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

July 9, 2015

Incident Code

CS095

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

The death of a 12 year old boy, Fares al-Khodour in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Hassakah on July 9th led to an international outpouring of grief and condemnation of the ongoing civil war in Syria – and of the Coalition’s own involvement. Fares had fled as a refugee with his family to Beirut,

Summary

First published
July 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
(1–5 children)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI167

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, General hospital, Al Anbar, Iraq

Fallujah’s General Hospital was cited as reporting that seven people were killed – including five children and one woman – following an alleged Coalition airstrike. Three women and a child were also said to have been injured. However, the Iraqi Spring Media Center did not attribute the incident to any party. And artillery sheling of

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4
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

June 27, 2016

Incident Code

CS242

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilians from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Manbij, according to multiple sources. Manbij Mother of the World placed the death toll at 7, though the Syrian Network reported that four died – including 2 children. However a local activist (whose account is now suspended by Twitter)

Summary

First published
June 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(2 children)
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

July 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1147

LOCATION

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria

Seven civilians were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Marqadah in the southern Al Hasaka area, local sources reported. All three sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible, though it has publicly reported no actions in the vicinity that day. No further details were available. In its own assessment of the claim,

Summary

First published
July 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
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

July 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1163a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’ joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, 11 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report by Amnesty/Airwars stated that

Summary

First published
July 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(4 children1 woman2 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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2016

Incident Code

CI175

LOCATION

بنك الرشيد, Mosul, Al Rasheed Bank in Zuhoor, Nineveh, Iraq

At least two civilians and as many as seven were killed, and five injured, in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on an ISIS-controlled bank in central Mosul. The attack was aimed at destroying millions of dollars of terror cash – with US officials prepared to accept up to 50 civilian casualties to achieve their objective, according

Summary

First published
January 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2016

Incident Code

CI279

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to two sources, at least 7 civilians killed including a child and woman and 6 injuries by an alleged Coalition airstrike in Rutba district west of Anbar. The sources cited that the strikes targeted various locations in Rutba district. No additional details are presently known. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition

Summary

First published
August 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI627

LOCATION

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources reported that six civilians were killed and several others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Anah, in the west of Anbar province. In a suggestion that the deaths were caused by the Iraq Air Force, Saad Awad – the mayor of Anah district – reportedly called on the government’s air force

Summary

First published
April 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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

April 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS717

LOCATION

البارودة, Al Barouda, Raqqa, Syria

Six civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of a camp for internally displaced Syrians. Smart News reported: “A local source told the Smart correspondent that aircraft likely to be the international coalition shelled a camp for displaced people near the village of Al-Barda (20 km west of Raqqa), killing

Summary

First published
April 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 child3 women)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1329

LOCATION

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buweitiya, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources have reported that on August 4, 2017, between three and six civilians were reportedly killed in an aerial bombardment on Al-Buweitaya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor. Some sources have alleged that the US-led Coalition was responsible, however, other sources attributed the attack to the regime, and some to Russia. According to

Summary

First published
August 4, 2017
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1548

LOCATION

الصبحة, Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to six civilians died in an airstrike on Al Sabha, according to local media, though it was unclear who was to blame. Most sources did not identify the warplanes responsible for the attack, thoiugh Qasioun pointed towards the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the regime, and put the death toll

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children1 woman1 man)
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, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 19, 2018

Incident Code

CS1814

LOCATION

هجين , Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged fourth problem Coalition airstrike in the governorate of Deir Ezzor over a 48 hour period allegedly hit a ‘Qur’anic institute’ (a place in which the Qur’an is taught) in Hajin, in what some local sources described as another “horrific massacre”. Various sources reported that the airstrike killed six civilians and wounded several others.

Summary

First published
October 19, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

April 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS687

LOCATION

الهزيمة, Al Hazima, Raqqa, Syria

Two families died in an incident at Al Hazimah, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether they died in Coalition airstrikes or artillery strikes by other forces. SY reporter said that a family and a doctor were killed and blamed the Coalition. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a doctor

Summary

First published
April 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(4 children2 men)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1505

LOCATION

المرشدة, Al Mrashda, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four to six civilians including one woman, displaced from Iraq, and three to five children were reported killed in an airstrike on al Mrashda village near al Boukamal. The Coalition admitted responsibility for six deaths in the event in February 2020, with the US military conceding its role three months later. JFL at the time

Summary

First published
September 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3–5 children1 woman)
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1652 RS2663

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A family of up to six civilians died in airstrikes on Al Soussa town, according to local media. While most sources said that Russia was to blame, two alleged that the Coalition was responsible. One other source pointed towards the Syrian regime. The majority of sources (Al Latamna Youth Gathering, Al Jisr, Baladi, Eldorar, Step

Summary

First published
October 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 children1 woman)
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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS167 CS147

LOCATION

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Violations Documentation Center and others, six civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in the vicinity of the Aisha hospital in Al Bukamal. According to Deir Ezzor 24, eight rockets or missiles were launched on the town. However, the Syrian Observatory has attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition.

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 24, 2019

Incident Code

CS1919

LOCATION

ماشخ أو الضمان, Al Daman or Mashikh village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that at least four civilians from the same family were killed in a joint operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces with air support from Coalition fighter jets around 1 am between April 24th and 25th. Baladi claimed that Coalition helicopters participated in the raid. While most sources, including an eyewitness and the

Summary

First published
April 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1 child2 women3 men)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2016

Incident Code

CI215

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A likely targeted operation in Mosul killed ISIL’s media chief in the city when his car was struck – but also reportedly slew his wife and five children. The nighttime attack reportedly killed Daesh ‘Media Minister’ Abdel Qader in his car in the vicinity of the city’s Saddam Hospital. However, according to NRN News, “his

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 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 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1582

LOCATION

Sukkaria, Ne'ma Matar school near Al-Hamdan road, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Six civilians from two families reportedly died following airstrikes on the town of Sukkaria, close to Al Bukamal, local sources alleged. An unknown numbers of civilians were left wounded after the attack, with the death toll expected to rise due to some people being in a critical condition. A correspondent for Deir Ezzor 24 reported

Summary

First published
October 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1–5 children1–2 women1 man)
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, Russian Military
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1797

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported a “massacre against civilians” after air and artillery strikes in the area of Sheikh Hamad in the town of Al Bagouz Fawqani. A hospital was also reported damaged or destroyed in the action. Orient News reported “a large number of dead and wounded […] as a result of artillery and rocket fire and

Summary

First published
September 13, 2018
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI814

LOCATION

الطارمية, Tarmiyah, al Baghdadi, Baghdad, Iraq

According to many sources, up to six civilians died and others reported injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad. Sources said that a drone strike targeted the home of Tarmiyah council member Jameel Al Shermeet and a gathering of young people at the Narjes restaurant at 10.25pm. The source revealed 6 victim names and

Summary

First published
July 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
Civilians reported injured
4–10
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
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI231

LOCATION

الموصل, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged Coalition airstrike on a bank in Faisaliah reportedly killed six students and injured a further eight civilians. According to NINA, “The international Coalition bombed on Thursday [April 21st] the Um Al- Rabiein bank in the Al Faisaliah area in the north of Mosul, which led to the martyrdom of six students who were

Summary

First published
April 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
8
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

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1488

LOCATION

العشارة, Al A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that members of ISIS families died in airstrikes which hit homes in al A’shara/Al Hawa – though none of the reports said who was responsible for the incident. Moreover, there was some dispute over the location of the strike, and whether the homes struck belonged to civilians. According to Euphrates Post, “Two

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 6
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, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1515

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported six civilians killed in alleged Coalition strikes on Raqqa city, the source said “the martyrdom of a mother and her five children as a result of the bombing by international coalition aircraft on the city of Al-Raqqa last Friday” Raqqa24 and Mohammed Othman also named the vicitms and reported

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 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
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS210

LOCATION

احتيملات, Ahtemlat, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians including up to 5 children died in a reported night time Coalition strike at Ahtemlat in Aleppo governorate. Graphic images showed the bodies of at least two infants being recovered. According to the Syrian Observatory, “SOHR activists were informed that no less than 4 IS including a commander were killed by aerial bombardment

Summary

First published
May 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2016

Incident Code

CI265

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

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

Summary

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

Incident date

April 13, 2017

Incident Code

CI636

LOCATION

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of six civilians in an incident near Mosul. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED engaging Iraqi Security Forces, it was assessed that six civilians were unintentionally killed when a group of fleeing civilians

Summary

First published
April 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 25, 2017

Incident Code

CI731

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

A single local source reported to Yaqein Agency that five children and their mother were killed after Coalition airstrikes hit their house in Zanjili neighborhood in West Mosul. The source had added that “heavy and continuous indiscriminate shelling makes the task of recovering the bodies and transporting the wounded very difficult, as well as [getting]

Summary

First published
May 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 children1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1663

LOCATION

باغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four or more civilians died in an airstrike on al Baghouz, according to local media. While most sources pointed towards the Coalition, one said that it was unclear whether Russia had been responsible. The US-led alliance later admitted killing five civilians in the event. According to Al Hal, “Coalition forces also raided al-Bagouz village in

Summary

First published
November 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2014

Incident Code

CS002

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that six unnamed civilian males were killed in a Coalition airstrike on Al Hassakah. It said it had obtained the news via the Syrian Network for Human Rights, though that original report cannot presently be traced. In July 2017 the Coalition classed the event as Non-Credible, saying there was too

Summary

First published
September 25, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(6 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident