reported that 10 civilians were killed and others injured, including women and children by both Coalition and Iraqi Air Force planes. One additional report, posted by @amsiiraq, referred to dozens of dead and wounded, and also cited the Coalition

Summary

First published
November 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
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 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI350

LOCATION

الصناعة, Mosul, industrial district, Nineveh, Iraq

Fourteen or more people were reported killed and 35 injured following the alleged Coalition bombing, according to local sources. Multiple social media accounts, including @IQsunni, reported identical reports, stating that 14 people were killed and 35 injured as a result of a US airstrike on an industrial area in Mosul. Another tweet, by @zyaad_alsenjar, wrote

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 18
(14 women)
Civilians reported injured
35
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 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS436

LOCATION

كبش, Kabish, Raqqa, Syria

Up to three civilians died during a battle for control of Kabish. While most sources blamed SDF artillery, one claimed that the US-led Coalition was responsible for the deaths. A single source, Eldorar, reported that three civilians died in an alleged Coalition strike on Kabish. However according to Raqqa Post, one victim, Sadeq Qassem, was

Summary

First published
January 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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, Syrian Democratic Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI432

LOCATION

حي النجار, Mosul, Al-Najjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 14 people, mostly from one family, were killed when a Coalition airstrike targeted the house of Khalil Ekrb at 3pm in Al-Najjar neighborhood, near Hawi, in the northwest of Mosul. Iraqyoon said the raids had targeted ISIL members in front of the house, but that the bombing “did not

Summary

First published
January 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14
(6 children4 women)
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

January 31, 2017

Incident Code

CI446

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously known to Airwars researchers, the Coalition reported on March 4th that it was assessing an event at Mosul. According to the release “Currently, 19 reports of civilian casualties are still being assessed… Jan. 31, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.” No additional details are presently known.

Summary

First published
January 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI458

LOCATION

قصر المطران, Mosul, Qasr al-Mataraan, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source said that three sisters were killed and their mother seriously injured after airstrikes destroyed their house neighbouring an ISIL position in Qasr al-Mataraan (Bishop Palace) area at the right side of Mosul. Urgent Mosul news reported that the raids had targeted and killed ISIL members, yet had also killed the three sisters.

Summary

First published
February 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 women)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS513

LOCATION

الجلاء, desert of al Jalaa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike in a car in the desert of al Jalaa, according to local sources. The alliance denies the claim. According to Euphrates Post and the Shaam News Network, the two deaths occurred when Coalition jets struck a “Hyundai car carrying petrol in the desert of al Jalaa”. LCCSY

Summary

First published
February 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

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 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI523

LOCATION

العامل, Mosul, Amil, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press sources said that dozens of civilians were killed or injured and many were still under rubble, after reported Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces targeted Amil neighborhood, west of Mosul. Iraqi Spring reported that “the government forces shelled their homes in Amil neighborhood at the right side of Mosul after

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 24
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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